Ocala Gazette | July 29 - August 4, 2022

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022

County’s WEC Jockey Club decision appealed

Disbanded PAC strikes at commission candidates Zalak and Sams Keith Poole’s campaign financial records reflect possible connection to PAC.

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

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WEC Ocala Jockey Club is shown north of Ocala, Fla. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]. 2022.

By Rosemarie Dowell rosemarie@ocalagazette.com

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everal adjacent or nearby landowners and a group dedicated to preserving the area’s rural farmland have filed an appeal challenging Marion County’s recent approval of a rezoning request by the developers of the WEC (World Equestrian Center) Jockey Club.

Several of the parties have also filed a request for a formal administrative hearing disputing the county commission’s adoption of amendments to its Comprehensive Plan, which allowed the rezoning.

The challenges were filed July 20 in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court in Marion County.

“We are seeking judicial review on the rezoning, based on records, the county staff report recommending denial and an expert witness,” said attorney Ralf Brookes, who is representing the petitioners in both cases.

“The administrative hearing request is because the Comprehensive Plan amendments were not supported by data or analysis,” he said.

In a controversial move, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners in a 3-to-2 vote June 21 approved Golden Ocala Equestrian Land LLC’s application for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the 1,029-acre site, located on County Road 318 near Irvine rural northwest Marion County.

Just before that decisive vote, commissioners adopted the Comprehensive Plan changes - a future land use map amendment and associated text amendment - which then allowed them to vote on the application.

The land’s rezoning from mostly agricultural to PUD will allow Golden Ocala, owned by long-distance trucking industry billionaires Larry and Mary Roberts, developers of WEC Ocala, to build a second similar multi-use venue of 94 site-built homes, a 100-site RV park, stadiums, polo fields, commercial/retail space, convenience store with a gas station, and more on the property.

The yes votes took place over the objections of county staff, which recommended denial of both the amendments and rezoning and multitudes of residents who vehemently opposed the proposed development, due to its location within the county’s Farmland Preservation Area (FPA) and because it included 120,000-square-feet of commercial development, among other reasons.

During the meeting, county staff, led by senior planner Chris Rison, cited several grounds for its denial recommendation including that the plans were not consistent with the county’s Comprehensive Plan, would adversely affect the public interest, and would not be compatible with the surrounding uses.

In the appeal petition, plaintiffs Damian and Rebecca Guthrie, Save Our Rural Areas, Inc. (SORA), Don Love, Michael

and Jacki Robinson, Jennifer Hale and Karen Courchaine allege the approval of the rezoning application by the county “violates the essential requirements of law,” due to double and triple dipping of development density and intensity.

According to the county’s planning staff, the petition states, the residential density (units) and commercial intensity (square footage) were calculated from the same portion of the property (double-dipping) that had already transferred residential density to an existing condominium on the Ocala Jockey Club property that was approved a few years ago (i.e., “triple dipping’) – hence the planning staff recommendation for denial.

“They (Golden Ocala) are taking the same piece of land and using it three times; once for the townhomes already there, another for the proposed home sites, and another for the commercial development,” said Brookes.

According to the petition for writ of certiorari and the administrative hearing requests, the individual petitioners’ properties are all within 1,000 feet of the WEC Jockey Club property and all would be adversely affected by the proposed development. The Guthries’ farm of roughly 22 acres is directly adjacent to it.

The judicial review request also alleges the commissioners ignored the proposed development’s density, compatibility, and environmental issues yet to be determined,

ocal voters are receiving two direct mail hit pieces aimed at county commission candidates Carl Zalak and Rachel Sams.

Zalak and Sams are both running for the District 4 county commission seat, and the other opponent on the ballot is Keith Poole. There are also two write-in candidates in this race.

Both mailers indicate they were paid for by a PAC named Citizens for Accountable Government. According to state records, the PAC notified the state it was disbanding on June 20, 2022, after a two year history reflecting multiple fines by the state for failing to comply with the state’s reporting rules.

The chairperson for the PAC was Lauren Pardo, who shares a business address with Groundswell Strategies. The website says Pardo is VP of the organization.

Financial contributions to the PAC have no obvious Ocala/ Marion County connection.

However, one candidate, Poole, has reported $14,700 in expenditures to Groundswell Strategies for “mailers.”

All three candidates denied knowing who was behind the PAC mailers.

Sams attack

One mailer calls Sams a “fired cop.” A message that her opponent Keith Poole has

See Plaintiffs, page A2

See Candidates, page A2

County commission candidate Poole rubs in old wounds to disparage opponent Time and public records shed new light on Rachel Sams’ struggle navigating harassment and retaliation Editor’s note: This article contains graphic language that could be offensive or disturbing to some readers.

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

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n issue that many in Ocala might prefer to keep in the past has re-emerged in the runup to the Aug. 23 Republican primary election in the Marion County District 4 commission

race: allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation from 2016 against then-Police Chief Greg Graham.

One of the Ocala Police Department officers at the time who filed a complaint is Rachel

Sams, then Rachel Mangum, who is running in the race to unseat incumbent Commissioner Carl Zalak. Her opponents in the primary include Keith Poole who, at a recent candidates’ forum and elsewhere, has

dredged up the 2016 case to attack Sams, labeling her “a fired, disgraced cop.’’

A law firm hired by the Ocala City Council and Mayor Kent See Controversy, page A3

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Candidates refute allegations in direct mail pieces Continued from page A1 recently taken to social media and political forums.

In a written statement to the Gazette, Sams said, “I was NOT terminated/fired from the Ocala Police Department. Resignation is not a synonym for termination no matter how many times its repeated.

I voluntarily resigned on July 16, 2017. I was NOT forced to resign in lieu of termination, either. This decision was solely made by ME, Rachel Mangum (Sams). These Lies and False Statements only display the insecurities and inaccuracies of my opponent. I will never be bullied or degraded to the extent that would waiver from my tenure as a police officer. My opponent is truly ignorant to the meaning of ‘Brotherhood’ and ‘Thin Blue Line’/‘Back the Blue’. Lies and defaming someone because of fear and ignorance is the driving force behind the anti-police sentiment running rampant across America.

I refute the claims made by bitter, desperate pawns.”

The Gazette has asked Poole what public records he reviewed to conclude that Sams was fired.

Poole would not identify specific

documents and would only generally speak to circumstances “that didn’t smell right.”

The Gazette’s initial review of public records found the statement inaccurate and a longer article on its findings begins on the front page.

Zalak attack

Another mailer criticizes Zalak for three things: closing boat ramps during the COVID-19 pandemic, being too friendly with developers and receiving financial gain from those relationships, and running for clerk of court during the last election cycle while still a county commissioner.

In a written statement to the Gazette, Zalak said, “I never voted to shut down boat ramps. The only time anything in Marion County would ever shut down was when the state mandated it during the beginning of Covid and as soon as the state lifted the mandate be opened back up. In fact in Marion County we always believe there’s a citizens medical freedom we never passed a mask mandate we never pass an ordinance for capacity and restaurants like other communities and when the Biden administration try to take away our additional monoclonal doses we said no and

kept them here for our citizens.”

As to being too friendly with developers, Zalak wrote, “And I am definitely not a developer’s best friend you can just ask them because when they need to come before the Board of County commissioners there have been plenty of times I voted against them and ask them for many more things then they wanted to give to make our community better. And this flyer would make you seem to believe that I’ve taken personal money in for a vote and that is absolutely not true. And I would ask my opponent to bring those claims to the states attorney to investigate but of course my opponent won’t do that because they know it is untrue.

The only time that I’ve had to raise money in the community from business people, family and friends is during my campaign.”

As to running for clerk of court while being a county commissioner, Zalak maintains he never abandoned his office or duties. Zalak eventually pulled out of the race for clerk of court, allowing Greg Harrell to take that seat unopposed.

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Plaintiffs seek judicial review of rezoning approval

Ralf Brookes, an attorney for the opposition to the WEC Jockey Club, front, works on making notes over a large satellite map during the Marion County Commission meeting on the WEC Jockey Club development at the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Continued from page A1

development on behalf of As for the several of the petitioners, administrative hearing as well as traffic-related as well as SORA, as did request, the petitioners issues and the costs expert planner Daryl Max - the Guthries, Love and associated with upgrading Forgey.

Save Our Rural Lands, local roads and Interstate Damian Guthrie also Inc., - also contend the 75, “all of which Golden spoke during the June comprehensive plan Ocala has not yet agreed meeting, saying: “I guess amendment is “not in to pay a specific amount all we ever wanted was compliance” because it is (as their proportionate a seat at the table, but I internally inconsistent, fair monetary share for just feel that neighboring and does not address the improvements) to date.” properties and adjoining potential impacts on the According to a traffic property owners were Rainbow Springs Group study conducted as part never really given an Basin watershed. of the county’s review of opportunity to sit down The amendment also the project, total road with the applicant.” lacks meaningful and improvements would cost The petition asks for a predictable standards to more than $60 million, “final order granting the guide future development with the developers footing writ of certiorari quashing and is urban sprawl most of the cost, but not the decision, and such “leapfrog” development all. The project would other relief as this court that is not supported entail improvements deems just and proper.” by services including to the 1960s era I-75 Golden Ocala’s attorney, potable water, sewer, interchange, as well as Jimmy Gooding, through and transportation widening County Road an employee who answered infrastructure, the legal 318, which would likely the phone at his office, said filing alleges. require the use of eminent he had, “no comment,” on It also mentions the domain, which allows a the filings. county staff ’s report on government entity or an County Attorney the rezoning application, agent to obtain private Matthew “Guy” Minter which states, “Increasing property for public use, didn’t reply to an email opportunities for urban with compensation. seeking comment sent and commercial activities A writ of certiorari is Tuesday morning, nor did in the Rural Area makes essentially a legal filing he return a phone call by delineating the separation that asks a Circuit Court deadline. of Rural and Urban Areas to review the legality and sufficiency of a local “I guess all we ever wanted was government action, while a formal administrative a seat at the table, but I just feel hearing furnishes a timely that neighboring properties and trial and resolution platform for disputes adjoining property owners were between private citizens never really given an opportunity to and organizations, and state agencies. sit down with the applicant.”

During the June 21 Damian Guthrie meeting, Brookes spoke out against the proposed

difficult. Such difficulties make efforts to support and retain Rural Areas and rural character increasingly difficult leading to increasing urban sprawl as urban uses encroach into and proliferate in Rural Areas.”

The administrative hearing request also alleges Golden Ocala has not reacted appropriately to concerns or comments raised by several state agencies that reviewed the county’s Comprehensive Plan amendment as required, including the aforementioned Rainbow Springs, the existence of federally protected or threatened or state protected wildlife species on the property and the many cultural resources in the general vicinity of the WEC Jockey Club, including multiple attempts to locate a potential historic site known as Fort Drane, thought to contain human remains.

Don Love said the majority of the group represented by Brookes is not against the WEC Jockey Club development overall, but do oppose the 94 homes that will be constructed on the property as well as the commercial aspects of it.

“Most of us are not against the Ocala Jockey Club turning into another World Equestrian Center,” he said. “But one of the things that were frustrating to all of us is the three-acre homesites that will be allowed there.

“They (the county) are not holding to the farmland preservation rule that only allows one home per 10 acres; that’s the biggest thing,” said Love. If the commercial space was off the table, he’d be more supportive of the project, too, he added.

Love said he and other residents are concerned about the Roberts family buying up so much property near the former Ocala Jockey Club site.

“My wife said they are gonna have to change the name of Ocala to Robertsville,” he said.

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Controversy resurfaces in run up to election Continued from page A1 Guinn investigated the complaints and in 2017 found “no evidence’’ to support the claims made by Sams and other female officers against Graham, who was reinstated to his position. He died in a 2020 plane crash.

However, a separate investigation by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found cause to support the allegations of retaliation against Sams for filing the grievance. Sams, who resigned from the police department in 2017, settled with the city for $75,000 in 2018.

Sams was one of three female police officers who brought allegations against Graham, the police department and the city. Those claims were also settled.

Those other cases have faded from the headlines. However, with Sams now a commission candidate, the controversy surrounding her allegations has resurfaced. A now-disbanded Miamibased political action committee recently sent a direct mail piece to Marion County voters describing Sams as a “fired” cop and asking her, “What’s your problem with former Ocala Police Chief Graham?”

Poole has suggested in recent social media posts that Sams has only herself to blame for the harassment she received from Graham.

“If you put yourself in a position and you portray yourself in such a manner that you are soliciting that attention, then you get what you paid for,’’ Poole wrote in a public post to Facebook this week.

“Whether you are a male or a female, it is very difficult to cry foul play when you were a willing participant.”

The Gazette’s review of public records do not indicate that at any time Sams was a willing participant to her harassment or retaliation from fellow police officers.

At the center of the controversy is an incident that took place in a Washington D.C. bar on May 14, 2016.

Drinking game gets out of hand

A number of Ocala Police Department officers had gone to Washington, D.C. for the National Law Enforcement Memorial (NLEM) event, during which the names of fallen officers are added to the monument. Among those attending were OPD Officer Rachel Mangum and her then boyfriend, OPD Officer Matt Sams.

The two had been dating for two years and would marry in 2021.

They were there to honor OPD Officer Jared Forsyth, who had been shot and killed in a police training accident in 2015.

Forsyth and Matt Sams were partners and both Sams and Mangum had been with him the day of the fatal accident. Mangum was standing so close to Forsyth when he was shot that her arm was scarred from shrapnel in the incident. Sams accompanied Forsyth in the ambulance to the hospital, where Forsyth succumbed to his injuries.

Sams and Mangum had used vacation time to attend the event along with Forsyth’s mother Amy. The pair paid for their own airfare and hotel.

Graham several other officers and civilians, as well as Mayor Guinn, also attended as representatives of the city. The city paid their expenses.

On May 14, Sams and Mangum joined Graham to visit the Holocaust Museum, then have dinner and eventually drinks at a bar with other OPD officers. According to deposition testimony, the bar was full of police officers from all over the country visiting for the event.

In the formal complaint filed against Graham, some of the officers and Graham started playing “Never have I ever,” a drinking game which required one person to state an inappropriate thing they had never done, mostly sexual in nature, to another participant. If the participant had engaged in the act mentioned, they would take a drink of an alcoholic beverage. Mangum testified to being uncomfortable with some of the things being said during the game and left the table to use the restroom.

According to the complaint, when Mangum returned to the table from the restroom, Graham pointed to her and shouted, “I have something for you!” Then Graham loudly said, “Never have I ever had a c--- shoved in my a---!”

Mangum testified to being offended by Graham’s statement and humiliated in the presence of her colleagues and boyfriend.

She said she reacted by redirecting the conversation.

Two other officers besides Mangum’s boyfriend corroborated her account, according to a subsequent investigation by a city-hired law firm.

There was also sworn testimony that Graham commented on Mangum’s breasts that night, comparing them to the other female officers at the table.

The Gazette reviewed photos from that

evening that reflect an inebriated Graham in inappropriate situations. One was with another female officer in a bathroom stall.

The mayor sides with the chief

On Sept. 16, 2016, other officers and Mangum filed a complaint with Ocala and the EEOC alleging “sexual harassment, hostile treatment, retaliation, and discrimination.”

Before any investigation of the officers’ claims had begun, Guinn called a press conference to announce the complaints against Graham, adding that the city had hired the Tallahassee law firm of Allen Norton & Blue to investigate. The firm had handled personnel issues for Ocala in the past.

At the news conference, the mayor then proclaimed his support for the police chief, according to published reports. “I stand beside Greg Graham and we’re going to do this investigation and move on from there,” Guinn said.

In a deposition years later, Guinn was asked why his immediate reaction was to stand by the accused rather than the officers making the complaint. He said he did it for “morale.”

Initially, the mayor did not think it necessary to suspend Graham during the investigation. But attorney Bobi J. Frank, who represented Mangum and the other officers making the complaints, went to the city council and demanded it.

Frank also appealed to the council to stop Guinn from repeatedly publicly declaring his intentions to support Graham during the investigation since it could potentially make other officers reluctant to testify as witnesses.

City council suspended Graham with pay during the city’s investigation and directed him not to have contact with anyone at the police department other than Deputy Chief Rodney Smith.

The mayor admitted years later in a deposition that he never gave that directive to Graham, instead only telling him to avoid communication with his accusers.

The city’s attorney, Patrick Gilligan, indicated he had a conflict of interest because he had served as personal counsel to Graham and they were also friends.

Stephanie Pidermann represented the city throughout the grievance period.

Less than a month later, Frank notified the city council that Allen Norton & Blue, the firm they hired for the investigation, had a conflict of interest and that her clients were facing retaliation from other officers.

Frank also said she offered the investigating firm the option of having a separate independent expert administer polygraph tests to the OPD officers and Graham. The firm refused her offer.

Allen Norton & Blue issued its final report in January 2017, and Guinn sent it immediately to the media. Frank told the Gazette she first heard about the findings from an Ocala Star-Banner reporter who had received it from Guinn.

The firm found “no evidence” of sexual harassment or retaliation for all the officers’ claims. Further, they determined that even had Graham made the statements attributed to him, they “did not rise to the level of sexual harassment.”

The report recommended Graham be reinstated with all rights and benefits pertaining to his position, and the officers who had filed the grievances “not be subjected to any unlawful retaliation for reporting these allegations.”

Graham was reinstated as police chief at the next city council meeting.

Different investigators, different results

Mangum continued to work for OPD for almost 10 months after filing her grievance against Graham. She gave notice of her resignation on July 5, 2017. She used accrued vacation time for a final separation date of July 16, 2017. In a recent social media post, Sams reiterates that she was not forced to resign her position.

Meanwhile, the EEOC investigation of the allegations continued.

Nearly a year after her resignation, in June 2018, the EEOC announced it had found cause to uphold Mangum’s complaint of retaliation.

According to minutes taken of private meetings between the city council and their attorney, Pidermann, the EEOC found Mangum had been singled out for retaliation for filing grievances against Graham.

Pidermann told the council the EEOC was pushing the city to enter into a settlement agreement with Mangum.

Pidermann expressed concern that if there were no settlement, the EEOC would refer the case to the U.S. Department of Justice.

MS. PIDERMANN: I don’t think anybody wants the Department of Justice in their back yard. In my last City, the Department of Justice

required that we report every internal complaint to them in our response and how we handle it. We had to do, like, a 90-hour, some absurd number of trainings, and I had to report to the Department of Justice everything that happened with respect to discrimination in that City for a two-year period of time. And they also mandate what they think is a reasonable settlement value. I think that as it’s within our control, before it blows up any bigger and the EEOC refers it to the Department of Justice -- granted, the Department of Justice can exert the right to take on the case or reject it, if they don’t think it’s worth their time.

At a meeting on Aug. 27, 2019 with city council, Pidermann shared her thoughts on Mangum’s claims of retaliation: MS. PIDERMANN: ……Look, I have a safety concern with officers calling off on - - not responding, not giving backup.

That’s a concern. It puts our officers -COUNCIL MEMBER JUSTIN GRABELLE: She alleges that?

MS. PIDERMANN: Yeah, and she gives specific incident, incident report numbers, so we can double-check the CAD report and see who called off and why. Granted, my argument is I don’t have control over the rank and file. I only have control over the supervisors, but it’s a trickle-down effect of, yes, they are blacklisted because they complained.

During that same meeting, the council expressed concerns a settlement would incentivize more claims. But Pidermann felt that if the city continued to fight the claims, there would be opportunity for new retaliation claims to hatch “given the hesitation and the concern I personally witnessed in speaking to current officers, who are in fear for testifying in these cases and in fear for retaliation.”

Pidermann told the council there were officers who had not yet been deposed, but she knew their testimony would not be favorable to the City.

The EEOC finding opened the door for Mangum to file a suit for damages, which she didn’t. Instead, she settled her claim with the city for $75,000.

Piedermann said she was surprised.The meeting transcript reads: MS. PIDERMANN: She must have just wanted to be done with this and put it behind her. She is actually really angry.

On Mangum, she’s the only one who - out of them who got a for-cause. And I have a feeling it’s because she had some corroborating testimony above what we have. Because the EEOC would not disclose to me who they -- what information they obtained that allowed them to enter that for-cause, because it’s confidential until the full thing is wrapped up . But the investigator assured me that they had evidence .

They’re like, “Look, there’s a reason we gave one for-cause and not the other.”

Pidermann told the council that Mangum had no interest in continuing to work for the Ocala Police Department, and part of the settlement agreement was that Mangum would not disparage or seek employment with the City of Ocala. Under the agreement, the city would also not disparage Mangum.

The Gazette asked Sams why she hadn’t moved OPD to correct the record it sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement indicating that she had resigned during an internal investigation that never materialized. Pidermann acknowledged the inaccurate report to FDLE was another example of retaliation Sams had faced as it could possibly prevent her from being hired at another agency if she wanted to go back to law enforcement.

Sams waved off the question. “I’ve moved on,” she said.

The aftermath

Speaking of her time in OPD between filing complaints against the chief and eventually leaving the department, Sams explained, “I kept my nose to the ground.”

“The biggest thing for me initially was what do I tell the general public? I had to treat the subject with kid gloves,” she said.

Public sentiment at the time, she recalled, was, “Why would you upset the community?”

“I had two jobs in between leaving OPD and getting my [financial] advisory license,” Sams said. One time, she had her brother reach out to the potential employer to smooth the way for her by explaining why she was diverging from the law enforcement education and experience reflected on her resume.

Within weeks of Mangum quitting the department in 2017, her boyfriend and future husband Matt Sams did, too. He would also file a complaint against OPD alleging retaliation with the EEOC which

Rachel Sams [Suppl;ied]

was aso settled.

The couple had to make significant lifestyle changes to survive after leaving OPD. Matt estimates they blew through at least $40,000 of savings initially. Rachel worked at a farm, “stocking shelves, baling hay, helping deliver horses, whatever was necessary.” Matt initially explored retail opportunities, but eventually became a private investigator.

It was hard on Rachel’s family, too.

“They treated the subject publicly with kid gloves, too, but they were in my corner,” she said.

Rachel told the Gazette, “There’s a reason why laws are made. There’s a reason why rules are developed. We as humans err. But there has to be checks and balances in the end. We all have to take responsibility for our own actions. And who will trust you to take responsibility for them when they need help if you can’t take personal responsibility?”

Despite the difficult circumstances, Rachel said she never questioned whether she did the right thing.

“If you are not willing to stand up and fight for yourself,’’ she said, “how are you going to fight for anyone else?”

Still committed

Commission candidate Poole, who has raised this incident and other events from years ago to attack Sams for her behavior and judgment, has had his own troubles in the past. Poole has openly admitted he faced criminal charges for giving alcohol to underage people but asks voters to dismiss the seriousness of that offense. Since the offense was some time ago, the Gazette could only find limited information on the Marion County Clerk of Court’s website. It appears that Poole’s offense was addressed through a pre-trial court intervention program.

In another attack on Sams’ character, Poole recently highlighted a photo of her at age 19 holding up a sign with a suggestive message.

Asked about the sign, Sams told the Gazette she came across a homeless man outside of a restaurant holding a sign. She paid him for it and posted the picture of her holding it on her social media.

“I was 19, and at the time I thought it was funny,” she said with a shrug.

Another photo being circulated by Guinn recently on social media, despite the nondisparagement agreement between the city and Sams, shows Sams being pushed in a shopping cart in Washington D.C. The Gazette asked her about the circumstances surrounding the photo.

“If you’ve ever been to Washington D.C., you know everything closes down at a certain time and someone left a shopping cart out,’’ she said. “We were being silly.

My friends were trying to cheer me up.”

Sams said she was not drunk in the photo with the shopping cart, as her political opponents are suggesting. “Anybody who knows me knows I don’t drink very much because I get migraines,” she said.

The Gazette asked Poole if he had ever experienced sexual harassment personally.

He replied that he found the question “inappropriate.”

“I have a young daughter. I have raised my daughter to act appropriately. When you put yourself in an environment and you act a certain way and you are going to be treated a certain way,” he said.

For her part, Sams said she is still committed to serving her hometown.

“I could have moved on and tried to restart somewhere else,’’ she said, “but I didn’t. I have remained.’’

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Elections Q & A with the candidates Editor’s Note: Leading up to the 2022 primary and general elections, we’ll be asking candidates to weigh in regularly on a question related to the office they seek. The

candidates are given almost a week to respond to the questions in writing. We ask that the candidates keep their answers under 250 words, and we do not edit them at all.

County court judicial candidates What led you to the field of law?

File photo: The Marion County Judicial Center on Wednesday, August 5, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

Seat 1

LeAnn Barnes My passion for the law began in Mr. Philbrook’s Law Studies Class.

Mr. Philbrook was one of my teachers at North Marion High School. He was not only an amazing teacher but he was also a University of Florida graduate and the first lawyer I had ever met. His class intrigued my interest because of the passion he showed for the law, along with his unique style of teaching and dress attire, as he always loved to wear these unique Hawaiian style button up Florida Gator shirts. His teachings not only gave me a better understanding of the law and my constitutional rights, but it also gave me a chance to learn life lessons, to develop critical thinking skills and a chance to analyze and debate topics we could all relate to. He also taught us strategic study skills that I continued to use throughout my college career. Anything double underlined was important! Although Mr. Philbrook had a reputation for being a tough teacher, I believe his toughness and stern style of teaching prepared me for what I had to handle as a law student and now as a lawyer.

Danielle Ruse My family led me to the field of law. We were raised listening to CLE cassettes on the way to school, so when it came

time to choose a career it was an easy decision.

Renee Thompson My interest in the law comes from many sources.

As a child, I remember taking special interest in the critical role lawyers, judges, and the courtroom play in society - which came mostly from television and was probably somewhat exaggerated. The rule of law and the concept of seeking justice in a fair and neutral forum was fascinating to me. However, the process appeared somewhat intimidating in my youth as I did not know any lawyers or judges and had not met a female attorney, being raised by parents who were both in education.

During my college freshman year, my parents were hit by a driver under the influence of alcohol who fled the scene. By the grace of God their lives were spared. A lawyer helped them attain compensation for their medical bills and demolished vehicle. It was comforting to have someone advocate for them and help my family seek a remedy for their losses.

Often the media portrays the law as oppositional in nature. but it can be cooperative. In reality, trial is the last option and not the way the vast majority of cases are resolved. Trial is time consuming, expensive and nerveracking for the litigants. I began to better understand and appreciate the role of the legal system - to help seek the truth and resolve disputes, which renewed my interest because I am a problem solver by nature. This coupled with a strong desire to help others led me to pursue a career in law.

Seat 2

Lori Cotton My earliest career aspirations included veterinarian, astronaut, and professional musician.

However, I was drawn to a career that involved helping others. My parents emphasized hard work, education and patriotism. They raised me to know I have an obligation to make my community a better place. Those values remain with me today.

In college, I aspired to work for the government, and I began as a political science major, changing to history, knowing that law school was my next goal.

In law school, I knew that I wanted to be a prosecutor…the white knight, the one who protects the community and ensures justice. As an Assistant State Attorney, I loved that part of my job description was to simply do what was right, and I was proud to fight for victims and to do what I could to make our community safer.

As a judge, I still get to help the community; I just do it from a different seat in the courtroom. It falls on my shoulders to make sure that the Constitution and the laws are being followed. It is my responsibility to provide justice by ensuring access to the courts and fully listening to everyone who comes before me.

The little Lori who dreamed of being an astronaut might have been surprised to see me where I am now! But here I am, and I truly believe that I am where I am meant to be…serving the community.

William Harris While on the campaign trail, I have advised potential voters of the farming history of my family. As was the case with many

families from yesteryear, people in Marion County worked the land. My maternal grandmother, Ollie Colden Gary, was born in farmhouse in 1906 in the Lowell community near Reddick, Florida and had 12 siblings. She began teaching in the segregated schools of Marion County in the mid-1930’s and retired in 1976. As a child, she expected us to complete assigned chores and always emphasized the importance of education and personal accountability.

Those early lessons of hard work and respect for education took root and shaped how I perceived the world and any injustice within it. As I grew older, I developed a close relationship with several of my grandmother’s siblings who would discuss their experiences of being barred from opportunities due to racial barriers. Roscoe Colden, born in 1908, worked in the citrus groves of Lake County well into his 70’s.

When visiting family, he would bring bags of grapefruit, tangerines and navel oranges and ALWAYS emphasized doing well in school despite him never having the opportunity to receive an education. Malquiese Mac Colden, born in 1915, would become a business owner in Miami, Florida and returned to Lowell in the late 1970’s. He was an incredibly hard working man and would discuss the problem of racial obstacles that confronted him as a young man despite his best efforts. In spite of these circumstances, he instilled in me the importance of working hard despite your individual circumstances to accomplish a goal. The conversations and lessons learned from these venerable family members encouraged me to set my sights on attending law school with the desire to help people within this society that want to better themselves.

School board candidates What role should schools play in providing mental health services to students?

File photo: School crossing guard William Vernon on the last day of school at Eighth Street Elementary School in Ocala on Thursday, May 26, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

District 2

Lori Conrad Mental health impacts the well being of the students in our schools.

Not only in Marion County but nation wide.

First, let’s describe what being mentally healthy looks like among school aged children? Being mentally healthy means children reach their developmental and emotional benchmarks. They learn how to manage their social interactions with family and friends in a healthy way.

They can cope with their feelings when they meet an obstacle. Mentally healthy children have a positive quality of life and can function well at home and in school.

As members of the public school

system we observe and collect data to help or assist in identifying children with symptoms related to mental illness. Some of these illnesses may include but aren’t limited to anxiety disorders, attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), depression, dealing with grief and suicide. Parents and caregivers may share this data with their child’s pediatrician to create a treatment plan that best meets the needs of their child. Without treatment, these mental health conditions can prevent children from reaching their full potential.

Research has shown there is great value in developing comprehensive mental health programs in our schools. When we help our students manage or overcome these issues we are helping them meet their academic potential. Interventions provided within the school setting help students have a better and more positive school experiences that build their social skills, leadership skills, self-awareness, and positive connections with their peers and

the adults in their school community.

Joseph Suranni, who is also running for District 2, did not answer this question.

District 3

Steven Swett What roles should Marion County schools have in the mental health of student is a complicated question. I would offer these five ideas for consideration.

1. Talking about mental health and how to promote good mental health is necessary. Open and honest conversations with students and their parents is vital. Parents must be fully involved and aware of mental health

issues affecting their children. No mental health treatment without parent notification and consent.

2. Training of teachers and school personnel is important. There is a required training program in county schools, so the county is on the right track. We must proceed carefully in this area as teachers cannot be overburdened with unrealistic workloads and areas of responsibility The home should be the first line of in addressing mental health issues. Of course, the schools must be proactive, the goal is to help the student.

3. Teaching, mental health should be taught as forthright as physical health.

There should be no stigma with addressing mental health. Looking for warning signs and identifying deeply troubled students is training critical for teachers 4. Real support, with tools and personnel to aid the classroom teacher is essential. Teachers must be involved but not overburdened with unrealistic demands.

Teachers are not mental health experts.

A5

JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

5. Care of teachers, classroom teachers have a demanding and stressful job. Their wellbeing must not be neglected in any programs implemented.

A complex challenge that will require ongoing attention and effort.

Eric Cummings, who is also running for District 3, did not answer this question.

District 5

Dr. Sarah James I believe there is a shared responsibility between the schools and our families to provide mental health services and support to our students.

Our students spend 1/3 of their day in our schools and for some, the conversations and relationships they have and build with our school staff are incredibly valuable. In many instances, our staff is the first line of defense for noticing and identifying behaviors that are unusual and concerning

in our students.

As a district we have established protocols on our school sites. When teachers notice concerning behaviors, school based counselors and social workers have steps to follow to ensure that the teacher’s report of behavior is thoroughly followed up on. If necessary, there are referral steps in place for the student to get the supports they need.

Finally, each campus has a SRO (School Resource Officer) so that if a student needs immediate services they can be available to them.

Ultimately, I believe both the parents and school need to be proactive instead of reactive in regards to mental health.

This is accomplished by building healthy relationships with our students / children that are grounded in trust and compassion. When we have a strong positive relationship with the student, we are able to identify when they are struggling and provide resources to them so they can get the help they need.

We are all in this together. We need extended families to talk openly. Youth pastors, coaches, aunts and uncles, and grandparents all have a shared level of responsibility to talk with parents and

schools when they see a child struggling.

When we work together, the impact we can make is tremendous.

Taylor Smith The role of schools in mental health can be taken directly from Florida HB 1421, where safety & security best practices include delineated responsibility for Threat Assessment Teams. “Each district school board shall adopt policies for the establishment of threat assessment teams at each school whose duties include the coordination of resources and assessment and intervention with individuals whose behavior may pose a threat to the safety of school staff or students consistent with the model policies developed by the Office of Safe Schools. Such policies must include procedures for referrals to mental health services identified by the school district.”

HB 1421

In addition, the threat assessment team upon learning of a student’s aberrant behavior, has the ability and tools necessary to get help.

Mental health funding has increased each year as we recognize that mental illness can be debilitating if not treated.

The Florida Dept of Education requires that each student grades 6 thru 12 receive mental health education each year. As schools are on the frontlines, some students may not have a safe support team at home and it may be a teacher or staff who first recognize an aberrant behavior or a student acting out for attention, and are able to devise a plan to address that student’s issue before turning into a chronic behavior.

Referrals can be made and with increased funding this year, Florida continues to address these needs at each school level.

Academic success is our top priority and we need to ensure we are able to assist any student overcome any barrier to their success! To close, a school may be the first to identify a child in mental distress, so we certainly need the policy and tools in place to assist!

DeSantis objects to ad in Miami-Dade schools race Local county commission and school board candidates are also using DeSantis likeness

File photo: Gov. Ron DeSantis

By Florida New Service

A

lawyer for Gov. Ron DeSantis is demanding that a political committee backing a Miami-Dade County school board candidate stop using the governor’s image on advertisements, as DeSantis has endorsed a different candidate in the race.

A mail piece pitches Marta Perez, who is running for the

District 8 seat on the school board, as a “solid conservative voice.”

But the advertisement crossed DeSantis as it featured a photo depicting Perez side-by-side with the governor and another small image of the governor giving a thumbs-up.

The advertisement also featured a photo of Perez with former Gov. Jeb Bush and a picture of former President Ronald Reagan.

Center for Dentistry

The Gazette asked local county commissioner Carl Zalak if he had permission to use Governor DeSantis’ image in his marketing materials and he did not answer the inquiry.

Local school board candidate, Taylor Smith, has also been using a photo of DeSantis in her marketing materials. Taylor wrote the Gazette in response to our inquiry; “We validated the picture is ok as long as it does not state an endorsement on the literature.”

However, Taylor would not answer the follow up question as to who had “validated” her use of the photograph.

The law firm Shutts & Bowen LLP, which represents DeSantis and his political committee, on Monday sent a cease-and-desist letter to Christian Camara, chairman of the political committee Parents United for School Excellence, which paid for the Perez mailer.

Ben Gibson, a partner with the Shutts & Bowen firm who also is a member of the State Board of Education, wrote in the letter that it is “no secret” that DeSantis has endorsed “pro-

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parent” school-board candidate Monica Colluci.

“The Political Committee’s unauthorized use of a picture of Governor DeSantis and Ms. Perez in the attached mailer creates a false and misleading impression that Governor DeSantis has endorsed and is supportive of Ms. Perez’s candidacy for Miami-Dade County School Board — both are false,” Gibson wrote.

Gibson demanded in the letter that Parents United for School Excellence remove DeSantis’

image from all mailers endorsing Perez and that it stop using the governor’s name, image and likeness on campaign, advertising and fundraising materials.

The letter said Colluci was “among the first” school board candidates that DeSantis endorsed this election cycle, as the governor has backed a slate of more than 25 candidates across the state who align with his education agenda.

The Ocala Gazette contributed to this report.

Carl Zalak’s campaign homepage on July 26, 2022

Join the

Team

FULL-TIME POSITIONS

Faculty – Cardiovascular Technology, Program Manager Faculty – Sonography, Program Manager Faculty – Respiratory Care, Program Manager Faculty – Computer Information Faculty – BAS - Accounting Faculty – Health Sciences – Associate Degree Nursing Staff Assistant III – Business & Technology Human Resources Coordinator Library Director Trades Specialist – HVAC Trades Specialist - Electrician Accountant III - Foundation PC/AV Technician

PART-TIME POSITIONS Adjunct – Visual and Performing Arts Adjunct – Equine Studies Adjunct – Communication – Levy Accountant III – Student Accounts

HOW TO APPLY

Assessment Specialist Public Safety Officer Plant Operations

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.

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

A6

JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Commissioner Zalak leads District 4 in raising campaign funds

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

T

he latest financial campaign report shows County Commissioner Carl Zalak has raised the most funds in the Republican primary race for the District 4 seat, a whopping $141,000.

The amount easily outdistances opponents Keith Poole, a developer, who has received $60,870, as well as Rachel Sams, a former Ocala police officer and now a financial advisor, who has collected $38,855. Sams, however, holds second place in the number of donors.

There are two write-in candidates for the Aug. 23 election, Brian Christian Donnelly and Seth Posner, who have received $100 or less.

Most of the donations to Zalak, who is seeking a fourth four-year term as

commissioner, come from real estate developers and construction companies.

The report shows 90% of Zalak’s campaign contributions were for $1,000, the maximum dollar contribution allowed for one person or entity. However, it is not uncommon for supporters to increase their contributions by making multiple maximum donations spread among individual family members or corporations.

The Gazette reviewed Zalak’s campaign financial records to determine who the highest dollar contributors were.

In a previous report, the Gazette reported campaign contributions totaling $5,000 from the Roberts family, the developers behind the World Equestrian Center (WEC), leading up to a development decision before the county commission.

But a more detailed review of contributions reported to the supervisor of elections totals

$7,000 from WEC-related companies.

However, the Roberts family of developers were not the most generous contributors to Zalak’s campaign. The Armstrong family of development companies contributed at least $8,000 through their various companies to Zalak’s campaign.

The Kearns family individually and through their development interests contributed at least $9,000 to Zalak. Bill Kearns has been actively developing industrial parks with the help of economic development agreements with the county and city of Ocala over the past 10 years.

The highest dollar contributor to Zalak’s campaign thus far, at least $11,000, are the Mendolas, the family behind Oxford Downs, a gambling establishment in south Marion County that was opened in 2014 and expanded despite local opposition under Zalak’s tenure.

File photo: Carl Zalak [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

To see the complete list of who contributed to Zalak’s campaign, see the list below:

item date name

city

state zip

amount

3/8/22

James Gissy

Orlando

FL

32836

1000

2/10/22

Cindy Kearns

The Villages

FL

32162

1000

3/9/22

Ocala Hourse Properties LLC

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

2/10/22

William Kearns

The Villages

FL

32162

1000

3/9/22

Florida Thoroughbred Political

Ocala

FL

34474

1000

2/11/22

Fresh on the Square LLC

The Villages

FL

32163

1000

3/10/22

Frank Hennessey

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

2/11/22

Old Camp Road LLC

The Villages

FL

32162

1000

3/17/22

Dinkins Construction LLC

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

2/11/22

Hoist Management LLC

The Villages

FL

32163

1000

3/22/22

West Oak Developers II LLC

Ocala

FL

34475

1000

2/11/22

Belle Glade Restaurant Partner

The Villages

FL

32163

1000

3/24/22

B Smith Enterprises LP

Boca Raton

FL

33432

1000

2/11/22

OB Hills LLC

The Villages

FL

32159

1000

3/25/22

B Smith Coconut LLC

Boca Raton

FL

33432

1000

2/11/22

Bonifay Restaurant Partners LL

The Villages

FL

32163

1000

3/25/22

Barry Smith Rev Tr

Boca Raton

FL

33432

1000

2/11/22

Evans Prairie Restaurant Partn

The Villages

FL

32163

1000

3/25/22

West Oak Developers LLC

Ocala

FL

34475

1000

2/15/22

Mary Jane Hunt Revocable Trust

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

3/28/22

Friends Recycling LLC

Ocala

FL

34475

1000

2/15/22

Bernard Little Jr

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

3/30/22

RThad Boyd III Living Trust

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

2/17/22

MR3 LLC

Wildwood

FL

34785

1000

4/1/22

643 SW 15 St LLC

Ocala

FL

34478

1000

2/17/22

MR4 LLC

Wildwood

FL

34785

1000

4/7/22

Elizabeth Steiner

1000

2/17/22

HTM Deveopers LLC

Ocala

FL

34480

1000

4/15/22

Combined Insurance services In

Ocala

FL

34470

1000

2/17/22

I & G Developers Group LLC

Belleview

FL

34420

1000

4/19/22

United American Recycling Serv

Ocala

FL

34478

1000

2/17/22

Rainey Land Company

Belleview

FL

34420

1000

4/19/22

Florida Express Enviromental

Ocala

FL

34478

1000

2/17/22

Cowboys Group LLC

Belleview

FL

34420

1000

4/19/22

Paglia Properties & Investment

Ocala

FL

34478

1000

2/17/22

Matthew Fabian

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

4/20/22

Wast Connections

The Woodlands TX

77380

1000

2/17/22

G2G Development LLC

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

4/20/22

Richard Bianculli

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

2/17/22

Jordan River Homes LLC

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

4/20/22

Michael Bianculli

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

2/17/22

Douglas P Cone Jr Revocable Tr

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

4/21/22

Marion 60 LLC

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

2/17/22

Cone Distributing Inc

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

4/21/22

Sunset Hills Developement LLC

Ocala

FL

34480

1000

2/17/22

Baseline Sand Mine

Ocala

FL

34472

1000

4/29/22

Jeffrey McPherson

Oxford

FL

34484

1000

2/18/22

D32 Builder LLC

Orlando

FL

32819

1000

4/29/22

Guns N Gold

Belleview

FL

34420

1000

2/18/22

D32 Invest

Orlando

FL

32819

1000

4/29/22

Kara Gooding

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

2/18/22

Eaton’s Beach Restaurant LLC

Weirsdale

FL

32195

1000

4/29/22

JCH Consulting Group

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

2/18/22

TC Emerald LLC

Ocala

FL

34470

1000

4/29/22

Riti Investments LLC

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

2/18/22

Triple Crown Realty of Ocala I

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

4/29/22

Reliance Petroleum Holdings LL

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

2/18/22

Salser Construction LLC

Ocala

FL

34479

1000

5/2/22

Diamond Merchant Services LLC

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

2/18/22

Triple Crown Homes Inc

Ocala

FL

34470

1000

5/2/22

Shree Nathji of VRAJ LLC

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

2/18/22

A/P LLC

Ocala

FL

34470

1000

5/2/22

Waste Management Inc of Florid

Coconut Creek FL

33073

1000

2/18/22

Shores Sand Mine LLC

Ocala

FL

34472

1000

5/2/22

Golden Ocala Equestrian Land L

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

2/18/22

The 103 Inv LLC

Ocala

FL

34470

1000

5/2/22

Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

2/18/22

The Summur LLC

Ocala

FL

34470

1000

5/2/22

Royal Shell Real Estate Inc

Fort Meyers

FL

33907

1000

2/21/22

Harvey Vandeven

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

5/2/22

Royal Shell Vacation Inc

Fort Meyers

FL

33907

1000

2/22/22

anthony Mendola

1000

5/2/22

Golden Ocala Real Estate Inc

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

2/22/22

Ken Ausley

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

5/2/22

Assured Title Services LLC

Fort Meyers

FL

33907

1000

2/23/22

Coyote Crossing Holdings LLC

Ocala

FL

34473

1000

5/2/22

Equestian Luxury Homes LLC

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

2/23/22

Tillman & Associates Engineeri

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

5/6/22

Shaida Saju

1000

2/23/22

Acme Fill LLC

Ocala

FL

34473

1000

5/11/22

Thomas Wilding

Ocala

FL

34478

1000

2/24/22

John Alvarez

Ocala

FL

34474

1000

5/11/22

Leopard Medical Transport LLC

Ocala

FL

34478

1000

2/24/22

John Alvarez Investment Group

Ocala

FL

34474

1000

5/26/22

Stephen Walker

Silver Springs

FL

34488

1000

2/24/22

Casa Holdings LLC

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

5/26/22

Anderson Columbia Co Inc

Lake City

FL

32056

1000

2/24/22

95th Street Holdings LLC

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

5/26/22

Stone Property Holdings LLC

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

2/24/22

Alvarez Tuck Brokers of Florid

Ocala

FL

34477

1000

5/26/22

C.W Roberts Contracting Inc

Tallahassee

FL

32308

1000

2/24/22

Southeast Consultants LLC

Ocala

FL

34481

1000

6/18/22

Sun Kool Air ConditioningThe V

Ocala

FL

34478

1000

2/24/22

J Alvarez LLC

Ocala

FL

34477

1000

6/18/22

Sun Kool Air Conditioning Inc

Ocala

FL

34478

1000

2/24/22

Expert American Waste Services

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

6/18/22

Sun Kool Air Conditioning Serv

Ocala

FL

34478

1000

2/24/22

Expert American Site Specialis

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

7/4/22

Bernie Little LLC

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

2/24/22

Expert American Home Services

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

7/7/22

Brittani Zacco

ocala

FL

34474

1000

2/24/22

Jonathan Tillman

Weirsdale

FL

32195

1000

7/7/22

Mario Zacco

Ocala

FL

34474

1000

2/24/22

A Plus Homes Inc

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

7/7/22

Stephanie Zacco

Ocala

FL

34474

1000

2/24/22

Thouroghbred Homes Inc

Ocala

FL

34481

1000

7/7/22

Ocala Palms Utilities LLC

Tampa

FL

33672

1000

2/24/22

1415 Bothers Holdings LLC

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

7/7/22

Channel Logistics LLC

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

2/24/22

Freedom Commons Development LL Ocala

FL

34471

1000

4/29/22

Paul Nevels

750

2/26/22

Jacks Over Nines LLC

FL

34476

1000

4/29/22

Lisa Nevels

750

2/26/22

Rebecca Mendola

1000

2/11/22

Boyd Real Estate LLC

Ocala

FL

34471

500

2/26/22

Marion Gaming Management LLC

Ocala

FL

34476

1000

2/16/22

Thomas Grabe

Ocala

FL

34482

500

2/26/22

Central Florida Gaming LLC

Summerfield

FL

34491

1000

3/9/22

Patriot Containers LLC

Ocala

FL

34478

500

2/26/22

South Marion Real Estate Holdi

Ocala

FL

34476

1000

3/9/22

Flyway Access LLC

Ocala

FL

34478

500

2/26/22

Bellwether Properties LLC

Ocala

FL

34476

1000

3/30/22

Rosalind Nikkinen

Ocala

FL

34471

500

2/28/22

Marissa Mendola

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

4/11/22

Christopher Wood

Ocala

FL

34482

500

2/28/22

Joshua Mendola

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

4/21/22

Deb Investments of Ocala LLC

Ocala

FL

34480

500

2/28/22

A J Mendola

Ocala

FL

34480

1000

4/29/22

Fabian Construction LLC

Ocala

FL

34471

500

2/28/22

Cardroom Support LLC

Tallahassee

FL

32301

1000

4/29/22

Charles Bell

500

2/28/22

Robyn Mendola

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

4/29/22

Ocala Dev of Marion LLC

Ocala

FL

34478

500

3/1/22

Glenn Counts

Ocala

FL

34471

1000

3/12/22

David Ellsperman

Ocala

FL

34471

200

3/1/22

Counts Construction Co Inc

Ocala

FL

34475

1000

3/14/22

Leo Smith InvestigationsInc

Ocala

FL

34483

200

3/1/22

Carol Giumarelli

Ocala

FL

34482

1000

5/12/22

Cecil Bonner

Ocala

FL

34481

100

Ocala

A7

JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

How much does it cost to keep police officers in schools?

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

T

he law enforcement officers stationed in public schools across Marion County not only make students and teachers feel safe, their presence is mandated by law. While there is never too high a price to pay for safety, hiring officers to meet requirements comes at a steep cost for the school district.

The Marion County Sheriff ’s Office (MCSO), Ocala Police Department (OPD) and Belleview Police Department (BPD) all provide School Resource Officers (SROs) to schools across the county, and the Marion County School Board uses money from its general fund

to reimburse the city as much as $75,000 per officer per year.

Having at least one SRO in every school is required by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, passed by the Florida Legislature in 2018.

The resource officer contract between the school board and MCSO comes at the highest cost to the school board, with a total of $8.2 million for the cost of 39 SROs for 33 total schools over the course of three years.

In the first year of the agreement with the MCSO, the school board will reimburse the sherifffor the cost of $60,000 per SRO, for a yearly total of $2.4 million, which will be paid at a rate of $195,000 per month.

“For the July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024 and the July 1, 2024-June

30, 2025 fiscal years, the school board will reimburse the sheriff $75,000 per School Resource Officer, for each of the SROs listed,” according to the MCSO contract.

For the second and third years of the contract, the cost will also be paid monthly at a rate of $243,750 from the school board to the sheriff. The cost for the second and third years is $2.9 million per year for all 39 SROs. The contract was signed

by Board Chair Eric Cummings, Superintendent Diane Gullett and Sheriff William Woods.

Another large allocation of funds will go towards the city of Ocala, whose three-year contract comes to a total of $4.6 million for the cost of its police department placing 18 SROs at

Educational Legacy

16 schools. The cost per SRO is highest with the city of Ocala.

“The school board will reimburse the city $88,777 per SRO, for the first contract year of the SROs listed…and $84,366 per SRO for the remaining two years of this three-year contract,” according to the OPD contract.

The school board will pay the city at a rate of $133,166 per month for the first year, and $126,549 per month for the second and third years.

On the lesser side financially, the total cost for the threeyear agreement with the city of Belleview is $205,383 for the one SRO that BPD will be placing at Belleview Elementary. For the 2022-23 fiscal year, the school board will reimburse the city $65,149 per SRO, and the cost

New school honors the life of former teacher Ina A. Colen.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

People applaud as members of the staff and faculty are introduced during the dedication ceremony for the Ina A. Colen Academy in Calesa Township in Ocala on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

Ken Colen, the founder, speaks.

Annie Avery, the Principal, left, celebrates with a check for $50,000 for a new school bus donated by Ken Ausley of Ausley Construction, right.

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he bright sun beaming down on the covered courtyard for the dedication ceremony for the Ina A. Colen Academy on Wednesday, July 27, seemed to serve as precursor for the bright future anticipated for future students.

The tuition-free public charter school established by The Colen Family Charitable Trust will open in August with more than 200 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Plans are to double the capacity each year while increasing grade levels to include middle and high school.

The academy is in the Calesa Township development in the On Top of the World Communities, which were initially developed

by Sidney Colen. His wife, Ina A. Colen, was a teacher. They are both deceased. The school is named in her memory. Their son, Kenneth Colen, is the current president of OTOW Communities.

Students perform the school Alma mater song.

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will increase by 5% for years two and three respectively.

The funding provided by the school board will be paid to the city monthly at a rate of $5,429 for the first year, $5,700 for the second year and $5,985 for the third year, according to the BPD contract. The contract was signed

by City Administrator Sandi McKamey, Mayor Christine Dobkowski, City Attorney Fred Landt, Board Chair Eric Cummings, Superintendent Diane Gullett and Board Attorney Jeremy Powers.

Read more about the cost difference between this year’s RSO contracts and previous contracts for the three law enforcement agencies here.

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

State DeSantis rallies GOP, targets Biden

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

A

s he draws increased attention as a potential 2024 presidential candidate, Gov. Ron DeSantis focused heavily Saturday night on President Joe Biden while rallying Republicans for this year’s elections.

Twice in the first minute after taking the stage for a dinner speech at the Republican Party of Florida’s Sunshine Summit, DeSantis tossed out the name “Brandon,” a derogatory reference to Biden, as he contrasted Florida’s recovery from the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic to current federal economic policies.

“When you look at what we’ve done in Florida, we have stood up to the media, we have stood up to people like (federal infectiousdisease expert Anthony) Fauci, and we have stood up to Brandon himself to keep Florida free,” DeSantis said to loud applause from a packed ballroom at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Broward County.

DeSantis also drew cheers when he compared Biden to a “stumbling” deer in the headlights unable to use a teleprompter and then facetiously wished the president well after testing positive for COVID-19.

“We should all extend our best wishes to President Joe Biden for a speedy recovery from his bout with COVID,” DeSantis set up the

crowd. “And hopefully, the United States will have a speedy recovery from its bout with Joe Biden.”

DeSantis also drew another big crowd reaction when he brought up his clash with Walt Disney Co. DeSantis has made the entertainment giant a centerpiece in his fight against “woke” ideology, pushing through legislation this spring to dissolve a special taxing district that benefits Walt Disney Co. That move came after Disney opposed a controversial new law that restricts teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools --- a measure that critics dubbed the “don’t say gay” bill.

“Big companies based in California do not run the state of Florida,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, who spoke before the governor, did not mention Democratic gubernatorial candidates Charlie Crist or Nikki Fried, who trail the GOP incumbent in polls. They also didn’t mention California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who recently targeted Florida in an ad campaign, or Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who last week in Tampa described DeSantis as someone “trying to pass off his covert racism, homophobia and misogyny as a more reasonable form of Trump Republicanism.”

Nunez hit on a record state budget surplus, tax cuts,

reopening schools earlier than other states during the pandemic and DeSantis’ appointments of conservative Florida Supreme Court justices.

Nunez also pointed to the GOP in recent months overtaking Democrats for the first time in numbers of registered voters, “making Florida red faster than you can say, ‘Thank you Brandon.’”

The pep talks also touched on electing Republicans to school boards and Congress, where Democrats hold majorities.

“In Florida, we don’t just talk, we do. We get things done. We are not afraid to use our authority to advance the public interest and to protect people’s freedom,” DeSantis said. “And so, if and when Republicans take majorities in the (U.S.) House or the (U.S.) Senate, we need to see some action to hold Biden and his minions accountable for our open border and his dereliction of duty.”

The speeches wrapped up a day that included a series of debates among candidates in GOP primaries in congressional districts 4, 7, 13 and 15.

Organizers limited the number of media organizations that had access to the summit.

DeSantis told the crowd that Republican leaders weren’t going to allow “legacy media outlets to be involved in our primaries.”

“The left-wing media people are asking our candidates gotcha questions,” DeSantis said. “I want to have these debates moderated

by people who actually believe in conservative principles.”

Among the most-notable debate moments came when Congressional District 4 candidate Erick Aguilar was asked about reports that he deceived people into contributing money to his campaign for the Northeast Florida seat. He dismissed the reporting as an establishment “smear” aimed at “MAGA” candidates like himself and “fake news.”

Aguilar’s response was one of the few that drew some jeers from a mid-day audience of around 400 people. State Sen. Aaron Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican running against Aguilar for the congressional seat, said he was “shocked” Aguilar showed up for the debate.

According to Politico, Aguilar used WinRed, a popular Republican campaign platform, to solicit donations. The requests, distributed nationally, didn’t mention Aguilar or other candidates in the congressional race, instead suggesting money would go to DeSantis, former President Donald Trump or U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, Politico reported.

Bean said Aguilar was blaming “everybody but himself ” and should be viewed as an “identity thief who stole from seniors.”

Most of the questions from debate panelists allowed candidates to tee off on Biden policies involving the economy, foreign policy, immigration and

Fauci, who has been a Republican target because of his views on COVID-19 issues.

Candidates were also asked their views on the U.S. Department of Education; assistance for Ukraine; the next U.S. House speaker if Republicans regain control of the House; and the need for states or the federal government to address abortion following last month’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.

DeSantis asked candidates for their views on congressional term limits and who is the “best” active U.S. Supreme Court justice. All of the candidates picked Republican appointees.

Radio talk-show and Fox News host Mark Levin, who questioned candidates in two of the debates, drilled into District 7 candidate Anthony Sabatini, a state House member from Howey-in-theHills who maintained his stance that the U.S. shouldn’t intervene financially or militarily in the Russian-Ukraine war.

“Our woke beliefs are destroying this country from within,” said Sabatini, who has often clashed with state House Republican leaders. “We cannot afford, we need to bring humility back to foreign policy. We can’t be getting involved in all the world’s affairs when our own country is going to hell.”

Levin responded by calling Sabatini’s foreign policy “the most radical” he’s ever heard.

DeSantis tops $3.3 million in matching funds

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

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ov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign picked up $3.35 million in matching funds from the state on Monday, exceeding the amount he received in public money throughout the 2018 primary and general elections.

DeSantis was one of five statewide candidates who received initial draws from the long-controversial matching fund program, according to information posted online by the state Division of Elections.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates Charlie Crist and Nikki Fried combined to receive just under $1.6 million for their campaigns, with Crist totaling $964,646 and Fried getting $634,092.

Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody’s campaign got $232,438, while Republican state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis received $151,410.

Other candidates for attorney general

and chief financial officer didn’t receive matching dollars in this year’s first distribution. Candidates for agriculture commissioner also didn’t receive the money.

In the program, public funds are provided to match contributions of $250 or less from individuals to candidates’ campaign accounts. Matching funds are not available for contributions to political committees or outside of statewide races.

Candidates accepting the state money must pledge to limit overall expenditures.

Gubernatorial candidates are ineligible for the money until they collect $150,000 in contributions. For state Cabinet candidates, the threshold is $100,000.

Some lawmakers have long tried to do away with the public-financing system, which was put into the state Constitution in 1998 by voters.

The program was Intended to reduce the influence of big-money contributors by helping underfunded candidates compete

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in costly statewide elections. Lawmakers placed a repeal proposal on the 2010 ballot, but the measure failed when it gained only 52.5 percent of the vote, short of the required 60 percent for approval.

Lawmakers have made subsequent attempts to repeal the program, but the proposals have not made it through the Legislature.

In 2018, more than $9.85 million was distributed through public financing, with $3.23 million going to DeSantis. Another $478,903 went to Moody, $334,604 went to Patronis and $158,507 went to Fried, who successfully ran for agriculture commissioner in 2018.

The program distributed $4.34 million to 13 candidates, including Crist, in 2014.

Crist, who unsuccessfully ran for governor that year, drew nearly $2.6 million from the program.

More than $6 million went to 17 candidates in 2010.

DeSantis is receiving the public money

as he piles up contributions for his reelection campaign. As of July 15, DeSantis’ campaign account had brought in $13.44 million. His political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, had raised more than $130 million since the start of 2019.

Crist had raised $5.84 million for his campaign account, while Fried had brought in $2.5 million.

Crist’s political committee, Friends of Charlie Crist, has taken in $6.15 million since May 2021.

Fried’s political committee, Florida Consumers First, had raised just over $5 million since the start of 2019.

Moody had raised $1.3 million for her campaign account, while Patronis had raised $1.069 million.

Moody’s political committee, Friends of Ashley Moody, had raised $5.15 million since the start of 2019, while Patronis’ committee, Treasure Florida, had raised $4.3 million in the same time.

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Florida expected to grow a little more slowly

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

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lorida’s population growth is modestly slowing as deaths outpace births and as a rush of people moving from other states during the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.

Still, with an estimated 22.25 million residents as of April 1, Florida continues to see population increases that are roughly equivalent to adding a city the size of Orlando each year, according to a state report released Tuesday.

The report by economists, sitting as what is known as the Demographic Estimating Conference, revised the state’s growth rate to 1.29 percent for the period through April 1, 2027. In December, the conference had estimated the growth rate at 1.41 percent.

Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research, said the state is “just halfway” through the retirement period of Baby Boomers, which accounts for a large number of people moving

from other states. Meanwhile, younger generations are waiting longer to have children.

“And when they have children, they’re having fewer children,” Baker said during a July 18 meeting of the conference.

“That’s not a Florida statistic. That one’s national.”

Florida during the past two years saw an increase in people moving to Florida from states that maintained lockdown and health-safety measures longer than Florida because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But such gains have been offset by “fewer births and more deaths than previously forecast,” according to the report.

The “natural increase is expected to remain negative throughout the forecast horizon as deaths continue to outpace births,” the summary said.

Florida Department of Health figures used by the economists indicated that deaths exceeded births by nearly 45,000 in 2021. Through June 22 this year, the state had totaled 106,000 deaths and 96,000 births.

“The births were lower than what we

were expecting back in December, and the deaths are higher than what we were expecting, which obviously pushes down our natural increase,” Pam Schenker, who handles demographics and census issues for the Office of Economic & Demographic Research, said during the July 18 meeting.

Also, the pandemic-driven migration from other states is slowing, according to the forecast.

“The spike was related to COVID, because you have less people moving out of the state than moving into the state,” Holger Ciupalo, policy coordinator for the governor’s Office of Policy and Budget, said. “As a result of that, you see the spikes for two years. And that goes back down with other states being as open as Florida.”

The new estimates put the state on pace to annually add 294,756 net new residents in the next five years, or 808 a day. That is

down from a December projection of 309,867 new residents annually, or 849 a day. The numbers are similar to the population of the city of Orlando, though the broader Orlando metro area has a vastly larger number of residents.

DeSantis takes aim at ‘ideological’ investing

File photo

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

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ontinuing to target what he calls “woke” corporations, Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to prohibit state investments that use “environmental, social and governance” ratings, which can include taking into account impacts of climate change.

DeSantis plans to have the State Board of Administration, which oversees investments, direct pension-fund managers against “using political factors when investing the state’s money.”

So-called ESG policies have drawn criticism from Republicans across the country.

“We want them (fund managers) to invest the state’s money for the best interests of the beneficiaries of those funds, which is, again, the people that are retired cops and teachers and other public employees,” DeSantis said Wednesday during an appearance at Harpoon Harry’s Crab House in Tampa.

DeSantis also intends to work during the 2023 legislative session with incoming House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, to put into law ESG prohibitions.

ESG practices can involve considering a wide range of issues in investments, such as companies’ climate-change vulnerabilities; carbon emissions; product safety; supply-chain labor standards; privacy and data security; and executive compensation.

The organization DeSantis Watch, a joint project from Florida Watch and Progress Florida that is critical of the

governor, issued a statement Wednesday that said DeSantis’ proposal does “the bidding of his large corporate donors and billionaire supporters.”

“Florida is ground zero for the climate crisis, but once again Ron DeSantis lacks the courage to take any real action to protect the livelihoods of the people of our state,” Natasha Sutherland of DeSantis Watch said.

DeSantis, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Attorney General Ashley Moody, who are trustees of the State Board of Administration, are scheduled to meet during an Aug. 23 Cabinet meeting.

Managers oversee about $250 billion in assets, investing money from the Florida Retirement System and 25 other funds, while also overseeing the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, a major reinsurance program.

Patronis in June also targeted investments that involve ESG ratings. At the time, Emilie Oglesby, a spokeswoman for the State Board of Administration, said in an email that, “as fiduciaries, the SBA and its investment managers are required to take all relevant risks into account when making investment decisions.”

Oglesby added that, “Neither the SBA nor its managers use ESG factors as a way to screen or limit the available investment opportunity set.”

Backing DeSantis on Wednesday, Tina Descovich, co-founder of the conservative group Moms for Liberty, said her organization and some members have had accounts frozen by

PayPal. “In a day and age of canceled culture, where parental-rights groups are being designated as domestic terrorists by our own United States Department of Justice, the cancellation of our financing by major organizations just seems like the next step in these draconian policies,” Descovich said while at Harpoon Harry’s.

On its website, PayPal said building “a more financially inclusive and interconnected world is the foundation of our values-led culture, which is grounded in Inclusion, Innovation, Collaboration and Wellness across our communities, workforce and strategies.”

PayPal said its ESG strategy expands on a mission “to promote financial wellness and to empower those who are underserved by the financial community.”

DeSantis said corporations are being overrun by activist employees, who “believe they’re entitled to have their employer basically emote the same political values as they do.”

“The problem is that, then the inmates are running the asylum,” DeSantis continued.

Patronis in a June letter to the SBA called the practice “anti-American, anti-Israel, and anti-freedom ideology, that’s disguising itself as a sophisticated business practice.”

During the event at Harpoon Harry’s, Renner supported DeSantis’ call, saying “global elites” are “weaponizing American capitalism against us.”

Renner, who will become

House speaker after the November elections, called the corporate practices a nationalsecurity issue and a pocketbook issue.

“What we have is these large corporations and banks that are pursuing a woke agenda that is artificially driving up our costs in energy,” Renner said. “There’s a reason why we haven’t built new refineries. There’s a reason why we’re not drilling for oil even though we have more reserves in this country than any other place in the world, it’s because the banks and this woke agenda is choking off their ability to get financing to do that.”

DeSantis said ESG is a being used by “upper echelons of our society” to impose a “woke ideology on the economy.”

“We don’t want to see the economy further politicized, and we want to push back against the politicization that’s already happened,” DeSantis said. “Our investment of funds should be for the best interest of our beneficiaries here in the state of Florida, it should not be a vehicle to impose an ideological agenda.”

The state is embroiled in lawsuits over a new law that restricts race-related workplace training and classroom instruction, dubbed by DeSantis as the “Stop WOKE Act.” In one of the cases, businesses contend the law violates their ability to discuss issues such as racism and implicit bias with employees. State officials have described the law as preventing “indoctrination.”

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things Highly regarded educator dies at 94

Edmond L. Fordham, for whom a new academy recently was named, had a long and distinguished career with area schools.

Edmond Fordham poses for a photo in the Black History Museum at The Howard Academy on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. Fordham passed away on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at the age of 94. [Bruce Ackerman] 2019.

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

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ust weeks after a new school was named for noted local educator and community leader Edmond Louis Fordham, he passed away peacefully in Ocala on July 19, at the age of 94.

The naming of Fordham Early Learning Academy is just one testament to the legacy of Fordham, whose long career with Marion County Public Schools included being a history teacher at Belleview-Santos School and serving as assistant principal at Osceola Junior High School and then principal at Dunnellon, Sparr and Dr. N.H. Jones elementary schools. After Fordham retired from the school system, he served as a site administrator with NOVA Southeastern University, working in the early education and exceptional student education programs.

Fordham, who grew up in the Fort McCoy area of northeast Marion County, served in the U.S. Army/Air Force. He later graduated from Paine College in Augusta, Georgia.

His daughter, Krista Fordham, of Ocala, said the past couple of years were difficult for her father, especially after his wife of 67 years, Tommie, whom he met while both were students at Paine College, passed away in 2020.

“They knew each other for 69 years and were married for 67,” she said.

Krista said her father’s love of history was ever present, such as when he would be watching a newscast and someone would cite something as fact that he knew to be incorrect and he would verbally correct them. She said she would lovingly “test” him by asking historical questions, to which he “always knew the answer.”

She said two important aspects of his enduring legacy are “knowing the time in history when he made his decision to go into education” and that “his passion was amazing.”

“He had a lot of reasons to give up—racism was very real as he was trying to advance his career,” she said. “But he earned his master’s and began pursuing his Ph.D.” She said he started his classroom career in his 20s “and there he was teaching 13- and 14-year-olds in high school.”

“He had such an impact on people’s lives,” she said. “He stayed connected. He was a role model for young African American men and women. Even after he retired and then ran the

“I think he would say that whether you want to be a professor or a plumber, do the work and you will reach your goal of success.”

Krista Fordham

Edmond Fordham [Supplied]

NOVA campus here, he again had an impact on a segment of the population who otherwise couldn’t go to college and get a degree.”

Krista had one sister, Paula, who is deceased.

“My father raised my sister and I to believe in ourselves,” she shared.

“My father’s confidence and courage lifted me up and guided who I am, to overcome hardships and become who I choose to be,” she added.

As for what words of wisdom he might have for young people today, she said her father would tell them that in order to be their best, they would have to “do the work.”

“I think he would say that whether you want to be a professor or a plumber, do the work and you will reach your goal of success,” she offered.

Fordham Early Learning Academy, located at the site of the former Evergreen Elementary School, recently was named by a majority vote in a survey conducted through Marion County Public Schools. The academy is set to open Aug. 10 to 4- and 5-year-old students in voluntary pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, with a focus on developing literacy skills, social-emotional learning concepts and music enrichment.

“Our community lost a dedicated servant, mentor and community leader. Mr. Fordham was the change he wanted to see in our community. He never hesitated to help others achieve their goals and dreams,” said Monica Bryant, who is with the Marion County Children’s Alliance and is a community leader as well. “It’s awesome that among the many ways he will be remembered, having the former Evergreen Elementary School named the Fordham Early Learning Academy is a fitting tribute for a man who invested so much in this community. He definitely deserves that honor.”

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Fordham is survived by his grandchildren Jamila, Kristina and Edmond II. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Paine College, 1235 15th St., Augusta, GA 30901, or be made payable to Paine College on behalf of Edmond Fordham, Class of 1952, and mailed to P.O. Box 3331 Ocala, FL 34478, in which case the family will direct the donation to the school.

Fordham will lie in repose from 6 to 8 p.m.

Aug. 5 at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, 55 SW 3rd Ave., Ocala. A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Aug. 6 at the church.

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Hello, Ocala!

Manfred and Rosa Schmid at their northeast Ocala home on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Meet your neighbors - Rosa and Manfred Schmid

By Eadie Sickler Correspondent

T

he love story of Rosa and Manfred Schmid spans two continents, two languages and 32 years. It began on social media and progressed to Ocala.

Rosa, who has an outgoing personality, was born in the Dominican Republic. She said she went on Facebook one day in 1988 just to browse and saw a post by Manfred Schmid that piqued her interest. His residence was in Germany. She responded to his post. He was interested and took a vacation to the Dominican Republic and the two met on a bus trip. After he returned to his country, they continued to correspond via social media.

About a year later, Manfred invited Rosa to visit him in Hamburg, Germany, to meet his family. She stayed there for three months before she returned home.

Manfred took another trip

to see Rosa, then returned to Germany.

Rosa said that although their connection seemed strong, the long-distance relationship “just didn’t work” and they lost contact with each other.

Four years later, Rosa married and started a family that grew to include four children. She earned a certification in cosmetology and worked in that field. She and her husband left the Dominican Republic and moved to Boston, Massachusetts, for his work.

Their children, two males, now ages 36 and 38, live in the Dominican Republic, and two females, ages 23 and 27, both live in the Boston area.

While in Boston, Rosa became a United States citizen. She also furthered her education by earning a degree in interior design and had her own cosmetology studio. She and husband divorced while in Boston.

Manfred had had a 16-year relationship that ended before he met Rosa and has a son, now 37,

and a daughter, 42, who both live in Germany.

“I could not get him (Manfred) out of my mind,” Rosa said. “I tried to find him again on Facebook.”

She had no luck at first but persevered in her search. At last, she received word on the social media outlet of two men named Manfred Schmid. She texted to both names and one of them returned a message asking, “Is this Rosa Amada Diaz Romero?”

He knew her whole name, so she knew it was him.

“That was the most exciting day of my life,” she exclaimed.

It was May 26, 2018. Rosa is very explicit about all the dates that are important in their relationship.

Manfred lost no time and visited Rosa in Boston the following July. He went back to Germany but was back in the United States by October. The two were married in December 2018.

One would think that would be their happy ending, but there is more to the story.

It normally takes about a year to get an interview to get paperwork in Germany to move to the United States as a permanent resident. Manfred had to return to Germany to begin the process. The COVID-19 pandemic began to rage all over the world and the interview was postponed an additional year, scheduled for 2022.

“I was so upset. I was bordering on depression,” Rosa said. “He was gone so long. I felt like I was losing him all over again.”

Rosa decided she had to do something so, on Aug. 19, 2020, she wrote a letter to the American Embassy in Frankfort, Germany, and pled their case.

“I am so upset,” she wrote. “I do not want to be here without my husband. I miss him terribly and it is affecting my health.”

Embassy officials answered her letter right away and said they were doing everything they could.

On Dec. 4, 2020, Manfred received permission to move to the United States as a permanent resident. He and his bride moved from Boston to Ocala eight months later, after visiting other areas, including Clearwater.

The two said they knew they were happy with what they found in Ocala. Manfred said

when they bought their house in the northeast part of Ocala, he walked into the backyard, looked around and said, “Thank God for allowing me to move to paradise.”

“We looked at other places, but always came back to Ocala,” Manfred said, then added, “In Ocala, there is everything you want.”

The couple has traveled extensively since then, including visits to Germany and the Dominican Republic to see family. They are planning another trip to Germany soon to attend a wedding. One thing they would like to see, given that they travel so much, is a “big airport closer to Ocala.”

Manfred is a retired engineer who loves to cook, with pastas and breads being his specialties.

“You should taste his vegetable stir-fry,” Rosa noted.

Rosa, who works in a salon in southwest Ocala, said when they return from Europe she plans to begin working to open her own hair salon.

Manfred and Rosa both said they appreciate the natural beauty they find in Ocala and all the history here. They said they love the neighborhood where they live, the trees, the weather and the town.

Manfred and Rosa Schmid share a kiss. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Summer fun at Lily’s Splash Pad at Lillian Bryant Park

T

he city of Ocala’s Lillian Bryant Park offers free summer fun with Lily’s Splash Pad. According to the city’s website, the park also offers a basketball court, BBQ grills, picnic trails, playground equipment, and hiking trails.

Lily’s Pad is located at 2200 NW 17th Place. The splash pad is open from sunrise to sunset.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ronan Pomlian, 6, left, and his brother, Howyl, 10, right, play on an oversized frog at Lily’s Pad at Lillian Bryant Park in Ocala on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Ocala Gazette

Above: Prince Greenidge, 5, goes surfing on a frog.

Left: Children play in the water.

Katelynn Whipple, 6, left, and Carlie Kollefrath, 6, right, play in a large frog spraying jets of water. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

New gallery is in step with Ocala’s artistic evolution

Front of gallery [Supplied]

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

“Carlynne and I came together at Gallery B as co-owners and we just started talking a lot about our goals and what we do and who we are, and we cala’s art scene has offered one surprise after formed a bond there,” Ritter said. “I couldn’t imagine another lately. Those new to the area can anyone that I would want to open a gallery with only imagine what lurks behind the rural other than Carlynne because I could share my vision veneer of the otherwise low-key community. with her and vice versa. It was like she was inside my Take, for instance, an unassuming strip mall on head. So, we are very connected in our goals and our Silver Springs Boulevard, a short distance from the thoughts for the future for this gallery.”

Appleton Museum of Art. Both Ritter and Hershberger moved here Chelsea Square features some of the most from colder climates, Ritter from Buffalo and distinctive businesses in the area, from the wellHershberger from Jersey City. They met the way reviewed brews and bites of Chelsea Coffee Co. so many local artists found each other, during the to the treasure trove of the Vintage Toy King.

Horse Fever public art exhibition, which recruited Just a few steps from Designs by Daniel, a unique artists to paint horse statues that were then placed stained-glass studio, you’ll find the newly opened throughout the city.

CC Fine Arts Gallery.

Hershberger said she finds inspiration in nature The gallery stakes its claim in the local art scene and grew up in a creative family – her mother, with a coterie of artists who bridge accessibility grandmother and uncle were painters. In her early and sophistication in their highly wide-ranging and career, she honed her craft by illustrating fashion skillfully rendered works. designs and her work has garnered multiple awards.

“We wanted elegance but not stuffiness,” said She also co-authored the book “Creative Colored co-owner Carlynne Hershberger. “We wanted people Pencil Workshop.” to be comfortable coming in and an eclectic mix of Four of the Horse Fever equines have received contemporary and traditional fine art.”

Hershberger’s brushstrokes, including “Home Sweet Hershberger, along with co-owner Cheryl Ritter, Home,” a sky-blue horse adorned with birds’ nests, and their crew, had to remove two which was part of the Horse Fever offices and four walls to open up 20/20 herd that debuted last year. the 2,500-square-foot space. They Speaking of birds’ nests, removed a door that opened up the Hershberger has received renown for “We wanted largest space to make Galleries 1 her nest paintings. and 2, and they left one of the offices “I have sold quite a few,” she said. elegance but not in place to use as a smaller space, Her “Nests” series has included stuffiness. We Gallery 3. nearly 100 acrylic and mixed media The artists whose works are on It all started years ago when wanted people to pieces. display hail from Ocala, Orlando, St. a family of wrens built a nest in her be comfortable Augustine, Tampa and Fort Myers. mailbox.

Local contemporary artist Kate Her husband, Mark Hershberger, coming in and Carney combines rich color dapples also an artist, designed the logo for an eclectic mix and abstractions with precise the gallery, which features hallmark depictions of crows, horses and other of Ocala: Horseshoes of contemporary characteristics subjects. fashioned into two letter C’s and floral and traditional Robert Goodlett’s landscapes vines entwining them to represent the convey a melancholy and dreamy abundance of nature in Ocala. fine art.” beauty. If you were to imagine what When Ritter moved here in 1980, Edward Hopper would paint if he she worked in industrial cleaning, Carlynne Hershberger Co-owner of CC Fine Arts Gallery set up an easel in front of a rural such as a post-construction cleanFlorida farm, then you’d have an up at the Appleton Museum of Art. approximation of the tranquil and She met the then curator there and moody settings in Goodlett’s works. learned about the museum’s collection Other pieces include the expressive horse and place in the community, which led her to other sculptures of award-winning artist Mindy Colton, artistic paths, including the Horse Fever competition the otherworldly designs of Amy Lennard Gmelin and the Marion Cultural Alliance. and the graceful woodwork of Jeff Matter.

“I’ve been here long enough to watch and to see Ritter, whose stirring and expressionistic the evolution in cultural growth, and we’re here to landscapes also hang in the gallery, has shown continue that growth,” Ritter said. her work at art fests throughout the state, which “And that’s why we’re so excited about the connected her to artists with far-ranging styles in gallery,” she added. “Because we feel that we can be a all media, who sell their works at a range of price part of that evolution, be a part of its history.” points. Those friendships led to the collective whose To learn more, visit ccfinearts.com. works are now on display at CC Fine Arts.

O

CC Fine Arts Gallery owners Carlynne Hershberger and Cheryl Ritter [Supplied]

Jeff Matter - Trinity [Supplied]

Mindy Colton - Waveracers [Supplied]

Left: Carlynne Hershberger - Nests [Supplied]

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

&

music nig ghtlife nightlife

JULY 29

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.

AUGUST 4

Charity Cox

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

JULY 29

John Johnson

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm

AUGUST 4

Dave Mactory

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6pm

No Compromise

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

AUGUST 5

JULY 30

Ecliff Farrar

The Mudds

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm

JULY 30

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm

AUGUST 5

Live Stream

Bootleggers

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm

AUGUST 6

AUGUST 3

Chris McNeal

Fire Creek

AUGUST 3

Grass Campers

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm

Blues Jam

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm

AUGUST 6

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6pm

File Photo: Ecliff Farrar [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Public Notice Notice Under Fictitious Name Law According to Florida Statute Number 865.09, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the Fictitious Name of Ocala Arts & Entertainment Podcast located at 6315 Lakewood Drive, Unit A in the City of Ocala, in Marion County, State of Florida 34472 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

Dated this 27 day of July,2022.

Sean R. G. Thomas

Public Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF HOLLY ANN REESER File No 20CP000810AX Division Probate Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Holly Ann Reeser, deceased, whose date of death was February 24, 2019, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Ave #1, Ocala, FL 34475. The File Number is 20CP000810AX. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is July 22, 2022.

Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/Barbara J. Hartbrodt Barbara J. Hartbrodt, Esq. FL Bar No. 0121536 The Probate Pro, a division of Darren Findling Law Firm, PLC 580 Rinehart Road, Suite 100 Lake Mary, Florida 32746 Phone: 407-559-5480 Primary Email: BarbaraHartbrodt@TheProbatePro.com Secondary Email: Floridaservice@TheProbatePro.com Personal Representative: /s/Daniel de Paz Daniel de Paz 322 E Central Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32801

Across 1 6 10 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 25 26 29 35 36 37 38 40 41 42 43 45 46 49 50 51 53 56 58 62 65 66 67 68 69 70

Pours to the brim Fit together __-à-porter: ready-to-wear Cellphone bill statistic Baseball’s Moises Resign, in chess “Make yourself comfortable” Editor’s “Don’t change that” Lubricate Start a journey Sine __ non: essential Quick bite Personal connections “Don’t be a stranger!”

Maple tree fluid Backless sofa “Cheers” actress Perlman Olympics venue It tops a king Riyadh resident Pooh’s Hundred __ Wood Show gratitude to Squealer Regardless of how things go Phoenix MLB team, on scoreboards New Look designer U.S. Presidents, so far Deprived (of) Broke bread Machu Picchu builder Where a puppy may learn the starts of 17-, 29- and 46-Across Stretched tight Capital of Peru 2000s “American Idol” judge Abdul Syringe, briefly Throwaway part of a cherry Annual Tournament of __ Parade

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Commotion “__ any wonder?”

Out past curfew Pride parade letters Caribbean, e.g.

Sushi roll type Airline to Tel Aviv Luke, to Darth Big Apple river Large amount Chocolate-caramel candy brand Jacob’s twin Modern message Raccoon relative Sabbath activity Meat safety agcy.

Hr. when many workdays begin Writer Asimov DEA agent Type of whale Picture next to a username Luxury vessel “Star Trek” lieutenant Fragrant wood One side of Hispaniola Had no choice Breed of terrier Monikers Coffeehouse amenity Tripadvisor listings Mandarin greeting “Ice cream or cake?” response, perhaps Online auction venue Enlist again Highest point “There’s no ‘I’ in __” Entre __: between us Either of two “Unforgettable” singers Wistful word Tiny complaint Bit of EMT expertise

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B7

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

community JULY 29-31 & AUGUST 3-7

Ocala Summer Series Weeks 8 and 9- Hunter/Jumper Show

World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 8am-4pm Horse shows sanctioned by the United States Equestrian Federation will run through August and more than $3 million in prizes will be awarded.

Grand Prix events take place Saturday nights in the Grand Arena. Spectators welcome. WEC has restaurants onsite and shopping options. For more info, worldequestriancenter.com

JULY 29 & AUGUST 5

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.

JULY 30 & AUGUST 6

Ocala Farmers Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 9am-2pm A variety of vendors offer fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, jewelry, baked goodies, 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.

JULY 30 & AUGUST 6

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.

JULY 30 & AUGUST 6

JULY 30 & AUGUST 6

Summer Sunset Polo

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.

JULY 30-AUGUST 7

North American Reining Stakes

World Equestrian Center Ocala, Arena 5, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 8am-7pm Reining horses run patterns and must show particular movements and abilities. With dramatic full-ring gallops and sliding stops, these horses take the skills needed by cowboys and amp it up in a flashy way. Spectators welcome. For more info, worldequestriancenter.com

UF Veterinary Hospitals Virtual Job Fair

Online 11am-1pm The University of Florida Veterinary Hospital system is holding an online hiring event to staff the UF Pet Emergency Services, the new WEC Veterinary Hospital and other equestrian facilities in the Alachua and Marion county areas. Small animal and large animal staffers are encouraged to apply. Vet techs, veterinarians, clinic assistants and general clinical staff are needed. Register at bit.ly/UFVET

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala 6pm Free to the public. Tailgate next to the polo field and enjoy a unique evening out on Saturdays through September. For more info, ocalapolo.com

AUGUST 1

Marion County Development Review Committee Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala 9am Meets weekly on Mondays.

AUGUST 2

Marion County Commission Meeting

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

AUGUST 2

Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 2pm Final hearings, held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

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.

AUGUST 5-6

Quarterly Library Book Sale

AUGUST 2

government

AUGUST 4

Farmers Market

Headquarters Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Friday 2-4pm; Saturday 10am-2pm Bargain books galore and lots to choose from.

Paperbacks are a quarter and hardbacks are 50 cents. Fiction, non-fiction, self-help, cookbooks, horror, mystery and more. Proceeds benefit library programs. More info at library.marionfl.org/home

AUGUST 6

Paddock Mall Back to School Bash

Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Road, Ocala 10am-2pm The bash is on again this year with a day of fun and entertainment, along with free backpacks, for community school children. No registration required; backpacks will be available first-come, first-served. The mall is also accepting donations of school supplies to benefit area non-profits. See paddockmall.com for more info.

AUGUST 3

City of Dunnellon City Council Workshop 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon 5:30pm

AUGUST 8

AUGUST 2

City of Belleview City Commission Meeting 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm-8pm

City of Ocala Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 5:30pm

arts JULY 29

Bohemian Rhapsody

Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala 6pm This movie focuses on the talent of Freddie Mercury and the rise of his band, Queen. Tickets cannot be purchased; they must be won in three different ways. Take a Queen quiz, subscribe to Wind-FM’s VIP Club or listen July 11-29 for keywords to enter.

See windfm.com/movie for more info.

JULY 30

Bucket Drumming Day Camp

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 9am-12pm This drumming workshop lets kids in grades 3-8 have a fun introduction to percussion and rhythm. Buckets and Boomwhackers is a fun way to learn about music and rhythm and enjoy the camaraderie of sharing musical creativity. Snacks included; tickets are $25.

Register in advance at https://bit.ly/3coacB7

AUGUST 2-3

Ocala Summer Movie Express

Regal 16 Theaters, 2801 SW 27th Ave., Ocala Times vary, check website Family and kid-friendly movies. Tickets are $2; check the theater website for exact show times.

This week’s movies are “The Boss Baby: Family Business” and “The Croods: A New Age.” For more info, https://bit.ly/3BjlCAA

Services. Art for this exhibit was created by artist members age 55+. The reception will include light refreshments and the chance to meet some artists. The exhibits runs through Aug. 27.

Admission is free and donations are accepted. See mcaocala.org for more info.

AUGUST 5

Uncle John’s Band - Grateful Dead Tribute Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala 8pm The Grateful Dead was an iconic rock band and this group from Tampa Bay re-creates their vibe and sound. Tickets from $15-$25. For more info, reillyartscenter.com

AUGUST 5

A Purple & Gold Affair

India Association Cultural and Education Center, 2030 NE 36th Ave., Ocala 6pm-11pm The Psi Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is hosting a purple and gold themed party with music, hors-d’oeuvres and drinks, raffles, giveaways and dancing to “old school,” say organizers. Guest musicians include Sheba the Mississippi Queen & the Bluesmen, and DJ Fresh Force. Tickets are $40.

See Eventbrite.com for more info.

AUGUST 6

Free First Saturday

AUGUST 5

The Art of Aging Opening Reception and Exhibit Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala 5pm-6:30pm The Art of Aging is an annual collaboration with the Marion Cultural Alliance and Marion Senior

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am-5pm Enjoy access to all of the museum’s regular and special exhibits, a local food truck, photo ops with Princess Belle and access to the grounds and Artspace. Free for all; no reservations required. For more info, appletonmuseum.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.

THROUGH AUGUST 5

Summer Kid’s Film Series

Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala Times vary, check website The series continues through Aug. 5 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Kids can enjoy movies for $3 (includes snack pack) and adults for $5. Visit www.reillyartscenter.com/mariontickets for more info.

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13

Journey to My Soul: Landscape of My Mind by Kelley Batson-Howard

City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration Building, 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm This free art exhibits showcases the work of artist Batson-Howard, who creates abstract works to bring beauty to the world. Her work is variable, often colorful and full of whimsy. For more info, Kbatsonart.com

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30

Julijana Prest Art Exhibit

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm This Florida-based visual artist’s “Transitional Moments in Nature’s Landscape” exhibit is hosted by the City of Ocala as part of its Art in City Spaces program. For more info, www.ocalafl.org/ artincityspaces

THROUGH NOVEMBER 6

Invented Observations: Photographs by Steven Benson

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm The works of professor, educator and artist Benson represent the human search for meaning. For more info, appletonmuseum.org for details.

THROUGH DECEMBER 9

A Floral Retrospective by Gregory Dirr

Ocala City Hall, Clerk’s Office, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Boca Raton artist Gregory Dirr emphasizes environmental conservation in his interdisciplinary artworks. Using paint, multi-media resources, fabric and glass, his works are a response to the world around us. For more info, visit ocalafl.org/ artincityspaces

THROUGH JANUARY 2023

Colorful Pleasures by Christine Dozier Ocala International Airport, 5770 SW 60th Ave., Ocala Hours vary per airport operations Ocala resident Dozier exhibits a variety of work including landscapes, abstracts, still life and animal portraits. She works in oils and acrylics. For more info, visit ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR ONLINE OCALAGAZETTE.COM/EVENTS

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

“Spy Science”

Cameron Bryant, 5, left, and Jayce Mingo, 5, wear their disguises at the Spy Science exhibit at the City of Ocala Discovery Center on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.

Cayla McGill, 10, left, and Elijah Dominguez, 8, right, compare their disguises.

Test out your inner secret agent at the Discovery Center’s newest exhibit.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

I

Gabby Elliott, 6, right, gets some help getting dressed in her disguise from Natalie Hoyt, 10, left.

f you’ve ever wanted to pretend to be James Bond, the new “Spy Science” exhibit at the City of Ocala’s Discovery Center might help you get a little closer to secret agent status.

The exhibit showcases the history, science and even Hollywood connections within the world of espionage. As part of the fun, guests can create secret decoders and use them to solve encrypted messages, play with spy gadgets such as periscopes, voice changers and lasers, and even solve a jewel heist labyrinth.

Visitors can go undercover as an “Agent of Discovery” to find out the secret identity of the spy villain and solve puzzles and challenges to find him, and even crawl through the villain’s lair while looking for clues hidden in everyday objects. They also can learn how disguises help spies catch bad guys and even rescue people.

The Discovery Center is located at 701 NE Sanchez Ave. The exhibit is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, through Sept.

17. It is sponsored by Marion Rotary Duck Derby, Ocala Electric Utility, Fun4Ocala Kids and Duke Energy.

General admission to the Discovery Center is $8 per person or $28 for a family of four. Annual memberships also are available.

By reservation only, StarLab Planetarium shows are held on Saturdays and tickets are $30 per 10-person group. Guests are encouraged to call ahead to book a reservation time for the planetarium.

An alternative planetarium-like show, NASA Solar System Exploration, is available for a $3 add-on to the price of general admission.

Abel Tirado, 5, hides behind his disguise.

For more information, call 352-401-3900 or visit mydiscoverycenter.org.

Barrett Alexander, 6, checks out the ink on his finger as his grandmother, Carol Cook, helps him with getting fingerprinted.

Mikolaj Pretorian of Poland, 6, right, gets some help getting fingerprinted from his sister, Amelia, 9, left.

Left: Mikolaj Pretorian of Poland, 6, gets some help getting fingerprinted from his sister, Amelia, 9.

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Oldest DNA from domesticated American horse lends credence to shipwreck folklore

By Jerald Pinson Florida Museum of Natural History

A

n abandoned Caribbean colony unearthed centuries after it had been forgotten and a case of mistaken identity in the archaeological record have conspired to rewrite the history of a barrier island off the Virginia and Maryland coasts.

These seemingly unrelated threads were woven together when Nicolas Delsol, a postdoctoral researcher at the Florida Museum of Natural History, set out to analyze ancient DNA recovered from cow bones found in archaeological sites.

Delsol wanted to understand how cattle were domesticated in the Americas, and the genetic information preserved in centuries-old teeth held the answer. But they also held a surprise.

“It was a serendipitous finding,” he said.

“I was sequencing mitochondrial DNA from fossil cow teeth for my Ph.D. and realized something was very different with one of the specimens when I analyzed the sequences.”

That’s because the specimen in question, a fragment of an adult molar, wasn’t a cow tooth at all but instead once belonged to a horse. According to a study published this Wednesday in the journal PLOS ONE, the DNA obtained from the tooth is also the oldest ever sequenced for a domesticated horse from the Americas.

The tooth was excavated from one of Spain’s first colonized settlements. Located on the island of Hispaniola, the town of Puerto Real was established in 1507 and served for decades as the last port of call for ships sailing from the Caribbean. But rampant piracy and the rise of illegal trade in the 16th century forced the Spanish to consolidate their power elsewhere on the island, and in 1578, residents were ordered

to evacuate Puerto Real. The abandoned town was destroyed the following year by Spanish officials.

The remnants of the once-bustling port were inadvertently rediscovered by a medical missionary named William Hodges in 1975. Archaeological excavations of the site led by Florida Museum distinguished research curator Kathleen Deagan were carried out between 1979 and 1990.

Horse fossils and associated artifacts are incredibly rare at Puerto Real and similar sites from the time period, but cow remains are a common find. According to Delsol, this skewed ratio is primarily due to the way Spanish colonialists valued their livestock.

“Horses were reserved for individuals of high status, and owning one was a sign of prestige,” he said. “There are full-page descriptions of horses in the documents that chronicle the arrival of [Hernán] Cortés in Mexico, demonstrating how important they were to the Spanish.”

In contrast, cows were used as a source of meat and leather, and their bones were regularly discarded in communal waste piles called middens. But one community’s trash is an archaeologist’s treasure, as the refuse from middens often confers the clearest glimpse into what people ate and how they lived.

The specimen’s biggest surprise wasn’t revealed until Delsol compared its DNA with that of modern horses from around the world. Given that the Spanish brought their horses from the Iberian Peninsula in southern Europe, he expected horses still living in that region would be the closest living relatives of the 500-year-old Puerto Real specimen.

Instead, Delsol found its next of kin over 1,000 miles north of Hispaniola, on the island of Assateague off the coast of

Maryland and Virginia. Feral horses have roamed freely across the long stretch of barrier island for hundreds of years, but exactly how they got there has remained a mystery.

According to the National The feral Assateague herd is currently jointly managed by the National Park Service on the northern half of the island in Maryland and by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company on the southern half Park Service, in Virginia. [THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, CCO] which manages historical literature, but the Spanish were the northern half of Assateague, the exploring this area of the mid-Atlantic likeliest explanation is that the horses pretty early on in the 16th century. The were brought over in the 1600s by English early colonial literature is often patchy colonists from the mainland in an attempt and not completely thorough. Just because to evade livestock taxes and fencing laws. they don’t mention the horses doesn’t Others believe the feral herds descended mean they weren’t there.” from horses that survived the shipwreck The feral herds on Assateague weren’t of a Spanish galleon and swam to shore, a the only horses to revert back to their wild theory popularized in the 1947 children’s heritage after arriving in the Americas. novel “Misty of Chincoteague.” The book Colonists from all over Europe brought was later adapted to film, helping spread with them horses of various breeds and the shipwreck legend to an even wider pedigrees, some of which bucked their audience.

Until now, there has been little evidence bonds and escaped into the surrounding countryside. to support either theory. Proponents of Today, the U.S. Bureau of Land the shipwreck theory claim it would be Management estimates there are roughly unlikely that English colonists would 86,000 wild horses across the country, lose track of valuable livestock, while most of which are located in western those in favor of an English origin of the states, such as Nevada and Utah. Delsol herds point to the lack of sunken vessels hopes that future ancient DNA studies nearby and the omission of feral horses in will help decode the complex history of historical records of the region. equine introductions and migrations that The results of the DNA analysis, occurred over the last several centuries however, unequivocally point to Spanish and offer a clearer understanding of explorers as being the likeliest source today’s diversity of wild and domesticated of the horses on Assateague, Delsol horses. explained.

“It’s not widely reported in the

Current Adoption Specials: Ocala Gazette regularly brings you two furry friends that are available for adoption from local animal rescue organizations.

Iris

We’re hoping that when someone sees Iris’ beautiful brown eyes, they will fall in love and give her a great life. This little lady is very affectionate and would love to snuggle with a special person who appreciates her desire to be a lap dog.

We are full, full, full of animals and need help. If anyone is considering adoption, please hurry in now!

For more information about adoptions please visit MarionFL.org/Animal

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Stacey and Sterling are littermates and best friends. There is nothing sweeter than seeing this pair of fourteenmonth-old kittens sleeping soundly alongside the other as if they shared one heartbeat. These two are precious!

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Stacey and Sterling

The woodwind player went fishing with his buddy and hoped to catch a -BASS SOON

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

A HANDFUL OF INGREDIENTS TRANSFORM INTO THE MOST PERFECT, CREAMY, CHEESY PASTA

Cultural treats in small-town Andalucia

A cobbled street in Arcos serves as an alfresco dining spot. [Rick Steves/Rick Steves’ Europe]

By Rick Steves

T This dish is so simple to make even kids can help. [Joe Keller/TNS]

By America’s Test Kitchen

P

asta with just butter and cheese might seem simple, but it actually has a fancy name when served in restaurants -- fettuccine alfredo.

To make this dish at home, use authentic Parmesan cheese from Italy (look for the Italian words “Parmigiano-Reggiano” on the rind of the cheese). When the cheese, butter, and reserved pasta cooking water are stirred into the just-drained fettuccine, the dish will appear very watery. But don’t fret: After a covered 1-minute rest and a vigorous stir, everything will come together in a creamy sauce.

Best-Ever Pasta with Butter and Parmesan Cheese Serves 1 to 2

2 quarts water 4 ounces fettuccine or other long-strand pasta 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving 1 tablespoon unsalted butter Pinch pepper (optional) 1. In a large saucepan, bring water to boil. Add pasta and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until pasta is al dente (tender but still a bit chewy), 10 to 12 minutes.

2. Turn off heat. Transfer 1/4 cup cooking water to a liquid measuring cup. Drain pasta in a colander. Return drained pasta to the now-empty saucepan.

3. Add cheese, butter, and 2 tablespoons of reserved cooking water to the saucepan with the pasta. Return the saucepan to low heat.

4. Toss and stir constantly to combine, about 30 seconds. Turn off heat, cover saucepan, and let pasta sit for 1 minute.

5. Toss and stir pasta constantly again until sauce thoroughly coats pasta and cheese is melted, about 30 seconds. (If the sauce is too thick, thin as needed with remaining cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time.)

6. Transfer pasta to a bowl. Sprinkle with extra cheese and pepper (if using). Serve.

(For 25 years, home cooks have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. The family of brands -- which includes Cook’s Illustrated, Cook’s Country, and America’s Test Kitchen Kids -- offers reliable recipes for cooks of all ages and skill levels. See more online at www.americastestkitchen.com/TCA.)

he American image of Spain is Andalucia: the home of bullfights, flamenco, gazpacho, and pristine whitewashed hill towns. This southern part of the country feels more quintessentially Spanish than perhaps anywhere else. When visiting this area, I always make a point to venture into what’s called the Route of the White Hill Towns (Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos), a charm bracelet of cute villages perched in the sierras.

Acros de la Frontera makes a good starting point. Arcos is a classic hill town, blanketing its little summit with a mosaic of whitewashed buildings and a tangle of shady lanes. The labyrinthine old center is a photographer’s bonanza. I can feel the breeze funnel through the narrow streets -- so narrow that drivers can only enter the town on one side and leave on the other. If you miss your stop, you need to drive out of town and circle all the way back to your starting point. The best advice: Park outside the old center and walk.

The entertaining market is my first stop.

The pickle woman encourages me to try a banderilla, named for the bangled spear that a matador sticks into the bull. As I gingerly slide an onion off the tiny skewer of pickled olives, onions, and carrots, she tells me to eat it all at once -- the pickle equivalent of throwing down a shot of vodka. Explosivo!

The lady in the adjacent meat stall bursts into laughter at my shock.

Like the pickle section, the meat stall -- or salchicheria -- is an important part of any Spanish market. In Spain, ever since Roman times, December has been the month to slaughter pigs. After the slaughter, they salt and dry every possible bit of meat into various sausages, hams, and pork products. By late spring, that now-salty meat is cured, able to withstand the heat, and hanging in tempting market displays. Ham appreciation is big here. The word to know: jamon. When in Spain, I am a jamon aficionado.

Asking for top-quality ham, I get a plate of jamon iberico. While quite expensive, it’s a worthy investment. Made from acorn-fed pigs with black feet, it actually does taste better, with a bouquet of its own and a sweet aftertaste. I make a point in bars to order a small plate of it with my wine...it goes just right with vino tinto con mucho cuerpo (fullbodied red wine) from the Rioja region.

Around town, I like to peek discreetly into private patios. These wonderful, cooltiled courtyards, filled with plants, pools,

and happy family activities, are typical of the whole region. I also keep my eyes peeled for ancient columns tucked into building corners. Many are actually Roman, appropriated from their original ancient settlement at the foot of the hill; they were put up to protect buildings from reckless donkey cars (and tourists in rental cars).

I eventually make my way into a cool dark bar filled with very short old guys. Any Spanish man over a certain age spent his growth-spurt years trying to survive the brutal Civil War (1936-39). Those who did struggled. That generation is a head shorter than Spaniards of the next.

In the bar, the men -- side-lit like a Rembrandt portrait -- are fixated on the TV, watching the finale of a long series of bullfights. El Cordobes is fighting. His father, also El Cordobes, was the Babe Ruth of bullfighting. El Cordobes uses his dad’s name even though his dad sued in an effort to stop him.

Marveling at the bar’s cheap list of wines and hard drinks, I order a Cuba Libre for about $2. The drink comes tall and stiff, with a dish of peanuts.

Suddenly the room gasps. I can’t believe the vivid scene on the screen. El Cordobes has been hooked and is flung, doing a cartwheel over the angry bull’s head. The gang roars as El Cordobes lands in a heap and buries his head in his arms as the bull tramples and tries to gore him. The TV replays the scene many times, each time drawing gasps in the bar.

El Cordobes survives and -- no surprise -- eventually kills the bull. As he makes a victory lap, picking up bouquets tossed by adoring fans, the camera zooms in on the rip exposing his hip and a long bloody wound. The short men around me will remember and talk about this moment for years to come.

I end my walk at the best restaurant in town, where the proud owner, Maria, tells me about the day’s menu. As she pours my wine, I tell her that the man at the next table looks like El Cordobes. One glance and she says, “El Cordobes is much more handsome.” When I mention his recent drama, she nods and says, “It’s been a difficult year for matadors.”

(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This article was adapted from his new book, For the Love of Europe.

You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)

Princess Diana doc ‘The Princess’ debuts on HBO for 25th anniversary of her death

British Royal Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-1997) with Eton housemaster Dr. Andrew Gailey, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Charles outside Manor House on Prince William’s first day at Eton College in Eton, Berkshire, England, 16th September 1995. [Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Archive/ Getty Images/TNS]

By Rebecca Rubin Variety

“T

he Princess,” an intimate and immersive look at

the life of Princess Diana, will debut on HBO next month.

The film will premiere on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 8 p.m.

ET to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Diana’s death

on Aug. 31. It will be available to stream on HBO Max on the same day.

Ed Perkins (“Black Sheep”), who directed the film, used only television news footage and

other public records to retell the story of the people’s princess. It also tackles the relationship of Diana and Charles, the Prince and Princess of Wales, which served as tabloid fodder for nearly two decades through their wedding, the birth of their two sons, and their bitter divorce.

According to the film’s logline, “The Princess” is described as “a visceral submersion into Diana’s life in the constant and often intrusive glare of the media spotlight. The film unfolds as if it were in the present, allowing viewers to experience the overwhelming adoration, but also intense scrutiny of Diana’s every move and the constant judgment of her character.

Through archival material, the film is also a reflection of society at the time, revealing the public’s own preoccupations, fears, aspirations, and desires.

Princess Diana’s tragic death, caused in part by a high-speed pursuit by paparazzi, was a moment for reflection by both the public and the media

machine it feeds. However, after nearly 25 years since Princess Diana’s death, has anything really changed?”

“The Princess” first played at this year’s Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews. In “Variety’s” review, chief film critic Owen Gleiberman called “The Princess” a “perfectly timed, compulsively watchable once-over-lightly documentary.”

“Since we’ve never stopped watching her, ‘The Princess,’ coming on the heels of ‘Spencer,’ Season 4 of ‘The Crown,’ and the short-lived musical ‘Diana,’ may sound like one Diana document too many. Yet after all those dramatic treatments, it’s galvanizing to see the real story laid out exactly as it happened -- or, more precisely, as it happened and as it was presented to the public, those being, quite often, two very different things,” Gleiberman wrote.

Simon Chinn (“Man on Wire”) and Jonathan Chinn (HBO’s “Tina”) produced the film with Lightbox.

JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

How to manage seasonal allergies

By Mansi Kanuga, M.D. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

D

EAR MAYO CLINIC: I love the changing seasons and am looking forward to warmer days. Unfortunately, I am often miserable because of seasonal allergies. What can I do to keep the box of tissues at bay and enjoy the warmer weather?

ANSWER: Warmer temperatures mean that trees bud, flowers bloom and grass grows. And people often are more active outdoors.

But for many people like yourself, this means a heavy dose of misery in the form of sneezing, watery eyes and stuffy noses.

Seasonal allergies, also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis, occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance such as pollen, animal dander or dust mites. Patients with allergic rhinitis will experience a flare in symptoms with exposure to their allergens.

For those with pollen allergies, windy, dry days can be especially bothersome due to higher levels of airborne pollen.

To reduce severity of allergy symptoms, it can help to limit outdoor activity on such days and change clothing when returning indoors. Better yet, shower to rinse off residual pollen. Also, use your allergy medications prior to planned exposures.

You can find pollen forecasts for your area on local TV and radio stations, or the internet. If high pollen counts are forecasted, close doors and windows of your home and start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start. If possible, it can help to plan outdoor activities after a good rain, which clears pollen in the air.

Oral medications are especially useful for mild allergy symptoms, and many are available over the counter. Nonsedating antihistamines can relieve itching, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. They are generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects. If you find that one brand of antihistamine makes you sleepy, try a different one to see if you tolerate it better. Oral decongestants containing pseudoephedrine can temporarily relieve a stuffy nose and congestion, but they should be used with caution as they can cause insomnia and elevated blood pressure for some people.

For more persistent allergy symptoms, steroid nasal sprays are often the best treatment option. They block inflammation and swelling caused by airborne irritants and allergens, and prevent allergy symptoms.

Over-the-counter steroid nasal sprays include triamcinolone, fluticasone and budesonide. These medications usually start working after a few days and can take a few weeks to reach peak effect. It’s best to use them consistently during your allergy season. It is fine to combine steroid nasal sprays with oral antihistamines if needed.

Be careful not to confuse steroid nasal sprays with decongestant nasal sprays, such as oxymetazoline (Afrin). Afrin-type sprays work well for rapid relief of severe nasal congestion, but they are addictive and can worsen nasal congestion when used too long. This type of nasal spray should not be used for more than three days in a row, and even then only occasionally.

If you suffer from itchy eyes, try over-the-counter antihistamine eyedrops. They are often more soothing when refrigerated. Oral antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays can help itchy eyes eventually, but antihistamine eyedrops often provide the most rapid relief.

If you have asthma along with allergies, inhaled medications will likely be an important part of your treatment plan. Some inhalers suppress the lung inflammation that causes asthma. Other inhalers, such as albuterol, dilate your airways to temporarily relieve asthma symptoms. Your health care team can help guide whether you would benefit from inhaler therapy.

If you are still miserable after using over-the-counter medications consistently, an allergist or immunologist can guide additional treatment options, including considerations for allergy shots. This treatment consists of a series of injections to improve tolerance of allergen exposure and reduce associated allergy symptoms over time.

Allergy shots take months to start working and require a large time commitment, but their effectiveness in reducing the burden of allergy symptoms and medications needs is well-documented.

Follow these tips to combat seasonal allergies and you’ll be able to enjoy all the pleasures the season has to offer -- and leave your tissues at home. -- Mansi Kanuga, M.D., Allergy and Immunology, Mayo Clinic Health System, Red Wing, Minnesota (Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu.

For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org.)

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JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE