Ocala Gazette | December 24 - December 30, 2021

y r r Me Christmas

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021

The Year of Better, We Promise

— 2021 —

was a mixture of not-so-much and sweet surprises.

Illustration by David Vallejo

Schlenker’s year in review

By Dave Schlenker

Specal to the Ocala Gazette

I

was in the school car line on that January day when the U.S. Capitol was breached — smashed and shattered and violated — by patriots practicing patriotism by beating bloodied American police officers with flag poles attached to American flags obscenely desecrated by a surge to upend democracy and hang history’s most conservative vice president.

A mouthful, yes.

To be sure, this is an odd way to start a light-hearted year-end review of 2021 (as assigned to me by my patient editors). It was hard to find a smile in 2020 and, six days into a year that promised at least some promise, our collective sack of smiles was already raided.

Two months later, my sweet wife Amy was diagnosed with cancer. Again.

Four months into this Year of Better, We Promise, Amy had the first of two surgeries in 2021 and the third of four surgeries in three years.

Soon thereafter, though, the tide turned for the Schlenkers. Our youngest daughter earned her driver’s license, which means — sing it with me, parents — NO MORE STEAMING-HOT CAR LINE! This was a small chunk of happy with big implications.

So, I did smile in 2021. Amy is clear of cancer and doing great. We thank

her doctors, our family and the cast of “Schitt’s Creek” for her progress.

But health scares put things into perspective and this made us focus more on the positive. That said, I offer my Top 10 stories of 2021.

10. World Equestrian Center I spent more than 25 years covering Marion County news. And the biggest news story was, by far, Six Flags Over Florida breaking ground in Ocala. A game-changer. Jobs and traffic and fun – oh my! Problem was: It was not true.

Bigfoot had more credibility.

I note this because 2021 proved Ocala does not need no stinkin’ Six Flags. We now have the World Equestrian Center (WEC) and it is, indeed, a game-changer. Clocking in at nearly 400 acres, WEC hosts world-class equestrian competitions.

There is live entertainment, a lavish hotel, restaurants, shops, ice cream, a Christmas Winter Wonderland and, of course, horses everywhere. WEC truly feels like a big-ole honking, stay-forthe-day park. Simply: It is a destination.

And: It is real.

9. Growth In the time it took to write this clause, another development with impressive adjectives likely found its way onto a government agenda. Could be townhomes. Could be mansions. Could be quadraplexes. Could be an apartment

complex the size of Zuber.

This has been a year of substantial growth in Marion County, with local politicians approving and pondering dozens of housing developments. Along State Road 200 alone, new projects introduced in 2021 encompass 25,000 homes and 2,000 multi-family units.

There’s Copper Leaf, Oak Hammock Preserve, Long Leaf Park, Rollings Hills, Cottages of Ocala and, according to well-founded rumors, Six Flags Over Quail Run. 8. City election Ocala City Council and mayoral elections got down and dirty in 2021.

Embarrassingly so, at times. But I vowed to stay positive, so I am happy to report print is not dead! And by print, I mean the printed campaign fliers that choked my mailbox every day.

I tried to keep all the direct mailers to track what cloaks worked discreetly for what daggers, but the pile became a fire hazard. Before those mailers were tossed, I read the words “corruption,” a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” and — RUN FOR THE HILLS! — “liberal.”

Ending on a positive note: The election is over. Red Scare defeated. The commies are no longer under your bed, Timmy.

7. TikTok bathroom vandals Remember the good ole days when See Schlenker’s, page A2

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 26

$2

“No build” road debate continues

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

A

fter almost three hours of spirited public comments and an equally spirited discussion amongst the board, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBOCC) approved a letter to be sent to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) concerning the proposed northern turnpike extension.

During deliberation on Tuesday, Dec. 21, the board amended some language to the original draft of the letter included in the regular meeting agenda; and, after two failed motions, the wording of the letter was finally approved in a 3-2 vote.

In the final vote, County Commissioners Craig Curry, Michelle Stone and Jeff Gold voted yes for a version of the amended letter, while Commissioners Kathy Bryant and Carl Zalak III both dissented.

Bryant’s concerns revolved around her desire to reference the recommendations of a task force from earlier this year. She wished to change the language so that it asked FDOT to “adhere closely to the guiding principles and instructions contained” in the task force recommendation.

Objecting to the word “adhere,” Stone explained to the board that to her Bryant’s suggested edit sounded a lot like a “no build” resolution.

Stone continued by saying that adhering to the task force’s recommendation, instead of examining and evaluating them, would be translated by the state as “do not cross the Greenway,” and she wouldn’t approve language of that kind.

“I think you’re making a mistake if you do not give them the authority that they need to conduct the survey,” said Stone of the FDOT. “That’s going to give us the opportunity to really be a partner and get some traffic relief.”

Zalak approved of Bryant’s change but voiced his reticence to a “no build” resolution.

“I don’t like these routes,” admitted Zalak.

“Does that mean that I would come up here and put a resolution together for no build?

I don’t think of that as having a thoughtful process. But I do think FDOT can do a much better job if they wanted to put a road through our community.”

Stone offered her proposed edits to the board as minor tweaks to the opening and closing paragraphs of the letter. She explained that her edits were meant to help See Public, page A2

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Carl Zalak III, the chair of the Marion County Commission, speaks during the County Commission meeting on Dec. 7.

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DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Schlenker’s year in review Continued from page A1 school bathrooms were used as student smoking lounges and occasional swirlies?

Well, the cools kids of 2021 upped the ante with the TikTok # DeviousLicks Challenge.

Here’s how it worked: Leave class for the bathroom. Attack said bathroom.

Smash that sink. Rip out that urinal.

Obliterate that soap dispenser.

Most important: Be sure to film yourself performing these crimes. Don’t forget to post the video, too, so authorities can find you and access evidence easily.

This was a national trend; locally, at least nine students were arrested.

Why? Good question. It’s 2021.

6. Supply-chain issues The pandemic mucked up the global supply chain, affecting everything from liquor and Christmas trees to toilet paper and fruity Cheerio’s.

Then, on Dec. 5, 2021, my wife and I emerged from isolation to celebrate our 29th anniversary. At 6:30 p.m. in downtown Ocala, a restaurant hostess looked at us and said, “I’m sorry. We are out of food. But the bar is still open.”

It’s 2021.

5. City Council gets tough on masks After months of passionate debate over face

coverings, the Ocala City Council manned up in March and unanimously churned out a no-nonsense recommendation encouraging people to wear face coverings indoors.

Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the non-enforceable recommendation.

4. Fun returns Concerts, plays, art festivals, parades and coach firings returned in 2021. I attended Light Up Ocala and smiled uncontrollably. I did not attend the Ocala Christmas Parade because I did not put out my lawn chairs in 2020. Snooze you lose. Just like old times.

3. Fire fee thing In October, a judge ordered the City of Ocala to refund about $80 million in a class-action suit that challenged fees added to Ocala Electric Utility bills for fire services. I am told this is a big deal.

Essentially, the judge ruled Ocala’s fire service fee was an unconstitutional tax Amid days of ridiculous mask debates — “mask mandates hide your smiles” —I sincerely paid little attention to this chunk of news. I think there is a letter in our “I’llget-to-it-later” mail basket that mentions it. But I do know any time the words “fee,” “refund” and “million” surface in our mailbox, it is important civic news that merits placement in a Longaberger mail-

stash basket and not random-counterspace placement.

No matter. I am anxious for my $80 million refund.

2. Publix makes large-scale announcement Few things in life are as reliable and constant as the big, clunky Toledo brand scales at Publix. Currently, they have me at 151 pounds rather than the stupid 160 at my doctor’s office. More importantly, those scales take me back to the early 1980s when my mother would step on them every week to gasp — publicly — at a result influenced more by my stealthy foot than the actual weight of my mother.

Tradition.

Publix announced in December that the iconic scales at each store’s front entrance will go away. “The manufacturer ceased production in 2015, meaning that one day — although our wonderful repair shop keeps our remaining machines in great shape — the last Publix scale will retire,” a recent Publix post stated.

The scales have been a fixture at Publix for 81 years. But in 2021, as vaccines turn into boosters that turn into politics, the imminent removal of such a simple staple is huge. Agitating my mother 40 years ago with a simple toe on a supermarket scale feels like a value worth a fight.

Yet we are too exhausted to fight. In an age of supply-chain issues and ballsy mask “recommendations,” the sadness over simple things is poetic and significant. Give us our old-school scales, you disruptor, you liar, you Year of Better, We Promise.

1. We have a puppy His name is Rigby Floyd, and he is a Golden Doodle named for the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” and the bass player for the Muppet’s Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem band. He arrived at our home months after the death of Abbey Tubesox, the corgi who was a constant in a life of pandemics and insurrections and illness.

Rigby Floyd is the ultimate kiss-off to the Year of Better, We Promise. Screw you, cancer. Screw you, insurrectionists. Screw you, gas prices and politics and masks and big lies and teens who smash urinals on social media. The Schlenkers got a puppy in 2021 and that is profound.

Now we stare down the barrel of 2022.

Perhaps the world will settle. Perhaps Ocala will share an awkward group hug in between dressage at the WEC, the end of random urinal destruction and the return to common sense.

I simply know this: It is nearly 2022.

We have a puppy. Life has returned to our beloved Ocala. And, apparently, the city owes us $80 million.

Public outcry over possible road Continued from page A1 continue the board’s partnership with FDOT as the northern turnpike project progresses through the different phases of development.

“It’s not that we want to pave over Marion County,” said Stone after the meeting. “I don’t want to lose anything. I want to gain everything that we can. So let them do the study. Let’s partner with them and figure out what can be done.”

Curry, who had voted to approve Bryant’s suggested amendment to the letter in a previous motion, changed his vote, the deciding one, once Stone pointed out her “no build” concerns within the language of Bryant’s suggested edit asking FDOT to “adhere” to the task force’s recommendations.

Ultimately, the 3-2 vote approved Stone’s amended version of the letter, while voting no on Bryant’s suggested change to the second item. The letter will be emailed to FDOT Project Manager William Burke.

“There is no amount of money worth what we lose if this project is built through the heart of Marion County,” said Bryant. “For those who live in this area, it will forever change their way of life.

“So, as I’ve said many times,” she continued, “the biggest issue we face is accommodating the growth that we know is coming our way.”

Public Outcry Over 20 people spoke during public comments on Tuesday, with the vast majority in opposition to the toll roads, asking the board to agree to a “no build” resolution.

Public resistance to the northern turnpike extension cited increased traffic, air and water pollution, environmental damage and the loss of the rural character of Marion County as some of their chief concerns, among many others.

While expressing his disapproval of the proposal, one speaker began crying at the tale end of addressing the board.

“It is just so heartbreaking,” he said through tears. “I just wish they would consider not building.”

Alicia Hart, who lives in Dunnellon, presented to the board a document with 258 signatures from Florida Highlands residents who opposed

the planned turnpike extension.

While she said she appreciated the draft letter, Hart wished to change the letter asking FDOT to “examine and evaluate” to “follow.”

“We want them to follow the task force recommendations.

Millions of taxpayers’ dollars funded this task force and we would like their recommendations to be used,” Hart said.

David Houtz, who lives at 8741 S.W. 140th Avenue in Dunnellon, pleaded to the county board to stand its ground.

“We as residents should not have to take one for the team because this board is afraid of losing state support in the future,” Houtz said. “I may be a new resident of Marion County but I’m a proud resident of Marion County—proud of how we packed this chamber today and how the board has given us the opportunity to express our concerns.

“Please listen to your residents with an open mind and take into consideration the irreversible damage this road will cause,” he concluded.

Mayor of Dunnellon Bill White also spoke against the extension, citing a recent Dunnellon city council meeting where the council voted unanimously for a no build resolution.

“Marion County is one of the fastest growing counties in the country,” White said. “Putting this turnpike through these rural areas with these little county roads will be like pouring steroids on growth. If you think you are challenged now with smart growth, the biggest challenge to smart growth is a tidal wave of development.”

Jimmy Gooding, of Gilligan, Gooding, Batsel, Anderson & Phelan, P.A., who frequently represents the interests of developers before the MCBOCC took a different position than the others giving public comments.

He explained that the board truly had three options: do nothing, say no toll roads in Marion County or say no toll roads in Marion County without the MCBOCC’s participation in the location process.

“These maps that we’ve seen are horrible,” said Gooding. “I’m not surprised that the reaction is what it is. But that’s just an example of how bad maps can be, and what happens if we don’t have a seat at the table.”

Gooding added that sticking with option one sounds great—no toll roads in Marion County—but will it work? He asked.

“That’s the problem. FDOT is not building this road because it wants to. It’s building this road because the legislature said you’re going to build it. And I don’t think the effective thing to do is to say ’Not through Marion County.’ And that’s it. I think with proper study some of these routes could be tweaked and still provide needed transportation relief.”

Echoing his partner’s sentiments, attorney Rob Batsel, Jr. told the MCBOCC that he also wished the county would maintain a seat at FDOT’s table. He called the no build resolution an

“unreasonable position.”

“That’s the quickest way to minimize our voice and perhaps lose our seat at the table,” he said, adding “that we’re not going to be successful by stomping our feet, crying and saying no.”

Jan Cubbage, a councilwoman for the City of Dunnellon asked the board to look at the county seal above their heads.

“It represents water, our landscape and of course our equine industry,” she said.

“But I still say that one of our biggest assets of our county is our people. We have so many wonderful people who begin their lives here and maintain their residences here.”

Cubbage informed the board of her concerns for low-income

families who will be directly affected by the building of the northern turnpike extension, many of which, she claimed, won’t have any other place to go.

“We must consider all of these persons,” Cubbage concluded, “because so many neighborhoods will be impacted if these roads go through.”

Jeff Slauson of Dunnellon addressed Batsel’s comments from earlier in the meeting.

“We had a couple of lawyers stand up here today and tell us not to stomp our feet and say no, but we’re the ones that stand to lose our land. We’re the ones who stand to lose our quality of life,” he said. “We’re the ones to lose the very reasons we chose to live here.”

Pictured above is the final draft letter approved by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 21. [Courtesy of Marion County]

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DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ocala’s Tidings of Comfort and Joy

“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”

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O

h, Ocala.

Just when I had become fed up with your politics and your policies, the Christmas season arrived. There is simply no room for “Bah humbug!” when celebrating the holidays in our sweet town.

We probably celebrate the holiday season like most small towns in America, but I feel certain Ocala represents the holiday spirit best of all. While other towns may have Christmas lights and parades, we have our people. And that’s what sets us apart.

The holidays are a time when the spotlight on acts of kindness and service is amplified, a helpful reminder that we should love our neighbors.

It doesn’t take a grand gesture such as a huge monetary contribution or saving someone from a burning building to show you care. Ocala’s citizens know that it is the small, simple acts of kindness towards their neighbor that can touch someone’s heart for days, weeks or years.

I myself have experienced several acts of kindness just within the last two weeks.

My husband and I were recently enjoying a date night at a local downtown restaurant. We squeezed into the last two seats at the bar, thrilled to have an hour or two with each other. We exchanged brief pleasantries with a gray-haired, smiling gentleman to our left, who was dining alone, and then turned to each other to discuss the week’s events.

As we finished our drinks and appetizer, the bartender noted that our tab had been taken care of by the gentleman to our left. When we turned to thank him, he said, “It’s my pleasure. I just ask that you pay it forward. I’m here in Ocala because my dad is in hospice and my sister recently passed from COVID-19. Life’s short. Pay it forward” We left the restaurant grateful for that gentleman and determined to pay

it forward.

Last weekend, my husband and I took our two rambunctious preschoolers to an early dinner at an outdoor restaurant with live music. Our children danced, sang and ran around while we tried to keep up with them in between bites of our food and sips of our drinks.

A smiling woman with close-cropped hair and a loud laugh came over to us to ask if she could dance by our table with our kids while we finished our meals.

She explained, “We were stationed in Italy when my daughter was this age and the Italians at a local restaurant would gather her up and entertain her so her dad and I could eat a peaceful meal. She’s 18 now and doesn’t need entertaining anymore, so I’m continuing the tradition.

I’ll stand here and entertain them while you finish eating.”

While it seemed odd at first, it was so appreciated. That woman had no idea how helpful her three minutes of doing “The Sprinkler” with our children was for us.

Lastly, I witnessed an act of kindness occur through a local Facebook page. My friend and former colleague, David L. Moore, asked for donations to purchase gift cards for Mr. Vernon, the crossing guard at Eighth Street Elementary School.

Mr. Vernon has served as a mainstay in the morning routines of countless adults and kids in southeast Ocala as he shepherded generations of children safely to school. The response was overwhelming and contributions poured in from people who didn’t even have children at the school but waved to Mr. Vernon every morning on their way to work. The neighborhood contributed more than $350, which was used to purchase Publix, Visa and WaWa gift cards.

Ocala is like a Christmas tree with a myriad of collected, meaningful ornaments, which in my metaphor represent our people. The ornaments are not all shiny and perfect, nor are they all uniform. Some ornaments sit contently at the back of the tree while others shine brightly, front and center.

The tree has some holes that need filling in, representative of our need to continue growing socially, culturally and politically.

A string or two of the tree’s lights flicker on and off reminding me of our need to work together, despite our differences, to continue to make Ocala a bright, shining light for the world to see. There will be some years our branches will look more like the Charlie Brown tree than the Rockefeller Plaza tree, but our cherished ornaments will remain the same.

Wishing you and your loved ones the merriest of Christmases.

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DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Let’s get political (action committee)

By Matthew R. Cretul Sr. matthew@ocalagazette.com

Y

ou hear the term Political Action Committees (PACs) brought up and discussed when conversations turn to politics and voting, especially when elections are near.

But what are they, and what are some of the regulations around them? How do candidates feel about them? Why do people start them? How active were they in the previous local election?

What’s a PAC? Elections in Florida are controlled by the Division of Elections (DOE), which falls under the Florida Department of State. The DOE publishes and updates a committee handbook, which contains information pertaining to different aspects of committees such as financial deadlines and regulations on advertising and communication.

According to the handbook, a political committee is defined as: “A combination of two or more individuals, or a person other than an individual, that, in an aggregate amount in excess of $500 during a single calendar year.”

A person other than an individual translates to someone who chooses to create a PAC in the name of a candidate.

Typically, the groups are labeled as “friends of (candidate name).”

The definition goes on to include the following qualifiers. A committee “accepts contributions for the purpose of making contributions to any candidate, political committee, affiliated party committee, or political party, expressly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate or issue, making expenditures expressly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate or issue, or makes contributions to a common fund, other than a joint checking account between spouses, from which contributions are made to any candidate, political committee, or political party.”

While the majority of PACs deal with candidates or issues being voted on, there is also a less-utilized type of PAC that is focused on constitutional amendments.

The handbook also delineates what a political committee is not.

“A political committee is not an electioneering communications organization, an affiliated party committee, or a political party executive committee.”

While PACs may have political leanings and work closely with candidates for office as well as elected officials, they do not have any formal party affiliation. Groups with formal ties to a political party are known as party executive committees.

Additionally, Florida DOE guidance outlines whether a PAC must register at the municipal (political committees supporting or opposing municipal candidates or issues), county (political committees supporting or opposing countywide or less than countywide candidates or issues – except municipal), or state levels (political committees supporting or opposing statewide, legislative, or multicounty candidates or issues, or political committees that would otherwise be required to file in two or more locations by reason of the committee’s intention to support or oppose candidates or issues at state or multicounty and local levels).

According to the Marion County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) website, there are two active PACs registered at the county level, Citizens Encouraging Progress, Inc., and the Committee to Improve Marion County, and three active Executive Committees (Republican, Democratic, Libertarian) locally.

Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox said that his office’s job when it comes to PACs is similar to the job it has dealing with candidates.

“Our goal is to keep people out of the weeds, out of the ditch,” Wilcox stated.

Wilcox went on to state that he and his staff spent a good deal of time trying to work with both candidates and committees to ensure they had an understanding of the regulations and stayed within their boundaries.

With the reporting systems being automated, Cristi Cerra, a support services analyst for the SOE, said the deadlines for committee reporting are hard and exact, and committees can incur fines if they file a report even a few seconds after the deadline.

Starting a PAC Doug Cone, president of Cone

Distribution, helped create the Citizens Encouraging Progress, Inc., PAC (CEPI), which was focused on getting the penny sales tax implemented in Marion County.

He said he saw a direct need in the county, and a PAC was one way to advocate for the causes.

“When it [the penny sales tax] was passed the first time, we believed the necessity was absolutely there for infrastructure, roads, etc., and for first responders and safety–two really hot topics. One of the things we did was put out the public opinion survey, and we reached all the way out to On Top of The World, it was really county-wide. And what did we see when we got the results back? Those were the number one and number two issues,” Cone said.

PACs can choose to support a political party, a certain candidate, or a certain issue. Cone said CEPI made sure to narrow its focus from the start. ”CEPI is issue-specific only. We are nonpartisan, no monies to candidates, etc., that’s in our charter because we take money from the city and the county.

So, CEPI is specifically designed to take important issues that are going to have a benefit for all the residents of Marion County,” said Cone.

He went on to note that while CEPI concentrates on one area, how they support the cause is a collaborative process.

“I think when you can focus on specific issues, and you’re not a mile wide and an inch deep, you’re very, very targeted. And

that’s what the CEPI PAC is designed to do with the governance of the PAC. While I’m chairman, my input comes obviously from our team, Kevin Sheilley and company, and from my executive board. And then, if we make a decision, that goes to our full board for approval, so we’ve got great checks and balances,” said Cone.

It’s that collaboration, Cone said, that is key.

“And so, […] it’s about synergies, it’s about building consensus.”

CEPI has shown virtually no activity outside of administrative expenditures since February of this year when it spent $5,000 on a survey for Horse Farms Forever, and Cone says he doesn’t see any issues on the immediate horizon that CEPI will get involved with.

The DOE Committee Handbook does stipulate when committees must consider disbanding, including “limited activity,” which they define as “the committee’s aggregate reported financial activity in each of two consecutive calendar years is $500 or less.”

But Cerra said that while those stipulations do exist, it is possible for PACs to remain together if they continue to file the required fees and maintain good standing.

A politician’s view of PACs Joe Harding represents District 22 in the Florida House of Representatives. He was first elected in 2020 and said he’s felt how PACs can influence a race.

“I know from firsthand experience.

I got hit with PAC attacks when I was running. And so, I mean, I’ve seen it and lived it. And it’s not, it’s not fun,” Harding said.

“Because you will see things printed about yourself, or put on a TV ad, in an email, or a text blast that is, frankly, just disgusting or wrong. And then you’ve got to decide, as the candidate, are you going to spend money to come back?” he said further.

Harding said it’s frustrating to have to deal with PAC attacks when running a campaign, especially when the information being put out hasn’t been vetted, and may not always be fully truthful.

“There is a negative side to PACs and an ugly side of politics in general. You get attacked by a PAC and you can’t figure out where the money came from, and you feel like you got blindsided. And that is, frankly, it’s probably the part that when you run for office that, that you have the most anxiety over…a PAC can attack someone without necessarily anyone […] ever really taking responsibility for it,” he relayed.

Politicians have the ability to pass regulations that affect PACs and how they operate, including limits on donations size and timing as well as improving transparency, but Harding says a one-size-fits-all approach to regulation might be difficult.

“I am very supportive of looking at limits for PACs that are supporting constitutional amendments, but I think it’s tough to set limits on PACs as a whole.”

One area Harding isn’t fond of is what he called “PAC stacking,” or the ability PACs have to funnel money almost freely amongst themselves. He said these kinds of actions can take money given for one cause and move it to another.

County Commissioner Kathy Bryant, who is running for re-election in District 2, received a $1000 check from the Florida Thoroughbred Political Action Committee on Nov. 17, 2021.

In August, a political committee not officially tied to any candidate, but responsible for several negative flyers targeting candidates running for Ocala offices, received almost $35,000 from local companies and individuals, according to state records.

Some of the donations to Accountability In Government came from Florida Express Environmental ($10,000); Ocala Health CEO Chad Christianson ($5,000); R. Thad Boyd II Living Trust ($5,000); Central Florida Gaming Inc. ($5,000); and Recharge LLC ($2,000).

Previously, Cone Distributing Inc. gave $10,000, and Honoring My Father LLC gave $5,000 to the PAC. Further, Citizens for Florida Prosperity PC is financially connected to Florida First Forever PAC. Florida First Forever received a $20,000 contribution from local businessman Stan Hanson.

Brigitte Smith, chair of the Marion County

AMYHARBERT/Ocala Gazette

“In some cases, you’ll see well-intended folks may give to a PAC because they support a specific cause that the PAC was raising money for. And then that PAC gives to another PAC, who gives to another PAC, and four or five transfers later, […] money is being used for something that I don’t know the initial contributor supported. That is […] is the absolute brutal part about it,” Harding described.

While he has his hesitations about the role PACs play in the political process, he said he’s started one of his own and detailed his reasoning for getting involved with what he termed a “necessary evil in politics.”

“So, for me, my only reason for ever opening a PAC was the ability to be able to fundraise and raise dollars for and be able to support like-minded conservative candidates. And so, for me, I mean, I’m conservative, I believe in conservativeprinciple issues.”

A flyer for a recent campaign event Harding held spelled out different donation levels and included directions to anyone wanting to give over $1,000. The flyer instructed anyone wishing to donate over $1,000 to make checks payable to his PAC. Harding said, “I think it’s important to include it because folks […] may not know the process. I mean, many people don’t know that there’s a cap…so we try to do that to at least make people aware that there is a cap, and if you are giving above that, there’s an option.”

PAC money in Marion Of all the candidates in the most recent city election, Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn was the only candidate to accept money from PACs, according to the Marion County SOE website. On Sept. 2, 2021, the Florida Thoroughbred Political Action Committee wrote a check for $1,000, and on Sept. 15, 2021, Liberty for Florida wrote Guinn a check for $1000.

Of the candidates filed to run in the upcoming 2022 general election, Marion

Republican Executive Committee (REC), detailed in an email response what the REC’s focus was when it came to allocating donations made to the group both internally as well as externally.

“The REC uses the funding it raises to support the efforts of the Republican Party and its values, including community outreach and measures of republican campaigns from a local and state initiative…all expenditures promote the operations of REC, republican philosophies, and candidates within our community and state. Our focus for 2022 is raising additional funds to be able to lease a Victory Center.”

Regarding executive committee funds on hand, according to figures taken from the Marion County Supervisor of Elections, through Dec. 31, 2021, the Republican Executive Committee has taken $709,486.59 in monetary contributions since its inception while listing $672,556.63 total expenditures and distributions, leaving it with $36,929.96 remaining on hand.

The Democratic Executive Committee has taken $556,011.03 in monetary contributions since its inception while listing $546,491.75 total expenditures and distributions, leaving it with $9,519.28 remaining on hand.

The Marion County Florida Libertarian Party has taken in $919.42 in monetary contributions since its inception while listing $847.40 total expenditures and distributions, leaving it with $72.02 remaining on hand.

As for the county-level PACs, CEPI has taken $161,016.00 in monetary contributions since its inception while listing $160,977.19 total expenditures and distributions, leaving it with $18.81 remaining on hand.

The Committee to Improve Marion County has taken $34,400.00 in monetary contributions since its inception while listing $26,600.78 total expenditures and distributions, leaving it with $7,799.22 remaining on hand.

A5

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

2021 Commentary Marion County Year in Review

By Mounir Bouyounes Marion County Administrator

T

o say 2021 was a memorable year would be an understatement. A lot happened this year — bouncing back from COVID-19, several new road projects to help manage traffic flow, an initiative to clean up litter around the county, and so much more.

Through it all, I am immensely proud of this organization and the hard work and dedication our employees have put in to continue improving this great county of ours. With the pandemic creating some unique challenges to overcome, I believe we have come through to the other side armed with more knowledge and new techniques that will benefit Marion County for years to come.

Let’s take a look at what Marion County accomplished in 2021.

Penny Sales Tax/Road Projects The Penny Sales Tax has been a massive success for Marion County, and citizens voted to renew the tax on the November 2020 ballot, meaning revenues from the tax will continue to return to the county through Dec. 31, 2024.

The Penny Sales Tax has provided a wealth of benefits

to the county, including new fire trucks and ambulances, improvements to the county jail, updates to animal shelters, and more. Road projects also are a direct result of the Penny Sales Tax, and along with 75 miles of new or improved roadway in Marion County, there are 24 more road projects planned through 2024 thanks to the tax.

Speaking of road projects, perhaps none is currently bigger than the update to the SW/NW 80th Avenue corridor, where the plan is to widen the road from its current two lanes to four lanes with a median. With the World Equestrian Center, On Top of The World, and the new Calesa Township all sharing this corridor, traffic flow is expected to steadily increase on 80th Avenue, and widening the road will help manage traffic as the area continues to grow.

Updates to NW 49th Street also will allow more traffic in the area to connect with Interstate 75, where a new interchange is being constructed as well.

expenditures. The money also helped fund emergency services and public safety for first responders, as well as staff at the Marion County Jail.

The American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, will help address the impact of and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and also provided funding for opportunities needed to prepare for any such events in the future.

Marion County received $71 million through ARPA, and those funds went to water and sewer projects, the Broadband Feasibility Analysis Study and other initiatives around the county, including assistance to not-for-profit organizations.

Lastly, Marion County fully disbursed funds we received from the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, and United Way handled applications and disbursement of the county’s $9.7 million in funding. Through the ERA program, 1,842 applications were funded, and the second phase of the ERA program was approved in December.

Federal Funding Marion County was allotted nearly $64 million through the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act last year, providing reimbursements for specific expenditures related to COVID-19.

These funds were put to work immediately, providing reimbursement to private businesses, nonprofits and small businesses for Supplied COVID-related

Litter Task Force Keeping Marion County beautiful is a priority not only for us but for generations in the years and decades to come. The Litter Task Force was implemented this year to ensure we meet that goal.

The Litter Task Force’s focus is on litter prevention, education, training, and community outreach and action. While the task force is still in the planning and prep phase, I am very excited to see what this initiative accomplishes in the months and years to come. You can follow along with our progress at: marionfl.org/littertf.

Legislative Priorities On Thursday, Oct. 7, Marion

County presented our legislative priorities to the state. Here are some of the appropriation requests we presented: • Ninth State Veterans’ Nursing Home – Following funding in 2019 to find a site for the nursing home, an ideal site has been identified and the design and construction planning should begin upon approval from the state.

• Dunnellon Trail – Multimodal improvements along the trail that will connect trail and river users to businesses in Dunnellon.

• Ocklawaha Groves – Acquisition of this land, which connects to Carney Island Conservations and Recreation Area, would help restore property to a healthy ecosystem and allow for more recreational opportunities.

• Lowell Area Municipal Drinking Water – Funding here would allow for the design and construction of a potable water system in the Lowell community, providing clean drinking water to residents.

Other statewide legislative priorities include modification of the Florida Building Code, revision to Sec. 180.02 F.S. that provides for county consent if a municipality is to provide services within a county service area, support for increasing the statewide 911 fee to $0.80, and tax reforms for transportation and discretionary sales tax.

Marion County Employees Give Back I am continually impressed with the generosity of our Marion County employees. At multiple events this year, our employees

Supplied

Mounir Bouyounes

gave back to the community we live in.

At Jamboree Day in October, we raised more than $10,000 to benefit United Way, the American Heart Walk and the March of Dimes. This Christmas, we helped 90 children have a Merry Christmas through donations to the Salvation Army’s Giving Tree program.

And finally, at our annual Bring The Harvest Home event throughout November, Marion County employees donated more than 11,000 pounds of the nearly 21,000 pounds donated to the food drive, benefitting the Salvation Army, Brother’s Keeper and Interfaith Emergency Services.

Again, 2021 was a year to remember for Marion County.

The new policies and programs we are adopting now will continue to define our great county for years to come. To our citizens without whom this county would not be what it is today, I say thank you and I look forward to continuing to represent Marion County with the same respect and dedication you have shown me. Here’s to another great year in 2022!

Ocala Metro Business Year in Review

By Kevin Sheilley CEO, Chamber Economic Partnership

I

am not sure how one could view 2021 as anything but an incredibly successful year for businesses in the Ocala Metro.

The CEP is excited to review how our community continues to grow, diversify, and prosper.

Economic Growth The local economy continues to demonstrate very strong fundamentals.

As of the time of this writing, the local unemployment rate was only 4.2%. The Ocala Metro has consistently led the state in the growth of manufacturing jobs throughout the year with a manufacturing workforce of nearly 11,000. Logistics, construction, hospitality, healthcare, and services all reported strong growth throughout the year. More importantly, the Ocala Metro is recording job growth while at the same time seeing wages report healthy gains.

Industrial Spec Development One of the most significant changes in the local business community has been the planned investment by nearly a dozen companies in the area for industrial spec development projects that will add north of 7 million sq. ft. to the local market over the next 18 months. Why is this important? Not only will each of these facilities attract new companies and jobs, but just the investment in the facilities represents a capital investment of $700 million. As these facilities are added to the tax rolls in future years, that represents millions of dollars for local governments, our schools, and first responders. Millions of dollars in investment that benefit every citizen.

New & Expanded Companies Several new companies opened facilities or had new facilities under

construction in 2021. Optimum RV announced in the summer they were locating their new corporate headquarters in a recently acquired office building in Southeast Ocala. This new facility allowed them to add more than 50 high-wage jobs with opportunity for more growth in the future. Cardinal LG, which already operates two manufacturing facilities and a regional office locally, opened a new Technology Center to support R&D in the laminated glass industry. This new facility is located in the Meadowbrook Industrial Park and is just down the street from the new 200,000 sq. ft. warehouse for Signature Brands.

While Ocala has long been known as a manufacturing hub, a new industry recently discovered the value of manufacturing and distributing here.

Three cultivation and processing facilities (considered biopharmaceutical by the industrial rating services) are under construction for the medical cannabis industry. Over the next few years, these facilities for GTI and Green Ops will employ more than 350 people at wages well above the community average.

Additionally, other companies are looking at the market in this segment with at least one more anticipated in early 2022.

Healthcare An item which can no longer be denied is the growth of Ocala as a regional healthcare hub. Continued investments and expansions by AdventHealth Ocala, Ocala Regional Medical Center, and West Marion Community Hospital have added beds, new service lines, and increased access to care throughout the community, all while continuing to provide amazing care through the pandemic. ORMC is adding a floor to finish its critical care tower while West Marion has begun work on a third tower with plans for an inpatient rehab and

more beds. AdventHealth continues to expand services, especially with its refurbished and expanded NICU and its new, free-standing ER in Belleview. At the end of year, the Ocala City Council rezoned approximately 30 acres near US 27 and I-75 for a new hospital—the area’s fourth—being built by UF Health.

Downtown The continued growth and redevelopment of the downtown core is truly something in which every citizen can take pride. New restaurants and establishments such as Cantina and Mutiny opened this year with several more in the works including the long-awaited Mellow Mushroom. The expanded Reilly Arts Center opened its new Black Box Theater and lobby areas which doubled the size of this popular entertainment venue. Further down Tuscawilla Park, the new Artpartments opened with 27 apartments. Several major residential developments were kicking off at the end of the year, including the Watula South Townhomes, Lamplighter Legacy luxury apartments, and Brick City Lofts. Activity and interest in downtown remains high with a number of exciting projects in the pipeline in the Midtown portion of downtown.

Tourism Finally, it would be impossible to discuss business growth in 2021 and not discuss the World Equestrian Center. This incredible complex had its soft opening in December 2020 and rolled out hard into the year. Featuring five indoor arenas, 25 outdoor arenas, 2800+ permanent barn stalls, a beautiful 250-

room luxury hotel, and 8 restaurants, WEC has become a destination for equestrians and non-equestrians alike.

With more than 700 employees and an annual economic impact already well north $100 million, this complex has single-handedly reimagined the local tourism economy. Work had begun at the end of the year on Phase 2, which will bring 80,000 sq. ft of retail, more meeting space, and a 400-room hotel by mid-2024.

Another project which kicked-off construction in 2021 and will open in early 2022 is the new Florida Aquatic Swimming and Training (FAST) facility.

This $30 million facility being built as a part of the new Calesa master-planned community just south of the airport is truly a one-of-a-kind competition aquatic center. Featuring indoor and outdoor competition pools, seating for 2000 spectators, and state of the art scoreboards and timing systems, this facility has the capacity and ability to host major national-level events. When it opens in March, Ocala will boast two major tourism draws that will significantly expand the local tourism economy and all the businesses which support it.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Publix opened a new store in Pearl Britain Plaza on Northeast 35th Street in Ocala on Oct. 7.

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DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

COVID numbers increase in county STATE ALSO SEES DRASTIC INCREASE

By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com

MARION COUNTY UPDATE Marion County’s COVID numbers rose to their highest numbers since the last week in October, as the county registered 179 new cases according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health Friday evening. The county recorded 146 cases reported two weeks ago and 230 on Nov. 1.

The county’s positivity rate and cases per 100,000 rose along with the overall number of cases. The positivity rate climbed from 2.4% to 3.3%, and the cases per 100,000 increased from 39.2 to 48.1.

In Health and Human Services hospitalization numbers last updated Dec. 13, county hospitals reported 87% of inpatient beds filled, with 3% of those being COVID patients. Additionally, 89% of ICU beds were filled, with 6% being COVID patients.

COVID Test FL is offering testing in

Ocala at the Ocala First Baptist Church located at 2801 S.E. Maricamp Road.

COVID Test Express is offering testing in the Villages at 11714 N.E. 62nd Terrace.

Both locations are open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

STATE UPDATE Not only did cases rise locally in Marion County, but they also rose across the state as a whole, as the State of Florida recorded 29,568 new cases of COVID during the week of Dec. 10 to Dec. 16.

That number is the highest number of cases reported statewide since the week of Sept. 24 to Sept. 30, when the state recorded 37,772 new cases.

Statewide, vaccines numbers have risen in children ages 5-11 every week since vaccines became available, as the state reported 208,421 doses of the vaccine were administered last week compared to the 185,556 doses given two weeks ago. The total population of children ages 5-11 in the state is just

MCPS UPDATE

under 1.7 million, and figures showed 12% of them are now vaccinated against Marion County Public Schools is closed COVID-19. for winter break until January 3, 2022. No The state’s overall vaccination rates COVID updates were posted to their website. fell to their lowest numbers Aug. 26: 3,500 since the last week 3,000 in October, as the state 2,500 recorded administering 448,212 2,000 Dec. 10 - 16 doses during the week of 1,500 Dec. 16: Dec. 10 to Source: Dec. 16, Marion County 1,000 bringing Health Department the population 500 of the state vaccinated 0 19 26 2 9 16 23 7 14 21 28 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 to 70% of DEC. NOVEMBER AUG. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER those ages 5 and up.

AMY HARBERT/Ocala Gazette

New reported Covid-19 cases per week

3,228

179

Changes to grouper and snapper seasons in Gulf, Atlantic starting Jan. 1

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

S

easons for several species of snapper and grouper will either open or close for harvesting in Gulf and Atlantic state waters starting January 1, 2022, according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) press release on Dec. 20.

Red grouper will reopen for recreational harvesting in the Gulf of Mexico (excluding Monroe County), while in the same state waters Blackfin,

silk, queen and winchman snappers will reopen for both recreational and commercial harvest.

Gag grouper will close for recreational harvesting in the Gulf as well.

Gag, black, red, yellowmouth and yellowfin grouper; as well as scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby will close to recreational and commercial harvest in Atlantic state waters (including Monroe County).

For more on these regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and select “Recreational Regulations.”

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DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Local Briefs

A B R I E F LO O K AT N E W S F R O M A R O U N D

SUPREME COURT TO HEAR ‘MARSY’S LAW’ CASE

T

he Florida Supreme Court said Tuesday it will take up a legal battle about whether a 2018 constitutional amendment known as “Marsy’s Law” can shield the identities of police officers.

An order issued by the court did not set a date for oral arguments.

The voter-approved Marsy’s Law amendment included a series of protections for crime victims.

The 1st District Court of Appeal in April sided with two Tallahassee police officers who invoked the law to prevent their identities from being released after use-of-force shooting incidents in which they were threatened. The officers argued they were victims in the incidents.

The city of Tallahassee appealed and, along with news media organizations, called on the Supreme Court to hear the case.

MARION

MARION COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM WINS STATE ARPA GRANT

By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com

T State Supreme Court building in Tallahassee, Florida.

Recently, the identities of three Marion County Sheriff deputies involved in a lethal shooting last month were protected from disclosure citing Marsy’s Law. Florida Department Law Enforcement is investigating that shooting and has not yet released its report.

he Marion County Public Library System was awarded a Division of Library and Information Services (DLIS) Florida American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant for $150,278.

According to Julia H. Sieg, the director of the Marion County Public Library System (MCPLS), the grant funds will be used for “purchasing e-audio for general interest and developing a collection of e-books to expand access to vocational and career electronic resources. This collection will assist job seekers, those seeking

to learn new skills and advance job opportunities, as well as those who may wish to start their own business.

The expanded digital resources will be available for check out to all those with a Marion County public library card.”

In addition to the expansion of their digital collection, the MCPLS will add self-checkout kiosks at the MCPLS headquarters, Belleview, Dunnellon, Freedom, Forest, and the new library branch in the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place.

As the funds were awarded as part of a grant from the state, no local budget impact will be felt. The item was approved as part of the consent agenda.

2020 CENSUS FIGURES FOR MARION COUNTY

By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com

M

ary Elizabeth Burgess, director of Growth Services for the county briefed the Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBOCC) meeting Tue. Dec. 21, on the results of the 2020 Census. According to the results, Marion County now has a population of 375,908, compared with 331,298 in 2010. In the last decade, the county’s population has increased 10.6%, which is higher than the national average of 6.3%, but lower than the state’s average of 14.2%.

During her presentation, Burgess detailed issues COVID presented in collecting census information, as data collectors were not able to go out into the community as they were in previous years, and explained that “The census population count determines how many representatives each state will have in Congress for the next 10 years and how much federal funding communities will receive for roads, schools, housing, and social programs.”

The board also declined to begin examining redistricting possibilities in 2023. Redistricting can only take place in odd-numbered years.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Daneen Johnson of Ocala looks for books at the Marion County Public Library in Ocala on April 21.

COUNTY ARPA UPDATE

By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com

A

ngel Roussel, the assistant county administrator of Public and Environmental Services updated the Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBOCC) on Tue, Dec. 21. on the progress of the various ongoing projects involving ARPA funding.

According to Roussel, the county hired Kimley-Horn as the overall project manager and

the CPA firm of Carr, Riggs and Ingram as consultants.

Additionally, programs for both line extensions and revolving funds are under legal review, and the request for proposals regarding design and build packages should be published by the end of 2021.

Finally, Roussel briefed the board that a selection committee is evaluating proposals for a broadband feasibility study and that the county secured a $20 million grant to address the

septic tank and sewer program in Silver Springs Shores.

Commissioner Kathy Bryant noted that Ocala Ridge may be an area that was initially overlooked as it pertained to ARPA funds, and workforce housing projects in that area might be beneficial. Commission Chair Carl Zalak agreed and asked Roussel to put together some recommendations on how the county could target that area.

Rousel will next update the board in March 2022.

ALAN YOUNGBLOOD/Special to the Ocala Gazette

The Florida State Fire College

COUNTY ACCEPTS LAND DONATION

By Matthew R. Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com

T

he Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBOCC) voted to approve the donation of approximately 14 acres of vacant land at their regular meeting on Dec. 21.

The 14.78 acres, previously owned by the Forman family, with Walter Forman as Trustee, is located near the

Map attached to county meeting agenda

intersection of N.E. 36th Ave. and N.E. 49th St. Charlie Forman, Walter’s brother, said the family originally purchased the land with the thought of developing it, but the majority of the surrounding land, also intended for housing development, was ultimately PID #: 15855-001-00 donated to the state or non-profit Sec 35 groups.

Twp 14 Rge 22 conservation Forman that Acres once they Size:said 14.78 +/-realized how much of the neighboring land

LOCATION MAP

had been donated for conservation for a Silver Springs recharge area, they decided to follow suit.

“It’s an area that probably should not be developed because it’s in a recharge area,” Forman pointed out.

Forman said that once the family opted to donate the land, he reached out to Shawn Hubbuck, the right-of-way manager with the Office of the County Engineer to begin the conversation.

“I’ve known Shawn for 20 years….I told Shawn that this property might fit a couple of the needs, and if we can help, that’d be fine.”

The county had the property, which is zoned M1, light industrial, surveyed, and a valuation of $222,000 was returned. The county then recommended the MCBOCC approve the donation.

The survey, conducted on Nov. 17

by Albright & Associates of Ocala, Inc., determined the best use of the land would be “to hold for speculative investment until such time that some form of residential development is feasible (requiring a zoning change).”

Marion County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes said the county is grateful for the donation and is in the process of assessing its potential usage going forward.

“On behalf of the county, we express our appreciation to the Forman family for their generosity.

Our team is examining the possibilities this land presents and evaluating how these 14-plus acres can serve our residents. While affordable housing is one of the options we’re exploring, we are also considering this site as a possible future home to Marion County Animal Services,” Bouyounes said in a written statement.

According to records on file with the Marion County Clerk’s office, the Forman family purchased the property in March of 2008.

A8

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

CEP foundation, county partnering to start shores business incubator program

By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com

T

he Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBOCC) unanimously approved a proposal at their Dec. 21 regular meeting to partner with The Foundation for Chamber Economic Partnership, Inc. (Foundation) to create a business incubator program in Silver Springs Shores.

The planned site of the program is a unit in the Crystal Square Shopping Center, which is located at 6829 SE Maricamp Road. According to the Marion County Property Appraiser’s Office, Crystal Square Shopping Center is owned by Discount Mini Storage Of Ocala LLC, which has a listed address in Boca Raton.

The Foundation For Chamber Economic Partnership is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization run by the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP), and according to its website “supports programs and initiatives in the Ocala Metro which advance Entrepreneurship, Talent Development, and Leadership.”

Kevin Sheilley, President and CEO of the CEP detailed the decision to utilize the foundation for the project rather than let the CEP take the lead.

“We were able to structure a more favorable deal with the landlord working through the foundation because it is a 501(c)3. And because we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to, that we can attract more corporate grant funding. And so having it all through the foundation just made it a little more consistent,” he said.

While the proposed lease is not among the documents that have been made public, Sheilley indicated he was able to secure a 25% savings by pre-paying 5 years rent in advance.

Although initially asking for $240,000

to be put toward prepaying the lease and $400,000 to fund the remaining build-out of the 3,800 square foot space, Sheilley noted that a recent change in available space altered the original plans.

“We’ve had a long LOI (letter of intent) with the landlord trying to get this through. And unfortunately, the amount of time that we’ve had this, it’s taken so long they’ve leased a portion of the space to someone else. But it’s still within our original space, it remains within our original parameters, and so we’re still able to make it work,” he said.

As a result of the decrease from 3,800 to 2,400 square feet, County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes noted during the meeting that the amounts needed to fund the program decreased as well. Rather than $240,000 for the lease, Bouyounes stated the new need was $138,000, and instead of $400,000, the CEP was now requesting $240,000 for the build-out.

Commission Chair Carl Zalak III supported the project, and remarked that he would like to look for a longer-term setup should the program show signs of success.

“I think this is a great process in regards to start-ups if you will. But if we get to year three and we have a successful incubator, I want to see us planning in year five for a more permanent solution,” Zalak said.

On Dec. 3, Sheilley sent a letter to County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes stating a desire for the Foundation to begin the program, which would create space for up to ten individuals to set up and grow their retail and service businesses. The proposed site is located at 6841 SE Maricamp Road, and would also house training and office space for support personnel.

Initially, the Foundation considered a Community Development Block Grant

(CDBG) to fund the program, however, after a deal with the building owner to pre-pay five years’ worth of rent was negotiated, they then became aware that the project would not meet CDBG funding guidelines.

In coming up with the idea for the program, Sheilley said they began to notice that while the outlook for the county as a whole was positive, looking deeper showed a disparity in exactly where the outlooks were mostly positive.

“Several years ago now, we started looking at the data and realized that as much as this area has experienced growth, and success, and significant wage growth, and all those good things, it wasn’t even in BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette that there were areas of our Kevin Sheilley, the President/CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber and community that have lagged Economic Partnership, speaks to Florida legislators during the Marion County Delegation on Oct. 7. behind [in those areas].”

Sheilley also pointed out more frequently with COVID-related the location selected for the incubator is government funding coming into the one way to help businesses in those areas county, and is going well so far. of the county that have “lagged behind” “This is a newer area for us to be to succeed, which in turn, will help the partnering with Community Services. county as a whole.

Because of the CARES Act and some of “For anyone who’s spent much time the things that we did with the county looking at data, no big surprise, those when there was a lot more that we began three communities that have lagged working together. You know, this is a new the most are really our three majorityarea for them. And so we both have had minority communities, West Ocala, to kind of learn as we go, but it’s been Silver Springs Shores, and Marion really, really good. We’re very excited to Oaks. And so as an entity whose mission be able to expand into the Shores.” is to be the catalyst for a prosperous Sheilley expects the incubator will be community, and that means everyone operational by mid-2022. who lives here,” he said.

According to its website, both The CEP will be working with Bouyounes and Marion County Clerk of Marion County Community Services the Courts Greg Harrell are appointed on the Foundation’s project, something directors of the CEP. that Sheilley said has happened

Inmate arrested for manslaughter

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ajor Crimes Detective Annemarie Larocque arrested Eric Thanal Lutterloah for Manslaughter on Nov. 30, according to a Marion County Sheriff ’s Office (MCSO) media release.

On Nov. 7, at approximately 1:08 BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette a.m., Lutterloah and the victim, The Marion County Jail is shown at the Marion County Sheriff‘s Cory Merchant, were involved in a Office in Ocala. on Dec. 28, 2020. physical altercation while housed at the Marion County Jail (MCJ), punches; at no point does it appear that according to MCSO officials. the victim strikes or tries to strike the The incident took place after suspect back.” lockdown, when Lutterloah was in According to the detective’s report, his assigned bunk and the victim was Lutterloah told investigators that he talking with other inmates, said officials. took the victim standing near his bed as Lutterloah confronted Merchant about a threat, adding, “I could have been in talking loudly and an argument ensued. the wrong all the way, but…you know…I Lutterloah then pushed the victim and don’t know.” struck him several times. Falling to the Video evidence and eyewitness cement floor, Merchant struck his head statements corroborated Lutterloah’s and became unconscious. account of the incident. Audio of the Merchant was transported to Ocala incident was also available but did not Regional Center at approximately 1:26 capture anything being said between a.m., according to the official report, the suspect and victim or other inmates, succumbing to his injuries on Nov. 13. according to the detective’s report.

Officer Justin Kosinski said in his At the time of the offense, Lutterloah report of the incident that he first was being held without bond at the MCJ responded to the scene at approximately 1:10 a.m. He observed that the victim was for the charges of Armed Kidnapping, Sexual Battery, Failure to Comply with Sex “laying on the ground between two bunks Offender Reporting Requirements (two bleeding from his left ear.” counts), Forgery and Giving a False Report Nurse John Little, along with Officer for a Crime, according to official reports.

William Konopinski, assisted Kosinski in From January 1 to December 9, 2021, a placing Merchant on a backboard, then total of 123 inmates have been transported placed him on a stretcher, according to from MCJ to a nearby hospital for the latter officer’s report. Nurse Little emergency medical attention, according to called 911. From there, the victim was MCSO Public Information Officer Zachary transferred to Booking to wait for the Moore. Seven of those 123 inmates died arrival of an ambulance. at the hospital—six of them, excluding Following the Dec. 7 incident, Merchant, died of natural causes.

Lutterloah was immediately removed In 2020, 166 inmates were from the area and rehoused on transported from MCJ to a hospital, “Administrative Confinement,” resulting in zero deaths—in 2019, only according to the report. one death was recorded.

After watching security surveillance Moore said there were no indications video of the incident, Detective of criminal action leading to the deaths of Larocque reported that during the the other six inmates in 2021, therefore altercation, “the victim appears to be no other inmates were charged. attempting to retreat away from the In the case of Lutterloah, he remains suspect, and the suspect appears to be incarcerated in the MCJ, where he will the aggressor. The victim also appears continue to be held without bond. to attempt to block the suspect’s

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A9

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Fire fee lawsuit update

By Jennifer Hunt Murty

A

s the last week of 2021 approaches, the city’s request for an extension of time to refund the approximately $80 million in fire fees remains open.

The Fifth Circuit Appellate Court’s order, entered in the summer of 2020, found the city’s fire fee services were an “unconstitutional tax” and remanded it back to the trial court, which Judge Robert W. Hodges now presides over.

Following the Appellate Court’s decision, the city attorneys maintained that the city was entitled to another trial and spent considerable efforts preparing for that new trial. Judge Hodges indicated the appellate decision did not give him authority to grant the city another trial, only an order to make them make refunds.

Judge Hodges entered an order on Oct. 11, 2021, giving the city 60 days to fund the $80 million.

On Dec. 8, the city filed a motion for extension of time to fund the $80 million. In the motion, it stated that it had identified $20 million in unrestricted funds but that the city needed more time to explore obtaining $60 million in loans.

While direct requests for an explanation from the city have been avoided at the direction of the city attorneys, documents provided in response to records request to the city give some idea of the city’s intentions.

The city put out a Request for Quotes for a $60 million taxable drawdown note with a deadline

to respond by Dec. 14.

Answers crafted by city staff from the finance department, with the help of city’s financial advisor Dunlap & Associates to bank questions, shed some light on how the city intends to distribute refunds.

In answer to one lender’s question as to whether the full $60 million would be drawn at closing, the city responded as follows: The full $60 million will not be drawn down at closing.

Claimants will have a certain amount of time to file their claims. That time will be determined by the judge presiding over the case. The City of Ocala will have a certain period of time to review, verify, and approve the claims. Upon approval by the city, the claims will be paid from the $20 million set aside by the city and/or the $60 million drawdown note.

There are no assurances that any or all of the $60 million drawdown note will be drawn, however, it is expected that all verified and approved claims will be disbursed to claimants on or before July 1, 2022. If less than $60 million is drawn down on or before July 1, 2022 (the “Undrawn Portion”), the amount of the Undrawn Portion will be used to reduce a like amount of the drawdown note and the remainder will be amortized at a fixed rate of interest from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2038. As part of the order entered by the judge, the city must have $80 million available for potential claims prior to the claims being filed.

Additionally, in answers to other questions, the city

indicates that it intends to pay claims from the $20 million first and then use the drawdown note to fund the remaining claims.

One notable difference between what the city represents to the banks and what attorneys for the class action have communicated is how the refunds will be distributed. It seems from the answer quoted above that the city desires a limited window for people to apply for refunds and for the city to review, verify, and approve the refunds.

Attorney for those in the class action, Derek Schroth, has previously stated that he will

recommend to the court that “class members receive refund checks without the burden of filing a claim for a refund.”

Schroth also anticipates that members should expect to recoup “90 percent or more” of what they paid for fire fees through their electric bills.

The city’s motion indicates that they will not be able to consider and approve the loan options until the Feb. 1, 2022, city council meeting. Their motion for extension of time estimates that the “earliest loan closing date is anticipated to be mid-to-late February 2022, assuming no unforeseen

circumstances that delay the loan closing.”

The class action plaintiff responded to the city’s request for more time by asking the court to request and order the city to pay direct refunds to the class after payment of expenses, including attorneys’ fees, class representatives’ services awards, and costs still to be determined by the court.

The next hearing, scheduled for Jan. 3, 2022, will consider whether or not the court should have the city reimburse the classaction attorney for over $68,000 in litigation expenses as the prevailing party in the lawsuit.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

The Marion County Judicial Center

HappyHolidays from us to you

Member FDIC

A Holiday Message

A

s we start the holiday season, thoughts turn to those who have made our work here at SouthState meaningful - our community and our team.

This year, we changed our name to SouthState and grew our banking family throughout the southeast region.

During the change, I can assure you that your local SouthState bankers in Ocala and Belleview kept their focus on how to best serve the community they live in. After all, we are not just your bankers - we are your neighbors committed to the success of the community we live in.

The local SouthState team remains committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, a good steward of the environment, and active participant in the community. All the while, improving the financial health and banking access for Marion County residents.

Personally, it’s an honor to work alongside such dedicated hard-working folks.

The goodwill of those we serve is the foundation of our bank’s success - so we take this opportunity to thank the community that has placed trust through banking with us. We value that trust and we will work hard to keep it.

We know that Ocala has unique needs as it grows, and that is why we are happy to report that our recent company growth has increased our capacity to fill those needs through greater lending capacity and more conveniences.

For years, our bankers have been helping our customers find success. So, while considering this coming year’s personal or business plans, please reach out to us to discuss what banking solutions we can offer in support of those plans.

If you haven’t yet banked with us, I invite you to visit and see how we do things. Expect excellent customer service, intent on making your life easier and more convenient.

Finally, we know our company’s success is directly linked to the financial health of our community. That is why you can count on your local SouthState team to continue efforts to strengthen the community through corporate giving and volunteering in an impactful way.

On behalf of the local SouthState team, I wish you a happy holiday season and a happy and healthy new year.

Rusty Branson Rusty Branson

SVP, Regional President

A10

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

City discusses conflicts of interest with attorneys

By Jennifer Hunt Murty

A

t the Dec. 21 city council meeting, the city attorney and the council had a public conversation about the conflictof-interest clause the firm inserted in their current contract with the city without explanation.

The discussion came up as a result of the firm requesting a modification to the city’s contract for legal services. Under the new agreement, two of the city attorneys, Robert Batsel Jr. and Jimmy Gooding, would become a new, separate firm under the same roof with the original city firm, Gilligan, Gooding, Batsel, Anderson, & Phelan, PA. Then, they could focus on land use and development while continuing to serve as the city’s attorneys the remainder of the two-year contact that the firm entered into Oct. 2020.According to the city charter, the city attorneys appointed through this contract play a pivotal role in the operation of the city as “chief legal advisor to the council, the manager, and all city departments, offices, and agencies.

In this role, the city charter says the city attorneys must approve every contract the city enters for “form and legality.”

The charter states that the city attorney’s review “shall be for the benefit of the city only and not any other person or entity.

No contract shall be voided or is voidable because of a deficient form and legality review.”

In addition to drafting ordinances, representing the city in legal battles, and reviewing city contracts, the firm’s monthly billing report indicates that it also actively works “with private partners on several Economic Incentive Program agreements to bring jobs, infrastructure expansion, and utility utilization to the city” as well as “working with water resources and real estate staff on several large projects concerning the city’s acquisition or disposition of property, drainage retention areas, utility easements, and potable water and sewer systems throughout the city and its

extraterritorial service area.”

Approval of the attorneys’ request was passed narrowly with councilmen James Hilty and Barry Mansfield voting against and stating concerns about the conflict-of-interest clause that had been inserted in the most recent firm contract with the city–without conversation or notice.

The conflict-of-interest clause said, in short, that the city attorney had advised the city, and the city is aware that the firm also represents “private persons and entities” that include “developers or contractors” who “have relationships with, or seek approvals from, [the] city.”

Previously, all three attorneys indicated that they did not recollect discussing this conflictof-interest clause with the city council or city management prior to including it in their Oct. 2020 contract.

Under rules established by the Florida Bar, attorneys must explain to clients if there is “a substantial risk that the representation of one or more clients will be materially limited by the lawyer’s responsibilities to another client, a former client or a third person, or by a personal interest of the lawyer.”

In the case of the Oct. 2020 contract that contained the city attorneys’ conflict-of-interest waiver, no specific clients were identified, only industries– development and contractors.

The firm and the city indicate that there are no separate written conflict-of-interest agreements since the Oct. 2020 contract was entered.

In the case of navigating

conflicts with developers and contractors, all the councilmen, city management, and city staff indicated they knew that Gooding has a long history of representing developers within the county. The majority reasoned that, when Gooding was dealing with developers for projects within the city, the city’s representation took priority– regardless of what he was doing for the same developer outside the city limits.

The potential for conflicts of interest does not seem to be relegated to only developers and contractors. It also includes other entities who the firm represents as private clients— but that do business with the city—since it must approve every contract the city enters.

In what seems to be an effort by the firm to avoid conflicts, the city attorneys shift approval of certain contracts based on who the point attorney is with private clients. For example, Batsel Jr. represents both the city and the Community Foundation of Ocala Marion County, a nonprofit. A review of the most recent contract between the nonprofit and the city had the contract approved by Gilligan instead of Batsel Jr. At the meeting, the city attorney, Robert Batsel Jr., explained how the firm navigates conflicts: “We’ve had a longstanding conflict, of course, representing certain clients who do business all over the place and know that we are the city attorney first and foremost, and that we cannot touch or assist them with anything related to the city of Ocala. And that’s always been OK. But, it’s caused more and more problem for our

“As a businessman, I’d never allow the arrangement to go on…not with a contractor, let alone an attorney.”

Councilman Barry Mansfield

private clients.”

“It looks like from the clause, Batsel Jr. next directed that you guys were preparing for their attention to paragraph this separation way back when 5 of the contract entitled you decided it was time to put conflict of interest. this conflict-of-interest clause Batsel Jr. explained, “We just in the contract. It just concerns want everybody to be aware and me a little bit that it was in we constantly make sure we are the contract, and nobody was clear with staff and with the made aware of it before, which council that we avoid conflicts. is obviously the duty of the All of our private clients know attorney to inform those things,” that not only can we not help said Hilty. them in the city, but that we are “So, a lot of people could be going to be adverse to them, and hanging their heads, saying, they are waving that conflict ’Well, I should have read the and that we are going to be contract.’ But that’s a little representing the city.” disconcerting to me in that I “We’ve lost several clients work in the industry and the over strenuous representation of the city in their dealings with the city. And that if anything ever comes to staff or before council where a client of ours is on the other side, the staff understands that we represent the city notwithstanding the fact that they BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette may be our client, Councilman Barry Mansfield in other matters,” he added.

Acknowledging recent news regulations I have to follow–in reports that the conflict-ofthe securities industry. You interest clause inserted in the know some of the contracts Oct. 2020 contract had gone we have to deal with, knowing undiscussed until now, Batsel Jr. your customer, and explaining said, “I know that’s been a topic everything up front and things of of interest lately. I frequently that nature,” said Hilty. advise clients that if you’re Hilty continued, “It doesn’t explaining, you’re losing, and necessary mean there is anything so, I don’t want to get into it going on, but just that it wasn’t unless you have any questions. handled properly. And then, you But, I want you to know I have know, you guys being under one plenty of flaws. I’ve made a lot roof–I still don’t understand how of mistakes in my life, and I that would work. There is no can be criticized for many good separation being friends and all. reasons, but when it comes to And if your staff is working on honesty, ethics, or my loyalty to something for a developer and my clients and the city–they can’t then they have to turn around be questioned.” and work on something for the Councilman James Hilty city–there could be information responded first, stating, shared back and forth.”

“Obviously, it’s come to light Batsel Jr. responded that the that this clause was included in clause summarizes what the firm the contract back in 2020, but has been doing since 1992 and nobody read the clause or was explained, “In a town like Ocala, informed of it.”

See Conflict, page A11

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A11

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ten big legal issues to watch in 2022

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

F

rom elections to vaccines, state and federal courts are weighing major Florida lawsuits. Here are 10 big legal issues to watch in 2022:

— ELECTIONS: With high-profile elections looming in November, Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker is slated to start a trial Jan. 31 in challenges by voting-rights groups to a controversial new elections law. Among other things, the law made it harder for Floridians to cast ballots by mail and added restrictions to drop boxes, where voters can drop off completed ballots.

— GUN PURCHASES: The National Rifle

Association is asking the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reject a 2018 Florida law that prevents people under age 21 from buying guns. The law, passed after the mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was upheld by a federal district judge. The NRA argues the law is unconstitutional.

— LOCAL GUN RESTRICTIONS: The

Florida Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case challenging a 2011 state law that threatens tough penalties if city and county officials approve gun-related regulations. Local governments began fighting the law after the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The 1st District Court of Appeal upheld the law.

— MARSY’S LAW: More than three years after

voters approved a victims’ rights measure known as “Marsy’s Law,” the Florida Supreme Court will consider whether the law can shield the identities of police officers involved in shootings. The 1st District Court of Appeal backed two Tallahassee officers who argued they were entitled to privacy protections because they were threatened in the use-of-force incidents.

— PROTEST CRACKDOWN: The 11th U.S.

Circuit Court of Appeals is slated in March to hear an appeal by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration in a battle about a law aimed at cracking down on protests.

DeSantis championed the law after nationwide protests in 2020 focused on racial justice. A federal district judge issued an injunction against the law,

which enhances penalties and creates new crimes in protests that turn violent.

— SOCIAL MEDIA: The state wants the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a preliminary injunction against a law targeting socialmedia giants such as Facebook and Twitter. The law, in part, seeks to prevent platforms from banning political candidates from their sites and requires the companies to publish and consistently apply standards. The online industry challenged the law on First Amendment grounds.

— SPORTS BETTING: Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe are looking to a Washington, D.C., federal appeals court to salvage a gambling deal that allowed sports betting in Florida. A district judge said the deal violated a federal Indian gambling law.

The deal, approved in a May special legislative session, called for the tribe to control online sports betting in the state. It was challenged by two pari-mutuel facilities.

— TRANSGENDER STUDENT: In a case that is drawing national attention, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is slated to hear arguments in February about whether a transgender male student should have been allowed to use boys’ bathrooms at a St. Johns County high school. A district judge ruled in favor of student Drew Adams, spurring the St. Johns County School Board to appeal.

— UF PROFESSORS: Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker will hear arguments Jan. 7 in a lawsuit filed against the University of Florida after it blocked political-science professors from testifying against the state in an elections case. Six professors contend that a university policy violates First Amendment rights. UF walked back the decision in the elections case, but the school has faced heavy scrutiny about the policy.

— VACCINE MANDATES: Attorney General Ashley Moody has gone to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after a district judge refused to block a Biden administration rule requiring health-care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Moody, backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, also is challenging a separate federal vaccination requirement for workers at federal contractors.

Conflict of interest discussed Continued from page A10 if you have a private law firm as the city attorney, you know that law firm is not going to be 100 percent devoted to the city, and this is naturally what occurs when they have to represent private individuals as well [as those] who occasionally have business with the city.”

Batsel Jr. said that, in his opinion, from the city’s perspective, what they should be concerned with was whether or not they were navigating their conflicts exactly as described in the contract with their private clients while “making sure that our staff and our city council know that that is the case and if specific circumstances arise that you know and you have what we call informed consent.”

However, Batsel Jr. also qualified that “informed consent” would only be necessary if the private client and the city became “directly adverse,” but “most of the situations that we’re describing

are not situations where people are directly adverse.”

Batsel Jr. concluded that the conflict of interest “codifies the way we’ve been doing things long before” he was added on as city attorney, and that “from a code of ethics standpoint, it’s always been appropriate.”

Hilty next stated, “What I’ve seen in my industry, when people get terminated by companies, its not usually because they’ve really done wrong by the client, but rather, they’ve been become too complacent, and they do things without checking with the client on transactions or things of that nature. And then, the compliance [department] asks how a transaction happened. I think that’s what I see here is there was a complacency after 30 years.”

Hilty confirmed with city manager, Sandra Wilson, that the last time a task force was assembled to look at hiring inhouse attorneys versus an outside private firm was in 2009.

“I think it’s time to revisit that,” said Hilty.

“Marion County has five attorneys on staff, plus support staff, and they don’t have an electric utility, or nearly the amount of activity with water and sewer and the other utilities,” Batsel Jr. offered.

Batsel Jr. explained that, although their split from the firm would be effective Jan. 1, they intended to continue to serve as city attorneys in order to give the city time to find their replacements at the end of the Oct. 2022.

Mansfield, who voted against approving the contract, says he remains concerned, “As a businessman, I’d never allow the arrangement to go on. I wouldn’t allow this arrangement with a contractor, let alone an attorney.”

Batsel Jr. declined to comment on whether the original firm would continue at the end of the 2022 contract but clarified that Gooding and Batsel Jr. would not be continuing as city attorneys at that point.

After the contract was

approved, and right before the meeting ended, assistant manager, Pete Lee, asked the council for direction on whether or not growth management should use the firm for a new matter involving a negotiation with R&L Carriers, an entity that Jimmy Gooding represents, who has significant development interests in the area.

Lee said that city staff had taken the lead on negotiations, “but we’re going to need our attorneys to review that contract.”

“Staff doesn’t have a conflict with them reviewing for legality and form,” continued Lee. Next, Batsel Jr. told the council, “Yes, we talked about this earlier today and I was unaware of it. So, again, I forgot to bring it up. Unlike the normal course of events, we are bringing it to you on the front end this time just to make sure you’re more-than-aware and that you’re informed, and you are OK with me negotiating that on behalf of the city. The other option would be to hire outside

counsel.”

Councilman Jay Musleh asked Batsel Jr. if he was negotiating the deal or just reviewing it for form and legality.

Lee and Batsel Jr. said that staff would negotiate and outline the substantive portions of the agreement. Then, Batsel Jr. said that if there were any “legal terms that they won’t budge on, then that’s more in my court, but either way, I’m representing the city to this point.”

The council verbally acknowledged they understood and would allow the attorney to work through the conflict.

Batsel Jr. closed the session, telling the council, “I would love to spend time here defending myself and going into detail about the things that I disagree with, but most of all you need to be comfortable with me, and everybody here at a staff level– that’s true for them as well. So, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate. I’m an open book and I’m happy to talk about it.”

A12

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

SpaceX launches Christmas presents, supplies to station

Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.

By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer

S

paceX launched Christmas gifts, goodies and supplies to the International Space Station on Tuesday and got a present in return: the company's 100th successful rocket landing.

The predawn liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center was barely visible in the fog and clouds, as the Falcon rocket hoisted a Dragon capsule loaded with more than 6,500 pounds (2,950 kilograms) of gear for the station's seven astronauts. Several minutes later, the first-stage booster landed upright on an ocean platform, six years to the day that Elon Musk's company accomplished its first booster touchdown in 2015.

This particular booster was making its first flight. A few days ago, a SpaceX booster made its 11th flight.

"It's critical to lower the cost of spaceflight to continue to reuse these boosters more and more times. A hundred is a big milestone, so we're excited about that," said SpaceX's Sarah Walker, a mission manager. "We're also excited to see how few new boosters we have This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction b to produce as the years go by." always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have co Among the items due to arrive at the space pleted the puzzle, there will be 19 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle. station Wednesday: Christmas presents from the astronauts' families, as well as smoked fish and turkey, green beans and fruitcake for a holiday feast. NASA's space station program manager Joel Montalbano wouldn't divulge Solution: 19 Letters anything else. "I won't get in front of Santa Claus and tell you what's going to be sent up," he told reporters on the eve of launch.

CRAIG BAILEY/Florida Today via AP The delivery also includes a laundry A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Kennedy Space Center, Tuesday morning, Dec. 21. The detergent experiment. Station astronauts rocket is carrying supplies for the International currently trash their dirty clothes; Procter & Space Station.

Gamble Co. is developing a fully degradable detergent for eventual use at the station, on the moon and beyond.

SpaceX is ending the year with 31 launches, the most ever by the company.

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Your day-to-day is filled with challenges. At SouthState, we make sure banking isn’t one of them. We strive to understand the complexities of your business and we’re ready to partner with you to provide the banking services and insight you need to keep your business moving forward.

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ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE A15

Date: 12/24/21

A13

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

holidays DEC. 24

DEC. 24

Horse-Drawn Carriage Holiday Tours

Photos with Santa

Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Road, Ocala Santa is back at Paddock Mall “for a safe, fun, holly and jolly Santa photo experience.” While reservations are encouraged, walk-ins are also welcome. To reserve a time for photos, visit paddockmall.com.

Ocala Downtown Square 6-9pm There is no better way to see the lights of the city than by horse-drawn carriage or trolley wagon.

Enjoy 15 minutes around the Downtown Square or 30 minutes through the Historic District to see the homes lit for Christmas. A reservation for the private carriage is recommended but not required. Please call (352) 727-0900 or visit horsecountrycarriagecompanyandtours.com/ events for details.

DEC. 24

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Marion Theatre Bored with the same old scare-and-scream routine, Pumpkin King Jack Skellington longs to spread the joy of Christmas. To purchase tickets or view other holiday showings, visit reillyartscenter.com.

THROUGH DEC. 26

Winter Wonderland

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette 2020

Santa Claus visits with Hallie Ehlers, 1, Maisie Ehlers, 4, and their cousins, Tag Bryant, 4, and Banks Bryant, 2, left to right, as he asks them what they want for Christmas on the first day of Santa At The Mall at Paddock Mall in Ocala on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. Santa will be visiting Paddock Mall through Christmas Eve.

The World Equestrian Center,1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala Nov. 26-Dec.26, 5-9pm The spectacular will feature holiday lights, photos with Santa, carolers, face painters, balloon artists, caricaturists, and elves. Special activities include ice skating, a live reindeer appearance, a performance by the Atlantic City Boys, breakfast with Santa, a mystical equestrian show, and more. General admission from 5-9 pm is free; parking is $20 per vehicle. Pre-purchase tickets at wecwinterwonderland.com.

THROUGH DEC. 31

The Ocala Christmas Light Spectacular

Florida Horse Park, 11851 SW 16th Ave., Ocala Nov. 26-Dec. 31, 6-10pm Experience North Central Florida’s largest drivethrough holiday light display at the Florida Horse Park. End the night in Santa Land with local food trucks and pictures with Santa. Visit facebook. com/ocalachristmas for details.

THROUGH JAN. 2

25th Annual Trains at the Holidays

College of Central Florida—Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala 11am-5pm This display will feature model train layouts built and maintained by the Ocala Model Railroaders’ Historic Preservation Society. Many of the layouts are inspired by historic Ocala landmarks such as the Six Gun Territory theme park that operated in Marion County until 1984. Visit ocalamarion.com for details.

community DEC. 24

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Government Campus Field, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am-2:30pm Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, cinnamon buns, jerky, freeze-dried treats, olive oils, and seafood; recurs every Friday.

DEC. 26

Ocala Polo Club Winter Games

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala 1pm Matches start at 1pm. Chairs are suggested, food and drink are welcome. Tailgating at polo is the perfect venue to enjoy amazing equine athletes with your family and friends! For more information, visit ocalapolo.com.

DEC. 28

Power Hour Book Club

Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE Highway 484, Belleview 10:30am Make new friends and talk about books! Join

in-person or call to join via Zoom. Call the listed library for more information. You are welcome to attend one or all! For more information, visit library.marionfl.org.

DEC. 28

LMS Network Breakfast Networking Meeting

Equus Inn, 3434 SW College Road, Ocala 8:30-10:30am Connect with other local business owners and professionals, share ideas, exchange referrals, and help each other’s businesses grow! Complimentary breakfast. RSVP at eventbrite.com.

DEC. 28

The Shores Market

Silver Springs Shores Community Center, 590 Silver Road, Ocala 5-7pm The indoor farmers market includes farm fresh goods, artisan food products, and arts and crafts vendors. Visit fb.com/theshoresmarket for more information.

DEC. 28-JAN. 2

Florida Cutting Horse Show

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala Cutting is a western-style equestrian competition in which a horse and rider work together before a judge or panel of judges to demonstrate the horse’s athleticism and ability to handle cattle. For more information, visit floridacuttinghorseassociation.com.

DEC. 29

Wednesday Midday Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 1-6pm Browse organic produce, microgreens, fresh-baked breads, and more. Food trucks such as Tom’s Taste of Chicago, Jimmy’s Philly Cheesesteaks, and Kona Ice Ocala join the fun. Visit facebook.com/ OcalaDowntownMarket for details.

produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps, and much more!

Visit circlesquarecommons.com for more info.

DEC. 31-JAN.1

The Ultimate Team Challenge – Bull Riding Competition

World Equestrian Center—Arena 5, 1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 7-10pm Join us at WEC in Arena 5 on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 to watch some of the world’s best cowboys compete for a $100,000 cash prize. Preorder tickets online at ticketleap.com.

DEC. 30

Farmers Market

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 8th St., Ocala 9am-1pm Join us for a wonderful selection of fresh seasonal

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette 2020

An indoor arena is shown during a VIP sneak peek of the new World Equestrian Center in Ocala on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020.

government JAN. 4

JAN. 13

Ocala City Council Meeting

City Hall Council Chamber – Second Floor, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 5pm If accommodations are needed for you to participate in this meeting, call (352) 629-8401 two days in advance so arrangements can be made. For assistance accessing this meeting via Zoom, call (352) 629-8226.

Tourism Development Meeting

Tourist Development Conference Room, 109 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am The Tourist Development Council makes recommendations to the county commissioners for the effective use of tourist development tax revenue to enhance, promote, advertise, and develop tourism in Ocala/Marion County. For more information, call (352) 438-2800.

arts DEC. 29

‘Tis Always the Season – A Concert for Good

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 8pm A group of local, young musicians putting on a concert because ‘tis always the season for giving! Come for a fun, hour-long concert and raise funds for Brother’s Keeper and the Marion County Children’s Alliance. 100 percent of all ticket sales and donations will go to the nonprofits. For more information, visit reillyartscenter.com.

DEC. 31

The Opry Band’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale 8pm The Opry Band’s New Year’s Eve Celebration: enjoy an evening of incredible music as we ring in the new year! Purchase tickets at obopry.com or call (352) 821-1201 for more information.

THROUGH JAN. 2

Alison Saar: Works from the Permanent Collection

THROUGH DEC. 30 Fables

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Curated from the Appleton’s collection, Alison Saar‘s prints incorporate spiritual and political themes. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

NOMA, 939 N Magnolia Ave., Ocala Thu-Sun 12-6pm Grace Netanya‘s exhibition features compelling mixed-media drawings that combine figurative art and interpretations of fables and fairy tales. For details, visit nomaocala.com.

THROUGH JAN. 10 Art Remembers

Barbara Gaskin Washington Adult Activity Center, 210 NW 12 Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri 9am-4pm Hospice of Marion County partners with the Appleton Museum of Art to display works highlighting healing modalities of art in bereavement programs; details at hospiceofmarion.com.

THROUGH JAN. 22

Lisa Russo | European Elegance

Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration Bldg., 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala

Lisa Russo studied under a traditional oil painter to learn the techniques and methods from the 1600s. Fun fact: She also holds a U.S. patent for a convertible canvas that creates 3D effects. ocalafl.org.

THROUGH APRIL 24 Heart of the Horse

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm The beauty and complexity of horses is revealed through 40 black-and-white photographs by Juliet van Otteren. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

THROUGH APRIL 24

Garden Party: Botanical Paintings

by Susan Martin

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Florida artist Susan Martin’s photorealistic canvasses explore the botanical world by concentrating on small portions of plant life. Her detailed explorations, influenced by the photographs of Russell Lee, can be observed in her sharp, clean examination of the subject, her preference for strong contrast that reveals surface quality and detail, and an emphasis on composition that comes from years of work in blackand-white. Visit appletonmuseum.org for details.

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DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

&

music nightlife nig ghtlife

Job stats remain steady while businesses navigate a competitive market

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

DEC. 24

Shift N’ Gears Band @ Graceland Lounge Graceland of Ocala, 7563 N US Highway 441, Ocala 4pm Enjoy a rocking Christmas party with Shift N’ Gears Band and Open Jam at Graceland Lounge.

DEC. 26

Jeff Brown Show The Club at Candler Hills, 8139 SW 90th Terrace Road, Ocala 5-8pm Dine on the patio while enjoying live music and entertainment from Jeff Brown Show. Visit theclubatcandlerhills.com for more info.

DEC. 29

Conrad Marcum @ The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6:30-10pm Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Conrad Marcum performs at The Yellow Pony, specializing in acoustic-style music. Visit worldequestriancenter.com/ events for details.

DEC. 29

MAVEN Photo+Film

Take 2

The Club at Candler Hills, 8139 SW 90th Terrace Road, Ocala 5-8pm Dine on the patio while enjoying live music from Take 2. Visit theclubatcandlerhills.com for more info.

DEC. 30

Gilly & The Girl @ The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6:30-10pm Gilly & The Girl are a contemporary, acoustic duo based out of Central Florida.

The duo consists of Mike Gill on guitar/vocals and his wife, Charity, on lead vocals and hand percussion. Visit worldequestriancenter.com/ events for details.

DEC. 31

New Year’s Eve PreParty Buffet The Club at Candler Hills, 8139 SW 90th Terrace Road, Ocala 4:30pm and 6:30pm Enjoy dinner before the ball drops! Seating will be determined at time of ticket purchase. To purchase tickets, call (352) 861-9720 or visit theclubatcandlerhills.com for more info.

MAVEN Photo+Film

DEC. 31

T

he Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) released its employment figures for November on Friday on Dec. 17. The report revealed that Marion County had a jobless rate of 4.2%, a decrease of 0.4 percentage point, from October, illustrating an overall slow-and-steady progression in the region.

Though higher than the national and state rates—3.9% and 3.6% respectively— and ranking 12th out of 67 counties— Marion County’s labor force contracted by 433 to 145,600, while the number of those with jobs increased by 173 to 139,492. The number of unemployed dropped by 606 to 6,108.

Compared to the same time last year, when the jobless rate was 4.6%, the labor force grew by 6,151 and the number of employed increased by 6,445.

For CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion CEO Thomas Skinner, the numbers were something of a mixed bag, but suggested growth as the economy slowly bounces back from the worst surges of a nearly two-year pandemic.

“We have growth in employment.

We’ve seen reductions in the number of unemployed people. We have some movement in our labor force,” said Skinner on Dec. 17. “I think everything speaks to a very solid, positive movement in our economy.”

The nonagricultural employment in the Ocala metropolitan statistical area, which covers all of Marion County, was 110,900 in November, an increase of 2,100 jobs over the year for a 1.9% annual growth rate.

Of the three regions—Levy, Citrus and Marion—the Ocala MSA had the fastest annual job growth rate in manufacturing at 7.2%. Statewide in 2021, Ocala also had the fastest annual job growth rate in manufacturing at 8.3%.

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5% in November, down 0.1 percentage point from the October rate, and down 0.9 percentage point from a year ago, according to the DEO report. Florida’s non-seasonally adjusted jobless rate—a measure that matches the way local rates are calculated—was 3.6%, a decrease of 0.4 percentage point over the month and 1.4% lower than November 2020.

There was 483,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,632,000. The state also added 485,600 jobs or 5.7% since November of 2020.

In November, Ocala had a Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Metropolitan Divisions (MDs) unemployment rate of 4.2%, which is ranked 5th in the state behind The Villages (5.0%), Homosassa Springs (4.9%), Sebring (4.9%) and Lakeland-Winter Haven (4.4%).

Skinner said that while many may speculate that government benefits are the

cause of some people not returning to work, the data shows something different.

“I think COVID has just really changed the workplace and the patience of workers,” he said. “It became a much slower, familycentered pace of life, and a number of people find that positive.”

He also listed critical factors such as leaving work and not returning to include early retirement, access to and ability to pay for childcare, looking for better paying jobs and family lifestyle adjustments for second family earners.

Rondo Fernandez, owner of Mojo’s Grill and Catering in Ocala, said that his major concern right now is losing possible new hires to competing businesses who pay more than the current restaurant standard.

“Everybody wants to come and join the new place,” said Fernandez. “And it kind of hurts us. But who wants to work in a hot kitchen when they can go and have an easy job somewhere else?”

Currently, Fernandez admitted that he’s not experiencing much turnover, which he said is great, but getting new folks into his business is still important and challenging in the current jobs market.

“We’re always coming up with ideas to help retain employees,” he added. “Whether it’s more money or better culture. But it’s tough to match some of the pay. Some of these new places…not just restaurants… places like Chewy’s and Auto Zone come in with [hourly rates] in the high teens. For us to match that, we’d have to sell a $20 burger.”

At Cone Distribution, Director of Human Resources Jonathan Jarrell said that they were better insulated from the worst of the unemployment issues over the last year and a half due to strong referral practices.

“I think for the most part we’re doing well,” said Jarrell. “We do see a little bit of struggle. But our method’s a little different [than other businesses]. We kind of deputize all of our people to find people to work for us.”

New data shows that while Florida’s industries are recovering, with state leaders emphasizing leisure and hospitality industries adding 26,600 new jobs— and trade, transportation and utilities industries adding 19,200 new jobs—other economic data reported a 6.4% drop in employment for leisure and hospitality, nationally.

Skinner hopes that Marion County finds a positive formula to bring more people back into the workforce in these key areas.

“I think that’s something we’re always going to be working on for the next year,” he said. “How do you respond to the growth in the demand for employees here in the county? That’s the big question as we go into 2022. What are businesses going to do to bring workers back into their companies? There’s a bunch of different answers out there.”

The region’s preliminary employment summary for December will be released on Friday, January 21, 2022.

All That Glitters: A New Year’s Eve Party The Juniper General Store, 6998 US-27—Suite 112, Ocala 8pm Break out the shimmer, glitter, sequins, and rhinestones: ring in the New Year dressed in your bedazzled best! Whether you’re celebrating this past year or looking forward to a new start, raise a glass and toast at The Juniper General Store this New Year’s Eve. For details, visit facebook.com/ thejunipergeneralstore or call (352) 509-4006.

DEC. 31

New Year’s Eve with Elvis Turnpike Mike’s at SummerGlen Golf Club 9:30pm Ring in 2022 with music by the King, performed by tribute artist Cote Deonath, dinner, and a champagne toast at midnight. Doors open at 6 pm. Visit facebook.com/tpmsummerglen for details.

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Happy Holidaysr! ea and Happy New Y ea

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DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Young entrepreneurs walk away with big prizes and a chance to start a business of their own

By Marian Rizzo Special to the Gazette

M

arion County is raising another batch of business entrepreneurs, many of them high school students who participated in the eighth annual Marion County Youth Business Plan Competition, held in December at the Raney’s Inc. auditorium in Ocala.

The event was modeled after the “Shark Tank” reality series, which is now in its 13th season on ABC television.

Participants of the TV show present their ideas before a panel of investors (“sharks”) who then decide if they want to invest in their products.

Similarly, the Ocala competition allows students to show their designs before a panel of judges and vie for prizes totaling $15,000.

This year’s first-place winner was Emilio Armas, 18. A senior at Vanguard High School, Emilio walked away with $8,000 for his creations in audio technology.

The second-place award of $4,000 went to the Busy Bees, 11th grade Vanguard students, Mackenzie Ragle, Violet Marchese, and Adyla Kerley. They presented a mobile app which combines event planning with emergency location capabilities.

Third-place award, $3,000, went to Scan Surgeon, a West Port High School team of 11th and 12th grade students, Victoria Goodrich, Jezebiel Gonzalez, Avneesh Saravanapavan, and Vivek Sandrapaty. They presented a subscription-based virtual reality app for training medical students.

This was the eighth year for the Marion County “Shark Tank” style event, which was created by Ryan Lilly, vice president of Business Creation at the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership.

“The students competed in a round that is very similar to the television show,” Lilly said. “The main purpose of the contest is to introduce our youth to

entrepreneurship and to explore that as a possible future for themselves instead of pursuing a career working for someone else. Not every student will choose to do that, but by going into the schools and talking to the students, we are able to encourage that entrepreneurship. It’s one of the most exciting things we get to do every year.”

For Emilio Armas, it was an opportunity to shine a spotlight on his startup company, Mylomusic Designs, and his latest creation, Octane, a computerdriven audio mixer.

Emilio first showed an interest in electronics when he was 8 years old. He created the Mylomusic brand when he was in the ninth grade and also began developing products with feedback from friends he met on an online forum in music technology.

His website (mylomusic.net) shows some of the products he currently has for sale. He said the $8,000 will come in handy for his business.

“I’m looking at reinvesting a large majority of it in my company and putting the rest of it in investments—stocks in general,” Emilio said. “Most importantly, much of the money is going into my company, into new product development, and to pay for the production cost for my first product run. I’m looking to launch in the spring once I have the software perfected.”

Both the first-place and second-place winners represented Vanguard High School. Vanguard’s IB business and physics teacher, Dr. Gregory Cruz, said several other Vanguard students have won in past years.

“It shows the caliber of students we have,” Cruz said. “All of them are truly amazing. I just love to see the kids grow.

They’re doing activities they never did before, and they’re excited to be looking at careers in business.”

It was Cruz who urged Emilio to enter the competition.

“Emilio is truly an incredible student,” contents of slides, and ability to answer Cruz said. “Like I told his dad, he’s questions, Raney said. like Einstein, Edison, and Elon Musk “The biggest challenge is, most of them all wrapped up into one. He is truly a don’t have any real-world experience,” genius. I’ve taught him for a long time. he said. “But they do a really good job If I had something broken, I’d ask him to researching and they come up with really fix it—anything electronic, he can fix it.” creative answers. They have bright futures.

Cruz also had good things to say about They’re very innovative, creative, and the Busy Bees. they’re motivated. The fact that they’re “They just worked together extremely in high school and able to put these well to get the job done,” he said. “They presentations together and go before a were a great team. One of the students had crowd shows a lot.” an interest in graphic arts and put together A graduate of Vanguard High School, all the work for the presentation.

Raney often goes back to his alma mater “The biggest challenge, I think, in to speak to business students about anything, is coming up with an idea,” Cruz becoming entrepreneurs. added. “Right now, technology is changing “I tell them my story and basically so rapidly it’s a very big challenge to come encourage them,” he said. “I tell them up with an idea. Once they get an idea, they’ve got to start somewhere, to believe they can start working on it.” in themselves and what they’re trying Joel Raney knows what it’s like to to do. A big part of entrepreneurship is start a business from scratch. The CEO to be willing to take a risk. I show them of Raney’s Inc., a retailer of parts and that it can definitely happen right here accessories for semi trucks, Raney started in Ocala, Florida.” his business in 2010 when he was 22 years old. Today, it’s a multi-milliondollar company, he said.

Since 2016, Raney has participated in the competition as a sponsor and a judge. This year, Campus USA Credit Union and eResources LLC also were sponsors and joined a panel of six judges.

Categories of Supplied judging included Emilo Armas, a Vanguard student, won first place. presentation, public speaking,

Supplied

Mackenzie Ragle, Violet Marchese and Adyla Kerley, Vangaurd Students, won second place.

Life at Canterfield of Ocala

is meant to feel as home-like as possible but also providing many amenities not always found in the traditional home.

From the moment you walk through the door you’ll notice our attention to detail. Elegantly designed community areas with rich traditional furnishings are the perfect place to gather with family and new friends.

Supplied

Victoria Goodrich, Jezebiel Gonzales, Avneesh Saravonapaven, Vivek Sandrapaty, West Park Students, won third place.

Amenities

Country Kitchen • Restaurant-Style Dining Business Center • Barber/Beauty Salon The Canterbury Theater • Wellness Center • Library

9589 SW State Rd 200, Ocala, FL 34481 (352) 877-7100 • www.canterfieldofocala.com

ANSWERS FOR PAGE A12 Sudoku

Newsday Crossword

A16

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

New ER Now Open

Emergency expertise that revolves around you.

We’ve expanded our emergency care for the residents of Belleview and beyond with the opening of our brand-new emergency room.

Our new ER features:

24/7 ER care

State-of-the-art equipment and technology

12 private treatment rooms

Board certified physicians and specialty trained staff

Learn more at AdventHealthOcala.com In case of a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

A hospital department of AdventHealth Ocala

AHO-705

* This emergency department is part of AdventHealth Ocala and this is not an urgent care center. Its services and care are billed at hospital emergency department rates.

Belleview ER

AHO-705 ED 11.22x10.indd 1

12/13/21 11:41 AM

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Explore more than 150 academic pathways, including 70 job-training programs.

Learn how 3 out of 4 CF students graduate with no student debt.

Start your higher education journey

at CF – a college for everyone!

352-873-5800

Notice of Nondiscrimination College of Central Florida offers equal access and opportunity in employment, admissions and educational activities. The college will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, pregnancy, age, marital status, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or disability status in its employment practices or in the admission and treatment of students. Recognizing that sexual harassment constitutes discrimination on the basis of gender and violates this policy statement, the college will not tolerate such conduct. College of Central Florida is an equal opportunity college and avows its belief in equal access and opportunity for all students, employees and guests of the institution. If you have a concern regarding discrimination or harassment, please contact: Dr. Mary Ann Begley, Director of Diversity and Inclusion – Title IX Coordinator, Ocala Campus, Building 3, Room 117H, 3001 S.W. College Road, 352-291-4410, or Equity@cf.edu.

Visit CF.edu/Spring to learn more and apply online.

Información Importante para Estudiantes, Empleados y Visitantes El College of Central Florida ofrece acceso por igual a oportunidades de empleo, inscripciones y actividades educacionales. El colegio no discriminará en base a raza, color, etnicidad, religión, género, embarazo, edad, estado civil, nacionalidad de origen, información genética o discapacidades, orientación sexual, identidad de género, condición de veterano en sus prácticas laborales o en la inscripción y trato de sus alumnos. Reconociendo que el acoso sexual constituye una discriminación en base a género que viola lo establecido por esta política, el colegio no tolerará dicha conducta. El College of Central Florida es un colegio de igualdad de oportunidades y manifiesta su creencia en la igualdad de acceso y oportunidad para todos los estudiantes, empleados y visitantes de la institución. Si usted tiene alguna preocupación sobre discriminación o acoso, por favor contacte a: Dr. Mary Ann Begley, Directora de Diversidad e Inclusión – Coordinadora del Título IX, Ocala Campus, Edificio 3, Salón 117H, 3001 S.W. College Road, 352-291-4410, o Equity@cf.edu.

A17

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports Vanguard’s Hopkins, Guy sign college football letters of intent

By Joel Bronson Joel@ocalagazette.com

T

wo of Marion County’s finest have signed to play college football.

Vanguard High School’s Elijah Hopkins and Izaiah Guy shined for the Knights during their 12-1 playoff

run in 2021.

The two friends and teammates signed their respective letters of intent together on Dec. 15 in front of family, friends and coaches.

Hopkins was a lockdown cornerback for the Knights during their stellar 2021 season.

While defense was his primary

focus, Hopkins also scored three touchdowns on offense, one rushing and two receiving.

“I am anxious to embark on a new journey at Coastal Carolina,” Hopkins said. “I feel the Coastal Carolina coaching staff will help me continue to See Vanguard, page A18

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Elijah Hopkins, who signed his letter of intent to play football at Coastal Carolina, left, and Izaiah Guy, who signed his letter of intent to play football at Georgia State, right, put on their hats after signing their paperwork during their signing ceremony on Dec. 15.

After impressive high school career, Truluck set for college volleyball

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

F

orest High School senior Emma Truluck loves the game of volleyball.

The sport is one that has helped her in many ways during her life.

“Volleyball is something that eases my mind,” Truluck said. “It also challenges me in ways nothing else could.”

Truluck has been playing volleyball most of her life. Playing for Ocala Power, Max Performance and Gainesville Juniors has molded her into the player she is today.

“I will be working with Ocala Power, playing my 18U season there in preparation for college,” she added.

Truluck committed to the University of Tampa during the summer after her sophomore year at Forest after attending numerous camps and games there.

Her sister-in-law attended UT, so that comfort level played a big part in the early commitment.

But during her senior year, Truluck decommitted from UT and committed to play at the University of Central Florida.

Truluck cited multiple factors in the decision to change her commitment.

“I decided to decommit from UT in early fall to put all my focus on indoor volleyball,” Truluck said. “I was going to UT to play both indoor and beach volleyball. I felt like I would be happier playing somewhere else, at a bigger school, and on a ’bigger stage’ playing only indoor.”

“I love the coaches and the volleyball program at UT but felt that I wanted a different college experience as I See Truluck, page A18

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Forest‘s Emma Truluck (5) spikes the ball over the net as the Forest Wildcats defeat the Gainesville Hurricanes 3 sets to 0 in the Class 6A District 5 Championship at Gainesville High School on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020.

Jags fired Meyer for cause, don’t intend to pay

By MARK LONG AP Pro Football Writer

F

ormer Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer was fired for cause and the team does not intend to pay him for the final four years remaining on his contract, a person familiar with the termination told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Saturday because neither side has publicly

discussed details of Meyer’s termination. It remains unclear how much Meyer made annually.

ESPN first reported Meyer being fired for cause.

Owner Shad Khan dismissed Meyer early Thursday after weeks of analysis that focused on Meyer’s mounting public blunders and even more missteps behind the scenes. The person said firing Meyer for cause was not tied to any one incident during his 11 months on the job,

JAE C. HONG/The Associated Press

Urban Meyer

a tumultuous tenure that was filled with off-the-field drama and negative headlines.

“I just apologize to Jacksonville,” Meyer told NFL.com in his first public comments since he hastily left the facility without telling anyone Wednesday. “I love Jacksonville.

It’s one of the reasons I took the job. I still think Shad’s a great owner.

“It’s heart-breaking. I just had a dream of it becoming a destination place with a new facility he agreed to build and some day to walk into that stadium where it’s standing room only. Because I know how bad the people of Jacksonville want it. So, I’m just heartbroken that we weren’t able to do that. I still believe it’s going to be done. It’s too good of a place.”

Meyer said he was devastated and added a familiar refrain from recent weeks: “I tell people losing eats away at your soul.

Once you start losing, it’s hard on everybody.”

Florida is an “at-will”

employment state, meaning employers or employees can terminate employment at any time and without any advance warning. That could make it tougher for Meyer to prove he was wrongly fired or should be owed the remainder of his contract.

It’s common for disputes regarding negated guarantees to be negotiated by the two sides in hopes of finding an amicable resolution that would avoid a lengthy and potentially expensive legal battle.

The Jaguars (2-11) host Houston (2-11) on Sunday, with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell serving as interim coach. Bevell got the nod over assistant head coach Charlie Strong because he has previous experience as an NFL head coach; he went 1-4 as Detroit’s interim coach last season.

A spokesman for Khan told The Associated Press on Friday that the decision to move on from Meyer was initially made following Jacksonville’s 20-0

loss at Tennessee on Sunday. A conversation Khan and Meyer had in the locker room after that shutout — Meyer had few answers for the team’s woes or how he planned to fix them — sealed a decision Khan had been mulling for weeks.

Khan waited several days to finally pull the plug on Meyer because he had a scheduled media event on his yacht Monday and was at the NFL owners’ meetings in Dallas on Tuesday and Wednesday. He also attended an All-Elite Wrestling show Wednesday night in Dallas. Shad Khan and his son Tony own the wrestling league.

The Jaguars ended up firing Meyer early Thursday, hours after former kicker Josh Lambo accused Meyer of kicking him during an August practice.

Connecting that report by a Florida newspaper, which the Jaguars haven’t disputed, to Khan’s announcement made sense. But the Jaguars insist it was more coincidental than causative.

A18

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Vanguard duo sign LOIs Continued from page A17 grow as a student, player and a man.”

Hopkins will enroll early at Coastal Carolina and begin taking classes during the 2022 spring semester.

Hopkins made sure to thank everyone who supported him throughout his high

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Elijah Hopkins

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Brenda Samuel, Elijah Hopkins’ grandmother (left) and Laterrah Hopkins, Elijah’s mother (right)

school career.

“There aren’t enough words to express the level of gratitude I wish to extend to my family, supporters and Vanguard High School,” he added.

Coastal Carolina’s football program has been on the rise as of late. The Chanticleers won their first bowl game in program history with a 47-41 victory over Northern Illinois in the Cure Bowl on Dec. 17.

Guy, who manned the other cornerback position for the Knights in 2021, felt most comfortable with Georgia State’s coaching staff. He will also enroll early.

“I feel like Georgia State was the right place for me, from building a long relationship with the cornerbacks coach, Cory Peoples,” Guy said. “Coach Peoples kept it real with me and is really why I kept my loyalty with Georgia State.”

Family and coaches were a big part of Guy’s success as a high school football player.

“I want to thank my mom and dad and the rest of my family for helping me get here,” Guy said. “I also want to thank my trainers, Clint Hart and Brice Summerall, for everything

Lady Rattlers hang tough, come up short versus

McKeel Academy 40-33 BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Izaiah Guy

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Izaiah Guy poses for with his mother, Christina Guy

they have put into me.”

Georgia State plays their home games at the old Turner Field, recently the home of the Atlanta Braves.

Georgia State head coach Sean Elliott previously led the South Carolina Gamecocks as interim coach after Steve Spurrier retired during the 2015 season.

Truluck is UCF-bound Continued from page A17 matured,” she added.

A three-year captain at Forest, Truluck was also named the Florida Dairy Farmer’s 2021 class 6A player of the year. She was also invited to play in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star game in Lakeland as one of the top performers in the state of Florida.

Once at UCF, Truluck plans to continue to do what made her successful at Forest.

“My goal is to work hard and no matter what position I am on the team, to be an amazing athlete and to push myself and my teammates to be successful on and off the court,” she said.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette Working towards a Forest‘s Emma Truluck (5) spikes the ball past Dunnellon‘s Kendal Brenneman (11) during a degree in physical therapy volleyball match at Forest High School in Ocala Oct. 13. or athletic training will help keep her involved in what she loves most.

Truluck plans to keep volleyball in her life, “I want to be a physical therapist or an even if she does not play professionally after athletic trainer,” Truluck said. “I want to college. continue to work with athletes and sports.”

“I am someone who will never stop working Truluck looks back fondly on her out as long as I am physically able,” she said. career at Forest, even with a quarterfinal “I may play pickup games or small games to loss to Leon in the 2021 playoffs. play for fun.”

“It definitely did not end the way I was Just for fun? hoping,” she said. “I had an amazing four “I will still make them competitive, of course!” years at Forest. I loved my time there.”

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Belleview’s Natalie Doan (1) tries to get out of trouble as she is double-teamed by McKeel Academy’s Serenity Hardy (13) and Morgan Daniels (24) during a basketball game at Belleview High School on Dec. 17.

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

I

n the first game of the Pasta Faire Shootout on Friday afternoon, host Belleview lost to McKeel Academy Wildcats 40-33.

The game was set to match two players who average over 20 points per game in Belleview senior guard Laniya Johnson and McKeel’s eighth grade forward Serenity Hardy.

Hardy found herself in early foul trouble and missed much of the first half, while Johnson found it difficult to score on a stingy McKeel defense.

The first half was a low scoring affair with McKeel leading 15-13.

But the Lady Wildcats came out fast in the third quarter with a 12-2 run to put them comfortably in the lead 27-15.

Belleview would make a 7-2 run to close the gap to 29-26 mid way through the fourth quarter.

Johnson scored five of her nine points in the fourth to pull the Lady Rattlers to within three with 2:37 left.

Hardy would come to life in the fourth, scoring six points of her own while registering three assists to pad the McKeel lead to six with 1:08 left in the fourth.

Lady Rattlers junior forward Zakiya Scruggs scored eight points and grabbed a game high 11 rebounds in the loss.

McKeel sophomore guard Skyelar Smith chipped in 10 points in the victory.

Belleview head coach Gary Greer was proud of his team’s effort in the loss.

“We had a terrible night shooting,” Greer said. “Despite the tough loss, we hope to shake it off and come back strong tomorrow.”

“We are excited to have played wa great opponent,” he added.

With the loss, Belleview sits at 6-4 on the season. The Lady Rattlers will play twice on Saturday; first against Umatilla at 9:30 a.m., and again at 4:30 p.m. against in-county rival Forest.

McKeel moves to 8-2 with the win and will also play twice on Saturday. McKeel takes on Forest High at 12:30 p.m. and Trinity Catholic at 5:45 p.m.

Photos By BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Belleview’s Zakiya Scruggs (30) shoots over McKeel Academy defenders.

Belleview’s Laniyah Johnson (24) drives to the hoop as she is defended by McKeel Academy’s Morgan Daniels (24).

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Forest‘s Emma Truluck (5) celebrates with fans and students as Forest defeats South Lake during the regional quarter final at Forest High School in Ocala on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.

Belleview’s coach, Gary Greer, works with his players on the bench.

Belleview’s Madison Douglas (2) drives to the hoop past McKeel Academy’s Skyelar Smith (3) and Malayna Sheffield (10).

A19

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Four Marion County football stars play in FACA all star game

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

T Vanguard‘s Elijah Hopkins (1) receives the Scott Brantley trophy and scholarship from Scott Brantley, right.

he 2021 FACA Football All-Star game took place at The Villages High School field on Wednesday.

The game featured some of Marion County’s finest senior high school football players.

Elijah Hopkins from Vanguard, Jamarrien Burt from Forest, Amarion Dudley from Belleview and Kaden Richardson from Dunnellon received invites to play in the contest.

Hopkins, who will enroll at Coastal Carolina in the spring, anchored the cornerback position for the Vanguard Knights in 2021. The Knights finished the season 12-1 with their only loss coming in the FHSAA playoffs to Orlando Jones. Hopkins tallied 40 tackles and nabbed two

interceptions for the Knights this past season.

Burt starred for the Forest Wildcats at receiver in 2021. Burt was most recently committed to Florida but has opened his recruitment. Burt currently has an offer from Boston College.

Dudley broke the single season receiving record for Belleview in 2021, hauling in 50 catches for 971 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 6’3” receiver has multiple offers from Tusculum College, University of West Florida and Fort Hayes in Kansas.

Dudley also has interest from Valdosta State in Georgia.

Richardson was a stalwart for the 5A district 5 champion Dunnellon offensive line in 2021.

A 6’3”, 275 pound center, colleges will surely add a great leader by signing the Tigers senior.

The South‘s quarterback Maurice Smith Jr. (7) of Vero Beach is stopped by North defenders.

All Photos By BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

The Villages‘ Ed Williams (16) of the North Team scrambles away from South defenders.

The South team‘s Hervin Louis (18) of Stoneman Douglas breaks away from the North‘s Marcus Jones (14) of Jax-Westside.

ABOVE: Scott Brantley trophy finalists, from left: Dunnellon‘s quarterback Trent Townsend (3), Elijah Hopkins (1) of Vanguard and Amarion Dudley (24) of Belleview.

Vanguard‘s coach Edwin Farmer, right, and coach Demetric Jackson of Columbia, left, work with player on the North Team

RIGHT: Belleview‘s Amarion Dudley (24) of the North team battles for extra yardage as the South‘s Jaylen Wester (21) of Palmetto and Gervaris Desire (32) of Port St. Lucie try to stop him.

ABOVE: Dunnellon‘s quarterback Trent Townsend (3) of the North team scrambles away from the South‘s Demetrie Morgan (16) of Dunbar.

RIGHT: The North Team‘s Waymond Jordan (22) of Escambia battles for extra yardage as the South‘s Dearis Thomas (34) of Naples tries to stop him.

Vanguard‘s Elijah Hopkins (1) of the North Team makes a stop on the South‘s quarterback Maurice Smith Jr. (7) of Vero Beach.

A20

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

SCORE BOARD SELECTED MARION COUNTY

HIGH SCHOOL

SPORTS

RESULTS DEC. 13 - DEC. 18 Results were gathered from FHSAA.com and compiled by Joel Bronson

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

West Port’s coach Corey Rollerson works with his players on the bench as they play Gainesville on Dec. 14.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

West Port’s Ciarra Lake (11) drives to the hoop as she is defended by Gainesville’s Ta’Niya Walker (32) during a game at West Port High School on Dec. 14.

Belleview Dunnellon

BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES

Dec. 17 West Port Meadowbrook

81 45

Dec. 13

North Marion Williston

69 43

Ocala Christian Countryside Christian

70 54

Dec. 14 Forest Belleview

58 41

North Marion Dunnellon

56 42

Lake Weir Tavares

62 58

Dec. 15 Dunnellon Hernando

66 49

Dec. 16

Dec. 15

Dec. 16 Belleview North Marion

2 0

The Villages West Port

5 2

GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES

Dec. 17

Dec. 13

GIRLS SOCCER SCORES

Belleview Lake Weir

54 36

Dunnellon Forest

65 27

Buchholz North Marion

48 38

Countryside Christian Ocala Christian

47 36

Vanguard Belleview

56 14

North Marion Forest

55 47

Dunnellon Lake Weir

65 57

Lake Weir St. John

80 34

Gainesville West Port

38 36

Forest North Marion

5 1

Dec. 14 North Marion Lake Weir

4 0

Edgewater Forest

3 0

Dec. 15 5 0

West Port North Marion

2 1

Dec. 16

Dec. 13

Dec. 14

North Marion Dunnellon

8 0

Buchholz Forest

2 0

Interlachen Dunnellon

2 1

Dec. 17

West Port Belleview

8 0

West Port Dunnellon

8 0

CYNDI CHAMBERS/Correspondent

North Marion’s E’niah Tensley (1) attempts a shot against the Buchholz Bobcats, Dec. 13 at North Marion High School in Citra.

Dec. 15 Springstead Forest

35 32

Dec. 16 Dunnellon East Ridge

62 53

North Marion West Port

54 52

Dec. 17

CYNDI CHAMBERS/Correspondent

Belleview Forest

51 3

Trinity Catholic East Lake

42 39

Trinity Catholic McKeel Academy

70 56

BOYS SOCCER SCORES

McKeel Academy Belleview

40 33

Dec. 13

Trinity Catholic West Port

48 24

Vanguard Lake Weir

Trenton Dunnellon

63 44

Dec. 14

East Lake Forest

44 34

Dec. 18 North Marion’s Dy’ani Hadley puts up two against the Buchholz Bobcats.

6 0

Gainesville Forest

Belleview Umatilla

43 22

6 2

Mount Dora Christian Dunnellon

3 0

West Port Taylor

1 1

Vanguard North Marion

3 1

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Belleview’s Valerie Bolano (5) and Zakiya Scruggs (30) battle for a loose ball with McKeel Academy’s Kerissa Howell (14) at Belleview High School on Dec. 17.