Ocala Gazette | April 29 - May 5, 2022

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 17

Levitt AMP Season

$2

Page B8

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022

Records toppled at the OBS Spring Sale

Court wades into Ocala prayer vigil fight

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

A

federal appeals court Thursday will take up a long-running constitutional dispute about a prayer vigil that was backed by the Ocala police chief amid a spate of shootings in the community.

A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in an appeal of a lower- court ruling that the September 2014 vigil violated the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.

Ocala contends that the event had a secular purpose as police sought community assistance in combating the crimes. A key issue involves the role of then-Chief Greg Graham, who, at least in part, posted information about the vigil on Facebook.

“Here, the secular purpose — i.e. to fight crime and catch the culprit — remained clear and understood by all, including the plaintiffs from the first posting on Facebook to the vigil itself,” attorneys for the city wrote in a brief filed at the appeals court.

But attorneys for the plaintiffs disputed that it was a secular event and argued that it violated the Establishment Clause, which bars government “establishment” of religion.

“Neutrality is the touchstone of any Establishment Clause analysis,” the plaintiffs’ attorneys wrote in a brief. “It would take Olympic level stretching to find that the

The sale-topping colt by Uncle Mo consigned by Top Line Sales and purchased by Gary Young, agent for Zedan Racing Stables, for $2.3 million at the OBS Spring Sale. [Judit Seipert]

Top-selling Florida-bred fetches $675,000 at the four-day auction

By Michael Compton Correspondent

T

he Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training is the largest offering of juveniles in the Thoroughbred industry each sale season. With a catalog of more than 1,200 horses, this year’s

See Prayer, page A2

renewal April 19-22, attracted an international buying bench and fueled by fierce demand at the top-end, established new sale records over the auction’s four days of trade.

For the entire sale, a total of 710 horses sold for a Spring Sale record of $92,070,000, compared with the previous mark of $73,874,900 set in 2021 on 724

head sold. The average price of $129,676 also set a record, surpassing the previous mark of $108,227 set in 2019 and well above last year’s average of $102,037. The median price was $65,000, compared to last year’s median of $50,000 and higher than the $60,000 record median See OBS, page A2

School capacity becomes part of development discussion

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

T

he Ocala City Council once again voted unanimously Tuesday, April 19, to postpone approval of a multifamily residential development located on the east side of Southwest 43rd Court in the 3600 block, across from Saddlewood Elementary, until May 3.

Council postponed a vote in order to allow all the development agreements involved in the proposal time to get in place. There were also many concerns regarding road improvements that needed to be in place in the developer agreements before proceeding.

“Nothing happens until we start getting the road improvements. That’s all we’re looking for. We need those improvements to happen before we even take on any of the builders and all that type of stuff. We want to make sure it gets fixed as best we can,” said council member Jim Hilty.

City Attorney Rob Batsel Jr. told council he would appreciate a two-week postponement. “I will be fully prepared to

address a lot of these concerns holistically [by then],” he said.

The development proposal comes from applicant Catalyst Development Partners II, LLC, a company based out of Georgia.

It received two publics hearing on March 1 and March 15, before being pushed to April 19 for a vote—only to be pushed once again.

Council was considering a development agreement that would approve the 26.63 acres of property for a zoning change to “R-3 Multi-family Residential,” specifically 15 acres to the south of the property, which allows a maximum of 12 units per acre. The remaining 11.63 acres not included in the sale contract will be reconsidered for zoning again in the future.

The city had anticipated the future land use for the property to be “Medium Intensity/Special District,” which would allow for a minimum of five units per acre and a maximum of 30.

City staff has expressed concerns about congestion in the area, according to city documents, specifically a lack of transportation infrastructure to accommodate the potential level of

development.

The applicant’s representative suggested that the concerns could be worked out through a custom developer’s agreement that would allow the city to address future development of the property and potential traffic studies, roadway and intersection improvements such as adding signalization.

Saddlewood Elementary, Liberty Middle School and West Port High School are zoned to serve students who would live on the proposed property. All three schools are experiencing persistent localized overcrowding, according to city staff, noting that the district has capacity to move students to other local schools if need be.

The school districts’ capacity is 85.5% district wide, according to city officials. This is below the state capacity of 87.5%. Ultimately, city staff reiterated that the school district is responsible for addressing localized overcrowding.

School Concurrency

City staff said on April 19 that the school board is part of the planning and zoning commission, adding that one of the main

issues of note brought up often at these P&Z meetings is school concurrency, or a system of land use regulations designed to meet the demands placed upon public school capacity by a new residential development.

“We had school concurrency back in the 2008 to 2010 period, but it went away,” said Tye Chighizola, director of Planning and Development for the City of Ocala.

“The state did not require the cities or the counties to have school concurrency, so we don’t really have it.”

Chighizola explained that city staff couldn’t recommend that there’s no capacity at any given school without looking at capacity for that entire district.

“And there is plenty of capacity district wide,” he said. “Many schools may be overcrowded, but our hands are tied from our standpoint. We have to look at capacity for the entire district. But we are having a conversation with the school board about that and how it could be addressed in the future.”

Currently, the school board’s job is to See Capacity, page A6

READ DAILY NEWS AT OCALAGAZETTE.COM

INSIDE:

Gazette Opinion............................ A3 Bank Services................................ A5 State News...................................... A7 New Bakery.................................... B1 Calendar......................................... B5

Subscribers will receive their paper through USPS on the USPS schedule.

Subscription orders must be received by 5 pm on Tuesday in order to be included in the following week’s delivery.

Starting at $10/month ocalagazette.com/subscribe

A2

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

OBS reports record sales

Hall of Fame Horse Trainer Bob Baffert talks to people with his wife, Jill, by his side on the first day of the OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds In Training at the Ocala Breeders‘ Sales Company in Ocala on April 19. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Continued from page A1 recorded in 2019. The buyback (horses that failed to sell) percentage for this year’s sale was 15.2 percent; it was 13.1 percent a year ago.

Topping the sale was Hip 206, a Kentucky-bred colt by Uncle Mo consigned by Top Line Sales, agent, who sold for $2.3 million to Gary Young, agent for Zedan Racing Stables in the sale’s opening session on April 19. The bay colt, who breezed a fast furlong (an eighth mile) in :09 4/5 at the under tack preview, is produced from the Astrology mare Borealis Night, a half-sister to graded stakes-placed runners Kinsley Kisses and Spooky Woods. Bob Baffert will train the horse in Southern California.

Bred by Corser Thoroughbreds, the colt was purchased as a yearling last year

by Scott and Evan Dilworth for $250,000 out of the Terrazas Thoroughbreds consignment at the Keeneland September Sale.

Scott spoke with the media at OBS following the fall of the hammer and described what appealed to him about the colt last year.

“He walked out of the stall, and I went, ‘Wow,’ and that was that,” Scott said. “It’s funny when we went and looked at him a ton of times—you know when you like one, you go back and

look at them a few times—and I remember (Eduardo) Terrazas said, ‘How come you are always smiling so big whenever you come see this horse?’ I said, ‘He just makes me smile.’”

Jimbo Gladwell, who consigned the colt along with his wife, Torie, on behalf of the Dilworths, said of the colt, “He is a superstar in the making; I have to give all the credit to Scott.

He twisted my arm to buy him.

All we did was get him ready.

He’s easy (to work with) and is a smart colt.”

All told, five horses sold for seven figures. The secondhighest-priced horse of the sale was Hip 401, a Medaglia d’Oro colt that sold to Californiabased Red Baron’s Barn/ Rancho Temescal for $1,750,000.

Consigned by de Meric Sales, agent, the colt is out of the unraced Ghostzapper mare Eltimaas and is a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Drefong.

Hip 885, a gray or roan Tapit colt consigned by Eddie Woods, agent, brought $1,700,000 from Lane’s End Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds. Produced from the winning Seeking the Gold mare Pension, the colt is a full brother to graded stakes winner Thoughtfully and a half-brother to two other stakes winners in Annual Report and Giant Payday.

Hip 1174, a filly by Munnings,

sold to Larry Best’s OXO Equine for $1,600,000 in the sale’s final session on April 22. Consigned by Eddie Woods, agent, the filly’s dam is multiple stakes winner Tensas Harbor, by Private Vow. Rounding out the seven-figure horses was Hip 490, a Mendelssohn colt consigned by Scanlon Training and Sales, agent, that sold to Japanese trainer Mitsu Nakauchida for $1,300,000. Bred in Kentucky by Marcus Stables, the colt is out of the Malibu Moon mare Grace Is Gone. David Scanlon acquired the colt out of last year’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern Fall Yearling Sale for $235,000.

“He was a bit immature when we brought him in,” Scanlon related. “We took our time with him, and he started developing for us. He did everything right; he’s just a dream. The colt is the entire package.

“I have to credit my partners on the horse, Gabriel ‘Spider’ Duignan and Bruno DeBerdt,” Scanlon added. “I called them when I found the horse (as a yearling), and they supported me. We took a chance. It was a lot for us to spend on him, but he had a beautiful frame and a great walk. He has a beautiful demeanor about him, and I love the sire. I think Mendelssohn is going to be a hit.”

The top-selling Florida-bred colt of the sale was Hip 899, a son of Bolt d’Oro who fetched $675,000 from Karl and Cathi Glassman. Consigned by de Meric Sales, agent, the Sunshine State product was bred by France

and Irwin Weiner, and Tristan and Valerie de Meric, and will be raced in partnership with Leon Ellman and Laurie Plesa; Eddie Plesa Jr. will train the horse in South Florida.

The colt breezed an eighth mile in :10 at the under tack preview, and he is out of the unraced Tiz Wonderful mare Polyester, making him a halfbrother to graded stakes winner Harpers First Ride.

“He is put together,” said Karl.

“The de Merics do a great job of conditioning, and we’ve done business with them before. They stand behind their product and treat everything really well. They have a good program, and that’s important to us.”

Among additional noteworthy storylines was the sale of Hip 66, a Curlin colt that sold for $510,000 to David Ingordo, agent for Mayberry Farm. The colt was pinhooked (bought as a yearling with the intent of selling as a 2-year-old) by First Finds for just $40,000 at last year’s Keeneland September Sale.

“I saw him in the back ring at Keeneland and I liked the horse right away,” said Tami Bobo, who operates First Finds with her husband, Fernando De Jesus. “I thought he had an amazing walk.

I asked the consignor what they needed for the horse, what they were thinking, and I stood there and bought him. He’s been a great horse all year for us. He had an amazing winter. The de Merics have been very proud of him, and they enjoyed having him. It’s a

blessing to be able to buy him at that price and then turn around and send him here to be a solid 2-year-old.”

For Raffaele Centofanti of Centofanti Thoroughbreds, the sale of Hip 306 to Red Baron’s Barn/Rancho Temescal for $525,000 helped the horseman realize a goal that he has aimed for since starting his public operation two years ago. The Union Rags filly, who breezed a fast eighth-mile in :09 4/5, is produced from the graded stakes-placed Aldebaran mare Corderosa and is a half-sister to stakes-placed runners Orecchiette and Lane Way. “My goal when I started consigning was to sell a horse for $300,000,” said Centofanti who along with his father and mother operates a private training center in nearby Citra, Fla. “This is the most expensive horse I have sold.

It feels awesome.”

Topping all buyers at the sale was Chad Schumer, agent, who signed for 15 horses to the tune of $3,030,000. He was followed by Gary Young, agent for Zedan Racing, who bought a pair of juveniles for a total of $2,900,000. The leading consignor was de Meric Sales, which sold 35 head for gross sales of $9,308,000. Eddie Woods followed with sales totaling $8,444,000 on 28 horses sold.

Next up for OBS is the June Sale of 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age, slated for June 7-9. The sale’s under tack show is scheduled for May 31-June 4.

Hip 239, a dark bay or brown colt by MacLean‘s Music and consigned by Eddie Woods, is shown to prospective buyers in the outside walking ring by Champion Vasquez on the first day of the OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds In Training at the Ocala Breeders‘ Sales Company in Ocala on April 19. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Prayer vigil dispute reaches federal appeals court Continued from page A1

File photo: Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn speaks on the Ocala Downtown Square after the Ocala Parade of Champions on March 26. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

government acted neutrally with regard to religion in this case.”

Marion County residents Art Rojas, Lucinda Hale and Daniel Hale, who were members of the American Humanist Association, filed the lawsuit in November 2014 after attending the vigil, according to the briefs. It named as defendants the city, Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn and Graham, who died in 2020.

A federal district judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in 2018 on the constitutional issue.

The plaintiffs are represented in the appeal by an attorney for the American Humanist Association, while the city is represented by attorneys for the American Center for Law & Justice, a conservative legal organization.

The briefs filed at the appeals court offer dramatically different descriptions of the police department’s role in the vigil. Attorneys for the city contended that the vigil was “organized and put on by private citizens and volunteer chaplains for the Ocala Police Department,” with Graham playing a limited role that included posting a letter on Facebook that encouraged people to participate.

“No OPD (Ocala Police Department) official or employee planned or participated in any aspect of the vigil in any official capacity, including in determining who would lead or participate in the vigil, or the content of any speech at the vigil,” the city’s brief said.

But attorneys for the plaintiffs contended that Graham played an important role and pointed to issues such as the involvement of the police-department chaplains in the event.

“Defendants intended to promote prayer.

That is a religious purpose and ‘is dispositive’ of its unconstitutionality,” the plaintiffs’ brief said, partially quoting from a legal precedent. “That Ocala had additional goals is questionable but irrelevant. The government cannot act with the purpose of gathering citizens to pray for an hour and then say there was no religious purpose. That leaves nothing sacred.”

In addition to arguing that the vigil did not violate the Constitution, the city contends that the plaintiffs did not have legal standing to file the case — an argument that the plaintiffs’ attorneys dispute. The threejudge panel will hold Thursday’s hearing in a Montgomery, Ala., courthouse.

A3

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

OPINION

The second thing that was wrong about the coup last Tuesday

By Ocala Gazette Editorial Board

contracts between the city and developer Haselden property to be developed into infuriation with city management being there was no mechanism for letting the 180 single family homes. late to reconsider contracts that poised o follow up on last week’s editorial public know about them.

The public outcry to back-to-back no long-term impact or financial loss to on the sudden termination of As previously reported, city approval of a cluster of real estate the city while they politely let the city Ocala City Manager Sandra infrastructure, such as electric, water, developments that would impact attorneys work out their contract and Wilson during the Ocala City sewer, can be extended five miles outside Maricamp road have been loud and taken finish up business.

Council meeting April 19: the city limits to service developments in up hours of council meeting time.

Two things come to mind.

The second thing wrong about last the county, according to the city engineer Unfortunately, the public didn’t have the One is the obvious. The attorneys Tuesday’s coup was the disturbing Sean Lanier. benefit of sitting at the same table while the and developers are powerful “friends” double standard by the three city council Since Marion County’s infrastructure attorneys and developers worked out how council likely feels uncomfortable holding members who voted to immediately is so limited, city services look attractive they could overcome obstacles any logical accountable. terminate Sandra Wilson. to those companies who wish to develop person without city planning experience All three attorneys have sworn up and James Hilty, Kristen Dreyer, and Barry outside the city limits- many of whom are would have scratched their head on. down that they have not hurt the city and Mansfield voted to dismiss Ocala’s city also represented by the same attorneys as The public had three minutes at the rather than order an audit or demand manager, Sandra Wilson, based on an the city. podium and the city council advice from explanations, the council swallows their auditor’s report that said the city should have In the case of the October 2020 attorneys whose loyalties were conflicted. emphatic denial and smiles at them. been more organized about how it handled approved annex form agreement, the The public wants and needs the city The city manager, Sandra Wilson, was two contracts that didn’t seem to result in a Gazette previously reported that just making independent decisions regarding not as equally powerful. The three council significant financial loss to the city. months after approval of the form one of development. With a city attorney members could insinuate and make They also cited highly subjective the largest developers in Marion County, financially beholden to developers advising allegations to serve their desire to remove concerns about “leadership” qualities of the World Equestrian Center, who is also them- how can council in good faith say her immediately with little consequence. manager and city employee satisfaction. represented by the city attorneys, entered they are?

But make no mistake – their decision In the minds of those three city council into the agreement for city services to a Another aspect of how these conflicts of to fire Wilson was buoyed by efforts of the members, it was grounds for immediate mobile home park that they were using to interest create financial problems for the city attorneys. removal. house employees. city is when developers represented by the Through review of public records, Under our city’s charter, the city council The reason it was so unusual is that city attorneys owe the city money. including attorney billing records, and has authority to hire and fire these top first, The City of Ocala hasn’t permitted For example, there was a development conversations with city attorney Batsel spots: the city attorney, city manager, city new mobile home developments in their agreement for the Shady Oaks PUD about how the whistleblower complaint auditor and city clerk. The rest of the city zoning since 2017. Why then would it between Roy T. Boyd Trust and the city came about, the Gazette has learned that staff, besides the police department, falls agree to ever annex one into city limits? twenty years ago that required the trust the whistleblower complaint originated under the purview of the city manager. The Second, there was some funny business pay the city $75,000 for improvements at from a conversation a city employee had structure protects the city from council billing the developer that essentially gave the adjacent Scott Springs Park. with the city attorneys. members who would use their influence in the developer a $80,000 discount on the The city attorney firm has represented The city employee was told to categorize the city’s day to day business to the benefit hook up that no other developer received. the Boyd family for years. the concerns as a whistleblower complaint of friends and insiders.

Since that last report, we’ve obtained an In 2015 the city agreed to an for her own protection and although At least two times during the email through a public records request that amendment that reduced that sum to just Batsel told the council the firm was leaving discussion, Dreyer and Hilty made a reflects a representative of the developer, $25,000. the issue in the hands of the auditor and comparison of allegations of conflicts of Don Deluca, asking Batsel to call him As of this week, the money still hasn’t outside attorneys who specialized in labor interest the city attorneys have adamantly about the invoice they received related to been paid by the developer and the law- all three city attorneys met and denied. Both Dreyer and Hilty made it hook up shortly after signing the annex property has changed hands. The city conferred on the matter many times in the a point to politely assure City Attorney agreement. “We think we now see why this recently issued an invoice in February days that would follow.

Robert Batsel Jr., that although they were was invoiced this way, however don’t think 2022 to Boyd Real Estate Group for the The whistleblower complaint and using the example in discussion – they the billing coincides with the spirit of the $25,000 but one has to wonder if a statute subsequent meetings that included all weren’t implying the city attorneys had agreement. Specifically, section 3.2 reflects of limitations hasn’t run out on the city three attorneys started just two days acted inappropriately when they inserted a our intent and understanding we would be collecting it at this point. after accusations were made during a conflict of waiver clause into the city’s legal billed for in-city rates.”

The other question we’d have is why city council meeting by Dreyer that city contract without talking to them about it The invoice next went into some wasn’t the city’s interest protected prior to management was running a “shadow in an effort to represent both developers mystery limbo until the Gazette pointed the property changing hands? One would investigation” about the conflicts of and the City of Ocala. the preferential treatment in December of think some type of document such as a lien interest and unusual billing practices of We are awestruck on how the council 2021, almost a year after the transaction. could have been recorded in public records the city attorneys in support of moving city inconsistently wielded their immediate The attorneys have handled plenty so that title couldn’t pass without the legal services in house. fury against the city manager while there of other business between the city and developer paying the city.

All three city attorneys showed up was no evidence of an immediate threat the same developer, such as agreements That same Boyd developer has other for that meeting openly angry at city to the city or related financial loss while for sale of property, annexation of other development agreements with the city management for the inference that they letting the city attorneys continue in a role parcels, even negotiating waiver of city currently, including ones that have had done anything wrong. that leaves the city very vulnerable. liens its owed. financial incentives from the city.

You could imagine the city attorneys The three council members feel Why hasn’t the auditor been asked to Why isn’t the Auditor being asked to being not so happy at the thought of “ok” and very polite about any talk of investigate any of those transactions? investigate any of those development deals? potentially losing the city’s milliontermination or criticism against the Following that December 2021 Gazette We can’t help but scratch our heads at dollar a year billing. And what about the lawyers- and that is where they show report, there is another email reflecting how those council members justify their financial loss at stake to their developer their bias. conversations between Batsel and staff clients if they weren’t in For the sake of this conversation, let’s indicating that he might have to redo that that role? put aside what appears to be questionable form annex agreement once again.

And what about the This map was toprocedure the legal advice related to three constitutional We’d likeshown to see the for developers who have during challenges of ordinances drafted by the council making dealsthe withmeeting. developers more had the benefit of their city attorneys that the city has had to pay transparent and can’t help but wonder attorneys also serving out on over the past year. Admittedly, the if the city attorneys structured the as city attorneys? One It outlines the 4inprojects inthat theit fire fee one costing the city more than $80 transactions such a way could understand they’d vicinitybe.under review for million dollars, which will significantly samewouldn’t prefer to keep the wheels impact the city’s finances in the coming future development.

Gooding and his partner Batsel swear greased, particularly years, is a hard one to swallow. emphatically that the city line is their during a building Instead, lets talk about the cost to Chinese wall of sorts when it comes to boom such as we are • representing Albright Trust proposes a city. the city for allowing their attorneys to developers and the experiencing now. maximum 320 dwelling represent both the city and developers.

Yet how can they in good faith In the case of unitsa contract for the city to use A recent public records request shows write Dreyer, we wonder the city attorneys continue to represent • with developers they know they also what influence the Haselden Property developers that do business with the city represent? And why is the city taking prominent developer proposes 312 dwelling units without obtaining the city’s informed advice from attorneys who have already engineer David Tillman • admitted 7-11 & RM Maricamp, consent waiving the conflicts. to having a greaterLLC personal has since they are proposes a convenience Let’s review some specific examples that financial interest with local developers romantically involved. give us pause. than with the city?

Tillman works hand in store and office uses Remember that “form” annex Council, why aren’t these issues hand with Gooding and • drawing ARC of your Marion, Inc. 5-lot agreement and ordinance that Assistant scrutiny like the issues that Batsel for the county’s commercial subdivision City Attorney Jimmy Gooding got passed drew your ire against Wilson? largest developers. by the city council on the consent agenda in Look at the conflicts of interest related Tillman was another October 2020 that allowed the city engineer to developments on Maricamp Road one that showed up to enter into an agreement with developers around 25th Avenue where the city at the end of the city outside city limits to hook up to water? attorneys were representing the city, and council meeting to Under the ordinance, city staff could on the other side of the table was one of watch Tuesday’s coup enter into the form annex agreement with their biggest clients John Rudiyani. But – but he watched from developers “with such revisions as are not just Rudiyani. In a letter dated March the lobby looking This map was shown to the council during a January 2022 meeting. It outlines the 4 projects acceptable to the city attorney based upon 16, 2021 local attorney Tim Haines through the door’s in the same vicinity under review for future development. its determination” and only the signature reaches out to Batsel in his capacity portal as Dreyer Albright Trust proposes a maximum 320 dwelling units of the city council president would be as “attorney for the city and Haselden excitedly executed her Haselden Property proposes 312 dwelling units necessary to commit the city resources. family” to work out an easement issue vote to terminate the 7-11 & RM Maricamp, LLC proposes a convenience store and office uses ARC of Marion, Inc. 5-lot commercial subdivision Since council did not have to approve the that would impact the ability of the city manager.

T

COUNTY STILL HOLDS ON ACCOUNT A SIZEABLE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF DOLLARS

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

M

arion County issued its latest report reflecting expenditures and balance of the $63.8 million in federal aid it received at the start of the pandemic.

As of March 31, 2022, the balance is still more than $17 million, down from $21.5 million at the start of 2021.

The money now sits in the county’s general fund, but county commissioners have earmarked the money for COVID-19 related relief.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, in response to the pandemic created the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) that provided $150 billion in direct assistance for domestic

governments.

The State of Florida received more than $8.3 billion of that fund with direction to allocate 55 percent to the state and 45 percent to eligible local governments.

On June 10, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the State of Florida’s plan to disburse up to $1.275 billion in CARES Act funds to counties with populations below 500,000, which included Marion County.

Marion County received $63.8 million from the state, with instructions to share it with “municipalities located within their jurisdiction on a reimbursement basis.”

This last accounting reflects Marion County has shared a total of 2% of the federal relief with the cities of Ocala, Belleview and Dunnellon.

As previously reported, there were problems navigating the

federal rules associated with the relief initially for local governments until the feds and the state relaxed them.

Use this link to view a full copy of the county’s March 31 Revenue & Expenditure Report CARES Act expenditures: https://www.marioncountyclerk. org/cares-act-revenue-andexpenditure-status-report

A4

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

The cost of early termination of city manager contract Council Comments

On April 21, council member Jay Musleh said that his opinion is that Wilson was fired without cause, specifically after speaking to the city’s attorney. He dissented in the vote to fire Wilson last week.

In reference to Wilson’s contract, Musleh deferred to the city attorneys on such matters, being that he didn’t have a copy of the contract in front of him, but agreed that the former city manager’s severance package was the next step in the process.

“That’s one of the things that I thought we just glossed over [last week],” said Musleh. “We didn’t talk about…well, there’s a contract. And that’s why having a more formal vote on May 3 [would have been better.]”

Musleh said he recognized that rumblings had been going on behind the scenes for much of Wilson’s tenure as city manager, and he was sure he wasn’t the only one to recognize those rumblings for what they were.

“I’m not stupid. I can read the writing on the wall,” he added, referring to the dismissal and its buildup. “And I think Ms. Wilson could too.”

Council president Ire Bethea, who along with Musleh dissented in the vote to terminate Wilson’s contract, said on April 21 that he did not believe she had been fired for cause, but deferred to the city attorney on any questions regarding her contract severance package.

“It’s really too early to say right now,” Bethea said. “We’re working on it.

Hopefully, we’ll have worked out the details by the next council meeting on May 3.”

Councilmember Barry Mansfield, who made the original motion to dismiss Wilson on April 19, citing a report from the city auditor involving a whistleblower complaint as his reason, spoke to the Gazette on Thursday, April 21.

He said he didn’t know if Wilson had been fired with or without cause, just that he had questions about her level of leadership.

“If those are the only choices for cause,” said Mansfield after being read the contract’s definition of cause for termination and then asked if she had been fired with or without cause, “then it would be for not. It was mainly for lack of leadership. So, that’s probably not in that but…it’s not that I think she did anything but that she wasn’t paying attention to her staff.”

Mansfield told the Gazette that he asked the city auditor, Randall Bridgeman, immediately following the city council meeting last week to look into whether or not there was any criminal wrongdoing in the auditor’s findings.

“I disagreed with some of the findings in the report and the ramifications. I’m holding the report to a higher standard,” said Mansfield.

When pressed for what part of the auditor’s report he felt could rise to the level of criminal, Mansfield pointed to the questions that city staff discussed with councilman Jay Musleh concerning the city’s banking contract with SunTrust.

“Why were they working so hard to keep SunTrust in place?” he speculated. “Was SunTrust receiving special treatment? Were

File photo: Ocala City Manager Sandra Wilson at the City of Ocala Strategic Planning meeting on March 22. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

I

n a surprise move last week, the Ocala City Council fired City Manager Sandra Wilson at the conclusion of a regular meeting, despite it not being listed as an agenda item.

Now, due to stipulations in Wilson’s contract the city will likely pay the former city manager a lump sum cash payment equal to 20 weeks compensation as “severance,” as well as all life, health, dental and disability insurance, and all other employer-provided benefits at city’s expense, if she was fired without “cause.”

The city manager receives an annual base salary of $225,500.

Under the contract, if Wilson was fired with “cause,” then the city’s only obligation is to pay Wilson all compensation and benefits “accrued but unpaid at the date of termination.”

With or Without “Cause”

Cause, according to “Section 4 (D)” of the city’s contract with Wilson, signed on July 7, 2020, is defined and limited as the following reasons: “(1) willful dereliction of duty; (2) any felony or misdemeanor conviction of any crime involving moral turpitude; (3) material dishonesty; public insobriety or drug or alcohol addiction; (4) misconduct as defined in Florida Statute [FS] 443.036(29) in which case, by statute, such payment would be prohibited; or (5) any other act of a similar nature of the same or greater seriousness.”

FS 443.036(29) defines misconduct, “irrespective of whether [it] occurs at the workplace or during working hours,” includes “(a) …willful damage to an employer’s property that results in damage more than $50, or theft of employer property; (b) carelessness or negligence… (c) chronic absenteeism or tardiness… (d) …willful and deliberate violation of a standard or regulation of this state… (e) …violation of an employer’s rule… [to include] committing criminal assault or battery on another employee, or on a customer or invitee of the employer or committing abuse or neglect of a patient, resident, disabled person, elderly person, or child in her or his professional care.”

there kickbacks involved?”

Mansfield said he had not heard a response from the auditor or the city attorneys regarding his questions.

But, Ocala Police Department Chief Mike Balken told the Gazette that his department was not currently investigating anything related to the auditor’s report.

The Auditor’s Reports

The council considered two auditor’s reports on April 19. One was from the accounting firm Purvis & Gray, which shared a positive conclusion to their extensive financial audit of the city’s financial statements and internal controls.

It drew no discussion from the city council.

The second auditor’s report, conducted

by Bridgeman, is the one that ended in the dismissal of the city manager.

The first complaint from the whistleblower referenced events that began in 2019 under then-City Manager John Zobler, who resigned abruptly in November 2019.

The contract for the city’s banking services was set to expire on April 30, 2020, and the whistleblower complained the city’s CFO, assistant city manager Bill Kauffman, did not act quickly enough to start the process to put a new banking contract in place. The events were unfolding a month after the COVID-19 pandemic exploded, impacting governments and businesses around the world.

According to the auditor’s report, an invitation to negotiate a new banking agreement was solicited on April 23, 2020. The city’s Finance Department’s evaluation committee chose SunTrust Bank (now called Truist) and TD Bank as the finalists.

Wilson was named city manager on June 2, 2020. Months later, on Nov. 9, 2020, the evaluation committee chose SunTrust Bank. The issue was set for the city council’s Nov. 17, 2020 meeting, but less than an hour before the meeting; SunTrust “changed their best and final offer.” This meant TD Bank now was offering better terms. The agenda item was pulled, and negotiations continued.

The city auditor’s report found that Kauffman and city Finance Director Emory Roberts decided in early February 2021 to stay with their recommendation of SunTrust. The bank had just switched names to Truist and was completing a merger with BB&T. For this reason, the bank could not enter into a long-term bank agreement with the city. The short-term banking agreement expires in June 2022.

Kauffman told the Gazette, “We wanted to give our current bank the opportunity to complete their merger, that is why we did a short-term contract.

Again, we wanted to be fair and reduce as much risk to the city as possible.”

The auditor did not quantify any financial loss to the city in the report. He did state that some of the reasons city management gave for staying with the same bank were not set forth in the “Invitation to Negotiate.” The auditor also questioned the consistency of placing the contract on a consent agenda for one meeting and in

Join our new support group

Meets monthly starting May 5 (Call for future dates) 10:30 a.m.-Noon Conversation, camaraderie and refreshments RSVP (352) 873-7456, M-F, 8-5 The Elliott Center 3231 SW 34th Ave. Ocala, FL 34474

Monarch

Center for Hope & Healing

O GY

RA

I

Patient-centered radiation oncology close to home

O N CO L

D

IO N AT

PA R T N E R S I N Q UA L I T Y

I

T

C

R

Y

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR R A D I AT I O N O N CO LO G Y

A C

ED IL ITED FAC

The Villages 352.259.2200 Ocala 352.732.0277 Timber Ridge 352.861.2400 Inverness 352.726.3400 Lecanto 352.527.0106 RBOI.com

City Council’s Decision

Last week, council members James Hilty and Kristen Dreyer joined Mansfield in the vote to dismiss Wilson, naming Assistant City Manager Pete Lee as interim city manager.

Lee was appointed assistant city manager at the end of July 2021. Two other assistant city managers, Kauffman and Ken Whitehead, both of which have served in their respective roles since 2015, were not mentioned as interim manager candidates during the meeting.

Kauffman announced this week his intent to retire.

Wilson’s contract would have been up on Oct. 31 of this year. She had originally been appointed to the role of city manager on an interim basis after Zobler’s abrupt resignation in 2019.

With more than 30-combined years of municipal government experience, Wilson was the first Black person, male or female, to hold the city manager post. Prior to taking over the top spot, she had previously been assistant city manager and director of human resources and risk management.

Jennifer Hunt Murty contributed to this report.

Grief Connection

“A Higher Standard”

means we don’t outsource your care. RBOI is proud to be the only private facility in Central Florida that employs on-site medical physicists, medical dosimetrists, licensed clinical social workers, and nurses.

general business for another.

The second whistleblower issue the auditor examined concerned the city’s contract with Kubra, a company that handles printing, mailing bills for the city’s utility services along with the kiosks used to accept payments. According to the auditor’s report, some city staffers expressed frustration about service issues with the company and wanted the city to terminate the contract.

In the bidding process, the Finance Department wanted the services to be divided across three separate contracts with companies InvoiceCloud, InfoSend and DynaTouch instead of Kubra. The auditor said the whistleblower felt it was inappropriate to split up the services that way, and felt it would expose the city to possible litigation from Kubra.

The auditor concluded the multiplecontract option violated the request for proposal (RFP) the city put out for the services, “which sought a turn-key solution with one vendor.” Failing to follow the RFP left the city exposed to litigation.

Again, the city auditor did not quantify any financial loss to the city, but said city management did not allow sufficient time to adequately address potential delays in the project.

Here is the auditor’s conclusion: “The scope of this investigation was limited to the allegations in the whistleblower complaint letter to Sandra Wilson – City Manager dated March 4, 2022. The results of my investigation do not rise to the level of the definition of “gross management” as defined in the Florida State Statute. Mishandling by management is most likely to have occurred in the two management concerns identified in the whistleblower letter, barring any potential additional information coming forward.”

You are not alone in your grief

The compassionate staff at the Monarch Center for Hope & Healing guide people through the loss of a loved one

A5

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

More context to the banking services contract that ended in the City Manager being fired

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

“B

anking is about relationships” might sound like a clichéd sound bite in a commercial, but the city’s CFO, Bill Kauffman, used it to give context to the city auditor’s April 18 report finding that city staff dragged their feet renewing their banking services contract.

According to the auditor’s report, the contract for the city’s banking services was set to expire on April 30, 2020, and the whistleblower complained the city’s CFO, assistant city manager Bill Kauffman, did not act quickly enough to start the process to put a new banking contract in place. The events were unfolding a month after the COVID-19 pandemic exploded, impacting governments and businesses around the world.

The auditor’s report noted that an invitation to negotiate a new banking agreement was solicited on April 23, 2020, and the city’s Finance Department’s evaluation committee chose SunTrust Bank (now called Truist) and TD Bank as the finalists.

Although not referenced in the auditor’s report but relevant to the timeline are two things that occurred in June 2020.

Sandra Wilson was named

city manager and the appellate court’s entered a decision, after years of litigation, finding that the fire fee did not qualify as a “user fee,” and thus, was an invalid tax. The appellate court’s order kicked back the case to the local trial court with the mandate that the city make refunds estimated at the time to be around $80 million.

According to the auditor’s findings, on November 9, 2020, the evaluation committee concluded that it’d be in the city’s best interest to continue with SunTrust Bank for the city’s banking services. The issue was set for the city council’s November 17, 2020 meeting. But less than an hour before the meeting, SunTrust “changed their best and final offer.”

“The reason SunTrust had to change their banking service agreement is because the bottom fell out on interest rates,” explained Emory Roberts, the City of Ocala Finance Director.

SunTrust’s sudden change in position meant TD Bank offered the city a .01% higher yield if the city met certain deposit requirements. The agenda item was pulled, and negotiations continued.

The city auditor’s report found that Kauffman and Roberts decided in early February 2021 to stay with their recommendation of SunTrust. The bank had just

switched names to Truist and was completing a merger with BB&T. For this reason, the bank could not enter into a long-term bank agreement with the city.

The current short-term banking agreement expires in June 2022.

Kauffman told the Gazette, “We wanted to give our current bank the opportunity to complete their merger, that is why we did a short-term contract. Again, we wanted to be fair and reduce as much risk to the city as possible.”

Kauffman also explained that the city was facing an $80 million dollar judgement in the fire fee case and taking out a loan to repay it was an option that staff had to keep in mind when it came to navigating the city’s banking relationships.

The loan is another issue that did not make the auditor’s report.

The city’s financial advisor Dunlap & Associates was asked last year to help the city identify a bank that would give them a $60 million dollar loan. The city put out a Request for Quotes for a $60 million taxable drawdown note with a deadline to respond

by December 14, 2021.

The request was sent to more than 20 banks according to Kauffman but only two stepped up, the city’s bank Truist (formerly known as SunTrust Bank) and JP Morgan on

December 14, 2021.

At the March 1 city council meeting staff recommended Truist to the council for the loan, and in their recommendation wrote, “Truist Bank was ranked the highest of the two proposers for the $60 million loan. The loan will be priced at a variable rate from the closing date until July 1, 2022. There will be no prepayment penalty during the Variable Rate Period. On July 2, 2022, the variable rate shall convert to a fixed rate. The fixed rate option selected by management was Option 2 in the proposal which provides a rate of approximately 2.84% (based on 12/31/2021 rates) and the option to prepay the loan any time after October 1, 2027 without penalty.”

City council approved the loan on March 1, 2021 and during the discussion it was noted that the loan at relatively low closing costs.

The city auditor stated that some of the reasons city management gave for staying with the SunTrust Bank were not set forth in the “Invitation to Negotiate.” The auditor also questioned the consistency of placing the contract on the general business agenda and another on the consent agenda.

However, Kauffman made the point that the shorter banking contract was valued under

$50,000 and therefore it met the city’s policy for agenda items.

The city auditor did not quantify any financial loss to the city in his April 18 report and multiple attempts to reach the city auditor with follow up questions have gone unreturned.

Councilman Jay Musleh told the Gazette that changing banks for the city is complicated considering how many funds the city holds accounts. “The true cost of changing banks is hard to calculate. When you figure staff time to set up vendors, changing wire services, ordering new cards and checks, it adds up,” said Musleh.

Roberts told the Gazette that the city estimated it would take at least 1,000 hours of staff time for the IT and Finance departments.

“It’s not plug and play. We pay 90% of our vendors electronically and getting it set up correctly takes time,” he said.

Kauffman said there is always risk to changing banks when that many accounts are involved. ”There is always the risk for human error when you are changing that many accounts.

And it’s our job to also limit risk to the city.”

Roberts agreed. “When making decisions about the city’s banking services it’s more than just about earning interest. It’s also about preservation of funds.”

SUPERVISORS OF ELECTIONS PARTNER WITH SECRETARY OF STATE LAUREL M. LEE ON NASS VOTER EDUCATION EFFORT

By Ocala Gazette Staff

L

Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox prepares to watch election night results come in on election night at the Marion County Election Center in Ocala on Sept. 21, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

Lake Louise

By Bebe Yonge Roberts

M

y thoughts on the matter—the matter being my homestead (a total of two acres)—and growing up in Ocala in a different time, watching it change from a small town into a busy metropolis.

I was fortunate to have grown up in an area of Ocala just outside the city limits named Lake Louise Estates, or better known as “Chip’s Field” (named after my brother). It was a place to meet up and hang out as teenagers often do, but it was also my field. I grew up wandering down to the pasture to bridle my horse for a ride. I would play all day in that field with friends. We’d dig foxholes and never worry about what time it was or what we needed to do—just to pretend and be kids, that was all that was on our agendas.

The woods were thick with blackberries in the summer and we had to be careful because there could be snakes, big cottonmouth moccasins that lived near the pond, a.k.a. “Lake Louise,” sometimes Coral snakes too.

My brother and I would take walks to find Gopher tortoises by finding their dirt piles. The field was cut and baled for hay for many years and they grew watermelons down by the pond. This helped keep the growth under control, lessening the chance

ast week, Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox and the Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE) announced their partnership with Florida Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee for a new voter education effort.

The partnership was created in order to support the National Association of Secretaries of State’s #TrustedInfo2022 initiative, according to an April 19 press release. In preparation of the 2022 midterm elections, NASS hopes to promote state and local election officials as the trusted source for election information.

“The biggest threat to our democracy is election misinformation, disinformation and malinformation (MDM) that undermines voter confidence in the integrity of our elections,” said Wilcox, who is also FSE president.

“Florida voters can be confident that our elections are accurate and conducted with the highest levels of integrity and transparency in our

nation. We are committed to ensuring of State will remain the credible, voters have access to accurate verified source for election election information during the 2022 information in the 2022 election cycle election cycle and beyond,” he added. and beyond, stated the press release.

The goal of the initiative is to Many election officials will the use ensure the integrity of Florida’s the #TrustedInfo2022 hash tag to flag elections and to support fair, honest official election information on social and accurate elections in the State media and other sites. of Florida, the press release said. As To learn more about NASS’s elections professionals, the initiative #TrustedInfo2022 campaign visit hopes to highlight their commitment CanIVote.org—a nonpartisan website to being the official trusted sources of created by state election officials to election-related information. help eligible voters figure out how While there is a lot of information and where to go vote. about voting and elections on the At the website, one can: Internet and social media, the press • Register to vote release added, not all of it is credible.

• Check voter registration status “The spread of misinformation • Find a polling place and disinformation to influence • Confirm which valid forms of ID to voters and interfere with elections bring to vote is a key concern,” said Secretary of • Learn how to vote absentee State Laurel M. Lee. “We are grateful • Learn how to vote early to be partnering with NASS and the • Learn how to vote when overseas, Florida Supervisors of Elections for and much more. the #TrustedInfo2022 campaign to For information about state and ensure that voters in Florida know local elections, visit the Marion P&Z Meeting December 13, 20 Aerial Map that we are the trusted sources for County Supervisor of Elections Location Map elections Case information.” website, VoteMarion.Gov or visit the Number: LUC21-0003 3062-004-001, 3062-005-001, 3062-006-007, 3060-002-004, Number: of Election’s Local Parcel Supervisor Florida Department of State’s website 3060-003-001, portion of 3060-004-001, 3060-005-001, offices and the Florida Department at DOS.Myflorida.com/elections.

3060-006-001, 3061-002-001, 3061-003-001,

LETTER TO THE EDITOR for wildfire, as well as providing the perfect prairie-like habitat for much of the local wildlife.

Just last summer, I was in the pool and heard the Pileated Woodpecker as he flew across the sky above me. We now have wild turkeys that roam in the early morning in search of bugs for breakfast.

Red Shouldered hawks glide high above in search of food. Mockingbirds.

Cardinals. Swallow Tailed Kites. Many other indigenous birds, so vital to our landscape soar above the field at various times of the year.

Needless to say, I was very lucky to grow up with so much unspoiled nature surrounding me. It has made a lasting impression on my view of Ocala and protecting native Florida, much of which I have seen disappear at an alarming rate.

Now, I come to the issue of development. Florida is such a unique place, but as it has been developed over my lifetime, I have watched thousands of acres of land be stripped of its flora and fauna, simply to build more shopping plazas, gas stations, housing developments and roadways, leaving no room for even our state tree, the Sabal Palm, to flourish amongst all the concrete. All for the sake of “progress.”

I know that development is inevitable, but as we learn more about the necessity of

Property Size: Land Use Designation: Zoning:

portion of 30785-000-00, 3060,000-000, 3060-001-002 Approximately 88.73 acres Medium Residential (County) R-1, Single-family (County)

keeping green spaces for us as well as the animals, we should be paying closer attention to making sure every proposed development follows the protections for the environment “to a T.” I feel very strongly about this.

We should require developments with many of these native Florida plants and animals to cordon off a large portion of land so the wildlife in Florida can stay “wild,” as well as encourage others to recognize that they are protected.

From what I’ve read, Florida has been relocating Gopher tortoises due to development, and there are so many requests that they need more habitats in which to place all of them.

Aerial shot of the annexed property. [City documents] Marion County would be a 0 475 950 Feet [ perfect venue for them to come home to.

This would mean a great deal to me that nature provides. and my family, especially my late mother, I know her spirit still soars above our Prepared by the City of 5 O Nancy Yonge, who spent 63 years living field today, just like the Red shouldered Growth Management Departm here and raising our family, teaching us all hawks have for time immemorial. I hope to appreciate and live in harmony with all to keep it that way.

A6

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Capacity, overcrowding in schools a major issue Continued from page A1 look at the Marion County birth rate data, as well as other data and trends, to determine school district capacity, said Chighizola, adding that those numbers “really show what the growth is.”

“You may think there’s a lot of movement and everything but theoretically even during the times in the boom there was only a slight movement,” he continued.

School Board Vice-Chair Allison Campbell, who represents District 1, said on April 27 that it wasn’t just the development across the street from Saddlewood Elementary that is the issue: it’s many of the other apartment complexes approved or proposed to go up just a mile or two down the road as well.

“We’re talking about potentially a thousand units…750 units at least…and to think that that’s not going to [cause] a capacity issue on that elementary school is…well, I don’t think that’s accurate information,” Campbell said.

Developers admit to the presence of capacity issues while still contending that the Marion County birth rate has not changed much over the last several years, said Campbell, adding that this way of thinking doesn’t project future challenges of where these developments are going and how they will contribute to the growing issue of localized overcrowding.

According to Campbell, the county’s current comprehensive plan doesn’t ask developers what the projected impact to nearby schools could be, according to Campbell. Only responsible developers ask, which she admitted happens from time to time, but not nearly enough.

“It’s no longer a requirement, and it

hasn’t been for years,” Campbell said.

“Impact fees and concurrency are all conversations that haven’t been had in a really long time.”

“Would it help us? Certainly,” she added. “Is it too little too late? Possibly.

We’re just going to have to figure out what we’re going to do.”

The school board has scheduled a work session for May 19, according to Campbell, to discuss development in Marion County and its specific effect on capacity and overcrowding in local schools.

Public Comment

Kimberly Sindy said from her perspective it seemed that the city wanted to build three to four apartment complexes close to where she lives off Southwest 44th Court.

“I don’t know about you ‘all, but I am tired,” she said during public comment on April 19. “Our children have not had a good education in the past two to three years. Can we just have a break?”

Sindy said she didn’t think State Road 200 could handle the extra traffic that would be brought on by these proposed developments, adding that “20,000 new cars” are just going to end up cutting through her neighborhood and making her streets more dangerous.

“This sounds like chaos [to me]— please do not do this,” Sindy pleaded to the council. “We the people of Ocala do not want this. I’m concerned about our children and our grandchildren’s education. Saddlebrook is busting at the seams. So I ask again, can our children in Ocala have a break? Can we catch up and work on our children’s education?”

Cindy Janeiro of Southwest 44th Street said she was also tired of fighting

the development of so many apartment complexes in her neighborhood.

“According to the planning and zoning committee meeting a few weeks ago,” Janeiro said, “neither planning and zoning nor the city council look at school capacity when determining whether or not to approve developments such as this one and others like it.”

And when they do take into consideration school capacity, Janeiro said, city staff goes by the school board’s future projections, which, she added, are based solely on the birth rates in Marion County.

“Those numbers do not take into consideration the families moving to Marion County, and there are a ton of them every day,” she said.

Janeiro concluded her comments by asking the council to decline approval of the current apartment complex on the agenda, and any others like it going forward.

“I hope you understand that you’re truly going to affect our lives and the lives of our children,” she said. “We all purchased our homes in this community because it was safe, and it was zoned agricultural and residential and was so close to everything but still had privacy.

If you allow this development [to go through], you’re essentially destroying southwest Ocala.”

“We are who you guys are supposed to be working for,” she finished, “not these out-of-town developers who don’t [care] about Ocala. Our infrastructure can’t handle it. Our schools can’t handle it. Our children, who walk home from Saddlewood right by these proposed apartments, shouldn’t have to handle it either.”

FTBOA gala honors Florida’s top thoroughbred horses, trainers and breeders

By Ocala Gazette Staff

T

he Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA) board of directors held their awards gala on April 25.

During the gala they named Medina Spirit was named the 2021 Florida-bred Horse of the Year. Medina Spirit was bred in Florida by Gail Rice, who was honored with her second consecutive Needles Award as the Association’s small breeder of the year.

Medina Spirit was disqualified after winning the Kentucky Derby by the track stewards after a post-race test showed evidence of the banned substance Betamethasone. The ruling has been challenged in court by Medina Spirit’s trainer Bob Baffert for Amr Zedan’s Zedan Racing Stables Inc. Mongolian Changa was also named the FTBOA Broodmare of the Year in a vote by the board.

Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg’s Golden Pal was the most decorated Florida-bred on the night having been named the Florida-bred Champion 3-Year-Old Male, Florida-bred Champion Sprinter and Florida-bred Champion Male Turf Horse.

The most decorated female of the night was Shifty She, who was named the Florida-bred Champion Turf Female and Champion Older Female. During the year, Shifty She won the Noble Damsel at Belmont Park and the $75,000 Powder Break and $75,000 Ginger Punch, both at Gulfstream Park.

Shifty She is owned by Chris Pallas and Harvey Rothenberg in the name of their Pedigree Partners LLC and was bred by Pallas in partnership with George Klein.

Shifty She is by Gone Astray out of Perilous Hope, by Strong Hope and is trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., who also took home the trophy as the Leading Trainer of Florida-breds by stakes wins at Florida tracks with seven.

Pappacap, a homebred for George and Karen Russell’s Rustlewood Farm Inc., was named the Florida-bred Champion 2-Year-Old Colt based on his victory in

the Grade 2 Best Pal at Del Mar. He was also second in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by TAA (G1) at Del Mar and second in the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita.

Trained by Mark Casse, Pappacap is by Gun Runner out of Pappascat, by Scat Daddy.

The Florida-bred Champion 2-YearOld Filly of 2021 is Outfoxed, who romped to victory in the last two legs of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes divisions for fillies. Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Outfoxed won the $200,000 Florida Sire Stakes Susan’s Girl by 13 ½ lengths and the $400,000 Florida Sire Stakes My Dear Girl by nine-and-a-quarter lengths.

Outfoxed is owned by Larry, Nanci and Jaime Roth’s LNJ Foxwoods and was bred by Charles and Susan Chu under the banner of their Baoma Corp. She is by Valiant Minister out of Savingtime, by Kantharos.

Livingmybestlife was named the year’s Florida-bred Champion 3-Year-old Filly.

Her stakes résumé from 2021 included the $75,000 Lucky Spell at Los Alamitos and the $103,750 Seashell at Del Mar. Livingmybestlife is owned by Hronis Racing LLC and was bred by Alex and JoAnn Lieblong. She is by The Big Beast out of Wall Street Lady, by Speightstown and is trained by John Sadler.

For the second time in his career, Firenze Fire was named a Florida-bred champion when he was honored as the 2021 Champion Older Male. A homebred for Ron Lombardi’s Mr. Amore Stable, Firenze Fire was also named the Floridabred Champion 2-Year-Old Male of 2017.

Sound Machine was named the Florida-bred Champion Female Sprinter for 2021 having won the $75,000 Musical Romance at Gulfstream Park.

For the second consecutive year, Journeyman Stud stallion Khozan was the Stallion of Year for Florida. With progeny earnings of $3,671,794 in 2021 Khozan was represented by 78 winners from 123 (63%) including Floridabred Grade 3 Longacres Mile-winner Background, Grey Goose Turf Classicwinning Florida-bred Me and Mr. C and three other graded stakes-placed winners. His leading earner in 2021 was

stakes-placed Don’t Get Khozy, who earned $211,372.

The leading freshman sire in Florida during the year was Neolithic, who stands at Pleasant Acres Stallions. Neolithic had progeny earnings of $636,849 and was represented by six winners from 14 starters including Florida-bred stakeswinners Make It Big and Cattin.

The Sunshine State’s leading juvenile sire for 2021 was Arindel’s Brethren who had eight juvenile winners from 21 2-year-old starters who earned $809,444.

His top money earner was multiple stakes-winning Florida-bred Octane who racked up $401,000 while winning three of four starts; and stakes-placed winner Clapton. This is the second year Brethren was the leading juvenile sire in Florida having also held the title in 2019.

Charlette Weber’s Live Oak Stud was the Florida Breeder of the Year for the fifth time and her Live Oak Plantation was the leading owner by Florida-bred earnings with $1,989,225. Live Oak Stud recorded Florida-bred earnings of $2,434,442 and led the list of Florida-bred stakes winners with six. Her six addedmoney victors won nine stakes during the year, of which four were graded.

Live Oak Stud was also named the Florida Breeder of the Year in 2006, 2017, 2019 and 2020 and Live Oak Plantation was the leading owner by Florida-bred earnings in 2011, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020.

Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield were presented with their third Joseph M. O’Farrell Memorial Award as the original consignors of the year’s best Floridabred racehorse once offered at an Ocala Breeders’ Sales auction. Summerfield consigned Medina Spirit to the 2019 OBS Winter Mixed Sale.

Carlos A. David was presented the trophy as the Leading Florida Trainer of Florida-breds by earnings with $2,217,185 on the year including twotime FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes-winner Octane.

For the fourteenth time, Kathleen O’Connell was the Leading Florida Trainer of Florida-breds by wins with 56 victories during 2021.

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

- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Bruce Ackerman, Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com James Blevins, Reporter james@ocalagazette.com Sadie Fitzpatrick, Columnist sadie@ocalagazette.com Susan Smiley-Height, Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com Amy Harbert, Graphic Designer amy@magnoliamediaco.com Lisa Maliff, Graphic Designer lisa.maliff@magnoliamediaco.com

Director of Sales and Marketing Andrew Hinkle andrew@magnoliamediaco.com Account Executives Evelyn Anderson evelyn@magnoliamediaco.com Sarah Belyeu sarah@magnoliamediaco.com Ralph Grandizio ralph@magnoliamediaco.com

Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com

Follow us @ocalagazette

Our mission is to inform and uplift our readers by reporting on the events, issues and stories that shape Ocala with accuracy, fairness and passion. We also strive to serve as a forum where all voices can be heard and to chronicle our community’s history.

1515 NE 22nd Ave. Ocala, FL 34470 352.732.0073

ocalagazette.com ©2022 Ocala Gazette, LLC Ocala Gazette is published weekly by Magnolia Media Company, LLC, 1515 NE 22nd Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470.

Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Ocala, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Ocala Gazette, 1515 NE 22nd Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34470.

Share your news

The Ocala Gazette invites you to share your important news events with the community. Email your submissions to info@ocalagazette.com. Please include your name and contact information on the submission.

• Letters to the editor: 200 words or less.

• Honorable Mentions: 150 words or less about an individual or organization accomplishment in the business, education, community service, athletics or other area of endeavor. Attach a photo of the individual or group being honored, if available.

• Upcoming events: Are you holding a charitable or community event that is open to the public? Include the organization hosting the event as well as the time, date and a brief description of the event, along with registration information or other important instructions.

• News tips: Include whatever information you consider relevant.

A7

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

State State, groups battle over elections ruling

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

A

fter a federal judge blocked parts of a 2021 elections law that he said discriminated against Black voters, the state and opponents of the law are battling about whether the ruling should be put on hold while an appeals court considers the case.

Attorneys for the state, county supervisors of elections and national Republican organizations asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this month to place a stay on the March 31 ruling by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker.

“Because statewide elections are fast approaching, appellants (the state, supervisors and GOP organizations) respectfully ask this court to rule as soon as possible,” the attorneys wrote in an April 11 motion.

But attorneys for groups such as the Florida State Conference of Branches and Youth Units of the NAACP and the League of Women Voters of Florida fired back last week, contending that Walker’s ruling against the law (SB 90) should remain in effect.

“In sum, appellants fail to show that they are likely to succeed on the merits of their appeal of the district court’s finding that SB 90 was passed with discriminatory intent,” a brief filed by the NAACP and Florida Rising Together said. “The district court’s factual findings were supported by ample record evidence, and appellants have not, and cannot, demonstrate that these findings were clearly erroneous.”

The Atlanta-based appeals court’s decision about whether to grant a stay could affect rules for this year’s elections.

It could be months before the court decides the underlying issues in the appeal, and the state’s primary elections will be held Aug. 23.

Numerous groups filed legal challenges last year to the law, which included placing restrictions on the use of “drop boxes” for submitting vote-by-mail ballots; putting additional regulations on voterregistration organizations; and preventing organizations from providing items such as food and water to voters waiting in line at polling places.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers contended that the changes were needed, at least in part, to help

“The decision in our case makes clear that the state must seek federal approval before implementing any law or policy that impacts third-party voter registration organizations, drop boxes, or helping people in voting lines because of Florida’s history of racial discrimination in voting.”

Caren Short

Senior supervising attorney for voting rights with the Southern Poverty Law Center

prevent election fraud — a high-profile issue for the GOP nationally after former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election.

But opponents argued that the changes were designed to suppress the votes of Black Floridians, who overwhelmingly support Democratic candidates. After holding a trial early this year, Walker issued a 288-page decision that blocked parts of the law.

“In sum, this court concludes that to the extent promoting voter confidence or preventing fraud may have motivated the Legislature in part, this court finds that the Legislature passed SB 90 with the intent to restructure Florida’s election system in ways that favor the Republican Party over the Democratic Party,” Walker wrote. “This court further finds that, to advance the Legislature’s main goal of favoring Republicans over Democrats, the Legislature enacted some of SB 90’s provisions with the intent to target Black voters because of their propensity to favor Democratic candidates.”

Attorneys for the state, county supervisors and Republican organizations quickly appealed, with a key issue centered on part of Walker’s ruling that requires “preclearance” before Florida can make certain types of changes in the elections system. That requirement would lead to a judge having to sign off on such changes for 10 years, according to court documents.

In their motion this month for a stay of Walker’s ruling, the attorneys took aim at the preclearance requirement, saying “Florida’s elections are now dictated by a

single judge in Tallahassee.”

“Far from a ‘rarely used’ remedy for the most ‘systematic and deliberate’ cases of discrimination, the district court’s reasoning would make preclearance the norm in voting-rights cases,” the motion said, partially quoting from a legal precedent. “That the court reached for this blunderbuss remedy — effectively putting Florida in a decade-long federal receivership — is reason enough to stay its order.”

But attorneys for the NAACP and Florida Rising Together wrote last week that the preclearance requirement is a

“narrowly tailored, appropriate response to the constitutional violations” in the case.

DeSantis on Monday signed a law (SB 524) that was passed during this year’s legislative session to make additional changes to the elections system.

As an indication of the potential ramifications of the preclearance requirement, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Fair Elections Center, which represent the Harriet Tubman Freedom Fighters in the legal fight about the 2021 law, said the requirement should apply to the new law.

“The decision in our case makes clear that the state must seek federal approval before implementing any law or policy that impacts third-party voter registration organizations, drop boxes, or helping people in voting lines because of Florida’s history of racial discrimination in voting.” Caren Short, senior supervising attorney for voting rights with the Southern Poverty Law Center, said in a prepared statement Tuesday. “This law clearly falls under this requirement, and we call on the state to seek federal preclearance, or better yet, cease its latest attempt to create barriers to voting.”

Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox, left, looks on as an Election worker counts ballots on Election Night at the Marion County Election Center in Ocala on Nov. 3, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

DeSantis signs controversial elections law

Gov. Ron DeSantis

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

A

measure to create a first-ofits-kind office in Florida to investigate voting irregularities, along with making other changes in the state’s elections system, was signed into law Monday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The measure (SB 524) expands on a 2021 state law that passed as Republicans across the country argued steps needed to be taken to combat fraud after former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker last month ruled that parts of the 2021 law were unconstitutional, though the state has appealed.

Florida officials have highlighted that

the state had relatively few problems in the 2020 elections.

But DeSantis said Monday the additional changes should give Floridians “more confidence” about the voting process.

“At the end of the day, we want to be in a situation where everyone knows the rules,” DeSantis said while at a billsigning ceremony at Rookies Sports Bar & Grill in Spring Hill.

Perhaps the highest-profile part of the new law will create an Office of Election Crimes and Security in the Department of State.

“I think this office will be very, very much appreciated,” DeSantis said. “And it will allow us to have people who really specialize in election security and election integrity.”

But critics argued changes in the bill are intended to suppress voting by minorities and Democrats and potentially lay the groundwork for Republican challenges to future election results.

“Instead of working to increase access to the polls, Gov. DeSantis continues to prioritize disinformation and feed into lies that the 2020 elections were not accurate,

which is super-ironic and disingenuous because in November 2020 the governor was bragging about how well our elections went,” Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said in a prepared statement.

Rep. Susan Valdes, D-Tampa, pointed to concerns about a “chilling effect” from such things as the new office conducting elections investigations.

“No Floridian should fear reprisal from an unaccountable agency with a nebulous mission simply because they wanted to register their fellow citizens to vote or help a neighbor turn in their mail ballot,” Valdes said in a statement. “We should be doing everything in our power to make it easier for our fellow Floridians to vote, yet this bill is another example in a years-long campaign to undermine that right.”

The 2021 law included revisions that would make it harder to vote by mail. Also, it targeted “ballot harvesting,” which can include collecting and delivering vote-bymail ballots for multiple people.

The new law, in addition to creating the office in the Department of State, calls for the appointment of Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers to investigate allegations of election violations, with at least one officer in each region of the state.

The bill also will ratchet up financial and criminal penalties for violating elections laws, including for ballot harvesting. The penalty for ballot harvesting will increase from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.

Another part of the bill will require county supervisors of elections to annually scour voter rolls for potentially ineligible voters in a process known as

“list maintenance.” Prior to the new law, supervisors were required to do list maintenance every other year.

“Some supervisors have done a really good job at cleaning the voting rolls, but not all of them have done it,” DeSantis said. “This bill now requires them to clean their voting rolls every year.”

Also, the bill will require the secretary of state to submit by Jan. 1 a plan to “prescribe the use of a Florida driver license number, Florida identification card number, Social Security number, or any part thereof to confirm the identity of each elector returning a vote-by-mail ballot.”

That part of the bill was scaled back after an early version would have required people to use an additional envelope for mail-in ballots and include the last four digits of their driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers or state identification numbers --- a proposal that critics said would be confusing to voters.

The law was approved in votes of 7641 in the House and 24-14 in the Senate, along almost straight party lines.

“At the end of the day, we want to be in a situation where everyone knows the rules.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis

A8

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

OPINION

Florida math book ban miscalculates

By Palm Beach Post

W

ith great fanfare and very little evidence, the Florida Department of Education banned more than 50 new math textbooks for containing “indoctrinating information” on “prohibited topics.” Specific examples of offensive material are still hard to come by, which should anger parents who want better schools, not more crass politics.

Where are the examples of “indoctrination,” “prohibited topics” and “divisive concepts” that threaten public schools in Florida and have so rattled Gov. Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran?

Barring proof that publishers are now pushing 3+3 equals CRT, the decision amounts to a nod to fringe politics. It clearly hasn’t helped school districts now thrown into a tizzy as they scramble for instructional material for the upcoming school year.

We believe parents want better educational opportunities in Florida’s public schools, not the political theater that only undermines public school instruction. We aren’t convinced that the governor or his education department share that view.

The math book decision certainly fits the governor’s push to gain greater control over Florida school districts. In 2020, he removed Common Core, educational standards once championed by former President George W. Bush and former

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Last year, he banned the teaching of critical race theory, an academic concept that grew out of a 1970 legal analysis of the nation’s racial landscape but isn’t taught in any K-12 schools.

Just last month, Gov. DeSantis signed into law HB 1467, legislation that sets term limits for school board members and mandates school boards open the process of reviewing textbooks for purchase to the public under the auspices of “curriculum transparency.” That law also requires the state Department of Education to publish an annual list of books that failed to meet standards, including the reasons behind the decisions. To date, the department’s explanations for rejecting the math books seem both extraordinarily vague and contrary to the letter and spirit of the new law.

Again, transparency is essential.

Otherwise onlookers, from concerned parents to enraged political observers, will fill the void with their own reasons, including the notion that the change benefits favored publishers. Currently, Accelerate Learning, a Houston, Texas-based firm, is the only publisher meeting the new standards and its book, STEMscopes Florida Math will be the only book available for regular math classes.

Facing harsh scrutiny, the department released the titles of the offending books and their publishers. Still unknown are the words, photos, graphics or sources that somehow would indoctrinate young

students to embrace CRT or change their gender. The hope is that that information comes out in the department’s appeal process, if not sooner.

In the meantime, the ban has thrown many school districts that had already chosen books for the fall and are now scrambling to adjust. It wasn’t immediately clear if Palm Beach County has any of the now-rejected books, but school officials say the district has already reviewed, approved and paid for new math textbooks for the upcoming school year.

Parents should demand the department follow the new law, if only insofar as providing much needed “curriculum

transparency” in evaluating textbooks.

In an increasingly complex and diverse world, Florida’s schoolchildren deserve the best educational material possible, not one filtered through a particular political dogma. Unfortunately, in trying to “own the libs,” state leaders are shortchanging students.

“Math is about the right answer,” DeSantis said in Jacksonville last Monday.

“We want kids to learn to think so they get the right answer. It’s not about how you feel about the problem or to introduce some of these other things.”

Right now there aren’t enough answers from DeSantis.

File photo

Florida maps violate foundations of justice

By Orlando Sentinel

I

t wasn’t just the way GOP lawmakers colluded to pass a congressional redistricting map that defies the Florida Constitution, drawing lines clearly meant to benefit Republicans over any other consideration.

It wasn’t just the lamentable decision to grovel to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ whim, in a way they never have before.

It wasn’t just the decision to eradicate districts intended to give Black voters a shot at electing candidates who look like them (including the Central Florida district currently served by U.S. Rep. Val Demings, D-Orlando).

It was the indifference.

DeSantis, House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson knew they were undoing decades of work toward fairer, more representative elections. They knew, but they didn’t care. They knew this legislation, which favors Republicans in 20 of the state’s 28 congressional districts, fails the standard set by the Fair Districts amendments passed in 2010. They didn’t care about that either.

And when the floor of the Florida House erupted in furious protest Thursday, Sprowls betrayed not a flicker of compassion or comprehension. Instead, he lassoed the chaos to shove two more despicable bills though final passage, with no debate.

Serving the wrong master The map lawmakers approved was not their first attempt. In March, they sent DeSantis a redistricting plan that eliminated one of Florida’s four designated “majority-minority” districts, drawn with enough Black voters to make a Black candidate’s election likely. It wasn’t enough for DeSantis, who demanded the elimination of a second majority-minority district in Central Florida.

The governor’s involvement was highly unusual. Under Florida law, legislators determine the districts, with the governor approving or vetoing the final map. When DeSantis sent lawmakers a map drawn to his specifications, he flipped the script.

That’s not unusual; over the past months DeSantis has transformed legislators into lapdogs several times.

Before the House voted, Sprowls opened the floor for limited debate.

Dissenters were limited to a few minutes of

protest apiece. And Black lawmakers made their anguish known, telling the stories of parents and grandparents turned away from the polls. They described the urgency and awe they felt when walking with civilrights greats such as Carrie Meek, Shirley Chisholm, John Lewis. They tried to get Republican lawmakers to understand how it felt to watch hard-won victories being picked apart, to see rights eroded.

But when Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, D-Gainesville, went over her allotted time, her microphone was cut off. The floor erupted into a planned — but passionate — protest, with lawmakers staging a sit-in at the front of the House chamber and singing hymns.

Sprowls called a brief recess, but when lawmakers reconvened and chanting resumed, he seized the opportunity to put the redistricting plan (SB 2C) to a rapid vote. It passed 68-38. Next up were two bills (SB 4C, SB 6C) meant to punish Disney for its opposition to a parentalrights bill that overtly targets LGBTQ+ students and teachers. Both passed by similar margins.

A calculated indifference

Here’s the worst part of what’s happening

in Florida: DeSantis, Sprowls, Simpson and the lawmakers who fall in line behind them may not harbor hatred for racial or sexual minorities. But — as U.S. District Judge Mark Walker pointed out in a blockbuster ruling three weeks ago — Florida’s Republicans have learned that prejudice can be harnessed for their own political benefit. They have wielded bigotry like a useful, allpurpose tool. They have marginalized vulnerable students struggling with their sexuality — for political gain. They have banned classroom discussions of racism’s modern realities — again, because it was advantageous to their agenda.

And they shrug off any reproach. It’s just politics.

That’s why they don’t comprehend the havoc they wreak.

Fair representation is not just about politics. It’s about personhood. It’s wrong to make laws that make people afraid to speak out about who they are. It’s wrong to draw lines on a map that make some Florida voters invisible.

The state’s current leadership may not see that. But increasingly, the Floridians they represent do.

Unneeded guidance on transgender issues in Florida

By Tampa Bay Times

S

exual identity of Florida children is a personal, family issue.

The governor of what he declares “the freest state in these United States” is once again sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong. On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ health department issued guidance advising against gender identity treatment for children and teenagers outside of counseling. It was another mean-spirited effort to profit politically from struggling Floridians.

The guidelines released by the Florida Department of Health recommend against gender-affirming treatment for people under the age of 18, including surgery, prescription of hormone therapy and puberty blockers, which suppress

the release of testosterone or estrogen.

Florida’s updated guidance also said social transition — things like using a different name, pronouns or style of dress — should not be a treatment option.

As the Tampa Bay Times reported, the state’s guidance runs counter to recommendations from major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association. Guidance issued by the Office of Population Affairs, which falls under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, says research shows that gender-affirming care like social transitions and hormone therapy can improve the mental health and well-being of transgender and nonbinary children and adolescents.

State surgeon general Joseph

Ladapo issued Wednesday’s guidance as a counterpoint to the federal recommendations, saying in a statement that the federal government’s position was “about injecting political ideology into the health of our children.” That’s rich coming from a DeSantis appointee who’s wasted no time parroting the governor’s talking points on COVID-19, battling mask mandates and downplaying vaccines.

Nobody is waiting on these two for guidance on sexual identity.

This time, the governor’s spokesperson is right — the guidance is just that, advice that children, their parents and their physicians may heed or ignore. But in a statement, the rights group Equality Florida underscored the danger. “Once again, the DeSantis administration seeks to replace science and the safety of young people with political propaganda,” the

group said. “This guidance demonizes life-saving, medically-necessary care, and asserts that the government, not parents, knows best when it comes to health care for our children.”

Children and adolescents already struggle with the challenge of growing up and finding their place in the world. The state should be helping them secure their identities, not erecting barriers in the formative years, or stigmatizing the pain of conflicting feelings as an abnormality or mental illness.

Whether this has a chilling effect on medical professionals, or further confuses families, or serves as a harbinger of tougher action to come remains to be seen. But it’s totally out of sync with what Florida Republicans say about protecting freedom, children, parental rights and the independent judgment of doctors.

A9

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

OPINION

Why do Florida Republicans hate Critical Race Theory? Because they engage in the racist behavior it exposes

By Miami Herald

F

lorida’s Republicans sure have a way with words. LGBTQ residents are “groomers” out to subvert innocent children.

Protesting peacefully can get you arrested in the “free” state of Florida.

And, Thursday, Democrats’ protest on the floor of the state House was an “insurrection.”

At least Republican lawmakers are on brand: They have made clear time and again that when it comes to living on equitable footing in Florida, gays, women and Blacks need not apply.

The so-called insurrection actually was Black lawmakers’ refusal to take their GOP colleagues’ blatant attempt to disenfranchise Black voters lying down.

Instead, some of them sat down — staging an old-fashioned sit-in right there in the floor of the House. Joined by white and Hispanic colleagues, they were making clear that Republicans had gone too far in their quest to disenfranchise Black Floridians.

House Speaker Chris Sprowls tried to cast the protest as an attempt by the Democrats to “hijack” the legislative process and interfere with their colleagues’ ability to “debate important legislation.” He insisted that those who continued to work their mischief were simply completing their “constitutional duty to pass a Congressional map.”

He said, “This group tried to drown out the voices of the other elected representatives and the 22 million Floridians they represent.”

NO, IT’S THE GOP

Sprowls should look in the mirror. The ones hijacking the legislative process are the Republicans he leads. The ones who are drowning out the voices of other members of the Legislature? The GOP again.

And the Legislature’s job, as he well knows, is to pass a congressional map that represents the populace, not the governor’s hand-crafted, self-interested version.

One Republican had the gall to draw parallels between the Democratic legislators’ protest and the attempt on Jan. 6, 2021, to overturn the presidential election.

Rep. Randy Fine, from Brevard County, tweeted: “I hope the insurrection on the House floor is dealt with. #LockThemUP.” But peaceful protest — and that’s what this was — isn’t even in the same universe as what happened at the U.S. Capitol last year: It was a deadly effort by pro-Trump mobs to violently overturn a generally squeaky-clean election, viciously assaulting police, vandalizing lawmakers’ officers and threatening the very life of the vice president.

What happened on the floor of the

Florida House was what happens when U.S. citizens are denied the right of representation — when time and again, their right to vote is curtailed, when they are told, unequivocally, that the quality of their lives in this state doesn’t matter.

RARE SHOW OF FORCE

Republican lawmakers, a few weeks ago, stood up to Gov. DeSantis — itself a shock and a surprise — as he sought to usurp their constitutional responsibility to draw up Florida’s decennial congressional maps.

The governor’s version bolstered Republicans’ representation in Congress at the expense of Black Floridians’ voting power.

But the governor vetoed legislators’ fairer maps and called a special session to “revisit” the issue. In other words, to get what he wanted. And the members of his party, indeed, rolled over.

“I’ve been kicked. I’ve been talked about and I have been called names you don’t even put in the dictionary anymore,” Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, an African-American lawmaker and Democrat from Gainesville, told her colleagues Thursday, before Republicans cut her off. “The Voting Rights Act of 1965, I fought for that.

I’ve met Martin Luther King, I don’t just talk about him. He taught me peaceful protests, and here we are 2022 rolling back the tide.”

Of course, Hinson gave Republicans the very lesson in American history that they want to snuff out in school classrooms, claiming it is too uncomfortable to learn about our shared racist past.

Miami Rep. Dotie Joseph, a Haitian-American Democrat, said the protest was about more than redistricting maps.

“These people who are in charge do not care about the people of Florida.

People have real needs right now,” Joseph told the Editorial Board.

“We all want to be safe. We want to be free. We believe in a modicum of equality and equity. We believe in meritocracy, in being a place where there is freedom and justice for all.

“But they are using culture wars to distract people from the things that unify us.”

As for the protest on the House floor, she said: “This is not unique to this time in history. When things are wrong, people speak up. But the radical right does not take kindly to protest.”

The DeSantis maps passed in the House, by the way. Done deal — and a dirty one.

No wonder lawmakers don’t want critical race theory to be taught anywhere. They are gleefully engaging in the same institutional racism that CRT exposes.

And these lawmakers know it.

Pediatric expertise that revolves around you.

Expertise. Innovation. Technology.

As Marion County’s only dedicated pediatric ER, our board-certified pediatric emergency physicians and ER nurses are nearby to provide expert treatment, on the spot. Our AdventHealth for Children Specialty Clinic provides world-class pediatric cardiology care in a convenient location close to our hospital. Here, our patients have direct access to the nationally recognized care network of AdventHealth for Children, providing the highest level of care for children of all ages. So your littlest loved ones can get back to life’s biggest moments.

To learn more visit, OcalaKidsER.com

707443305-02-AHO-Pediatric-Expertise-OcalaGazette-11.22x10.indd 1

3/24/22 9:26 AM

A10

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Disney government in dark about effect of law dissolving it

District Administrator John Classe, from left, Ed Milgrim, legal counsel, Leila Jammal, Board of Supervisors, Jane Adams, BOS, Larry Hames, President of the BOS and Don Greer, BOS, meet with the days agenda in the Reedy Creek District of Orange County on April 27, 2022. [Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel via AP]

By Mike Schneider and Anthony Izaguirre Associated Press

A

t the first meeting of Walt Disney World‘s private government since Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a measure to dissolve it next year, officials said Wednesday they were still confused about what the new legislation meant, even as some ripple effects were starting to be felt.

The administrator of the government, called the Reedy Creek Improvement District, said the expansion of a solar power project could be delayed because of financing challenges linked to the legislation, and the union for the district‘s firefighters

expressed concerns about what the dissolution might mean for members‘ lifetime benefits.

After the meeting, Donald Greer, who has been a member of Reedy Creek‘s board of supervisors since 1975, said the board could not provide clear answers on those issues because “we don‘t know where we are going.”

“The district may have a response as soon as we know what it means, but I don‘t know if anybody knows what it means. I don‘t think anyone has deciphered it,” Greer said.

The dissolution measure was passed quickly in the Republicancontrolled statehouse without public study of its impact and was hastily signed into law by DeSantis. The move came in a

GOP push to punish Disney over its opposition to another new law barring instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in early grade school, which critics call “Don‘t Say Gay.” For the governor, the feud was the latest front in a culture war he has waged over policies involving race, gender and the coronavirus, battles DeSantis has harnessed to make himself one of the most popular Republicans in the country and a likely 2024 presidential candidate.

A day before DeSantis signed the bill into law, the Reedy Creek Improvement District sent a statement to investors that said it would continue its financial operations as usual. The district wrote that its agreement with the state forbids Florida from

limiting or altering the district‘s ability to collect taxes or fulfill its bond obligations.

Critics of the dissolution bill have warned that taxpayers in neighboring counties could end up shouldering about $1 billion in debts from the district. DeSantis has dismissed those concerns and said additional legislation would be drafted to clarify the future of such special districts in the state.

At the Reedy Creek meeting Wednesday, district administrator John Classe said a developer has experienced challenges financing a planned expansion of a solar power program, meaning it could be delayed.

Jon Shirey, the head of the union for Reedy Creek‘s firefighters, who make up around half of the private government‘s 400 employees, asked supervisors to give his members reassurances that their jobs and benefits would be preserved since they have been kept in the dark about what the effect is going to be.

The firefighters, particularly retirees, are worried about losing their guaranteed lifetime health insurance, he said.

“We have been told to stay quiet, don‘t talk to the media, don‘t engage with current events,” Shirey told supervisors. “We have been told the leadership of the district will tell the story. They will be the ones putting out the message. I ask you, ‚What is that message?‘” The supervisors did not respond, and in fact spent little time devoted to the legislation which poses an existential threat to the 55-year-old Reedy Creek Improvement District. Classe told supervisors its workers would continue to function with the same “high standards and professionalism they always have

done as we learn what this legally means.”

Backers of the dissolution of Reedy Creek have argued it removes an unfair advantage the entertainment giant has over other theme parks, including allowing it to issue bonds and set its own zoning standards.

At an event Monday, the governor assured a cheering crowd that Disney‘s bond debts won‘t be dumped on taxpayers.

“Under no circumstances will Disney be able to not pay its debts, we will make sure of that,” DeSantis said.

Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has put Reedy Creek on a “negative watch” list, indicating that the private government‘s ratings could stay the same or potentially be downgraded.

A downgrade would make borrowing more difficult for Reedy Creek.

Another ratings agency, S&P Global Ratings, said that among the questions left unanswered by the new law was whether Reedy Creek would reconstitute after it‘s dissolved next year, how utility operations and debt would be transferred to the neighboring governments if it came to that and how the neighboring governments would raise taxes to secure Reedy Creek‘s debt.

Under the law, Reedy Creek would expire by June 2023. The lack of public answers from Reedy Creek leaders about the new law may come from fear “the governor will find their statements unfriendly and that will complicate things,” said Shirey, who added he is optimistic lawmakers will look after the interests of the district‘s first responders.

“We have 14 months, and a lot can change between now and then,” Shirey said.

Feds to weigh protections for gopher tortoises

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

F

ederal wildlife officials will decide in the coming months whether increased protections are needed for gopher tortoises, as Florida looks for ways to move the animals out of the path of development.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Center for Biological Diversity reached a settlement Tuesday that will require the federal agency to determine by Sept.

30 whether gopher tortoises in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and eastern Alabama should be listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. The settlement came in a lawsuit that the Center for Biological Diversity filed last year that accused the federal agency

of “dragging its feet” on listing gopher tortoises and other species.

“The tortoises need large, unfragmented, long-leaf pine forests to survive,” the center said Tuesday in an announcement about the settlement.

“They’re severely threatened by development-caused habitat loss and fragmentation, which limits food availability and options for burrow sites and exposes them to being crushed in their burrows during construction, run over by cars or shot.”

Gopher tortoises are already listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in Louisiana, Mississippi and western Alabama. If the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services decides that listing is warranted in Florida and the other states, it appears most likely that gopher tortoises would be listed as threatened, Elise Bennett, a senior

attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity said in an email.

The lawsuit, which was filed last year in federal court in Washington, D.C., said the Fish and Wildlife Service found in 2011 that gopher tortoises merited listing because of threats “including habitat fragmentation and loss from agricultural and silvicultural practices inhospitable to the tortoise, urbanization, and the spread of invasive species.” But gopher tortoises were not listed because of a process in which the agency made other species a higher priority.

If federal officials decide to move forward with listing in the coming months, it would start a formal rule-making process.

Gopher tortoises have long spurred debates in Florida, as development continues and conservationists push for

NEW! Same Day Dispensary Service!

WWW . CMMDR . COM

protecting the habitats.

Tuesday’s announcement of the settlement came after Florida wildlife officials and the Legislature in recent months have taken steps to increase the sites where gopher tortoises can be moved. Gopher tortoises are considered threatened by the state, which has a permitting process for capturing and relocating the animals.

The Legislature last month passed a bill (SB 494) that, in part, would direct state agencies to consider using parts of certain public lands as gopher tortoise “recipient” sites. Among other things, the bill calls for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to “streamline and improve the review of applications for public and private gopher tortoise recipient sites.”

The bill has not been formally sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

A11

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

DeSantis sets May session on property insurance

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

F

lorida lawmakers will return to the Capitol the week of May 23 to address problems in the propertyinsurance system that have led to homeowners losing coverage and facing soaring premiums.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday called a special session from May 23 to May 27 and listed general topics such as reinsurance, the Office of Insurance Regulation and changes to the Florida Building Code to improve the affordability of property insurance.

In the proclamation, DeSantis said insurers in the state have experienced “two straight years of net underwriting losses exceeding $1 billion each year,” while pointing to issues such as large numbers of lawsuits over claims.

House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, has favored waiting to make additional changes until a 2021 propertyinsurance law has more time to take hold.

He issued a statement Tuesday saying the House will see if more can be done.

“The Legislature made great strides on meaningful property insurance reforms in 2021, and we are already seeing the positive impacts of that work,” Sprowls said in the statement. “We look forward to working with our partners to evaluate whether there is more we can do to address the availability and affordability of property insurance. The Florida House will remain primarily focused on addressing the needs of the policyholders of Florida.”

In 2021, lawmakers approved changes that included a new formula to limit fees of attorneys who represent homeowners in lawsuits against insurers and a reduction from three years to two years in the time to file claims. They also passed a proposal aimed at preventing roofing contractors from advertising to spur homeowners to file insurance claims, though a federal court has blocked that part of the law on free-speech grounds.

The law also allowed larger rate increases for customers of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which is often able to charge less than private carriers.

While DeSantis’ proclamation did not provide detailed proposals, one potential issue could be to help insurers address problems with costs and availability of reinsurance, which is essentially backup coverage that plays a critical role in the Florida market. The special session will be held shortly before the renewal of reinsurance contracts in June.

During a meeting last week of the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association, Tim Meenan, the agency’s general counsel, said one possibility could involve temporarily making additional reinsurance coverage available through the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, which provides relatively low-cost reinsurance.

The Florida Insurance Guaranty Association is closely watching the market problems because it pays claims if insurers become insolvent.

DeSantis on April 18 announced his intention to call a special session on property insurance. That came a day before lawmakers began a three-day special session that included passing a congressional redistricting plan and two bills targeted at Walt Disney Co. During an appearance at UF Health Jacksonville on April 18, DeSantis said the insurance session would try to “bring some sanity and stabilize and have a functioning market.”

The House and Senate were unable to reach agreement on an insurance bill during this year’s regular legislative session, which ended March 14, with the Senate wanting to take more-aggressive steps to bolster private insurers.

As an example, the Senate proposed allowing new deductibles of up to 2 percent on roof-damage claims --- an outgrowth of complaints by insurers that questionable, if not fraudulent, roof claims are driving up costs. But the House rejected the idea, which would have led to increased out-of-

MOODY TARGETS SYNTHETIC DRUGS

By Florida News Service

nitazenes were first found in Florida in 2020, with 13 reported cases. That increased to 171 cases last year and 84 so far this year. Moody said the prevalence is likely higher than what is being reported.

“As more and more synthetic opioids are making their way into the United States, folks need to be cautious and understand that more people are dropping dead from overdose than we have ever seen before,” she said.

The emergency rule said nitazenes are commonly available online, along with through illicit drug markets.

It said they are often found in combination with drugs such as cocaine and fentanyl.

The emergency rule said nitazenes are believed to be primarily produced in China and shipped to the United States. The rule added the eight drugs to a list of what are known as Schedule I controlled substances.

A

s Florida continues to grapple with deadly opioids such as fentanyl, Attorney General Ashley Moody on Tuesday issued an emergency rule to outlaw eight synthetic drugs. The order targeted drugs known as nitazenes, which Moody’s office said have been linked to at least 15 deaths in Florida since 2020.

The order makes it a felony to possess, sell, manufacture or deliver the drugs, which do not have a medical use and can be 10 times more potent than fentanyl. Moody said she also will work with lawmakers during next year’s legislative session to permanently outlaw the drugs.

“These synthetic opioids are evolving, becoming more deadly, and they are often being laced in with traditional drugs,” Moody told The News Service of Florida. Moody said

Center for Dentistry

News Service Executive Editor Jim Saunders contributed to this report.

Hurricane Michael caused massive damage and insurance losses in 2018 in Northwest Florida. [Florida News Service]

NADD DROPS RACE FOR AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER

By Florida News Service

A

Republican who planned to run against Senate President Wilton Simpson in a GOP primary for state agriculture commissioner has bowed out of the race after Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed Simpson.

Chuck Nadd, a U.S. Army veteran who is a resident of Winter Park, filed paperwork early this month to run for the Cabinet post. But on Monday, DeSantis threw his support behind Simpson, R-Trilby, after previously refusing to make an endorsement.

DeSantis said in a statement that Simpson “has helped pass major reform for election integrity, choice in education, big tech censorship and law enforcement recruitment.” In a

hand-written letter announcing the end of his brief campaign, Nadd said an “outpouring of support” had made for “an extraordinary” past three weeks.

“While Shannon & I have decided to suspend our campaign based on Governor DeSantis’ decision to unite the GOP, we remain as committed as ever to fighting for clean water, our conservative values, and the Florida freedoms that he has championed,” Nadd said, referring to his wife in the note, a photo of which was posted on Twitter.

As of the beginning of April, Simpson had raised about $13.5 million through his personal campaign account and at least four political committees.

Join the

Team

FULL-TIME POSITIONS

PART-TIME POSITIONS

352-873-4844

Faculty – Cardiovascular Technology, Program Manager

Adjunct – Visual and Performing Arts

Faculty – Health Sciences – Associate Degree Nursing

Accountant III

EMERGENCY EXAM & X RAY

CROWNS or BRIDGEWORK

$1900

$69500

00140

private market, at least in part because of concerns about financial risks if the state is hammered by a major hurricane or multiple hurricanes.

Citizens saw its numbers jump from 817,926 policies on March 31 to 842,298 as of the end of last week and is expected to top 1 million by the end of the year.

During his April 18 comments, DeSantis said other unfinished issues from the regular session could be added to the insurance session.

Another of the biggest unfinished issues involved proposals to put additional requirements on condominium buildings after the deadly collapse last year of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside. DeSantis’ proclamation Tuesday did not specifically mention condo requirements, though issues can be added to the special session.

DR. JOHN BORCHERS, DDS. PA DR. MICHAEL T. MCKEE, DDS MS.PA. DR. WALTER VANNESS, DDS

3300 SW 34th Ave., Suite 136 Ocala, FL 34474

New Patient Special

pocket costs for homeowners who need to replace damaged roofs.

While Sprowls stressed patience, troubles have continued in the insurance market, with companies shedding policies and seeking hefty rate increases because of what industry officials say are large financial losses.

St. Johns Property Insurance Co. and Avatar Property & Casualty Insurance Co. have recently been placed into receivership after being declared insolvent. Also this month, Tampa-based Lighthouse Property Insurance Corp., with about 27,000 customers in Florida, was placed into receivership in Louisiana.

Part of the fallout from the privatemarket problems has led to thousands of homeowners a week obtaining coverage from Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which was created as an insurer of last resort.

State leaders have long sought to shift policies out of Citizens into the

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm www.flgentledental.com

DENTURES

CLEANING, X RAYS & EXAM

OFF

$2900

20%

per unit

Reline or Repairs

Porcelain & Noble Metal, 006242

D5751, D5750, D5761, D5760, D5619

New Patient Special

Accountant I

Programmer Analyst III

HOW TO APPLY

Go to www.cf.edu/jobs Select one of the following online portals Administrative/Faculty/ Adjunct Career Opportunities or Professional/Career/Part-time Career Opportunities.

Submit an electronic application, a copy of unofficial transcripts and resume online.

A copy of transcripts from an accredited institution must be submitted with the application.

00220

EMERGENCIES & WALK-INS WELCOME The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or to be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free discounted fee or reduced fee service, examination or treatment specials available with this coupon only. Not valid with any other offers.

Public Safety Officer

3001 SW College Road, Ocala, FL 34474 CF is an Equal Opportunity Employer

A12

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

B1

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things Cooking up a new future

Melanie Patrick poses for a photo with her signature French Macarons just before her soft opening of Soleil Bakery & Social House on Southeast First Avenue in downtown Ocala on April 27.

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Melanie Patrick, a popular vendor at the city market, is opening her own bakery in downtown Ocala.

By Julie Garisto Correspondent

T

he art of baking is in Melanie Patrick’s blood, passed down from her mother and grandmother while she was growing up in Arkansas.

“My mom is a baker, not a professional baker, but she and my grandmother were really good bakers,” she said. “The first thing that I ever made was a peach cobbler, and I was hooked.”

Patrick’s goods have become a favorite at the Ocala Downtown Market and she soon will be opening her own bakery, Soleil Bakery & Social House. She hosted a soft opening on April 27 and said she hopes to officially open in about three weeks.

Located at 56 SE 1st Ave, the business adds another ampersand to the scene, catty-corner to Big Hammock Brewery & Bites. The bakery will feature macarons, pies and all sorts of creamy, fruity concoctions, along with Patrick’s mom’s famous carrot cake.

What’s more, the baker-entrepreneur is supporting fellow vendors by selling their goods at Soleil. Vendors include Crafty Cat and Ruthless Wax candles, Rooted by Martine plants, Paws for Treats canine goodies, goat cheese by Windmill Acres Farm and more.

Patrick and her husband, Chris, and their sons lived the itinerant military life until he retired as a medical officer and colonel in 2020, after 30 years, which is when they decided to settle down in his hometown of Ocala.

Chris graduated from St. John Lutheran School and now the couple’s sons attend the Ocala private school. His dad, Tom, who worked for Marion County Public Schools and recently passed away, also was a graduate of St. John.

“I was a practicing respiratory therapist when we married,” Melanie Patrick shared, “but gave up my career to follow him as most spouses do in military families. It’s too hard to continue working when you move every two years.”

Her first vendor event was a food truck festival in Maryland.

“A family came to my booth and was overly excited that I had French macarons because their daughter had celiac disease,” she said.

As many of her Ocala regulars know, she has a specialty flavor macaron inspired by Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster, a beloved blue creature that she re-creates with a cookie coming out of his mouth.

“When I told them the macaron wasn’t gluten-free because of the added ingredients, the little girl cried for what felt like an eternity in front of me. I had no idea how serious celiac disease and gluten intolerance truly was. I changed all my products after that event to be safe for celiacs,” Patrick said.

She added that she has avoided signage and emphasis on the gluten-free aspect of her recipes.

“We don’t want people to think about it that way because when most people have tasted gluten-free items, they’re very dry and have no flavor and things

Gourmet cookies are shown just before the soft opening of Soleil Bakery & Social House on Southeast First Avenue in downtown Ocala on April 27. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

like that,” she explained, “but the people at the market have learned that you can’t even tell that my stuff is gluten-free. It tastes wonderful. And it’s moist. You know, the cakes are moist, the cookies, my cookies are stuffed with ganache. We have found ways to make our food taste really good.”

Feeling connected with the community and being responsive to her customers’ needs are a couple of the notso-secret ingredients to Patrick’s success and her happiness.

In a recent Facebook post, she writes “I love being trusted to make treats for special events. This is a birthday party for a sweet little girl. Mom chose a fairy theme and it’s breathtaking. We did vanilla bean toadstools and chocolate macarons to accent her already amazing spread. So cute! This makes me happy.”

The name “Soleil,” which means sun in French, is inspired by the Patricks’ travels. In the new bakery, she has handpicked vintage-inspired décor and collected the pieces in the Ocala area except for the banquettes, which came from Miami.

“Military family secret—repurpose furniture because it’s going to get broken in a move anyway,” she shared. “So, all of our furniture is from individuals, thrift shops, Facebook marketplace, etc.”

Patrick and her crew have been hard at work painting and applying the finishing touches at the bakery.

Locals’ artwork adorns the walls, curated with help of NOMA Gallery and Sheerin Artistry. Visitors to the bakery

will notice an abstract in the window by Mel Fiorentino, a work depicting “a crazy girl over the couch” by Derek Grimsley and flowers in the hallway by local photographer Leslie Jean Wengler. There are birds from the artist Diane Pierce, who moved here from Michigan and fell in love with Florida’s winged wildlife.

The large pieces are oils and the smaller works are watercolor.

Savory foods will be on sale too, but are not yet listed.

“We will have some quiches and avocado toast with the goat cheese from Windmill and we’re working on some focaccias, and we’ll have charcuterie boards from Grated and Cured, which is another local company,” Patrick added.

The bakery also will feature coffee/ espresso drinks, beer with gluten-free options, wine and a pet-friendly side patio decked out with bistro-style tables to impart that French-European flavor.

“My team and I will do some teaching,” she added. “I love to teach kids how to make French macarons and how to do anything in the bakery. We’re also hosting Soleil After Dark, which will feature some adult-themed nights. We will make sure we have a sign outside,” she stipulated with a laugh. “We plan to work with artists who might show some more risqué artwork.”

One last thing, she adds: “We will go crazy and go all out on holidays.”

To learn more, go to fb.com/ soleilocala/

A home-style setting is shown just before the soft opening of Soleil Bakery & Social House on Southeast First Avenue in downtown Ocala on April 27. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

B2

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

‘Molly’s Law Documentary’ premieres in Ocala The film highlights the saga of an abused canine and creation of an animal abuser registry being proposed as a state and national model.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Hannah Harper, 2 1/2, pets Molly during the Molly’s Law Documentary premiere at the Marion Theatre in Ocala on April 24.

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

T

he massive photo of the happy snow-white canine Molly projected across the big screen at the Marion Theatre drew murmurs of adoration. The images of a bloodied and beaten Molly, the victim of animal abuse, had people gasping in horror.

On Sunday, April 24, animal lovers and advocates, along with elected officials and community leaders, were on hand for the premiere of the Molly’s Law Documentary. After surviving her harrowing ordeal, Molly became the ambassador for Molly’s Law, also known as the Marion County Animal Abuser Registry. The purpose of the documentary is to share Molly’s story and serve as a model for other communities to create similar programs.

Molly, an American boxer mix, was stabbed three times in the head and had her skull fractured with a baseball bat in early 2014. Her accused attacker, Steven Scott Fleming, served time in state prison on three counts of felony cruelty to animals.

Molly’s Law requires that any offender convicted of an animal abuse crime be placed on the registry, which was launched on Jan. 1, 2017. The online database allows citizens, pet sellers and rescue organizations to verify they are not placing an animal with an animal abuser.

Molly now has a forever home with Lilly Baron, president of the Society for

Jackie Barrett, who produced the documentary with her husband, Mark, spends some time with Molly.

the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Ocala (SPCA) of Ocala. A handful of other counties in Florida have adopted similar legislation, but Baron, and many others, want to see a statewide registry and, in turn, a national database.

When asked where they are with advancing a statewide registry, State Rep. Stan McLain, of Ocala, said on Sunday, “We’re working on it.”

Sen. Dennis Baxley, also of Ocala, added, “We’re exploring options but probably won’t have any decision for a little while.”

Baron said the documentary and appeal for a broader registry came about because, “We had somebody who abuses animals go over the county line and it wasn’t effective in the next county. And that continuously happens. So, I put my mind to it that we we’re going to do a statewide animal abuser registry so they couldn’t get away with this.”

She said she presented “a beautiful gentleman the idea that we need to take this statewide, and he says, ‘Well, why don’t you do a movie?’ And I said, ‘Well, we can’t afford to make a movie, but we can make a documentary. So he made a donation for us to finance the documentary.”

The 24-minute film by Mark and Jackie Barrett details the abuse Molly suffered and how she was treated by Marion County Animal Services and later was adopted into the care of Baron.

Among those featured in the film are Deborah Horvath, the director of Marion County Animal Services at the time

Molly was attacked. In remarks to the audience on Sunday, emcee Shelia Arnett announced that Horvath had traveled to Ocala from Virginia to surprise Baron during the premiere. Horvath is seen several times in the documentary.

Also featured in the documentary is Peggy Hoyt, an attorney and animal activist whose father, John A. Hoyt, was formerly CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. In the film, she talks about evidence supporting that many forms of violence start with the abuse of animals and makes an appeal for a national registry.

Hoyt, who was in attendance at the premiere, introduced Deborah Darino, who, according to the Daytona Beach News Journal, is the leader behind Justice for Ponce, a group of animal rights activists who fought for justice for a Labrador retriever puppy named Ponce who was beaten to death in 2017 at a Ponce Inlet home.

Ponce’s Law, passed in 2018, increases the likelihood that someone convicted of animal cruelty could be sentenced to prison and allows a judge to bar someone from ever owning an animal again.

“With Debbie’s guidance and leadership, we now have a statewide felony animal cruelty statute, 828.12.

What this statue does is, it guarantees that animal abusers will pay the price.

Not only will they go to jail, they will never be allowed to own an animal again,” Hoyt told the audience.

“What does Ponce’s Law have to do

with Molly’s Law?” Hoyt asked the crowd.

“Everything,” she said. “Once an animal abuser is convicted, we want them to go on Molly’s Law, the animal abuser registry, so they will never be able to own, acquire or possess animals.

Thank you to everyone here who is in support of Molly’s Law and is a champion for animals.”

One member of the audience, Jaye Perrett, a former Marion County Sheriff ’s Office deputy who often dealt with animal abuse cases, and a longtime animal advocate, said she thinks the county registry should be expanded.

“Years ago, the Humane Society of the United States did a survey with the FBI. They took the top 10 serial murderers in the country —nine of them were convicted of animal cruelty as teenagers,” she said. “I support this law 100 percent.

I think it’s an excellent idea and the people who put it together should be commended and I hope it goes statewide and nationwide and becomes something we can all be proud of.”

Baron said she is in negotiations to contract with a national distributor so the documentary can be disseminated to a wide audience, which hopefully will spur other people and communities to action.

As the documentary ended on Sunday, Baron and Molly walked onto the stage and into the spotlight. As the clapping and cheering grew louder and louder, some patrons openly burst into tears. The entire audience rose in a standing ovation that was sustained for several minutes.

Above: People in the audience watch a scene where Molly was severely beaten and taken to the Marion County Animal Center.

Left: Lilly Baron brings her dog, Molly, out on the stage as Shelia Arnett, left, speaks.

Right: Senator Dennis Baxley, left, and Rep. Stan McLain pose for photos with Molly.

To Learn More

A video of the event on Sunday, which includes the documentary, can be seen on the SPCA of Ocala and Molly of Molly’s Law Facebook pages for a short time. The documentary also will be posted at spcaofocala.org The county’s animal abuser registry is accessible at marioncountyfl.org/aar To report an animal-related concern, call Marion County Animal Control at (352) 671-8727.

After-hours and on weekends, contact the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office at (352) 732-9111.

In Belleview, contact the Belleview Police Department at (352) 245-7044.

In Dunnellon, contact the Dunnellon Police Department at (352) 465-8510.

To learn more, visit marioncountyfl.org/departments-agencies/departments-a-n/animal-services

B3

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Needles The Unlikely Hero Editor’s Note: This is an exclusive chapter excerpt from local author JoAnn Guidry’s recently-published book, “Winner’s Circle: The Legacy of the Florida Thoroughbred Industry.” This limited edition book chronicles the history of Ocala’s Thoroughbred industry through the stories of the 12 Florida-bred racehorses currently in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame and two possible future inductees. Also included in the book is a chapter on Ocala Stud, which was established in 1956 and is the oldest active Florida Thoroughbred operation. In

By JoAnn Guidry Special to the Ocala Gazette

I

f Needles had done nothing more than become the first Florida-bred national champion in 1955, he would’ve secured his place in the Florida Thoroughbred industry. But that he went on to accomplish so much more elevated him to hero status.

By the time he was retired to stud in 1958, he had a long list of firsts achieved by a Florida-bred. Among those included first Florida-bred to win the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes; first Florida-bred to lead the nation by earnings; first Florida-bred to be inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame; and the first national champion retired to stud in Ocala.

Needles’ accomplishments on a national level brought attention to the still fledgling Florida Thoroughbred industry. He is credited with selling more real estate in Marion County than any other real estate agent of the era.

In early 1956 prior to Needles’ Kentucky Derby/Belmont Stakes wins, there were four Thoroughbred farms in the Ocala/Marion County area. By 1958, there were 30. The connection is undeniable and can be directly attributed to Needles’ victory in the 1956 Run for the Roses.

CHASING GLORY

After garnering championship honors as the best juvenile of 1955, Needles wasn’t without credentials going into his sophomore season. Carrying the orange and blue silks of Jack Dudley and Bonnie Heath’s D &H Stable, Needles opened the 1956 season with eye-catching victories in his home state. Trained by Hugh Fontaine and ridden by Dave Erb, Needles showed he was the colt to be reckoned with come the first Saturday in May. In the $100,000 Flamingo Stakes at Hialeah Park on February 25, Needles displayed what would become his signature running style. He broke 14th in the 15-horse field, galloped along as though he were taking a Sunday stroll through the park, then shifted gears at the top of the stretch to win by two and three-quarter lengths. Coming in second was Gold Ace with Fabius third. Needles’ winning time for the nine furlongs was 1:49 2/5. With the victory, Needles became the first Florida-bred to win a $100,000 stakes race and a major Kentucky Derby prep race.

A month later in the Florida Derby on March 24 at Gulfstream Park, Needles continued with his winning ways. Breaking last, Needles again methodically worked his way through the field to post a victory by threequarters of a length. Count Chic was the runner-up with Pinter Lea in third. Needles’ running style was deceptive, leading his rivals to think he was a plodder. But his track record-breaking time of 1:48 3/5 for the nine furlongs in the Florida Derby defied that foolish notion.

Needles would go into the 82nd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5 off those two key prep victories. He was made the favorite of the 17-horse field by the record crowd of more than 100,000 in attendance.

Breaking from the number one position, Needles did not hustle out of the gates to take the lead, avoiding being shut out by the large field. Instead, he settled back into 16th place and let Fabius, Ben A. Jones and Terrang battle it out on the lead. Fabius had the lead going into the long Churchill Downs stretch, but Needles was eating up ground the fastest. He powered past Fabius to win by three-quarters of a length in 2:03 2/5 for the mile and a quarter. What was most impressive was that Needles made up more than 20 lengths from the half-mile pole to the finish line.

The shorter Preakness Stakes at a mile and three-

addition, there are chapters on the Florida Breeders of the Year (1989-2021), as well as the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association and The Florida Horse magazine.

Winner’s Circle can be purchased at the headquarters of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (310 SE 3rd Street/352-629-8051 and Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (801 SW 60th Avenue/352-629-2160). Hardbacks are $20-plus tax and softbacks are $14-plus tax.

sixteenths two weeks later would prove costly to Needles.

He ran that race like he ran all of his races, coming from last place and doggedly making up ground in the home stretch.

But this time he ran out of track and Fabius finally bested him by a length and threequarters in 1:58 2/5.

Given a three-week refresher between the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, Needles came into the last leg of the Triple Crown series as the favorite.

There was no doubt that the mile and a half Belmont Stakes was perfectly suited to Needles’ running style. And Needles ran true to form.

It was estimated that he was some 25 lengths back in last place in the eight-horse Needles (outside), winning the 1956 Kentucky Derby [Courtesy of Keeneland Library Morgan Collection] field. Fabius was winging it on the front end, taking a seven-length lead into the stretch. But it was all for naught as Needles launched his Fort Lauderdale Handicap at Gulfstream Park. Needles characteristic drive with Career Boy going with him. A retired with 11 wins, three seconds and three thirds in 21 tiring Fabius carried Needles out slightly in deep stretch, starts with career earnings of $600,355. but he drove on to prevail by a neck over Career Boy. The Turning down offers to stand him in Kentucky, Dudley time was 2:29 4/5, but again what was remarkable was and Heath retired their champion to Bonnie Heath Farm that Needles had made up more than 26 lengths from the in 1958. Needles went on to sire 20 crops, averaging but 15 half-mile pole to home in the win. foals a year. From 317 foals, 294 were starters, 233 were Needles’ victories in the Flamingo Stakes, Florida winners and 21 were stakes winners. In 1964, Needles was Derby, Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes earned him a leading juvenile sire with 12 winners of 19 races. His his second championship title. Named the 1956 North best stakes winner was Irish Rebellion, who won the Pan American champion 3-year-old colt, Needles finished the American Handicap and was stakes-placed 15 times. season as the leading money earner in the country with a Pensioned in 1978, Needles lived out his years at total of $440,850.

Bonnie Heath Farm until his death on October 15, 1984, at 31. A monument marks where his heart and hooves were buried at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company HUMBLE BEGINNINGS complex. The cremated ashes of his body are in an urn The saga of Florida’s unlikely hero began as a threehoused in the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and mare package deal for $10,000. William E. Leach, who Owners’ Association Museum and Art Galley. Indeed, a owned Dickey Stables in Ocala, had bought the mares fitting tribute to Florida’s unlikely hero.

Noodle Soup, Sis Brier and Carol Lee in partnership with Needles was inducted into the National Museum of Kentuckian Paul Little. When Leach insisted that the mares Racing Hall of Fame in 2000. foal in Florida, Little sold him his shares in the mares.

Noodle Soup, by Jack High, had only won one race and earned $1,975. When Leach bought her, she had a Needles Bull Brier filly at her side and she had been bred to 1949 1953 bay colt by Ponder – Noodle Soup, by Jack High Kentucky Derby winner Ponder. The latter was by 1944 Kentucky Derby winner Pensive, whose sire was 1933 Breeder: William E. Leach (Dickey Stable) Epsom Derby winner Hyperion and whose grandsire was Owner: D & H Stable (Jackson C. Dudley & Bonnie M. 1918 Epsom Derby winner Gainsborough.

Heath) No one could have guessed that when Noodle Soup Trainer: Hugh L. Fontaine foaled a bay colt at Dickey Stables on April 29, 1953, he would go on to become the fifth Derby winner in his male Career Race Record/Earnings line. Especially since the colt at five weeks old became 21-11-3-3/$600,355 deathly ill with equine pneumonia. For weeks, Leach’s wife Madeline, who was a nurse, farm veterinarian Dr. Career Stakes Wins Reuben Brawner and horseman Roy Yates tended to the 1955 Sapling Stakes sick colt. He was given so many injections during that 1955 Hopeful Stakes time that the suggestion was made to name him Needles.

1956 Kentucky Derby The newly-christened Needles survived and thrived, 1956 Belmont Stakes going on to win the blue ribbon as a juvenile at the annual 1956 Florida Derby Florida Breeders’ Baby Show. Later after watching him 1956 Flamingo Stakes work three furlongs at that show, Oklahoma oilmen Jack 1957 Fort Lauderdale Handicap Dudley and Bonnie Heath paid $20,000 for the colt. And the rest of the story became Florida Thoroughbred history.

Highest Honors As a two year old, Needles won the Sapling Stakes 1955 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt and Hopeful Stakes. He also finished third in the 1956 Champion 3-Year-Old Colt World’s Playground Stakes and Garden State Stakes 2000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Induction to bank $129,805 on the season. He was named the champion 2-year-old colt, becoming the first Floridabred national champion.

Following his championship sophomore season in 1956, Needles started only three times as a four year old. He closed out his career as a winner, capturing the

Left: Jack Dudley (left) & Bonnie Heath (right), D&H Stables, Owners of Needles [Courtesy of Jim Raftery Turfotos]

Left: Needles, 1956 Belmont Stakes [Courtesy of Keeneland Library Morgan Collection] Right: Cover of Winner’s Circle - Photo: Florida-bred Needles being led by trainer Hugh Fontaine (green jacket) into the 1956 Kentucky Derby winner’s circle.[Photo by Skeets Meadors/Courtesy of Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association/The Florida Horse]

B4

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Florida

MAKE WAY FOR FACTOIDS AN A-MAY-ZING MAY!

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.

It is an amazing month. It’s the only month of the year whose first day and last day are not repeated all year long.

Check it. This year, May 1 is on a Sunday and May 31 is on Tuesday. No other month starts on Sunday and ends on Tuesday this year. And let us not forget that among the plethora of May holidays and observances, next Wednesday is “Star Wars Day.” (May the fourth be with you.)

Now let’s celebrate with some Q & A for a Florida May.

2.

It was May 15, 1947 -- 75 years ago -Florida State University was officially born. Before that it was known as: A. Florida Women’s U B. Florida College C. Florida State College for Women D. Florida Women’s State College In May, 1944, Miami Beach pharmacist Benjamin Green invented a revolutionary product called Red Vet Pet. It was sold and later became: A. Pepto Bismol B. Preparation H C. Coppertone D. Xanax

6.

Our best friends

7.

What Rolling Stones signature hit was scribbled on a cocktail napkin poolside in Clearwater on May 5, 1961

by Stones’ lyricist Endo Anaconda?

A. 19th Nervous Breakdown B. Satisfaction C. Brown Sugar D. Get Off of My Cloud

8.

Five brand new luxury sports cars, models 911, 944 and 959, were destroyed when they fell into a gaping 90-foot sinkhole in Winter Park on May 8 1986. The cars were: A. Mercedes B . Jaguars C. Teslas D. Porsches A physician-scientist who spent most of his life in Florida received U. S. Patent #8080 on May 8 1851 for a cooling process that was a precursor of air conditioning. He is: A. John Gorrie B. Thomas Edison C. Walter Westinghouse D. Thomas Edison

3.

Saturday, May 7 marks the 148th Kentucky Derby. Needles was the first Ocala-bred to win the classic in 1956. Since then, Ocala has claimed five more winners, the last of which was ________ in 1997.

A. Silver Charm B. American Pharaoh C. Carry Back D. Affirmed

4.

In the month of Mother’s Day, we honor this Gainesville mother of five who has a 140-mile cross-Florida trail named for her conservation efforts.

A. Paula Hawkins B. Marjorie Harris Carr C. Marjory Stoneman Douglas D. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

9.

Ocala’s Silver Springs has been the movie set for dozens of famous films.

The first, in 1917, was a black & white silent fantasy called: A. Tarzan’s Son B. Seven Swans C. Creature From the Black Lagoon D. Barefoot Mailman

10.

In May 1940, the movie adaptation of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ epic “The Yearling” started filming near Ocala with Spencer Tracy in the lead role.

The final product debuted in 1946 with _________ in the lead.

A. Gregory Peck B. Frank Sinatra C. Gene Kelly D. Kirk Douglas

Alpaca Bark Bath Beds Bird Bowl Brush Care Cats Chase Coat Corgi Cute Diet

Dogs Drink Ears Expensive Eyes Fido Food Frog Gifts Heeler House train Lady Legs Loving

Magazines Mess Mice Nurse Paws Perch Pigeon Playful Pony Puppies Purr Rest Romp Rules

Samoyed Shampoo Shepherd Sleepy Spider Tabby Tail Tame Tank Timid Tiny Warm Yelp

ion: Part of the family

5.

This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when yo The statue of a beloved rights pleted the puzzle, there will be 15 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle. activist-educator-philanthropist who died in May 1955 has been placed in Washington’s Capitol Statuary to represent Florida. She is: A. Eleanor Roosevelt Solution: 15 Letters B. Mary McLeod Bethune C. Rosa Parks D. Barbara Jordan

© 2022 Australian Word Games Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc.

1.

WORD FIND

Answers are on page B6

Creators Syndicate 737 3rd Street • Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310-337-7003 • info@creators.com

COMING MAY 13: Our Most Critterful State Contact Bob Hauck: bobhauck39@gmail.com

WOMEN’S EXPO SAVE THE DATE

Saturday, June 25, 2022 • 10am - 3pm College of Central Florida, Klein Center

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B6

Date: 4/29/2

B5

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

community APRIL 29 & MAY 6

APRIL 30 & MAY 7

Marion County Friday Market

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

APRIL 29-30

A Sudden Impulse HSBA & Futurity Horse Show World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala All day The final days of this National Snaffle Bit Association and American Quarter Horse Association show, offering more than $400,000 in prizes with a variety of class options, including color breed classes, novice and walk/trot classes.

For more info, worldequestriancenter.com

Farmers Swap Meet

Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala 9am-2pm A true farmers swap meet where chickens, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available along with horse tack, home-grown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. Booth types vary with occasional meat vendors, food trucks, and other goods. Saturdays, weather permitting.

APRIL 30-MAY 1

Florida Horse Park Western Dressage

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala All day Dressage done Western style encompasses the same elements as classical dressage and with the twist of Western horsemanship included. It’s all about light hands, subtle cues and connection with the horse. See flhorsepark.com for more info.

MAY 1

Ocala Cars & Coffee

APRIL 30-MAY 1

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens Spring Festival

4990 NE 180th Ave., Williston Saturday 9:30am-5pm; Sunday 9:30am-4pm The annual Spring Festival is back with live music, artists’ wares, food vendors and more. Tour the garden with its astounding plant displays, ponds and even waterfalls. Tickets $5 for children, $10 for adults. Please note: no dogs allowed this weekend.

Check out cedarlakeswoodsandgarden.com.

APRIL 30 & MAY 7

Yoga in the Park

Sholom Park: 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 9am Stretch out by the Sholom Park stage; recurs every Saturday morning. Visit sholompark.org for details.

War Horse Harley-Davidson, 5331 N US Hwy 441, Ocala 7:30-11am See show cars, drink coffee, peruse auto-related vendors, enjoy kids’ activities and more. Cars on display from the 1940s to today’s hottest racers.

Recurs the first Sunday of each month. More info at Facebook.com/carsandcoffeeocala/

MAY 5

Farmers Market

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 9am-1pm Large selection of fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps and more; recurs every Thursday.

Visit circlesquarecommons.com for more info.

MAY 6-7

Friends of the Library Quarterly Book Sale

APRIL 30 & MAY 7

Ocala Downtown Market

310 SE Third St., Ocala 9am-2pm A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey and arts and crafts. Check out some local food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer.

Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

Headquarters Ocala Public Library, Meetings Room A&B, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Friday 11am-2pm; Saturday 10am-2pm Calling all book worms! This quarterly fundraiser lets you browse for books and help the Friends of the Library nonprofit at the same time. Bring your book list and treasure hunt to find old classics, newer best sellers, fiction, non-fiction, children’s books and more. Paperbacks will sell for a quarter; hardbacks sell for 50 cents. Note: members only on

Friday; open to the general public on Saturday. For more info, check out friendsoftheocalalibrary.org

MAY 6-8

Ocala Feathered Horse Classic

World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 8am-6pm Gypsy Vanners are fairy tale horses with their elegant coloring, long feathered feet and flowing manes and tails. The costume class, Concours D’Elegance Exhibition, is the last class of the Saturday show. Horses (and riders) dress in Victorian and Edwardian elegance, and audience participation helps pick the winner. Free and open to the public. See featheredhorseclassic.com or worldequestriancenter.com for more info.

MAY 7

Festivals of Speed Car Show

World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 10am-4pm Check out exotic, classic and muscle cars all carefully polished up and ready to rev. More than 200 cars will be shown, including such famed brands as Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, McLaren and Lamborghini. General admission is $20 and VIP experiences are also available. See festivalsofspeed.com for more info.

MAY 7

Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale

UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Nursery, 2232 NW Jacksonville Road, Ocala 8am-12pm Free admission. All kinds of plants for sale, including natives, herbs, trees, flowers, perennials, shrubs and more. Plus, soil testing kits available and consultations with master gardeners. Bring your own wagon. Cash or check only. For more info, (352)671-8400.

MAY 7-21 WEEKENDS

THROUGH JUNE 18

Horsin’ Around at the Discovery Center

701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm The Discovery Center, Ocala’s hands-on children’s museum, hands it over to the horsey set with an opportunity to explore the world of horses.

Kids can figure how tall they are in horse hands, visit with an equine vet, see a day in the life of a jockey and try out a hobby horse dressage course.

Admission fee of $8 includes the regular exhibits and interactive hallway. Visit mydiscovery.org.

MAY 6-7

Derby Day Jackpot Cattle Show

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala All day Showmanship for the kids and other cattle classes take place this weekend. They won’t win any races, but they’re fun to see. Champion bulls and heifers, kids’ classes and more. Visit flhorsepark.org for details.

MAY 6-8

Derby Days Barrel Race Show

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala Friday/Saturday 8am-7pm; Sunday 9am-last race Check out a different kind of race when the horses run the barrels at this event. Multiple races with great prizes and exciting action. Saturday afternoon will have a break to watch the Kentucky Derby, then live music afterward. For more info, see gobarrelrace.com/derbydays.

MAY 7

Kentucky Derby Hat Party

World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 5-7:30pm Dress up to celebrate the best two minutes in sports. This Derby party takes place at Stirrups at the Equestrian Hotel and includes food stations, an open bar featuring specialty cocktails, dessert and a bottle of bourbon, plus a Jumbo Tron view of the race.

Tickets start at $395 per couple, visit showclix.com.

MAY 7

Sunflower Festival

Coon Hollo Farm, 22480 N Highway 441, Micanopy 9am-2pm Head out to the farm and enjoy Coon Hollo’s Sunflower Festival. Take a hayride to feed the cows, browse through Nana’s Country Store for goodies and farm fresh delights. Vendor booths, farm animals, and, of course, lots and lots of sunflowers, those cheery faces of the plant world.

Visit coonhollo.com

Kentucky Derby Viewing Party

World Equestrian Center Ocala, Grand Arena, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 5-7pm Watch the best two minutes in sports. The viewing party takes place in the Grand Arena and offers food options from WEC’s usual fast casual restaurants plus pop-up food court servings like hamburger, hotdogs and tacos. Cocktails available at cash bars. Free attendance and parking.

government MAY 3

MAY 3

Belleview City Commission Meeting

City Hall Commission Room, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6-8pm

arts

APRIL 29 & MAY 6

City of Ocala Planning & Zoning Commission

City Hall Council Chamber- Second Floor, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 5:30pm

THROUGH MAY 5

Levitt AMP Music Series

Webb Field, 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7-9pm The annual music series is back with fresh talent and a variety of musical genres in the line-ups.

Food trucks, activities, and artists. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the spring evenings. April 29 is LPT; May 6 is Indigenous. For more info, ocalafl.org.

MAY 4

May the 4th Be With You- “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope”

Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala Party 5pm; film 7:30pm In celebration of the 45th anniversary of the release of the very first Star Wars films, Marion Theatre is having a party at Docking Bay 94 (the theatre’s parking lot) with themed cocktails, trivia contests and live music from Mike Abbott. More info at www.reillyartscenter. com/events/may-the-4th-be-with-you/

2022 CF Student Art Exhibition

CF Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala Opening reception March 30 at 12:30pm; exhibition 10am-4pm daily Student artists from the Visual Arts and Digital Media department at CF will present their art in this showcase. The work will be judged by Carla Poindexter, professor of studio art at the University of Central Florida. Free. For more details, visit www.CF.edu or call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

MAY 6

An Evening with Patsy Cline

Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala 7pm Ocala talent Cindy Moody performs all of Patsy Cline’s hits in this tribute to the country star. Tickets starts at $26. For more info, csculturalcenter.com.

MAY 3

Marion County Planning & Zoning Commission

McPherson Governmental Campus, 601 SE 25th Ave., auditorium, Ocala 2pm First and third Tuesdays of each month.

MAY 7

British Rock Invasion: Foreigner and Bad Company Tributes Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 7:30pm Slip back into the ‘70s with this tribute performance as it pays homage to two powerhouse bands. Check out reillyartscenter.com for more info.

MAY 8

THROUGH MAY 26

Horsemanship by Walter Israel

City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration, 828 NE Eight Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Longtime horseman and artist Walter Israel exhibits his charcoal portraits of horses and their people. He uses light and dark to complement and express his passion for animals. Free to the public.

More info at ocalafl.org

Michael Miller Band

Bank Street Patio Bar, 120 E Fort King St., Ocala 1pm Kentucky native Michael Miller performs country music. Visit bankstreetpatio.com for details.

MAY 8

Symphony Under the Stars by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra

Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Spring Blvd., Ocala Gates open 3pm; concert 7pm This annual Mother’s Day tradition is back with music, food trucks and even fireworks! Enjoy a lovely spring evening listening to the talented musicians of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. Chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets are permitted. Learn more at fafo.org

THROUGH JULY 31

A Strange and Picturesque Country: Etchings by Earl H. Reed

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Prints from the permanent collection by Earl Howell Reed. Although a largely self-taught artist, Reed’s work can be viewed in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago. Visit appletonmuseum.org for details.

VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR ONLINE OCALAGAZETTE.COM/EVENTS

B6

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

&

music nightlife nig ghtlife APRIL 29

APRIL 30

MAY 4

MAY 6

Humans in Disguise

Live Stream

Palomino Blonde

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks, and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

APRIL 29

APRIL 30

George Durham and Company

Ampli-FIRES Band

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 7-10pm Free and open to the public. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for details.

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 7-10pm Free and open to the public. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for details.

APRIL 29

APRIL 30

Mark Raisch

Uptown Music

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks, and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks, and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

MAY 5

Food Truck Friday with Clark Barrios Band The Town Square at Circle Square Commons 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 7-10pm Food from Big Lee’s Serious about Barbecue and live music. Free and open to the public. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for details.

MAY 7

Scott Davidson The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks, and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

MAY 6

The Mudds

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks, and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

MAY 7

Ecliff Farrar The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks, and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

Cool Corporate Cats

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 7-10pm Free and open to the public. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for details.

ANSWERS FOR PAGE B4 1. C Florida State Coll. for Women

Florida

FACTOIDS

Sudoku

2. C Coppertone 3. A Silver Charm 4. B Marjorie Harris Carr 5. B Seven Swans

COMING MAY 13:

6. B Mary McLeod Bethune

Our Most Critterful State Contact Bob Hauck:

8. D Porsches

bobhauck39@gmail.com

10. A Gregory Peck

7. B Satisfaction 9. A John Gorrie

Disney’s magical musical

live on stage may 12 - june 5 $30 for adults

$15 for 18 and younger

SPONSORED BY K-Country Ocala Gazette Tallen Builders

4337 E. Silver Springs BLVD. Ocala, Fl 34470 (352) 236—2274 Ocalacivictheatre.com

Newsday Crossword

B7

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Creative’s Corner What’s brewin’ with Ryan Neumann Ryan Neumann is busy these days, boldly going where few Ocala artists have gone before.

Ryan Neumann [Julie Garisto]

By Julie Garisto Correspondent

I

magine a younger, kinder but just-asmischievous Jack Nicholson-esque American male with tattoo sleeves and a welcoming smile -- this somewhat approximates local artist Ryan Neumann, who moved here from Fort Lauderdale around 14 years ago.

Neumann and his wife, Kat, have been active in the arts and culture community of Ocala, bringing a more stylish and cutting-edge sensibility to the evolving midsize metro.

He placed second in the 2021 Student and Emerging Artist Exhibition, pouring his almost decade-long experience into his painting “Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’.” ($700) “Masks have been used in cultures for thousands of years in transformational ceremonies and healing practices,” he said. “To me, the broad spectrum of creativity includes the marginalized ancient cultures on the edges who used art and creative expression to drive away demons and liberate spirits.”

Neumann stays plugged into the scene as a resident artist of MAX, located in the Union Station near Tuscawilla Park Historic District. The organization started as an informal collective of friends and has evolved into an inclusive, creatively unbridled, artistchampioning organization,

touted as an “arts incubator.”

He works around the clock with other MAX artists to provide a change of pace from the horses and landscapes grazing local shops and galleries.

In stark contrast, Neumann’s works incorporate a broad array of cultural influences. They make a bold statement and elicit a Big Bang emergence of ideas and figures like those waking dreams you have while drifting off to sleep.

Hallucinatory, psychedelic and merging a wide range of complementary colors and imaginary, Neumann’s paintings have been known to feature the odd mythological creature, such as a blind cyclops monster.

Neumann and his cohorts at The MAX are spawning local talent as an art incubator, and the space features six partitioned studio spaces, two large open studio and classroom areas.

He’s a featured artist in Couch Sessions this summer, on June 3 an intimate, lounge-y kind of Ocala arts fundraiser.

Before that, Neumann will be participating in two major MAX events: On May 7, the painter joins artists Jade Amber, Drake Arnold, Justin Alsedek and other locals in the Battle of the Brushes at 8th Ave. Gallery. The live painting starts at 2 p.m., and the event will last around nine hours.

Other artists featured include Teddy Sykes, Mel Fiorentino, Chris

Hershberger, Jordan Shapot and Andrew Raymond.

The event will feature live music Glizzy Gillespie from 2 to 3:30 p.m.; Sam Carlson and his Borderline Brothers from 4 to 7 p.m. and Just Joel from 8 to 11 p.m. Infinite Ale Brewery beer, wine and other nonalcoholic beverages will be available, sponsored by the David and Lisa Midgett Foundation. Proceeds from all merch sales will benefit the Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) and the Magnolia Art Xchange (MAX).

Then there’s the annual “Art Heist,” a fundraising event/game that allows donors a chance to win or “steal” an original piece of art on May 13 at the Magnolia Art Xchange.

Think of it as a “Dirty Santa” of sorts. Those lucky enough to purchase a winning ticket can choose from a selection of original artwork created by locals.

If someone happens to select the artwork you wanted before your chance, you can “steal” it for a price. MAX has also added a little mystery, they say, and one hidden artwork that will be up for grabs and won’t be unveiled until the end of the game.

The money raised at the event will support MAX’s “continued efforts to further the creativity and professionalism of local artists as a collaborative resource hub for artists, educators, and art enthusiasts.”

Visit https://bit. ly/3L1SiAW for details.

“Passion, Pain, & Demon Slayin’” won second place recently at Ocala City Hall’s Spectrum of Creativity Show for Emerging Artists.

[Photo courtesy of Ryan Neumann]

Ryan Neumann [Supplied]

LOCAL BRIEFS

NATIVE PLANT GRANT & GIVE-AWAY!

By Marion Audubon Society

M

arion Audubon Society is pleased to have received a collaborative Grant from the National Audubon Society to purchase and distribute varieties of plants native to Marion County. Adding native plants to our environment increases the biodiversity and will attract more birds, bugs, and butterflies to our yards. Why bugs? That’s what the birds eat! Plant recipients will receive instructions on the purpose, care, and propagation of their plants. In the future, the propagated plants will be shared locally, increasing again the presence and value of native plants in Marion County.

Since space is limited, participants should RSVP thru MeetUp by April 30th

for the first part of the two-part event; the webinar on May 2nd. There will be availability to register for the recorded version thru May 9th. This is the “watch at home” part of the event. This first step must be completed in order to register for the actual plant give-away.

The second step is an in-person workshop where you’ll receive your new plants and learn how to plant, care for and propagate them. This will be held on May 14th.

The grant allocations are restricted to members of Marion Audubon Society.

Not yet a member? Become one today! An individual membership is $20/year. Full details are on our MeetUp App and on our website; www.marionaudubonsociety.org.

We welcome your participation in this exciting opportunity!

HOSPICE OF MARION COUNTY HONORS EXEMPLARY VOLUNTEERS

Nancy Darrow, Volunteer of the Year with HMC’s Director of Volunteer Services Bev Lafferty, Volunteer of the Year Nancy Darrow, Six Gun Thrift Store Manager Dori Peplinski, HMC Volunteer Dept. Staff Samantha Karrels and HMC Merchandising Manager Cris Picht

B8

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

AMP it up!

Check out the Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series 2022 line-up

By Ocala Gazette Staff

T

he fifth annual Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series started last Friday and is running through to July 1 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Complex’s Webb Field, located at 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala.

Presented by the Marion Cultural Alliance, Inc. in a joint partnership with the City of Ocala, the 2022 schedule of headlining and opening acts is as follows: • April 29—Headliner: LPT (Opening artist: Denis Vasenin) LPT is a Jacksonville-based 10-piece band. The group released their debut album, Sin Parar, in January 2020, which won Best Latin Album at the 18th Annual Independent Music Awards that same year. Denis Vasenin is an accomplished acoustic guitarist who specializes in flamenco, classical music, Brazilian bossa nova, jazz and popular music.

• May 6—Indigenous (Sheba the Mississippi Queen) Indigenous is a Native American blues-rock group consisting of three brothers. The group released its debut album, Things We Do, in 1998 and has won acclaim from such artists as Bonnie Raitt, the Indigo Girls and Jackson Browne.

• May 13—The Byrne Brothers (Scott Jackson) The Byrne Brothers are a traditional Irish family band from Donegal who moved to Florida in 2018 after receiving their US permanent residency for “Extraordinary ability in the arts.” The brothers are Luca, 15, on accordion; Finn, 13, on banjo; Dempsey, 10, on Bodhrán and tin whistle; and Tommy, the dad, on guitar. Scott Jackson is an award-winning singer-songwriter, dentist, Navy veteran and family man.

• May 20—The Drifters (Billy Buchanan) The Drifters, featuring Rick Sheppard, perform the hits that they have become known for, while also singing hits from the 1970s and 1980s done up in the unique Drifters style. Billy Buchanan is a dynamic entertainer, known as the “Ambassador of Rock ‘n’ Soul. He will have you swinging and swaying through the decades, from the 1950s to the 1980s and beyond.

• June 3—Reggae Force (Nostaljah) Reggae Force is one of today’s premier reggae music bands, featuring an all-star cast of musicians including Junior Jazz on vocals/guitar, Aston Barrett Jr. on drums, Peter Williamson on keyboards and Alaina Reed on bass. Nostaljah is a Reggae/R&B band formed in late 2015.

Davina and the Vagabonds perform during the kickoff of the Levitt AMP Music Series at the Martin Luther King Recreational Complex in Ocala on April 22. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

• June 10—Bette Smith (Ecliff Telford) Bette Smith is a wild rock & soul singer who traces elements of her life-affirming new album, The Good, The Bad & The Bette, to her childhood in Brooklyn, NY. Musically, it connects to the gospel music she heard in church and the soul music on the corners.

Her albums have received praise from NPR, Paste, American Songwriter, Billboard, MOJO and The New York Times.

• June 17—Natu Camara (UF Afropop Ensemble) Regarded as “the Tina Turner of Guinea,” Natu Camara is an impassioned singersongwriter who blends afro-rock, pop and soul and can sing in five different languages.

Founded in 2021, UF’S African Popular Music Ensemble specializes in the popular music of the African continent, with a special focus on Afrobeat, highlife, soukous and African Jazz.

• June 24—Melvin Williams Acoustic Trio (The Gospel Echoes) Seven-time Grammy-nominated artist Melvin Williams is an American traditional gospel roots singer, songwriter and producer.

• July 1—Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts (Ocala Symphony Orchestra) Led by freewheeling frontman Miles Nielsen, The Rusted Hearts have been wowing audiences for years with the diversity of their sound, the tightness of their four-part harmonies and the quality of their song craft. The Ocala Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Matthew Wardell, is one of Marion County’s premier performing arts organizations since 1975.

All shows run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be no concert on May 27. If inclement weather were to occur, the concert series would move indoors to the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center located at 1510 N.W. 4th St. in Ocala.

For more information about Ocala’s Levitt AMP Music Series, contact Grants and Outreach Manager Jennifer Normoyle at jnormoyle@ocalafl.org.

John and Joyce Luddy talk to each other as they wait for Davina and Vagabonds to start playing on April 22. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

‘Gazette’ concludes its celebration of National Poetry Month with a new, never-before-published poem by one of its reporters

By Ocala Gazette Staff

T

o celebrate National Poetry Month this year, James Blevins, the Gazette’s in-house reporter and poet—who has seen his work previously published in Salt Hill Journal, Pretty Owl Poetry, Stoneboat Journal, Mud Season Review and AZURE, as well as numerous

other outlets both online and in print— elected to pick five poems for publication, one for each Friday in April, concluding today with a new, never-before-published poem of his own.

Blevins said that he hopes you enjoyed the month and poems, and that you continue to read and celebrate poetry wherever you happen to find it.

After Depth and Long Waste

By James Blevins

The nature of a flood of light within oneself without explanation is a hushed song that grows louder with one’s love inside:

Dance Alive National Ballet’s Resident School Pofahl Studios Proudly presents

The Next Generation’s Mother’s Day Concert May 8th @ 4 PM Eastside High School Theatre 1201 SE 43 Street 352-371-2986 info@ dancealive.org Graphic design Mia Christie

it’s like a thought suddenly occurring to glisten like the stars, and then the absolute clarity to know why.

James Blevins was born in Oak Harbor, Ohio, in 1981. He is an award-winning poet and journalist who graduated from the College of Central Florida in 2017.

Bitterzoet Press published his first

All artist descriptions above in italics were found on the Levitt AMP Music Series website.

chapbook, What Nature Keeps Secret, in 2018. Blevins’ son, Gavin, is about to graduate high school in June and he is very proud of him.

B9

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Another successful golf tournament for McKenzie’s Moment

By Ocala Gazette Staff

A

fter Ryan and Kait Gray lost their daughter McKenzie when she was born 11 weeks premature, they sought a way to honor their daughter.

Both part of the golf community, the Grays started hosting an annual golf event to celebrate McKenzie’s life and raise money for causes close to their hearts.

According to Kait, this week’s tournament raised over $350k for charities. AdventHealth Ocala received $200k of the proceeds, Marian Rivera Foundation $60k, the Public Education Foundation of Marion County $60k, and Louis Oosthuizen’s Louis57 Foundation $15k.

The winning celebratory golfer, Robert Gamez, along with his amateur team won the tournament and donated $15k to the Robert Gamez Foundation.

Photos By Cyndi Chambers Correspondent

Ryan Gray and his wife Kait (background) welcome celebrities, athletes and local golfers to the McKenzie’s Moment Golf Tournament on Monday, April 25, 2022, at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club in Ocala. McKenzie’s Moment was started by the Gray’s to honor their baby McKenzie who passed away in 2018 three days after her premature birth.

Former MLB catcher Toby Hall enjoys a day of golf.

Local professional golfer Ted Potter Jr enjoys a day of golf.

Local professional golfer Louis Oosthuizen watches his tee shot.

Former MLB pitcher Mariano Rivera watches his tee shot.

The Four Diamond, World Equestrian Center Ocala.

THE ULTIMATE KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY. Friday, May 6th 8:00 pm-10:30 pm Guests will enjoy a display of exotic & classic cars, festive cocktails, fine culinary offerings, scotch & bourbon tastings, luxury brand displays, great music, best derby hat contest & more MOTORSPORTS GATHERING Saturday, May 7th 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

200+ exotic, classic & muscle cars will be on display at this Four Diamond resort.

Join the fun and display your car with us! After the car show watch the Kentucky Derby on 100 ft Jumbo-Tron’s.

For sponsor details, tickets or to register a show car: www.festivalsofspeed.com / 352-406-9325

B10

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Rev. Beck publishes new book ‘Painting with Ashes’

By Rosemarie Dowell Correspondent

O

cala native and author the Rev. Dr. Michael Beck has penned yet another book, but his latest work is far different from his previous faith-based how-to tomes.

Instead, Beck’s seventh book, “Painting with Ashes,” chronicles the now 41-year-old’s journey from the dark abyss of drug addiction, gangbanger life, and multiple incarcerations in his teens and twenties to an increasing role within the United Methodist Church.

“My wife calls my previous books, ‘church nerd,’ books,” said Beck, who’s

co-pastored St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Ocala with his wife, the Rev. Jill Beck, since July 2020. “They’re how-to guidebooks and no one gets excited about them.”

While his newlypublished 242-page book, (Invite Press) delves into Beck’s troubled life and ultimate redemption, it also features stories on Elon Musk, Mayo Angelou, Fred Rogers, and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and how they turned their weaknesses into superpowers.

“Painting with Ashes is bigger than me,” said Beck, who earned a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Doctorate in Semiotics and Future Studies at Portland Seminary and was encouraged by his publisher to write his story. “It’s more than just what I’ve overcome.”

“I weaved in people across the ages who have taken their great pain and found a way to bring healing to others,” he said. Beck is also the Director of the Fresh Expressions House of Studies at United Theological Seminary, Director of Re-Missioning for Fresh Expressions US, and Cultivator of Fresh Expressions for the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church “God uses our experiences to help others.”

Fresh Expressions is a form of church that takes place in non-traditional settings, including dog parks and tattoo parlors and the Becks currently direct more than a dozen of them in the area.

Beck’s previous books include, “Deep

Roots, Wild Branches: Revitalizing the Church in the Blended Ecology, and “Deep & Wild: Remissioning Your Church from the Outside In, A Field Guide to Methodist Fresh Expressions,” among others.

Up until Sunday, Beck also shared co-pastoring duties with Jill at Wildwood United Methodist Church for nearly ten years, where they increased membership by several hundred congregants. Jill Beck will continue to be the lead pastor at Wildwood; the couple share a blended family of eight children.

“There was a lot of tears when I told the congregation I was leaving,” said Beck, who recently began another role as a professor at United Theological Seminary. “But everyone at Wildwood is thrilled that Jill is continuing as pastor.”

Beck was raised by his loving grandparents, Russell and Marion Beck, after his mother abandoned him due to drug addiction. He grew up faithfully attending and was baptized at St. Mark’s, the very church he now pastors.

The death of his beloved, “gramp,” when he was ten devastated Beck though, especially since he never knew his biological father.

“That was pretty much a gamechanger; he was like a father to me,” said Beck, who dropped out of high school at 15 and began using and selling drugs, and delving into gang activity.

Multiple arrests followed, and Beck was jailed numerous times, but the birth of his daughter, Caitlin in the late 1990s when he was 18-years-old proved pivotal.

“My daughter was born in the middle of my addiction and craziness and I had a God moment,” he said. “God had placed her life in my life and I was the only daddy she would ever have, and I didn’t want her to grow up without one as I had.”

Beck said he picked up a Gideon Bible left behind by his mother during one of her rare visits and it opened to the Book of Timothy. He then prayed and went to take a shower.

“I had a real encounter with God; I

could feel him and His presence,” said Beck, who soon after ran into the Rev. Dan Jones, then pastor of St. Marks, who suggested he start attending AA meetings.

“He told me ‘Jesus will save your soul, but AA will save your butt’,” said Beck, who ignored the suggestion but did get involved with church and outreach groups.

For four years, Beck walked a more righteous path and stayed out of trouble, earning his GED and AA from the College of Central Florida. But when his grandmother, “gram” passed away in 2003, leaving him alone and on the streets, he relapsed.

“I started on a downward spiral of drug addiction and ended up in prison again,” said Beck, who credits an African American prison guard for setting him on the right path once again.

“I was in solitary confinement and they slipped me a Bible through the meal slot and that was the second pivotal moment in my life,” he said.

“As soon as I got out, I went to Pastor Dan and told him he was right,” said Beck, who found love and acceptance among church members, which eventually lead him to a final path of healing and recovery. He met Jill in 2007.

In 2009, he began helping out at St. Mark’s, earned his degrees by 2011, and eventually was named an associate pastor.

His first role as a lead pastor was at a tiny declining church in Lochloosa, south of Gainesville, where he quickly implemented new programs that brought new life to the church. The Becks were assigned to Wildwood UMC in 2012.

As for his latest opus, Beck said people are purchasing the book to send to loved ones in rehab and prison.

“I think it gives people hope,” he said.

“No matter how wounded you are or what you’ve been through in life, God can heal and redeem you.”

“I’m proof of that,” said Beck.

Surgical expertise that revolves around you.

Expertise. Innovation. Technology.

From minimally invasive procedures to complex surgery, AdventHealth Ocala is leading the way to reimagine surgical care.

Backed by national awards and accreditations, our specialists use the latest innovations, like robotic surgical systems, that mean less pain, less scarring, and a quicker recovery – so you can feel whole and get back to the life you love.

AdventHealthOcala.com

B11

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Citizens celebrate our ‘Blue Marble’ with activities and entertainment on Earth Day

P

eople gathered at Tuscawilla Park in Ocala on Saturday, April 23, to celebrate Earth Day and help demonstrate support for environmental protection. Hosted by the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department, the Earth Day festivities featured a youth fishing derby, tree and rock wall climbing, vendors, food trucks, entertainment and tree giveaways. Earth Day was first held on April 22, 1970, and now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally in more than 193 countries. The official theme for 2022 is “Invest In Our Planet.”

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Alannah Wilson, 4, front, Emily Wilson, 7, top left, and Lacey Snyder, 6, top right, show off their butterfly masks.

Jaici Cave, 7, Luke McBride, 8, and Zane Reese, 9, left to right, climb to dizzying heights in an oak tree.

Left: People gather to pick out free trees during Earth Day at Tuscawilla Park in Ocala.

Right: Jessica Rivera of Common Ground, right, helps Katt Wolfe, 14, climb a large oak tree.

OCALA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES 2022-2023 SEASON

DOG ADOPTED AFTER 735 DAYS IN SHELTER

File photo: Members of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble perform during the Red, White and OSO Blue: A Salute to Independence concert at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala on July 4, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

By Ocala Gazette Staff

T

he Ocala Symphony Orchestra announced their 2022-2023 schedule on April 26. The upcoming season will feature “exciting programming and world-class soloists,” according to the press release, with Maestro Matthew Wardell conducting his 14th season.

Special concerts begin on July 3, 2022 with “Red, White and Ocala Symphony Blue: A Salute to Our Troops,” while subscription performances begin Halloween weekend with “Spellbinding

Beginnings” on Oct. 29 and 30, 2022.

Current subscribers can renew subscriptions by calling the Reilly Arts Center box office at (352) 351-1606 or visiting in person at 500 N.E. 9th St. in Ocala, Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New subscriptions go on sale on July 5 at 10 a.m. Single tickets for the concert season will be available on Aug. 2.

For more information, visit www. reillyartscenter.com/symphony/ orchestra/.

2022-2023 Ocala Symphony Orchestra Subscription Concerts • “Spellbinding Beginnings” Saturday, October 29—7:30 p.m. & Sunday, October 30—3:00 p.m.

• “Pops! Goes the Holidays” Saturday, December 3—7:30 p.m. & Sunday, December 4—3:00 p.m.

• “Italian Impressions” Saturday, January 28—7:30 p.m. & Sunday, January 29—3:00 p.m.

• “The Sounds of Hollywood” Saturday, February 25—7:30 p.m. & February 26—3:00 p.m.

• “Youthful Renderings” Saturday, March 18—7:30 p.m. & Sunday, March 19—3:00 p.m.

• “(Pop) Music America” Saturday, April 29—7:30 p.m. & Sunday, April 30—3:00 p.m.

2022-2023 Ocala Symphony Orchestra Special Events

• “Red, White and Ocala Symphony Blue: A Salute to Our Troops” Sunday, July 3—3 p.m.

• “Nosferatu: Silent Film with Live Music” Saturday, October 22—7:30 p.m.

(Venue: Marion Theatre) • “Handel’s Messiah” Sunday, November 20—3:00 p.m.

• “Symphony Under the Lights” Friday, December 2—7:30 p.m.

• “Young Artist Competition: Honors Recital” Saturday, January 14—3:00 p.m.

New owners of Rajah [Supplied]

By Ocala Gazette Staff

R

ajah, a long-term resident of the Marion County Animal Center, found new owners and his forever home after 735 days of waiting, announced the Humane Society of Marion County last Friday. “[He] was with us for a long time,” said an Animal Center official. “He had ice cream, belly rubs, lots of laughs and as many fans. But we’re grateful [for his] adopters for giving him his well-deserved chance at a life out of the shelter.”

First joining the Animal Center in 2016, Rajah was found tied to a stop sign by Vanguard High School. Initially,

he was adopted in 2017, but due to unfortunate events was returned in early 2020. Not till April 18, 2022 was Rajah finally adopted again.

“He will surely be missed by the staff and volunteers who had the pleasure of aiding him on his road home,” an official added.

B12

APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

SCORE BOARD SELECTED MARION COUNTY

HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE

SPORTS RESULTS

West Port’s Tiara Chavis (12) makes it safely to second base as Belleview’s Emily Pearce (10) looks for the out during a softball game at Belleview High School in Belleview on April 21. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

PREP BASEBALL SCORES

APRIL 19 - 25

PREP SOFTBALL (FAST PITCH) SCORES

April 19 Lake Weir Belleview

3 10

Vanguard Forest

3 18

Trinity Catholic Santa Fe

5 10

North Marion Dunnellon

6 5

April 20

April 19

10 0

Lake Weir Tavares

1 11

Vanguard South Sumter

3 9

West Port North Marion

0 5

Ocala Christian Academy Peniel Baptist Academy

7 10

Citrus Trinity Catholic

0 3

North Marion Forest

0 1

April 22 Atlantic Coast Trinity Catholic

3 1

April 25

8 5

April 25

13 9

Forest South Lake

2 9

2 3

Vanguard Lake Weir

14 1

Mount Dora Christian Academy 1 Trinity Catholic 2

Chiefland North Marion

6 3

April 20

Peniel Baptist Academy Ocala Christian Academy

3 2

Gainesville Forest

5 6

Palatka North Marion

8 0

West Port Belleview

11 6

Lake Weir Dunnellon

22 14

1 11

Williston Forest

6 2

St. John Lutheran Saint Francis Catholic

3 11

Peniel Baptist Academy North Marion

7 4

Windermere Prep Trinity Catholic

0 1

West Port’s Ryleigh Bauer (3) throws a pitch during a softball game at Belleview High School on April 21.

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

3 1

St. Johns River State College’s Tripp McKinlay (21) makes the throw to complete the double play after sending the College of Central Florida’s Edrick Felix (2) out at second base during a baseball game at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on April 20. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

COLLEGE BASEBALL SCORES April 20 St. Johns River State College College of Central Florida

4 6

April 22 College of Central Florida St. Johns River State College

8 11

April 23 College of Central Florida Seminole State College

9 6

April 25 Seminole State College College of Central Florida

5 8

The College of Central Florida’s Carson Bayne (10) gets tagged out at first base by St. Johns River State College’s Connor Morgan (7) during a baseball game at the College of Central Florida in Ocal on April 20. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

April 21

Ocala Christian Academy Redeemer Christian

Interlachen West Port

4 0

Crystal River Dunnellon

Interlachen Vanguard

Vanguard West Port

The Villages Charter Belleview

12 0

Vanguard Gainesville

16 0

5 4

The Villages Charter Dunnellon

0 4

Real Life Christian Academy St. John Lutheran

April 22

Forest Belleview

West Port Lake Weir

April 21

Results were gathered from MaxPreps.com and compiled by James Blevins

Belleview’s Gigi Santiago (2) throws a pitch during a softball game at Belleview High School on April 21.

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

West Port’s Reilly Bair (1) scores as Belleview’s catcher Maicey Wilsher (12) looks for the out during a softball game at Belleview High School in Belleview on April 21. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Belleview players warm-up on a pink lined field for their game against West Port during a “Pink” softball game to honor cancer survivors and people who passed away from cancer at Belleview High School in Belleview on April 21. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Belleview’s Jordan McLaughlin (7) catches a hit in the outfield during a softball game at Belleview High School on April 21.

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

The College of Central Florida’s Kevin Kilpatrick (1) slides safely back to first base as St. Johns River State College’s Connor Morgan (7) looks for the out during a baseball game at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on April 20. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette] 2022.