Ocala Gazette | September 11-17, 2020 by Magnolia Media Company

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SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

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Ocala Remembers 9/11 witness remembers the carnage, the heroes By Brad Rogers Executive Editor

hen Henry DeGeneste talks about the day terrorists flew two jetliners into the World Trade Center towers, two words flow from his lips over and over: sadness and chaos. DeGeneste, the retired superintendent of the Port Authority Police Department of New York and New Jersey, who now lives in Ocala, was in his Manhattan office on Sept. 11, 2001, when his assistant rushed in to tell him some terrifying news that would ultimately change the way we, as Americans, live. “I remember this like it happened yesterday,” he said. “My assistant came in and said, ‘Boss, I think somebody just flew a plane into the World Trade Center.’” DeGeneste’s office was just five blocks from the WTC, and Prudential had another office across the street from the towers, so he

started making his way to the second office building. “Obviously, there was chaos,” he remembered. When he reached his destination, fellow employees were aghast by DeGeneste’s appearance – he was covered in ash. Then the second plane hit. It was the beginning of a full week that the former police chief spent living in his office in Manhattan. It was also the beginning of a horrendous time in which DeGeneste witnessed person after person die, including 37 of his former Port Authority employees and colleagues. In fact, 9/11 was the deadliest day in history for a single U.S. police force, when the Port Authority lost 37 officers. “Almost all of them I knew,” he said. “I had hired some of them, worked with a lot of them. “People don’t focus on this,” he added. “To that 37, you can add another 19 officers who have died from chancer and other diseases

they got as a result of their actions on 9/11.” He remembers the horror of the scene as well. “There was ash all around. The stench was unbelievable – the jet fuel, there were bodies burning for weeks at a time.” And there were plenty of heroes. “I think about a guy, Jimmy Romito,” DeGeneste said. “He always thought of other people rather than himself.” Romito was at the Port Authority bus terminal when the planes struck the towers, so he immediately headed to the WTC. “He runs into the tower and he never comes out,” DeGeneste said of his friend. “It shows you the unselfishness. He didn’t think of himself, only of rescuing people. “All of the people who rushed in showed not just fearlessness. … What got me was the unselfishness of the first responders and other people. I saw people jumping from the 60th and 70th floors. Then there were

other people running into buildings to save people.” DeGeneste said the WTC held more than 50,000 people and he estimates that first responders were responsible for saving at least 35,000 people. “Those numbers are astronomical,” he said with a mix of pride and sadness. When asked what the legacy of 9/11 is, DeGeneste ponders and says there are many. Certainly, our lives are different than before 9/11, he said. Among the legacies are the Patriot Act and the way airports operate. “Airports have been completely reconfigured as a result of 9/11.” He also points out that the Department of Homeland Security came after 9/11 and it is now the second largest federal agency, behind the Pentagon. Part of Homeland Security is the Transportation Security Administration, which checks passengers going through airports. “We take these things for granted now,” DeGeneste

said. Other legacies, the 80-year-old said, include the narrowing of mass immigration laws and general attitudes toward immigrants. “I never remember before 9/11 so much animosity toward people from the Middle East, especially Muslims,” he said. Also, as he learned as security chief for a major corporation, companies before 9/11 did not have redundant information systems in case their primary systems went down. Now, it is standard practice to have backup systems in another location. Finally, DeGeneste believes 9/11 changed the public’s perception of first responders. “The way they viewed first responders afterward was with reverence,” he said. “The first responders stayed for weeks on end recovering bodies – even knowing it was dangerous to their health.” See 9/11, page 15

MCYFL turns 50 By Brad Rogers Executive Editor

hen the Marion County Youth Football League kick offs its 2020 season on Saturday, it will mark the 50th anniversary for the league that has seen tens of thousands of local youngsters play and cheer on its fields over the years. The league will begin its second half century amid a global pandemic, but regardless, league President Vince Arnold said that more than 1,000 children are signed up this year to play football and to cheer. Arnold, who has been involved with MCYFL since 1998, beams with pride as he talks about the kids, coaches and mission of this hometown organization. “It is a service we provide to the community,” he said. “And it’s fair and right and it’s good. “We’re not perfect, but

what we accomplish for the community and those kids, that’s what makes MCYFL what it is.” What it is is a well-oiled civic enterprise that has changed lives – of players, coaches and families – over the decades. In addition to the 1,000-plus young people who participate on fall afternoons at the league’s Jervey Gantt Park home, there are 150 coaches and untold volunteers who make MCYFL run. “Wins and losses to me is not the mission,” Arnold said. “The mission is to get these boys out here. Every single coach in this league has touched lives. MCYFL is now on the third generation of some families, and Arnold said nothing inspires him more than to watch a former player come back and coach the next generation of players. “That to me is our Super Bowl,” he said. One of those who came

back – and keeps coming back – is Greg Paquin. Paquin played in the league in its first year in 1970. After taking a break to play high school ball at Forest -- where he was part of a state championship team – he returned to MCYFL in 1975 as a coach and has been part of the league ever since. He is vice president of the board this year, in addition to being a coach. MCYFL was founded in 1970 after Brent Hall came to Ocala as the head football coach of Forest High. At the same time, John Brantley Jr. moved his family, with his two sons, Scott and John III, to town from South Carolina, where the Brantley boys had played youth tackle football. The elder Brantley went looking for a youth football league here, but there was none. So, he went to the local high school, where he met Hall. Hall said he was interested in starting a youth league to serve as a

Photos courtesy of MCYFL

feeder program to Forest. Brantley found some local businessmen to join him, and the Marion County Independent Football League was born. That first group of MCYFL players – which included the Brantleys, who would go onto stardom at the University of Florida – went on to win two state championships under Hall at Forest. “It was just kind of put together,” said John Brantley III, now head coach at Trinity Catholic. Arnold, Paquin and Brantley all agree that the

impact of MCYFL on the kids and the community over the years is palpable and real. “Football is the ultimate microcosm of life,” Paquin said. “You get out of it what you put into it. … Just watching these kids See MCYFL, page 3

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Gridiron Gravitas in the age of the Pandemic By Ben Baugh Correspondent

t’s about maintaining safety and fun, while allowing high school athletes to continue to play the game they love. Those are the primary variables for competing in interscholastic athletics. However, this past winter the structure of high school sports mirrored life in taking on a new approach, coexisting with a virus that has altered the way we go about living changing the complexion of our environment, one that means following strict COVID-19 guidelines and protocol. According to the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, a number of regulations and guidelines were drawn up for those participating in high school athletics during the pandemic. There will be a number of protocol and procedures in place, some are extremely familiar like the availability of hand sanitizer, but there are those endemic to interscholastic activities, one’s where schools will be allowed to include language providing specific guidelines; for instance such as the length of transition between workout sessions, in order to thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment in a particular area. It’s been advised by the Center of Disease Control, the FHSAA and the SMAC that athletes and coaches are to wear face coverings when not participating in strenuous and vigorous activity. Face masks, however, are required in weight rooms by athletes and coaches at all times. Student athletes will be required to bring their own personal water bottles and personal towels.

Additionally, athletes, coaches and athletic personnel will be screened prior to participating in any event. “What we’re trying to do is to make sure that the students through our educational athletic programs get provided an opportunity to compete and represent their schools,” said Jody Phillips, Marion County School Board program specialist. “I think first and foremost, all the schools and the coaches were to provide consistency, and through our planning process started last May because we saw this on the horizon, began to plan and thought for processing as to how we could step everything back into place, how we would transition, and called it ‘Our Four Quarters of Return.’” The pandemic has transformed the approach toward competition, and the logistics, travel and interaction on all levels have been altered, but adjustments have been made, and a structure is in place for the fall season and beyond. The high school sport season started Sept. 4 in Marion County, but with a far different atmosphere than in past years, crowded gyms may seem less full with fewer parents, family members, friends, boosters, fans and enthusiasts in the stands because of the social distancing protocol. “The four quarters meaning that we went from virtual interaction back in May, with our coaches and students at that time, and of course we’re just turning this page just this (past) week on beginning competition in some of the sports. Football is lagging behind because of some of the safety protocols.” The football season is scheduled to begin Sept. 24, and being a contact sport provides its own set

of challenges, in a rapidly changing world, with a depth of vagaries that could mirror a 1970s science fiction novel. “As we looked at the football season, it’s sort of a different animal,” said Phillips. “We’re preparing and making sure that the students had enough of an opportunity. We missed a whole entire spring of football. There was none. We would normally get to use three weeks of training time for these students back in May that we lost, and say fast forward to August, summer wasn’t normal so to speak, in what the students were able to do. There was a lot of weightlifting and conditioning that was going on, but it was minimal as far as our normal preparations go.” Football’s popularity and spectator-friendly environment has made Friday night games a preferred social destination nationwide. Quite often, the previous night’s contest is the topic at local eateries the following morning, placing greater gravitas on the gridiron and the start of

this fall’s season. “Football had to take on a different light, and certainly we were looking to the NCAA and the NFL as a model of how we would like to fold back in,” said Phillips. “If you looked at their processes they ranged anywhere from five to six weeks before they allowed students to compete in the sport of football. We didn’t go that far, but we looked more at the four to five week range as we laid out the plan for that sport specifically.” Marion County has placed an emphasis on consistency, so in that way they’re not really dependent on the regular season for any other school district, entity or individual, said Phillips. “I think the toughest part potentially, dealing with the seven high schools, and each of them having in excess of 20 varsity programs, is trying to make sure there’s a good line of communication, and certainly working both ways, whether it’s down to them or back to the athletic director, and then from the athletic director to the

coaches themselves,” said Phillips. The county has been working diligently with trainers, several team doctors and with those who are involved with programs outside of athletics that impact sporting events, like band and marching band, and what their role will be at the football games, said Phillips. The logistics of the day-to-day routine, and the changes that have come about because of the pandemic regarding locker room usage, distancing and the challenges associated with following the guidelines have meant a considerable amount of adjustments. “I’ve been involved with football for a long time, but this year has taken everyone by surprise,” said John Brantley III, Trinity Catholic football coach. “The most thought out plan may not work due to the uncertainty on a daily basis. Since taking the job in March, I’ve yet to see my team in full pads, except for picture day, and the See Football, page 12

Dewhitt Betterson pulls in a pass during practice at Vanguard High School in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

Ride for the Alzheimer’s Cure By Lisa McGinnes Staff Writer

un Country Trail Blazers Saddle Club has a fun way for equestrians and their horses to hit the trail and raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association. The 2020 Ride for the Cure will be a socially distanced ride and participants can choose where and how many miles they ride. “We’re keeping it very

flexible,” explained Sun Country Trail Blazers president Karen Kraushaar. “We want people to feel like they can ride as much or as little as they want. We are encouraging a lot of rider creativity.” Now in its seventh year, the Ride for the Cure has adapted to this year’s pandemic conditions. Last year’s ride was a weekend campout that raised more than $14,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. “We are really thrilled

that we have come up with a system that will allow people to support Alzheimer’s research in a safe way,” Kraushaar said. “It’s a great opportunity to help out a worthy cause.” Riders can register online at www. suncountrytrailblazers. org by Monday, September 14th and should plan to ride between September 26th and October 10th. The registration fee is $30, which includes a t-shirt, and all proceeds go to the

Alzheimer’s Association. Riders are encouraged to solicit donations from sponsors who pledge a onetime donation or amount per mile. The ride is sponsored by local businesses including Newport Hay, Good Apple Equine Consignment, Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital, Home Instead Senior Care and Seminole Fence Company. New this year, participants are encouraged

to dedicate their ride in honor of someone they know living with Alzheimer’s disease or in memory of someone who had Alzheimer’s. Kraushaar will be riding in memory of her mother, who died of Alzheimer’s in 2012. “Many people are in that situation,” Kraushaar said. “We hope everyone who is interested will participate. The sky’s the limit!”

The New Normal for Local Nonprofits By Lisa McGinnes Staff Writer

oing more with less is standard operating procedure for nonprofit organizations. Even in the best of times they’re used to meeting the needs of the community with oversized hearts and undersized budgets. But while local charities have done an amazing job of adjusting to pandemic conditions and figuring out how to offer their services in safe, socially distanced ways, their current

message is clear: they need renewed support from the community, and soon. “Everything we do and everything we are is made possible by our community,” said R.J. Jenkins, president of the board of directors of the Marion County Literacy Council, which helps adults learn to read, earn their GED and learn English as a second language. “But in general, we have this set of tools at our disposal and one of the tools is fundraising events. These are opportunities for people to get together for us to render visible to the

community the work that we do, to connect people to our mission and, in the process, to try to raise some funds to support the work that we do. Obviously in the context of this public health crisis we were not able to safely hold any of our signature fundraising events.” Usually the Literacy Council raises about half their annual operating budget through four spring events, he explained. They all had to be cancelled this year. “Of course that puts us in a tricky situation and

we’re not the only nonprofit who’s struggled with that,” Jenkins said. “We couldn’t really fundraise and we had to temporarily close our physical facility. So offering our services became difficult as well.” To continue teaching, their volunteer tutors turned to video calls and phone calls. “For the very first time in the history of the Literacy Council, and we’ve existed since 1999, we began offering literacy support services through virtual tools,” Jenkins explained. “That’s something we had

never done before; we really prefer the kind of hightouch, in-person work that we do.” However, he said, having to embrace virtual tutoring has given them new options. “We can reach people we may not have been able to reach; we can serve people who might have had trouble getting to our campus downtown, so it’s been very positive,” he said. Amid a new stay-athome lifestyle, the council’s fundraising campaign followed its tutoring See Nonprofits, page 4

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Commentary

A downtown that Gainesville envies

“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” - Thomas Jefferson

Executive Editor Brad Rogers brad@ocalagazette.com Deputy Editor Bill Thompson bill@ocalagazette.com Photography Editor Bruce Ackerman bruce@ocalagazette.com Sports Editor Morgan Willett morgan@ocalagazette.com

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

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By Brad Rogers Executive Editor

nyone who’s lived in North Florida anytime at all knows that Ocala and Gainesville will never be known as twin cities like, say, Tampa-St. Pete or Minneapolis-St. Paul. No, the Horse Capital of the World and the University City have always had an underlying dislike for one another -- probably with good reason. The two communities couldn’t be any more different. Consider … Ocala is red, Gainesville is blue. The median age in Ocala is 38; in Gainesville it’s 26. Ocala has a diversified economy driven by manufacturing, horses, health care and logistics. Gainesville is a company town that revolves wholly around the University of Florida. Ocala has huge gated communities catering to retirees. Gainesville has huge apartment complexes catering to students. Ocala has more people, more wealth and more Walmarts. Gainesville has more college degrees, more sports and cultural events and more taxes. In short, Ocala and Gainesville couldn’t be more different than horses and Gators. Over the years, however, Ocalans have come to believe Gainesvillians look down their noses at their older, richer, more conservative neighbors to the south. There is some evidence to back that up. When Gainesville set out to build a new airport back in the 1970’s, Ocala’s leaders, foreseeing a coming population boom, pleaded that it be built somewhere between the two growing cities. Gainesville leaders snubbed the idea and built the airport north of their city, a mistake that led to decades of economic struggles that continue today. Former Ocala mayor Gerald Ergle remembers when Ocala was named an All-American City back in 1996 that a Gainesville columnist acknowledged the lofty designation by writing “the mobile homes are

rocking in Marion County tonight.” Ergle, like the rest of Ocala, was unamused. So here we are in 2020. Ocala is booming, the new darling of the logistics industry. Gainesville is also booming, thanks to its everburgeoning big brother UF. But here’s the thing. A contingent of Gainesville civic leaders came to town this week for a looksee at our downtown. They wanted to know how Ocala has managed to create a hopping, expanding downtown that has a growing number of restaurants, boutiques, bars and other businesses , not to mention a brand new hotel on the verge of opening, while their downtown has become a daytime ghost town that only draws crowds when students fill the bars at night. One member of the group is an old friend and newspaper colleague, Ron Cunningham. He brought former Gainesville city commissioner Warren Nielsen and Bob Ackerman, a member of that city’s Plan Board, to the Brick City. The trio was impressed with the vibrancy, the diversity and the continuing expansion of Ocala’s downtown – and it was lunchtime! Yes, these Gainesville residents had nice things to say about our fair city. So, how’d you do it? they asked. Well, it all started with a plan. In 2004, the Ocala City Council approved a Downtown Master Plan that called for, among other things, new residential units, more retail establishments, a parking garage and increased office space, as well as finding uses for the old library, the old Marion Theatre and what was known as “the Sprint site.” The goal was to turn the downtown into a “destination” that would draw people and their dollars from 75 miles around So, how’d it work out? Well, after a pause for the Great Recession, things started happening in 2014. More restaurants and bars opened, the Sprint site became condos, a hotel with restaurants and shops got under way, a 400-space parking garage was built, the old library became home to the Institute for

From MCYFL, page 1 accomplish something they didn’t think they could do is what makes it so rewarding.” And, he added, “Coaches learn a lot from the kids, too.” Brantley, who was among that first group of MCYFL players when it started with five teams, exudes pride when talking about how far the league has come and the impact it has had on the community. “Between the players and the cheerleaders, you can’t hardly talk to a family in Marion County that hasn’t been affected by MCYFL,” he said. “It’s affected a lot of young men and women.” Paquin said after 40 years as head coach of the Falcons, he is reminded of the league’s impact on a regular basis by former players. “It has absolutely changed lives,” he said. “The proof is the kids coming up and telling me years later how it changed them. How much it meant to their lives.” And what it has meant to local high school programs is immeasurable,

Brantley said. In fact, Brantley, who won state championships as a player Forest, then as an assistant coach and head coach – both a Trinity – said MCYFL is what got him into coaching. MCYFL now is now established as the only youth football league that is Marion County exclusive, meaning none of its teams play out of town. Moreover, the MCYFL complex at Jervey Gantt, first built in 1980, has been erected without government support. “That’s the thing about MCYFL I’m maybe most proud of – that it gets no government funding. We survive on donations and fund raisers,” Paquin said. But for all the lives it has touched – players, cheerleaders and coaches – Brantley said the success is evident in the size, scope and endurance of MCYFL. “After 50 years, it’s the largest independent football league in the Southeast, if not the country,” he said. “MCYFL started a lot of careers for a lot of players and coaches.”

Human and Machine Cognition, the Marion Theatre has been renovated and in steady use and the old Memorial Auditorium in Tuscawilla Park became the Reilly Cultural Arts Center. What is really remarkable – besides the fact a government plan actually came to fruition – is that the City Council that approved the Downtown Master Plan is now long gone, having been replaced by another council and another council, yet they have stuck to the plan faithfully. In a 2018 assessment of the downtown plan and its success, city planners wrote: “In addition to greatly enhancing the quality of life for its residents, these progressive and highly competitive steps have had a profound effect on making Downtown Ocala a ‘destination’ location. The city now offers robust, regular entertainment, numerous cultural, retail and restaurant offerings that now consistently attract a discretionary spending draw from a surrounding 75-mile radius.” Mission accomplished. Or as Col. Hannibal Smith of the old TV series “A-Team” famously said: I love it when a plan comes together. The Downtown Master Plan came together so, shall we say, masterfully, that the City Council in 2017 approved a Midtown Master Plan to keep the good times rolling, except this time in the area of downtown north of Silver Springs Boulevard. The midtown renaissance is a work in progress, but if the results of the Downtown Master Plan of 2004 are any indication, Ocalans have something to look forward to. Meanwhile, to our neighbors in Gainesville, start with a definitive plan, then stick to it. Of course, as has been noted, Ocala and Gainesville are so, so different. And the latest difference is Ocala has a bustling downtown that’s on the upswing. Gainesville? Not so much. That said, thanks for visiting, fellas. You’re welcome anytime. Just come downtown. There’s plenty to do.

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From Nonprofits, page 2 methods and went online. In March they turned to Facebook with virtual bedtime stories, posting videos of community leaders reading childhood favorites with links to online giving opportunities. On July 20th, the council announced its 1+1=2 campaign, made possible by generous donors Stan and Martha Hanson, who offered to match donations made through July 31st, up to $25,000. It was a chance to recoup funds the spring events would normally bring in, and it was a success. On August 12th, the council announced that the community had donated $26,370, which, matched with the Hansons’ $25,000 gift, made a total of $51,370, about a third of their annual operating budget. “What that did is essentially made up for all four of our signature fundraisers that we weren’t able to have and put us on firm financial footing moving into the fall term,” Jenkins explained. “The community just lifted us up. They advocated for us; they championed our work. So I’m really happy to say that as we move into the fall we’re in a very strong and stable position to continue offering our services to the community.” Marion Senior Services faced the same kind of struggle to provide services in a safe way, with an additional challenge: serving those most at risk from coronavirus—the elderly. The agency provides essential services including hot meals, groceries and transportation to medical appointments. Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator Jamie Williams said private donations pretty much stopped coming in, but with more than 90 percent of their funds coming from government and corporate grants, revenue actually increased during the pandemic. “We had some changes to our tactics, how we approached the work we did,” Williams said. “They (senior citizens) were still having to do medical appointments, anything considered essential like dialysis; we had to provide the transportation. We also still had to do the Meals on Wheels.” On their Marion Transit

buses, they began extra sanitation protocols and limited the number of riders. Meals on Wheels volunteers donned masks and gloves and began physically distancing themselves from clients. “We deliver the hot meals Monday through Friday, every single day, and they still continued to do that,” Williams explained. “Usually the driver gets out of the car, brings the meal to the door, knocks and hands it to them. Sometimes, in certain instances, we have some clients who are blind; they actually bring it in, put it on their table and open it for them. We could no longer do that, so we had to get to a situation where we would have the driver knock on the door and put the meal either on the floor or leave it in a closed bag and wait for the person to come to the door and make sure they got it. All of our programming continued, just with those changes for social distancing.” The big change to their services, he said, was the way hundreds of seniors receive the hot lunches they usually enjoy at seven congregate dining sites throughout Marion County. Typically, he said, those lunches provide not just a hot, nutritious meal but a welcome chance to socialize. Now, instead of sharing smiles and conversation around the table, those seniors must pick up their lunch drive-through style. However, because of additional government funding, Williams said, their agency has actually been able to feed even more elderly residents in need. A $600,000 CARES grant provided support for homedelivered meals and takeout meals and also funded a new partnership between the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Department of Elder Affairs. “It was done to directly support the restaurant industry as well as the seniors,” Williams explained. “We called our program Warm Meals, Warm Hearts. In Ocala the pilot was with Mojo’s. We were able to meet the needs of a few hundred seniors in low income senior housing. Mojo’s would deliver to the facility and our volunteers would take it door to door.” Currently, 405 seniors are

receiving meals through the new initiative. In addition to government Coronavirus response funding, corporations also stepped up to help. Williams said Marion Senior Services recently received a $10,000 grant from Truist Bank to support Meals on Wheels for the rest of the year. “We’ve actually been very fortunate compared to a lot of nonprofits,” Williams said. “We haven’t had to lay off any employees, we haven’t had to decrease services that we provide, but we’ve actually been able to increase the programs we can provide.” Some smaller local charities are struggling to meet the needs of even a reduced number of clients. Open Arms Village in Ocala, which operates with two full-time and three part-time staff, had to cut the number of homeless men their transitional housing program can serve by 25 percent amid skyrocketing costs and plummeting donations. “Our private donations are down,” said Executive Director Pam McBride. “We rely solely on donations; we don’t get any government money. But even one of my larger donors had to cut their donation in half. And with the uncertainty of the future and all of us waiting to see how COVID plays out, private donations are down.” With 15 men living under one roof, Open Arms Village implemented new cleaning and sanitation protocols to keep everyone

safe. “Costs being up starts with COVID and the ridiculous cost of sanitizing supplies and cleaning supplies,” McBride explained. “If we can find sprays and wipes and liquids the cost is up tremendously and we have to buy a lot of it. We’ve switched to where we’re doing everything in the building with disposables, having to buy three meals’ worth of paper plates, paper bowls, knives, forks and cups. Another cost that’s up is our food cost in general because we have lost some of our food donors right now with COVID going on.” And, like the Literacy Council, Open Arms Village had to cancel their fundraising events this year. “Typically we have two big fundraisers a year,” McBride said. “We usually raise $70,000 with the two of those and we couldn’t do either of them. The other thing that happens when you don’t have your fundraisers, for a smaller organization like us, those fundraisers raise awareness, and they bring us new advocates for our program. So we’re missing out on that too.” Yet, in the midst of the steepest challenges the organization has faced, Open Arms Village keeps finding reasons to celebrate. “To date we’ve had no cases of COVID,” McBride revealed. “We’ve had two scares where we had to isolate men but we’ve had no cases so that’s a blessing.” Their residents, who

commit to ambitious savings plans and work toward goals such as purchasing a vehicle, are required to work fulltime. In most cases they also face the challenge of maintaining sobriety and being estranged from family—issues that are magnified in the isolation of a pandemic. But even coronavirus-related layoffs didn’t cause them to lose sight of their goals. “It’s amazing,” McBride said. “They made it through the worst of COVID where a lot of them were laid off. They all managed to get their jobs back. They’ve maintained their sobriety. They’re all safe, they’re all healthy. It’s been working; it’s just been a challenge. They made it work. They got behind a little on their savings and their goals but that’s OK. We’ve been here for them and they’ve supported one another. We had two men that graduated last month. They had really worked hard.” But to continue giving homeless individuals a hand up to move toward independence, Open Arms Village will need to find new ways to fundraise. “At the board meeting last week we discussed having a virtual fundraiser,” McBride said. “I think we will put together something where we can have a virtual tour. We’ll have some of our residents who are very open to speaking and giving their testimony and put together a virtual fundraiser. We’ll have to do that or we’ll have to shut the doors.”

How you can help

ost local charities can accept a tax-deductible gift online. Visit www.marionliteracy.org, www. marionseniorservices.org or www. openarmsvillageocala.org to make a PayPal or credit card donation. Find information about more than 100 other Marion County nonprofit organizations in the 2020 Guide to Charitable Giving online at https://issuu.com/ocalastyle/ docs/_book_cr_pages. Consider supporting your favorite causes on October 20th through the inaugural Give4Marion campaign. The Community Foundation’s new day of online giving will allow you to load up your cart with tax-deductible donations of $10 and up to dozens of organizations that provide services in Marion County at www.give4marion.org.

SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Championing a Great Cause By Susan Smiley-Height Staff Writer

aria Roman understands the challenges of being the parent of a child with special needs. Don Nottingham built a sports career on clearing obstacles from his path. Together, they bring their life experiences to the forefront in helping others. Roman is the executive director and Nottingham is president of Champions for Champions Inc., which has mission to enrich the lives of families through facilitating and providing recreational, educational, athletic and life skills activities for people with special needs in Marion County. Group activities include music therapy, bowling, socials, dances, swimming and a Toastmasters program. To help provide the various forms of programming, the organization hosts fundraisers, such as three events coming up in October. And, given Nottingham’s career as a football star in college and then as a running back for the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL), for which he became known as “The Human Bowling Ball,” you can bet that some of his NFL alumni pals will be involved. In keeping with the need for social distancing during the pandemic, each of these events—a virtual pageant,

and a dinner and clay shoot with members of the NFL Alumni Association—will be geared to keeping everyone safe as they help support Champions for Champions. “With the dinner, for example, although the venue has a capacity of 300 people, we will limit tickets to 100 people,” Roman said. “Attendees will still have the opportunity to talk with have photos taken with NFL alumni, but we will require masks and social distancing.” Nottingham is chairing the dinner and clay shooting events with Phil Smith of the Saint Louis Cardinals. In past years, according to organizers, supporters of both events have included Mark Duper and Larry Sipples of the Miami Dolphins; Fred Stokes of the New Orleans Saints; Riley Cooper, who played for the University of Florida and the Philadelphia Eagles; Larry Ball of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Wayne Cashman, who played for the Boston Bruins and is a NHL Hall of Famer; Gamalier “Baby Bird” Rodriguez, who won the North American Boxing Association Featherweight Title; Nate Samson, who played for the Chicago Cubs; and a host of other sports celebrities. Roman said that international fashion and costume designer Kirsten Regalado is helping with the pageant. According to her website, Regalado “has been dressing local

and international pageant contestants, including more than 1,000 titleholders in the past 10 years. Ms. Regalado has a long list of clientele, including one of the world’s longest running beauty pageants, Miss Universe.” “We already have entrants from Japan and the Philippines and are hoping for more from at least eight countries,” Roman noted. “This is an opportunity for us to spread awareness about the beauty within all of us. We can all be proud that it’s all coming from Ocala. There are no cash prizes, but it makes for great bragging rights!” Here are details about each event: The UniversAbility Pageant The fourth annual UniversAbiltiy Pageant is open to toddlers, teens and adults with unique abilities. Interviews will be held via Zoom with international judges. The primary categories are Little Prince and Princess, Teen Prince and Princess, Prince and Princess, and King and Queen. There are subcategory titles such as most photogenic, spirit award, best casual attire, best formal attire and more. All participants will be given a participation certificate. Winners of the primary titles will be crowned and presented with a sash. Sub-category winners will receive a

sash. An optional category is talent, which is judged separately and will be awarded a trophy and sash. Awards will be presented to local winners on October 24th in Ocala. Global winners will be presented regionally. To register, go to the UniversAbility Pageant page on Facebook and complete the form and submit payment of $15 via PayPal no later than October 5th. Celebrity Dinner Join Nottingham and some of his NFL Alumni pals at 6 p.m. Friday, October 23rd, at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Auditorium. Be sure to ask Nottingham if you can see his giant Super Bowl championship ring! There will be an opportunity for autographs from the attending NFL Alumni and attendees are welcome to bring an item to have signed. Members of Champions for Champions will dance, sing and give an oratorial presentation utilizing their Toastmaster’s skills. Magician and mentalist Brian LaPalme will entertain. The meal will be catered by LongHorn Steakhouse. There also will be auctions and prizes. Tickets are $50 per person or a table sponsorship for six for $400. Table sponsorship includes event signage, media recognition, preferred autograph options and complimentary wine.

With the social distancing requirements of the Centers for Disease Control, tickets are limited and there may not be any sales at the door. To purchase tickets by credit card with no added fees, call (866) 996-2182, extension 1; or purchase at Eventbrite via Facebook ChampsAbility, for which a surcharge will be applied. NFL Caring for Kids Clay Shoot The fifth annual event offers an opportunity to meet and greet NFL Alumni and share a morning of competitive clay shooting and a catered lunch. The event begins with registration at 7 a.m. Saturday, October 24th, at Robinson Ranch Trap & Skeet Shooting at 19730 S.E. 127th Terrace, Inglis. Following a continental breakfast, the competition starts at 8 a.m. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams during lunch. There also will be raffles and auction items. The cost is $75 per person or a team of five for $375. All participants will receive a gift bag. To reserve your spot, call (866) 996-2182, extension 3, or register at Eventbrite via Facebook ChampsAbility, where a surcharge applies. To learn more about Champions for Champions, visit www. championsforchampions. org, find them on Facebook or call 866-996-2182.

Jennifer Proto, left, dances with Jasper Roman, 19, Douglas Tardy, 23, and Micah Brown, 30, left to right, during a gathering of the Champions For Champions group. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

Laura Suber spends some time with her special needs godson, Sean Finn, 20, during a gathering of the Champions For Champions group at Just Kid’n Around. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

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SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Woods, Graham weigh in on assaults on cops By Bill Thompson Deputy Editor

arion County Sheriff Billy Woods instantly became national news last month when he banned his deputies, staff and visitors to the Sheriff ’s Office from wearing face masks. Angry critics denounced Woods’s intelligence, understanding of COVID-19, commitment to public safety, even his mustache. But while focusing on the potential spread of the virus, it appeared one of Woods’s key reasons for the no-mask order got lost in the haranguing. “In light of the current events when it comes to the sentiment and/or hatred toward law enforcement in our country today,” Woods wrote, “this is being done

to ensure there is clear communication and for identification purposes of any individual walking into a lobby.” FBI data underscore Woods’s point. As of Sept. 1, according to FBI data, 33 law enforcement officers had been “feloniously” killed during 2020, which means, per the agency’s definition, that they were killed in the line of duty by a suspect’s “willful and intentional actions.” That was up 10 percent over the same period in 2019. At least 14 of those deaths occurred in the South. Locally, statistics from the Ocala Police Department and the Sheriff ’s Office show that arrests for assault on law enforcement officers at both agencies are trending upward for 2020 and are

projected to be the highest in at least four years. OPD officers arrested 30 suspects for assaulting cops in 2017, followed by 28 in 2018 and 27 last year. During the first six months of 2020, OPD has booked 16 suspects for assaults on its officers, which projects to 32 for the year. Meanwhile, the anticipated total for the Sheriff ’s Office is up dramatically. In 2017, deputies arrested 48 people for assaults on their peers. That number rose to 71 in 2018 but dipped to 65 last year. But as of last Friday, deputies had hauled in 57 people for assaulting them. That projects to 86 such arrests for 2020. Sheriff ’s spokesman Sgt. Paul Bloom said anti-police unrest in some major cities under Democratic control

might be an explanation, although that’s not definitive. But, he added, COVID19-related frustration over lost jobs and tension stemming from extended stay-at-home confinement may have been a contributing factor. “They could be taking it out against our guys and girls out here trying to enforce the law. The stress level in 2020 is higher than in 2019 for most folks,” Bloom said. Yet, “that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still a felony to attack a law enforcement officer. It’s unfortunate that the numbers have climbed, but we’re not doing anything different on our end.” Bloom also noted that for the last several months, starting before the coronavirus hit, the Sheriff ’s Office has flooded quadrants of Marion County to scoop

up people with outstanding arrest warrants. In turn, he said, “with us going in there, some people run from us, and some fight us. They do what they can to get away.” Ocala Police Chief Greg Graham said it was possible the slight uptick could be related to growing antipolice sentiment in some parts of the country. But he also called the potential increase “statistically insignificant.” “The vast majority of feedback I get from the community is that they’re supportive of us,” he said. “Our community treats us really well, and our officers have been trained to communicate and deescalate. Any assault on an officer is concerning. But I don’t believe we’re seeing a trend that we’re being attacked any more so than in the past.”

North Florida VA urges people to ‘Be There’ for vets at risk of suicide By Bill Thompson Deputy Editor

s a community, and as a nation, we talk plenty about our respect and admiration for military veterans. But many of those who donned this country’s uniform and stood ready to sacrifice their own lives in its defense often end up emotionally or physically tattered, seeing no relief except death by their own hand. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that 17 military veterans across the nation take their own lives each day. That number includes only veterans, and not soldiers on active duty or National Guard members who were not called up for federal service. To put that in context, USA Today reported earlier this year that in 2018, the most recent year for available data, the national suicide rate was 14.2 per 100,000 Americans. Based on the VA’s most recent estimates, the suicide rate among veterans is an astounding 30.5 per 100,000. The VA does not track suicide data by county, but based on agency data, Florida-based veterans comprise about 8 percent of the total each year. And when a veteran goes this route, there is a significant ripple effect. A VA report released last September noted that each suicide affects 135 survivors. To combat this scourge of death and loss, the

VA’s North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System in Gainesville, which operates two clinics serving thousands of veterans in the Ocala area, is calling attention to Suicide Prevention Month during September. And it is doing so by encouraging loved ones of veterans to “Be There.” Be There is the theme of the campaign this year. As the name implies, as VA spokeswoman Cindy Snook put it, “small actions can make a big difference” – especially to veterans experiencing difficult times. Through Be There, according to the Gainesville VA, those close to veterans can learn about the warning signs of suicide, as found on the Veterans Crisis Line website. They can also watch a free suicide-prevention tutorial on the S.A.V.E. (for Signs, Ask, Validate, and Encourage and Expedite) process to understand how best to respond with care and compassion if someone expresses thoughts of suicide. Additionally, they can contact the VA’s Coaching Into Care program, through which they obtain guidance from a licensed psychologist or social worker to motivate veterans to seek help. To assist with that, they can find stories of hope and recovery from VA’s Make the Connection link. Finally, Be There encourages them to reach out to veterans. The concept is predicated on simple gestures such as sending a “check-in” text, cooking them dinner or

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that 17 military veterans across the nation take their own lives each day. asking, “How are you?” In 2014, nearly 6,300 veterans committed suicide, the peak in recent years. In response, the VA conducted an exhaustive study of suicide among former military members. Researchers reviewed records of 55 million veterans spanning all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico between 1979 and 2014. The analysis allowed the VA to develop a basic profile of who was at risk. Veterans who took their own lives tended to be men (95 percent) who were older (64 percent being older than 55). A gun was the tool chosen most frequently. Continuing its research, the agency fleshed out that picture over time by looking at veterans under its care. In its report last September, the VA noted suicide victims among its patients tended to struggle with employment, as their military skills did not translate well to the civilian workforce. They also were

more likely to experience homelessness and suffer from health issues such as sleep disorder, traumatic brain injury, or a pain diagnosis. Yet, the report noted, “Isolation has been shown to be a risk factor for suicide,” as “suicide rates have been found to be highest among those who were divorced, widowed, or never married and lowest among those who married. Also, among VHA (Veterans Health Administration) patients, suicide rates were elevated among individuals residing in rural areas.” That factor is what Be There seeks to address. To prevent a veteran from winding up a statistic, the Gainesville VA suggests that a simple phone call can strengthen a bond and provide a needed human connection to someone in crisis. Moreover, the VA offers the following advice to those who may struggle to understand how to help veterans who struggle with this situation: • Remind them that they are not isolated, but that you are there emotionally, even if you are physically distant from them. “Reaching out,” the VA says, “is more important than ever.” • Validate their experience by being willing to “listen more than you speak.” Even if you cannot relate to them, at least be willing to share that you understand they went through some difficult circumstances and

show respect for their situation. • Let them decide what and how much to share, and offer supportive comments, rather than pursuing “invasive” personal questions. That facilitates open communication and avoids making them feel defensive. • Remember that it is fine to ask directly if they are considering suicide. “Asking questions about thoughts of suicide does not increase a person’s suicide risk,” the VA says. “And the answers can help you determine the next steps to take.” The VA in Gainesville wants veterans and their families to know the agency offers an array of services to veterans who may be at risk of suicide. Those include same day urgent care mental health services and primary care mental health integration. The VA also has suicide prevention coordinators available to speak with any veteran or family member experiencing a crisis, And they are able to provide education and outreach efforts. The VA encourages veterans and anyone who knows of one struggling with suicidal thoughts to contact the Veterans Crisis Line, which supplies free, confidential support and crisis intervention around the clock every day of the year. For assistance, call 1 (800) 273-8255, and press 1. Text to 838255. Or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/ Chat.

SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Back on track By Susan Smiley-Height Staff Writer

undreds of auto enthusiasts descended on the grounds of War Horse Harley-Davidson in north Ocala on Sunday, happy to be outside and enjoying the company of like-minded others for an Ocala Cars & Coffee event. This was the first time back for the first Sunday monthly event since March, after which such gatherings were stalled due to the pandemic. The atmosphere was buzzing with people greeting each other, some wearing masks and many bare faced, with plenty of room social distancing on the spacious campus. Fancy paint jobs gleamed like jewels beneath the blazing sun and nearly every arrival to the party gunned his or her engine to announce their arrival with a throaty roar. Carl Otradovec drove his lime green Lamborghini from Jacksonville to be part of the festivities. “My buddy runs this show and he’s been trying to get me to come,” Otradovec said. “There’s been no car stuff going on because of the pandemic, so it’s nice to come hang out with fellow enthusiasts.” Otradovec’s “buddy” is Rob Adams, who cofounded Ocala Cars & Coffee with Steve Woodall back in 2014. The event first was held at three other venues before it found its greatest success at War Horse. “We are very excited to be back, and it’s a great

[Isabelle Ramirez/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

turnout,” Adams said. “We wanted to make sure it was safe to come back. That’s the only reason we stopped in March was because of the pandemic.” Adams said the initial goal was to host a familyfriendly car event “to have something to enjoy and it’s just blown up into the event it is today.” “There’s about 300 cars on the property today and we have two live performers and Oasis Tropical Café is providing breakfast sandwiches and smoothies and coffee,” Adams stated. The event is for show only. It is not judged and no trophies or prizes are awarded. “We are one of the largest meets in Central Florida,” Woodall offered. “This is just a nice way to come out on a Sunday morning and just hang out with a bunch of car people. That’s the difference with this show, the laid-back feeling of what we have going on.” “There’s no politics in this show,” Adams reinforced. “We invite everybody. All makes, all models. There’s no judging; it’s very casual. We make

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“That’s the difference with this show, the laidback feeling of what we have going on.” -Steve Woodall arrangements so it’s very family-oriented. We hire people to make free balloon animals, do face painting. There’s kids’ games and we give a free toy car to every child. It’s just a great family atmosphere.” “We all have fun. We’re all car people. We appreciate what everyone brings to the table, even if you don’t have a car,” Woodall added. The vehicles on display ranged from Al Rubin’s bright yellow 2018 Mercedes Benz AMG GTR, valued at about $200,000, to an ancient VW Beetle

April Nichols

with fading blue paint, to a replica of a vehicle from the movie Mad Max to April Nichols’ sporty 2019 Dodge Challenger widebody. “Steve just did the graphics on my car on Thursday,” Nichols said, referring to Woodall’s graphic design and auto wrap business. “I belong to Mopars of Ocala and a couple of our members and I are just out here having a nice time. And it’s a great turnout. This is very nice.” The spectators roaming the grounds were as varied as the vehicles, such as dads with babies on their shoulders, senior couples holding hands, young adults laughing and joking, and nearly everyone smiling and laughing, clearly happy to be outdoors even as the temperature rose into the high 90s. Woodall said Cars & Coffee is a nationwide program that takes place in a lot of major cities, citing Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Daytona Beach and Gainesville, which, he said of the latter show, is not “up to this caliber, but we’ve worked up to this.” “This is something that Rob and I consistently

wanted to have over the years,” he said. “We started in Big Lots, and then went to Kmart and then to Chelsea’s Plaza, and that’s when we started growing, but there’s only 100 parking spaces. The move to War Horse has been awesome and they are great to work with.” He said members of the War Horse Chapter Harley Owners Group pitch in to help with directing traffic and that he, Adams and the owner of the dealership all work in tandem. “We’re a team,” he affirmed. “That’s how it all gets done.” Steve Corun of Ocala, who brought his yellow Lamborghini twin turbo for display, surveyed the impressive crowd and said he was happy to be there. “I’ve always been a gearhead,” he said with a grin. “Anything mechanical or automotive, I love it. And, obviously, so do others. It’s a big turnout.” Ocala Cars & Coffee takes place the first Sunday of each month, from 7:30 a.m. to noon. It is free to attend for spectators and drivers. There is a fee for vendors. To learn more, find the event page on Facebook.

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SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Marion County set to spend nearly $58 million on major infrastructure improvements in 2021 By Bill Thompson Deputy Editor

arion County officials plan to spend almost $58 million for major projects around the community next year. On Sept. 1, the County Commission approved the latest iteration of its Capital Improvements Program, paid for through a combination of funding sources, including federal dollars. Overall, the plan calls for $93 million in new initiatives or enhancing existing infrastructure over the next five years. Here are some of the highlights from fiscal year 2021, which begins Oct. 1. The most expensive individual item comes from the Environmental Services Department: $17.5 million toward the closure of Baseline Landfill. The landfill went offline as an active dump last year when the county began shipping garbage from its transfer station there to a Sumter County facility. Department Director Jody Kirkman has told commissioners the funding will transition Baseline Landfill to long-term “care.” That effort includes upgrades to the dump’s stormwater and methane gas ventilation systems, and the installation of a geosynthetic cap designed to prevent water from leaking into the garbage. According to the CIP,

Baseline Landfill also will get a new $1.8 million recycling center. In other areas, Kirkman’s department has budgeted $3.3 million for new water transmission lines and fire hydrants, $2.6 million for new sewer lines and lift stations, and $1.7 million for improvements to water treatment plants. Road projects are another priority in the upcoming year. The county plans to spend $5.7 million to acquire right of way for a proposed interchange at Interstate 75 and Northwest 49th Street. That lies in a zone the county has designated for a new commerce park. The Florida Department of Transportation is conducting a study of the area, which is part of the Baldwin Angus Ranch, to evaluate whether a new interchange is necessary to serve the commerce park and relieve congestion at other I-75 interchanges in Ocala. The county’s list of upcoming road projects also includes $8.9 million to further different segments of the Southwest 49th Avenue project, a four-lane roadway to connect Marion Oaks to Southwest 42nd Street. County Engineer Tracy Straub said it’s needed to relieve congestion along State Road 200 in the southwest portion of the county. Straub’s department also has planned $3.5

million in flood mitigation efforts, including along portions of Southwest 27th Avenue, between 42nd and 66th Streets, and along Southwest 52nd Street. Public safety also figures prominently in major spending next year. Marion County Fire Rescue has budgeted almost $1.4 million to purchase six new ambulances and another $1.02 million for a new emergency medical services station within the city of Ocala. The fire department also seeks to buy two new fire trucks and a refurbished one in the coming year, said department spokesman James Lucas. The cost for those will run about $962,000.

New vehicles are on tap at the Sheriff ’s Office as well. The plan includes nearly $1.3 million for new patrol cars in addition to new cars for detectives, sheriff ’s spokesman Sgt. Paul Bloom said. Other items of note, the county has designated $601,296 for upgrades to the audio and video systems in courtrooms at the courthouse, $327,750 for improvements to the auditorium at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion and $180,000 for improvements at the Rotary Sportsplex. The plan helps underscore the importance of the 1-cent local sales tax that voters adopted in 2016.

Overall, revenue from the sales tax will contribute $20.3 million, or more than one-third of the funding, to the county’s big-ticket projects for next year. That tax, which passed with 55 percent of the vote four years ago, is set to expire at the end of this year. In February, the County Commission authorized the question of whether to renew it for four more years to go on the November ballot. County officials and supporters of the tax, such as the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership, stress that 30 percent of the revenue comes from people outside Marion County.

The landfill, which is 260 feet tall, is shown at the Marion County Landfill and Transfer Station on Southeast Baseline Road. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

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is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may in any direction but always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring - SEPTEMBER 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE h word as SEPTEMBER you find it and11when you have 17, completed the puzzle, there will be 20 letters left r. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

The wardrobe

Solution: 20 Letters

Air Mesh Anklet Applique Belt Beret Bikini Blind hem Blouse Brim Camisole Canvas Caps Clothes Clothes

Denim Dress Drop seam Duck Easy care Fleece Gabardine Hand Heels Jeans Logo Marbled Necklace Overcoat

Oxford Pants Parka Safety Shawl Sherpa Socks Suit Swimmers Tencel Ties Twill Vest Yoke

Solution: What should I wear today?

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Date: 9/11/20

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2105 NW 21st Street Ocala, FL | 352-351-6772 The Ocala Wetland Recharge Park incorporates treated wastewater and storm water from the Old City Yard a drainage retention area (DRA), that is located near the park, and has historically flooded during heavy rain events. Stormwater can contain many contaminants like: nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants from fertilizers and pet and yard waste, oil, grease, heavy metals, vehicle coolants, bacteria, and litter. These stormwater contaminants are the leading cause of water pollution. The park captures this polluted water, therefore reducing regional flooding. By sending this water to the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park, the total nitrogen can be reduced to nearly undetectable levels, and the total phosphorus will be greatly reduced. This freshly cleaned water will improve water quality and boost regional groundwater supplies.

SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Community

9/11

Marion County Friday Market

9/11

Programs in the Parks: Owls and Bats

9/11

After Dark in the Park

9/12 9/12

9/12

9/12 9/12

9/12

McPherson Government Complex, 601 SE 25th Ave. 8:30am 9am-2pm Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, cinnamon buns, jerky, freeze dried treats, olive oils and seafood.

Heritage Nature Conservancy, 2005 NE Third St. 6-8pm All ages invited to call to owls, watch bats and learn about both species. Call (352) 368-5533 for more information.

Tuscawilla Park, 829 NE Sanchez Ave. 8pm Free family movie, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Bring chairs and blankets; refreshments available for purchase.

9/16

Medicare 101

9/16

1 Million Cups Ocala

9/16

CEP Exceptional Mornings

9/16

How to Be a World Changer During Uncertain Times

9/17

CEP 75 West Networkers

9/17

Farmers Market

9/17

CEP Business After Hours

9/17

Medicare Financial Assistance Programs

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) - virtual 2-3:30pm Learn more about Medicare in this free Zoom workshop offered online or by phone. Call (352) 692-5262 or email shine@agingresources.org for more information. www. floridashine.org

Power Plant Business Incubator, 405 SE Osceola Ave. 9:30-10:30am Two local startups present their business idea to an audience of community entrepreneurs. Email ryan@ocalacep.com for more information.

Church of Hope, 3233 SE Maricamp Rd. 7:30-9am Presentation by CEP President & CEO Kevin Sheilley for CEP partners. Call (352) 629-8051 for more information. www. ocalacep.com

Brownwood Farmers Market

2726 Brownwood Blvd., Wildwood 9am-1pm More than 70 vendors offer fresh produce and crafts. www. thevillagesentertainment.com

Guns & Hoses Heroes Ride

War Horse Harley-Davidson 9am-12:30pm The motorcycle ride to raise scholarship funds for future first responders ends at the downtown square with a bike giveaway. www.ocalamainstreet.com

Ocala Downtown Market

SE 3rd Street and SE 3rd Avenue 9am-2pm A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, arts and crafts, rain or shine. www. ocaladowntownmarket.com

Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St. 1pm A free presentation by author and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Damon Friedman, who will sign his book “Igniting Movements: How Critical Factors and Special Ops Empower World Changers.” Registration required; call (352) 861-9751

Canterfield of Ocala, 9589 SW State Road 200 8-9:30am Call (352) 817-6984 for more information.

Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St. 9am-1pm Locally grown seasonal produce, baked goods, plants and more. www.circlesquarecommons.com/farmersmarket

Marion County Heart Walk

Virtual 9am This year you can heart walk wherever you are to support the American Heart Association. www.marionheartwalk.org

Virtual 5-6pm Quarantine-style Zoom networking with small group sessions and door prizes. Reservations required at www.ocalacep.com.

Welcome to Fall Shopping Event

Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Rd. 10am-5pm Local mom and pop vendors set up inside center court so you can shop local, all in one place. Call (561) 929-0237 for more information.

Nonprofit Saturday

War Horse Harley-Davidson, 5331 US 441 11am-3pm Meet and greet with live music by Karim & Stephen and food available. Call (352) 227-1606 for more information.

9/14

Simplified Business Plan Preparation

9/15

Science Classes for Kids

9/15

Tuesday Talk: Business Advancement Series

Online via http://midflorida.score.org 7-9pm Learn how to efficiently create a business plan from presenter Rod Hosilyk in this free webinar hosted by SCORE MidFlorida. Email midflorida@scorevolunteer.org for more information.

Now Pleasures 2.0 -9/26

Arts

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 S. Broadway Monday-Friday 10am-4pm; Sunday 11am-4pm Marion Cultural Alliance’s annual art competition and exhibit is back by popular demand. Artists were invited to create works inspired the simple pleasures we all enjoy. www. mcaocala.org

9/11

The Auntie Network

9/12

Second Saturday Art Studio

9/15

NonProfit Business Council

9/13

Petals and Paint

9/15

Biz Promoters Networks Group

9/15

Teaching Tuesday: Paper Weaving

9/15

Watering Efficiently

9/17

Artist’s Outlook

Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave. Times vary Fun, interactive sessions for kids ages 2-15 run for 10 weeks. Call (352) 401-3900 for more information. www. mydiscoverycenter.org/classes

CEP, 310 SE 3rd St. and virtual 8:15-9:30am Amy Roberts, LCSW of Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute presents on mindfulness and stress reduction. Attend the networking breakfast and presentation or attend on Facebook Live. RSVP to andrea@ocalacep.com. www.cepocala. com.

Ocala Police Department, 402 S. Pine Ave. 8:15-9:30am A free monthly professional development workshop for NonProfit Business Council members. www.ocalafoundation. org/non-profit-business-council

Power Plant Business Incubator, 405 SE Osceola Ave. 11:30am-12:30pm Bring your own lunch. Email tom@ocalacep.com for more information.

Virtual 9:30-11am Learn how over watering harms your lawn and landscape plants with IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners. Registration via https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/marion/ is required for this free online workshop.

The Sharon – virtual 7pm Streamed online, this staged play reading is the story of Anne, a desperate, pregnant young woman facing the realities of making choices for a baby as an adolescent. www.thesharon. com

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway 10am-12:30pm Bring your own painting supplies and create your own masterpiece with artist Kay Deuben. Canvas, coffee and snacks included. For ages 12 and up. RSVP Ashley.justiano@ mcaocala.com or call (352) 369-1500.

Gallery B, 405 E. Silver Springs Blvd. 2-5pm Learn to design a custom seasonal floral arrangement with Taylor Grace and paint your design with instruction from artist Julie Shealy. www.julieshealy.com

Appleton Museum – virtual 10-10:30am The Appleton Museum presents a live streaming art project that the whole family can make at home with basic art and craft supplies. Online at www.facebook.com/appletonmuseum.

Appleton Museum – virtual 7-8:15pm A free Zoom chat with Cuban-American mixed media artist Christian Duran, whose work is featured in the upcoming exhibition “The Spaces Between.” www.appletonmuseum.org

SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

9/14

Government Marion County Development Review Committee

Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave. 9am The DRC votes on waiver requests, drainage/site plans, subdivision master plans, preliminary plats, improvement plans and final plats. Call (352) 671-8686 for more information.

9/14

City of Belleview Site Plan Committee

9/14

City of Ocala Planning & Zoning Commission

9/14

City of Dunnellon Community Redevelopment Agency Board

Dennis Monroe Public Works Complex, 5525 SE 119th St., Belleview 9-10am Call (352) 245-7021 for more information.

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. and virtual 5:30pm Call (352) 629-8404 more information. Visit https://zoom. us/j/97314299662 to participate online.

Dunnellon City Council

9/14

Marion County Historical Commission

9/15

Marion County Board of Commissioners

9/15

Marion County Public Hearing

9/15

Ocala Community Redevelopment Area Agency Board

9/15

Ocala City Council

9/15

City of Dunnellon Planning Commission

9/16

Marion County Parks and Recreation Advisory Council

9/17

Ocala/Marion TPO Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board

9/17

City of Ocala Brownfields Advisory Committee

9/17

Marion County Historical Commission

9/17

Rainbow Lakes Estates Public Advisory Board

9/17

Marion County Development Review Committee Staff Meeting

Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr. 5pm Contact Mandy Roberts at mroberts@dunnellon.org or (352) 465-8500 for more information.

9/14

9/15

Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr. 5:30pm Contact Mandy Roberts at mroberts@dunnellon.org or (352) 465-8500 for more information.

Growth Service Training Room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd. 6pm Call Rolando Sosa at (352) 620-0944 for more information.

McPherson Government Complex Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 9am Call (352) 438-2323 for more information.

McPherson Government Complex Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 10am Public hearing to consider the continued imposition of stormwater, solid waste and fire rescue special assessments. Call (352) 438-2650 for more information.

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. and online 5pm Call (352) 629-8401 more information. Visit https://zoom. us/j/446885807 to participate online.

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. and online 5pm Call (352) 629-8401 for more information. Visit https://zoom. us/j/446885807 to participate online.

Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr., Dunnellon 5:30pm Call (352) 465-8500 for more information.

Parks and Recreation Conference Room, 111 SE 25th Ave. 3pm Call (352) 671-8560 for more information.

Marion Senior Services, 1101 SW 20th Ct. 2pm Call the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) at (352) 438-2630 for more information. www.ocalamariontpo.org

Virtual 2:30pm Call Lisa Walsh at (352) 629-8381 for more information. Visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/92540803541 to participate online.

Virtual 3pm Call Gus Gianikas at (352) 629-8311 for more information. Visit https://zoom.us/j/98880108458 to participate online.

Rainbow Lakes Estates Clubhouse, 4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon 6:30pm Call (352) 489-4280 for more information.

Marion County Redevelopment Area Board

McPherson Government Complex Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 1:50pm Call Chris Rison at (352) 438-2600 for more information.

Marion County Commission Zoning Meeting

McPherson Government Complex Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 2pm Call (352) 438-2600 for more information.

Office of the County Engineer Bldg 1 Conference Room, 412 SE 25th Ave. 8:30am Applicants may discuss proposed or current projects with county review staff prior to meeting formally with the committee. Call (352) 671-8686 for more information.

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

3pm Nate Leslie Bank Street Patio Bar

6pm Heather Lynne Horse & Hounds Restaurant & Pub

7pm The Big Bad The Crazy Cucumber

8pm Dueling Pianos The Lodge

2-6pm Jeff Jarrett Eatonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beach Sandbar & Grill

12pm Conrad Marcum Bank Street Patio Bar

6-9pm Miranda Madison Bank Street Patio Bar

6-10pm Jeff Jarrett Bank Street Patio Bar

7pm Propaganjah Bank Street Patio Bar

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SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

From Football, page 2 first game is less than two weeks away. And because of decisions made by the FHSAA and our Diocese, our start date has been backed up over a month.” The pandemic has led to a series of adjustments, a revamped schedule, but even with the modifications student-athletes will still have an opportunity to participate with many of them directing their energies toward competing at the intercollegiate level. “With a new staff in place and no spring ball, we have an uphill battle to get everyone on the same page,” said Brantley. “Our kids have done a tremendous job this summer to buy in but until you get into a game situation, we have no idea of how they’ll react. Fortunately for us, we have a solid senior group who understands the game and will elevate the play of our younger players. Besides the obvious, the virus has put recruiting on hold and will hurt opportunities for a lot of young men who didn’t have the advantage of spring ball and being invited to college campuses for visits and camps. The pressure is on to impress

in a limited number of opportunities.” The logistics regarding transportation for the other fall sports is far different from that of football, and because of the high volume of players and personnel and the equipment involved, football has had to navigate the channels a bit differently, said Phillips. “We’re going to go one student per seat with their mask on and really try to be cautious,” said Phillips. “Really, the transportation element because of the scheduling we were able to put together, we sort of took that out of the equation for the early part of the fall season, with the hope that we’ll get a chance to maybe get to the playoffs for many of our schools, and begin to travel a little more. We see the results of the community spread and the numbers and how COVID is doing. We see those results continue to improve, and the board and superintendent would want the students to be able to access more opportunity. The coaches have all been involved since late April and early May, and have taken this all the way

through.” However, ultimately it’s about promoting an environment that’s conducive to protecting the student-athlete, and providing an experience that will leave an indelible impression that will resonate with them for a lifetime. “The number one thing in educational athletics that we do for these kids is to make it fun and safe,” said Phillips. “That’s what we have to do for the kids. They want to enjoy themselves and they have to be safe. Our guys work very hard over the summer into this early part of the school year and being able to put together something formidable, useful, safe, respectful of the community, and the thing that I’m most proud of is how much buy in there’s been from the coaches. The fact that they all believe, and we’re getting enormous amount of feedback from the coaches, just talking about how thankful that they are, and all of the hard work that these athletic directors have put in to put this together.”

Tony Johnson pulls in a pass during practice at Vanguard High School in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

Prosecutor determines School Board candidate Conrad did not violate law with residency shift By Bill Thompson Deputy Editor

rosecutors have rejected a complaint that veteran Marion County teacher Lori Conrad is ineligible for the upcoming School Board election because she lives outside the district she seeks to represent. “It is my determination that there is no evidence to show a violation of the residency requirements by Ms. Conrad,” Assistant State Attorney Mark Simpson, who investigated the claim, wrote in a twopage report. Conrad, a candidate for School Board District 1, was targeted by a former rival, Shelia Arnett. Arnett, who ran third in the three-candidate race on Aug. 18, filed a post-election complaint alleging Conrad had filed falsified paperwork in qualifying. Under state law, School Board candidates must live in the district they want to represent when they qualify for the election. Conrad’s initial election documents showed an address near the heart of Ocala. She has said that in late March local elections officials notified her she did not comply with the residential mandate, and that she subsequently relocated to a “farm” her family owned near Santos that was within District 1. She changed her voter registration information to reflect that. Conrad attested that was her home in a residential affidavit filed when she qualified as a candidate in mid-June. After the election, in which Conrad was the top vote-getter, Arnett argued in her complaint that Conrad’s residency claim was a sham. She asserted that property records did not reflect that Conrad lived at her farm, and that the site was home to only farm buildings unsuitable

Lori Conrad

to live in. Arnett also maintained that Conrad’s public statements indicated she was not a full-time resident of the Santos property. Yet Simpson, who enlisted a sheriff ’s detective to help investigate, sided with Conrad. In his report Simpson relates Conrad’s story about her residency shift, which she shared during an interview with investigators. Simpson also notes that he reviewed Arnett’s complaint, Conrad’s paperwork, property records and court cases on the issue. The prosecutor also viewed pictures of the cabin supplied by Conrad’s lawyer, Jimmy Gooding, and dispatched Detective Erik Dice to inspect the property. “Based on my review of the materials,” wrote Simpson, noting that Dice’s personal observations figured into the decision, “I have concluded that there was no violation of law committed by Ms. Conrad.” Simpson noted that her situation mirrored that of a South Florida school board race from 2000. Citing an appellate court decision in that case, Simpson noted that Florida courts have decided that “an individual’s intent is a subjective factor and the best proof of one’s domicile is where (the person) says it is.” Thus, he added, “there is no other overt evidence which indicates that she does not maintain a residence” at the address she provided, or “that the building is uninhabitable.” Chief Assistant State Attorney Ric Ridgway, who reviewed Simpson’s report, said Conrad’s case is closed and no further action will be taken. Conrad faces Allison B. Campbell, the Aug. 18 runner-up, in the Nov. 3 general election.

Shelia Arnett

Answers for page 9 Quarterback Alexander Law throws a pass during practice at Vanguard High School in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

Torre Crockett, the defensive line coach, works with players during practice at Vanguard High School in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Cummings calls for etiquette rules for online classes By Brad Rogers Executive Editor

t may not look like school. It may not even feel like school. But online learning is the new normal for many Marion County students and teachers, and School Board Chairman the Rev. Eric Cummings says its time to implement some etiquette and behavioral standards – and he’s especially talking to you, parents. Cummings asked Superintendent of School Diane Gullett to draft some rules of etiquette for online students and parents during the regular School Board meeting Tuesday night. About 30 percent of the district’s 40,000-plus students are enrolled in MCPSonline. “We really need some sort of MCPSonline etiquette for the people taking online,” Cummings told the board. “You would not sit in your classroom with your kid and give them the answers while they’re doing their classwork. Teachers have to be able to instruct. Teachers have to be able to give instructions.” Cummings said he has purposely watched a number of online classes to see how students behave, but found it was parents who are biggest disruption to online classes. “Parents, microphones do pick up everything that you say,” he said. “And the cameras do pick up what you’re wearing … or not wearing.” Cummings said he has seen mothers walking by only wearing a bra and fathers sitting with their children shirtless. Board member Nancy Stacy praised Cummings’ call for some online conduct standards,

saying she had received several complaints about bad behavior by students and parents. It’s funny,” she said. “We thought we had everything planned, then something like that we didn’t even count on, that background thing that children were going to be seeing in homes. Cummings said that parents who interrupt the teacher or are trying to help their child during online classes undercut the teacher and disrupt the rest of the class. He urged parents to treat online classes as if they were regular inschool classes, with students sitting in a proper location and dressed appropriately for school. “Our kids need to be in a good learning environment,” he said. “They don’t need to be in their bed in their pajamas with their shirt off, and I’m talking about boys. They need to be at a table or a counter with proper lighting and dress.” In other business: • The board gave unanimous final approval to a record $651.8 million budget for the 2020-21 school year. District Chief Financial Officer Theresa Boston-Ellis said 79 percent of that figure goes toward salaries and benefits to the school system’s more than 6,000 employees. • The board was told by Gullett that the administration is working out the glitches with Microsoft Teams, the program the district has been using to provide online instruction. She said there is work still to be done, but school district IT officials are getting a handle on the problems and progress is steady.

The Best Journeys Always Lead You Home

The Marquis

$395,000 ••• OM547408

Defining elegant living, this 3-bedroom, 2-bath multi-story home in the private community of The Marquesas features beautiful wood ceilings, a custom stone fireplace and is overlooked by a stunning loft with bonus room. An amazing gourmet kitchen offers granite countertops, new stainless appliances and so much more! Valerie Dailey | 352.816.1080

Warm and inviting, this 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath estate rests on a little under an acre within White Oak Village. The home has a luxurious feel with cathedral and tray ceilings, large picture window, ample natural light, and an open floor plan. Just minutes from Ocala’s downtown shopping, dining and events.

White Oak Estate

Valerie Dailey | 352.816.1080

$389,000 ••• OM568767

Within the beautiful community of Del Webb Stone Creek, this immaculately kept 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers mature privacy landscaping and has been newly painted throughout. Come be a part of a community that has activities for most everyone's interests!

Stone Creek

$208,000 ••• OM566697

Kathy Prater | 352.817.4144

Jeaneen Crisante | 407.928.2685

Social distance in style with this luxurious 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home. Surrounded by a park-like setting just under 3 acres, this home offers peaceful country living. Other fantastic amenities include a beautiful pool and home office. RVers will relish the enormous 20 X 50 motor home storage with 50amp plug-in. Kathy Prater | 352.817.4144

Jeaneen Crisante | 407.928.2685

Pending

Fox Run Estates $438,000 ••• OM607618

www.ShowcaseOcala.com

Has your business been negatively impacted by COVID-19?

Loan, Grant, and Training Funds for Marion County Businesses Marion County wants to ensure that every business continues to grow through the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to an allocation of the County’s CARES Act Fund, assistance programs are now available for businesses of all sizes. Every business should be committed to keeping employees safe.

Bridge to Recovery Program The Small Business Assistance Program seeks to assist businesses with 25 or fewer employees who have been experiencing continuing negative impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The business will need to submit an online application demonstrating the negative impact of COVID-19 and will be able to receive up to $15,000. The business will be expected to maintain the same number of employees. The company will report quarterly on their status for a period of 1-year.

Moving Forward Program The Business Assistance Program seeks to assist businesses with 26-100 employees who have been experiencing continuing negative impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The business will need to submit an online application demonstrating the negative impact of COVID-19 and will be able to receive up to $40,000. The business will be expected to maintain the same number of employees. The company will report quarterly on their status for a period of 1-year.

Testing Capacity Enhancement Reimbursement Grant Private labs, clinics, and physician offices can apply to be reimbursed for the purchase of equipment, testing supplies, additional space, etc. to expand their testing capabilities.

Project Operating Safely (PPE Reimbursement Program) Project Operating Safely will provide up to $3,000 in reimbursements to local businesses with fewer than 100 employees and up to $10,000 for businesses with more than 100 employees for the purchase of necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and other health and safety-related items and services. Businesses may apply once for a reimbursement and funds will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Find out how your business can access funds and submit an application at

MovingBizForward.com

AHO-460

SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Close to home. A world of difference. New, modern suites big enough to hold all the love your newborn brings.

Introducing the Baby Place®. For over 100 years, we’ve been the leading experts in mother and baby care. Now, our newly transformed, postpartum center brings you the best of everything at AdventHealth Ocala. Here, you’ll bond with baby in the peace and privacy of your spacious, suite-style room, complete with tech-savvy amenities to help ease your body, mind and spirit. And as Marion County’s only center with a Level II NICU, you’ll have all the support you could dream of during the most beautiful moments of life. Visit AdventHealthOcala.com/BabyPlace to learn more.

AHO-460 TBP1_OG_10x10.125.indd 1

8/5/20 1:49 PM

Cabinet of Curiosities Big Claw River Shrimp

his is Big Claw River Shrimp. This is the largest freshwater river shrimp species found in Florida and its body can reach 12 inches in length, not including the claws. They are very aggressive towards one another -- so much so, that local efforts at farming them failed because they kept killing each other. These now-rare crustaceans used to be common in the Silver River. Although Big Claw Shrimp live in freshwater, they migrate downriver to lay their eggs in salt or brackish water. In the 1930s, plans were made for a shipping canal across Florida from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic. The

Cross-Florida Barge Canal would pass near Ocala and follow the path of the Ocklawaha River. The construction of the Rodman Dam and locks on the Ocklawaha in 1968 as part of the canal project effectively blocked the shrimp’s migration route and they all but disappeared from the spring-fed waters of the Silver River. The Silver River Museum is a program of Marion County Public Schools. Learn more at www. SilverRiverMuseum.com. Photo and text provided by Scott Mitchell, director of the Silver River Museum

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Ocala Gazette publishes fond remembrances of your loved one Visit ocalagazette.com to submit an obituary

SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Marion County Commissioner Districts 2016

H W

Y 441

NE 212TH S T

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CITY OF MCINTOSH

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District 3 Commissioner Gold

District 1 Commissioner Moore

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EH WY

SE 135TH ST

SE 145TH ST

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SW 27TH AVE

SW 49TH AVE

SE 58TH AVE

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CITY OF BELLEVIEW

SE HWY 484

District 4 Commissioner Zalak

SE 110TH ST

RD R VE SIL D R P

SE 95TH ST

HW Y

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HW Y

AM IC

SE 80TH ST

SW 145TH ST MN

NE HW Y

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SW 110TH AVE NW 110TH AVE

AK TE

SW 140TH AVE

SW 60TH AVE SW 60TH AVE NW 60TH AVE SW CO LL EG E RD

NW 150TH AVE

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TR D

SW 210TH AVE

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TH S

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SE 17TH ST SE 24TH ST S E 31ST ST SE 38TH ST

SW 107TH PL

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District 2 Commissioner Bryant

NE 7TH ST

SE 52ND ST SE 59TH ST

MARION OAKS TRL

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S US HW

NE 35TH ST

WY SH SU

SW 95TH ST

NE 90TH STREET RD

NE 70TH ST

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CITY OF OCALA SW 20TH ST

SW 80TH ST

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NW SB I75

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NW 60TH AVE

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District 5 Commissioner Stone NW 110TH ST

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CITY OF DUNNELLON

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CITY OF REDDICK

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District 5 - Michelle Stone

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District 4 - Carl Zalak, III

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District 3 - Jeff Gold

All provided GIS data is to be considered a generalized spatial representation which is subject to revisions. The feature boundaries are not to be used to establish legal boundaries. For specific information, contact the appropriate county department or agency. This information is provided as a visual representation only and is not intended to be used as a legal or official representation of legal boundaries. Created by the Marion County IT/GIS Team November 10, 2016 - AB

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District 2 - Kathy Bryant

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District 1 - David Moore

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NW 193RD ST

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Courtesy of Marion County

A Salt Springs resident hopes to change how county commissioners are elected By Bill Thompson Deputy Editor

fter the last U.S. census, Salt Springs resident Jack Stackman wanted to see a change in the Marion County Commission. The county had updated the boundaries of commission districts to account for population growth. Stackman lived in the largest of the five zones, District 4, represented by Commissioner Carl Zalak. That district spans northeast Marion, covering an area generally above Silver Springs Boulevard/ State Road 40 from Gainesville Road, just east of Interstate 75, to the Putnam and Volusia county lines. Stackman, a prominent regular at County Commission sessions, said in a recent interview that he realized at the time that living in the largest district geographically didn’t necessarily translate to political influence with the

board. So, he pitched some commissioners on the idea of changing how they should be elected. He advocated for election by single-member districts. Stackman said he found no appetite among commissioners to put the idea on the ballot. But, as the 2020 census wraps up, and with Zalak and current Chairwoman Kathy Bryant the only holdovers from his last attempt, Stackman is ready to try again. “I firmly believe that people are better represented when a commissioner knows they have to represent the people in the district,” he said. “By districts, they have to represent you all the time. I liken it to Congress. We (in Marion County) don’t have people in Tampa decide who goes to Washington. Why should we have people in Dunnellon or along State Road 200 decide who represents me on the commission?” Currently, Marion

County commissioners are elected by all voters across Marion, although they must live in the district they represent. Under a single-member system, commissioners would be elected by the voters of the district in which they reside. It makes sense for heavily populated counties to adopt a single-member system. And, in fact, Florida’s three biggest counties – Miami-Dade (2.8 million residents), Broward (1.9 million) and Palm Beach (1.4 million) – elect commissioners that way. But single-member counties tend to come in all sizes. At the other end of the spectrum are counties like Franklin (about 12,000 people) and Calhoun (14,000 residents). According to Jennifer Laxner, digital communications coordinator for the Florida Association of Counties, the other counties that also elect commissioners by singlemember districts include: Bradford, Brevard, Collier, Columbia, Escambia,

Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Hendry, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor and Union. After the last census, county staffers redrew commission boundaries so that each Marion district has roughly the same population. Stackman, however, believes growth has shifted the balance of power to the State Road 200 corridor and the southwestern quadrant generally. In short, Stackman said, while he lives in a district with a “huge footprint,” population density matters. Commission candidates, he argues, get more bang for the campaigning buck by focusing their attention in the SR 200 corridor. Therefore, one advantage of single-member districts, Stackman said, is a significant reduction in the time, travel and expense of campaigning. Yet that focused attention could carry over when those people go from being voters to constituents, he said. “If a commissioner knows they want to be elected,

they’ll have to satisfy people in their district. They’ll have to pay a more attention to them,” Stackman maintained. Zalak, a Republican, upset incumbent Democratic Commissioner Barbara Fitos in 2010, and subsequently has won re-election twice against write-in candidates. Regardless if Zalak runs or wins again in 2022, or draws a Democratic opponent, Stackman is convinced that any candidate’s approach to campaigning will be the same. “Whoever decides to run for this district will be elected in the southwest part of the county,” he said. “As more and more people go into southwest Marion County, they will essentially elect a commissioner,” wherever that commissioner happens to live. “It’s part of the game in Marion County,” he added. Stackman added that Democrats might support his idea because a singlemember system might give one of their candidates an opportunity to win a seat on the board, particularly in District 5, which covers the northwest quadrant. Much of District 5 overlaps with Florida House District 20, which has been a longtime Democratic stronghold in the Legislature. LaVonda McCandless, chairwoman of the Marion County Democratic Party, supports the idea. “The Marion County Democratic Party is fully supportive of all elected officials being elected by, and therefore responsible to, the citizens who live within their district,” she said in an email. “We would support Marion County commissioners being elected by district rather than countywide.” But it will likely take a coordinated effort to convince at least three commissioners to go along. Elections Supervisor Wesley Wilcox said the County Commission must approve any proposed referendum for the local ballot.

Ocala Remembers Ocalans recall their memories from 9/11

From 9/11, page 1 “That day my initial reaction was Oh my god! Who would do this? Why would someone do this? We need to pray.” Valerie Dailey “I remember everyone being initially scared and confused. Nobody knew if more attacks would be coming later in the day or in the days that followed. As the news unfolded and I learned more, my emotions ranged from shock to anger to sadness. All of those paled in comparison though to what I felt in the weeks that followed: pride. I had never seen the country and our people so unified in wanting to help one another. American flags were everywhere and nobody was red or blue, we all were red, white and blue. I will never forget.” Jay Fratello “I was a senior in high school when the world changed forever. I was in business class when a teacher from the next classroom ran over and

told our teacher to turn the TV on. As he turned the TV on the second plane was approaching the tower. The room fell silent and everyone stopped what they were doing. Not long after the bell rang to change classes. In that 15 minutes I experienced every state of emotion as I passed different friends in the hall. Some were crying, some were breaking the rules to use their cell phones to call parents and family that lived in the city or were on business, some were walking with complete blank stares. As the day went on the news became the lesson plan and everyone sat in complete silence and absorbed the moment we as society would always remember. This was my generation’s JFK moment. The classes got smaller and smaller as the day went on, parents came to get their children and some came to deliver grave news that their family had been lost in this tragic event. As the days went on, our school pulled together, leaned on each other and we were taught to never allow one moment to

define us, but teach us to appreciate each day and work toward a greater tomorrow.” Ashley Wheeler Gerds “The morning of September 11, 2001 started out as a normal sunny day driving to work. In the 15 minutes it took to commute to the office, but my purse down and realize my co-workers were gathered around the bank of televisions, the world as I knew it had changed. The screen flashed “A plane hit the World Trade Center.” I saw the second plane attack the tower. I visited the site of the World Trade Center a year later and was moved by the grief and the utterly quiet reverence in the middle of New York City. However, the spirit of resilience and unity was an unspoken bond of those gathered.” Harriet Daniels “I think 9/11 still evokes such strong emotions that it’s hard to edit them down. Looking back, what I recall was after getting

past the disbelief and comprehending the reality of what just happened to the innocent people in the towers, and the assault on our Country, was the fear and distrust that I felt afterwards towards people. For quite some time I was overly protective of our son and didn’t want him out of my sight, and I just didn’t have the sense of safety that I had before. It took some time for me to gain back trust in the world around me. I remember every day thinking I will not let them change me, but on some level, they probably did.” Sandy Wagner “I’m originally a New Yorker so probably the very first feeling I had while I watched the TV was shock. Then to actually watch that second plane hit the tower was disbelief. After the sorrow for all the lives lost, I guess what I remember most is how I thought it brought the country more together with a brotherhood and pride for being American. People seemed to care more for each other and looked out for one another.

It didn’t matter where you came from nor the color of your skin. We were one country under God.” Kathy Thorpe “9/11 embedded in me the invisible ties of our community. I had not realized the extent of them prior, but suddenly even walking down the street, making eye contact with strangers, I felt a pull of solidarity, patriotism, kinship, and that we were Americans and that transcended all else.” Renee Thompson “September 11 was one of the worst times felt in our country’s history, but at the same time was a coming together of a nation’s people like never before. We became a united people no matter our backgrounds, race, religion, or political affiliations. We learned that life is short and never should be taken for granted, that small acts of kindness go a long way and that we are a strong nation as long as we work together.” Ana Dunwoody

SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

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Celebrating grandparents: Wisdom across the generations By Jack Levine Guest Columnist

his Sunday is Grandparents Day, a good opportunity to reflect on the importance of our elders in the lives of our families. Whether by birth or through adoption, grandparents are treasures deserving of honor and respect. Like all of us, none were perfect, but most were there for us when we needed them most. The wisdom of our elders is irrefutable. I distinctly remember so many ways my elders, especially my dear Grandma Minnie, influenced me by example. Here is a baker’s dozen life lessons I learned at Minnie’s kitchen table. • Love knows no boundary. Keeping close to the people you love and learning to love them without having to love everything they do, is the key to family

strength. “You don’t have to be perfect to be loved.” • An open door is an open heart. Minnie’s kitchen table was a place where others came to eat and be fed spiritually. If a neighbor or their family had a problem, she was there for them. “If I needed them, I’d hope for the same treatment. • Waste not; want not. Finishing our meals or saving leftovers for another time is one of the most compelling constants for our elders. “Remembering the pain of hunger lasts a lifetime.” • Charity begins at home. As little as they had, our grandparents always seemed to find a way to help others in need. Minnie had a tin can in which she would drop coins -- “a little something for those with less than us.” • Cleanliness is next to godliness. A clean

home is the symbol of how we should conduct our lives in the sight of others. Minnie swept the sidewalk in front of her house almost every day. “When our guests come to our door, they should have a clear and welcoming path.” • Progress comes in little steps. Expecting too much too soon is unreasonable. “A drop plus a drop fills up the pot” was among Minnie’s favorite phrases. Every day is another opportunity to take positive steps, for family and for community. • Laughter is the closest distance between two people. It’s a pleasure to enjoy the company of others and to hear a good joke, tell a witty story, and listen to the folk tales of the old country. These are among life’s great gifts. “Frowns make more wrinkles than smiles,” Minnie would say with glee.

• Honest compliments are among our most valued possessions. Giving credit when credit is due and honoring leadership inspires others. “People shouldn’t assume you know about their good works. Tell them they are appreciated.” • If there’s a problem, try to fix it. Minnie knew that “you’ll sit a long time with your mouth wide open before a roasted chicken will fly in.” Ignoring a problem is neither smart nor sensible. • Don’t leave politics up to someone else. As an immigrant girl, Minnie felt the sting of discrimination and injustice. She was a suffragist as a young woman, became a naturalized citizen, and voted for the first time in 1920, never missing an election in her life. “Power is not given, it’s won with courage and hard work. • Words without deeds are empty. Someone

who makes a promise and doesn’t keep his word is an emotional thief. “It’s better to keep quiet than make a meaningless offer.” • Patience pays dividends. Whether it was baking her famous cinnamon buns or preparing a full holiday dinner for 16, Minnie knew that the process required patience and persistence. “I like to cook because when I see the faces of satisfied eaters, I’m happy.” • Resting is a reward for working hard. Minnie earned her rest, and made the time to relax, listen to music, observe nature or read for pleasure. “Too much of anything isn’t good, including work.” I’m not alone in receiving the gift from my elders’ life treasury. Family history is a living legacy. It’s not only the story of who our elders were, but it defines in many ways

who we are. Over the centuries, our nation has been populated by those whose life’s story is worth telling. Whether they came for freedom or by force in slavery, the values our grandparents brought with them are heirlooms which our children deserve to inherit. Their sacrifices fueled our freedoms. Those who survived became advocates for causes and people who needed them. Their life’s mission was to make the world a bit better than the one they experienced.

Jack Levine, founder of the 4Generations Institute, is a family policy advocate based in Tallahassee who frequently speaks and participates in civic projects in Ocala. He may be reached at jack@4gen.org.

Seeking common ground on the Ocklawaha River By Margaret Hankinson Spontak Guest Columnist

or decades, Save the Rodman anglers and conservation groups have exchanged barbs about breaching the Rodman/Kirkpatrick Dam to return the Ocklawaha River to a free-flowing river. Yet, as I was reading recent social media posts, it appeared to me that we share many similar goals. I bet we all agree the water quality of these rivers needs to be improved. Who likes waterways clogged with invasive aquatic plants, excessive herbicide spraying, and several boat ramps constantly unusable? Who wants to see fish consumption advisories warning pregnant women and children to limit eating the fish near the dam? Wouldn’t you like to see the headwaters

of Silver Springs full of those big catfish, mullet and striped bass that made it famous? And, who wants to see communities like Silver Springs and Palatka with bait shops closed, hotels in disrepair, empty storefronts and a challenging economic base? We can probably all agree that these issues should be addressed. If we worked together, we could do something positive for Putnam and Marion counties’ economies and improve the Ocklawaha, St. Johns and Silver rivers in the process. Imagine if we worked together to create a worldclass blueway from the Harris Chain of Lakes to Silver Springs to the Ocklawaha to the St. Johns. If we continue this decadeslong bickering, we lose opportunities to attract state, federal and private funds to restore our water and

recreational resources. Those dollars are being directed by the millions to the Everglades and the Indian River Lagoon because those communities came together with a unified vision. Those projects are certainly important, but I would suggest that we have a river system and greenway of national significance right here in North Florida. We just need our elected leaders to direct resources to this stimulus-ready project. Scientists tell us striped bass, American shad, channel and white catfish, shellfish and many other species would come back to the Ocklawaha and Silver Springs, migrating from the Atlantic, if they only had a freeflowing Ocklawaha. Sports fishing would improve, not decline. The scientists predict we could have 500-plus manatees wintering

at Silver Springs State Park, bringing more tourists and reviving the blighted area near the park. Imagine swimming and manatees – managed properly, of course! A consensus plan described in the state’s current Greenway Plan retains the current Rodman recreation site amenities and breaches the dam on one side. Twenty fresh-water springs that many residents enjoyed as children would be uncovered. These freed springs and less reservoir evaporation would provide millions of gallons of natural water flow each day to the St. Johns to support fish and shellfish nurseries in its 100-mile coastal estuary. Think about a new bridge across the Rodman area with a manatee/wildlife viewing area and multi-use roadway for cars, bicycles and

people connecting to recreational bike trails and the current Florida Trail. A water recreation concession at the Rodman Recreation Area could provide paddling, boating and standup paddle boarding. Imagine a Visitors’ Center and interpretive signage sharing decades of stories about the Ocklawaha River. Like the amenities along the Suwanee River Wilderness Trail, wildlife viewing areas, added dock fishing, historic markers and camping platforms could create assets for visitors and residents. We are only limited by absence of shared leadership, a common vision and the fear of change. We need to come together with a vision bigger than just maintaining a 50-year old dam that is past its life expectancy and never served its intended purpose, and a declining fishery with

fewer and fewer users. According to the state’s Greenway Plan, the dam will soon require millions in improvements. Why invest in this 50-year-old dam when, together, our communities can do something so much better with that money? I love the Ocklawaha and Silver rivers and want to see Palatka and Silver Springs with vibrant economies. Let us come together to talk about a better approach that can really bring economic prosperity to our region during this challenging time. Margaret Hankinson Spontak is chairwoman of the Free the Ocklawaha Coalition. For more information, see Free the Ocklawaha.com.

SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ocala Shrine Rodeo The 38th annual Ocala Shrine Rodeo was held at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala, Florida on Saturday, September 5, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

A cowboy rides his Bronc past fans in the grandstand in the Saddle Bronc Riding event.

A cowboy catches some air as he rides a bull.

A cowboy comes off his Bronc in the Saddle Bronc Riding event.

Left: Billy Gilchrist, Senior Director of Finance and Growth, Hotel Development & Management Group; Right: Chris Langley, Market Executive, Citizens First Bank.

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