Ocala Gazette | December 17 - December 23, 2021

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VOLUME 2 ISSUE 25

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DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021

Conflicts-of-interest questions surround city attorneys

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

T

he law firm representing the City of Ocala for the last 30 years inserted a conflict-ofinterest clause into its most current Oct. 2020 two-year contract that has gone unnoticed by the city council and city management until questions by the Ocala Gazette and the firm’s announcement that it was splitting their firm in two.

The reason for splitting the firm?

Conflicts of interest had become harder

to navigate.

Under the firm’s contract with the city, three attorneys from the firm of Gilligan, Gooding, Batsel, Anderson & Phelan, P.A., were “Chief Legal Advisor to the City, the City Council, the City Manager and all City departments, offices and agencies,” with the authority to delegate work to other associates of the firm.

The new conflict-of-interest clause said, in short, that the city attorney had advised the city, and the city is aware that the firm also represents “private persons and entities” that include

“developers or contractors” who “have relationships with, or seek approvals from, [the] city.”

Patrick Gilligan, who had been the main city attorney contracted with the city since 1992, initially did not remember the conflict-of-interest clause when questioned by the Ocala Gazette but insisted that the “contract spoke for itself.”

Gilligan stated, “We follow the Florida Bar ethics rules on disclosure of conflicts, and so whatever is required under the particular circumstances by See City, page A8

Ocala is not short on

Christmas

MICHAEL WARREN Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church’s Annual Living Nativity Pageant

F

or many families in the Ocala area, the Christmas season wouldn’t be the same without a trip to Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church’s Annual Living Nativity Pageant.

Now in its 26th year, the holiday extravaganza encompasses seven acres of the church’s large property and features more than 100 church members and volunteers, along with several dozen animals in a retelling of the Bible from Adam and Eve to Christ’s ascension.

“It’s become a beloved annual tradition for area residents, not just church members,” said Kirstyn McCormick, the pageant’s longtime casting director.

“People that came here as children

Marion Technical Institute’s Future?

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

pageantry

By Rosemarie Dowell Correspondent

Ocala Gazette

are now bringing their children to see it,’ said McCormick, a local veterinarian whose husband Ben McCormick is the church’s student ministry director.

The Living Nativity Pageant will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; with walk-through tours from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and the drive-through experience taking place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. both days at the church, 151 SW 87th Place, Ocala.

In all, there are 16 different Biblical scenes for visitors to experience, including a real Pillar of Fire, a bustling Bethlehem village featuring a marketplace, the parted Jordan River, the Holy of Holies, Jesus in the manger, and an empty tomb.

“It starts with the first story of Adam and Eve and works its way through the history of God’s people,” said See An Ocala, page A2

T

he Marion County School Board (MCSB) was presented with two options regarding the future of the Marion Technical Institute (MTI) during its regular administrative briefing and work session on Dec. 9.

The first option involved the institute maintaining its current operation, continuing its recruiting efforts and managing facility issues as they arose. Option two involved pausing all programs and planning for a new vision for the school.

“How do we revision Marion Technical Institute?” asked Ben Whitehouse, director of Student Pathways and Assessment, during his presentation to the school board last Thursday. “How could we retool it and transition it into something new that will work for the future?”

Collectively, the MCSB directed Whitehouse to collect more findings, including surveys from parents and students, before any decision would be made. But the board said it was open to exploring.

“We do want to have that community input back,” said board chair Eric Cummings. “And we do want to know what the parents say but…honestly, we need to know what the students say as well because they’re the ones who will be directly affected.”

Board member Nancy Thrower said that she wasn’t ready to vote just yet, not till outreach on the issue was conducted.

“I don’t know how we can plan or vote on anything until we hear from the community and the families,” she said.

Ultimately, Whitehouse was directed by the board to present further findings and survey results at the board’s second work session next month on Jan. 20.

Retool and Revision Ben Whitehouse was asked at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year to take a hard look at MTI and see if any opportunities existed for changes or improvements for the following school year.

“We spent months evaluating what we were doing on campus,” said Whitehouse. “This was a team effort, involving a lot of people, taking a look at what we offer at this school, and providing some good feedback to the board.”

Established in 2005, MTI was once the old Forest High School campus but repurposed into a technical high school that would provide a focus on Career and Technical Education (CTE) and give students the opportunity to work in some unique learning See The future, page A2

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Part of the Marion Technical Institute campus is shown on Southeast Fort King Street in Ocala on Dec. 14.

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DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

An Ocala Christmas Continued from page A1 McCormick. “It tells the story of Jesus’ heritage.” The McCormicks have portrayed Adam and Eve, and their sons, Asher and Tate, now toddlers, have both played baby Jesus.

“Baby Jesus has always been a real baby in our pageant,” she said.

The event, the largest of its kind in Central Florida, also features horses, chickens, goats, sheep, a donkey, and a camel. Sadly, two longtime cast members of the animal kind, a donkey named Dumber that had been with the production since inception, and a llama, both passed away with year, she said.

There are also angels in trees, live music led by the church’s Worship Leader Mike Whitaker, as well as freshly baked bread cooked in an authentic-to-the-time clay oven, and roasted chicken, she said.

“The pageant truly is one of a kind,’ said McCormick, “Our goal in our heart is to share the story of Jesus in a way that’s different and more tangible.”

The pageant’s genesis was the brainchild of the church’s founding pastor, the Rev. Ted Strawbridge, who passed away in 2018, said McCormick.

MICHAEL WARREN Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church’s Annual Living Nativity Pageant

“He had a dream; he looked at the property we were blessed with and said, ‘let’s build something,’” she said.

Current pastor, the Rev. Michael Rawls, and longtime church members Tom Everson, and Cara Oliver, also a veterinarian, have contributed to the pageant’s success over the years.

Community members and businesses have also provided much-needed help, she said.

“It’s an amazingly big production for a pretty small church,” said McCormick.

“Our success goes far beyond our congregation; there’s no way we’d be

able to put on this production every year without the community’s help.”

Admission is free, but donations collected this year will benefit Exodus House, she said.

MICHAEL WARREN Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church’s Annual Living Nativity Pageant

Besides the Living Nativity at Good Shepherd, there are plenty of other Christmas events taking place this week to remind us of the reason for the season.

Here’s a list: •Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church will host a Drive-in Night of Worship and Candlelight Service, featuring new and traditional Christmas Carols beginning at 6 p.m. Today (Dec. 17). The event will take place outside of the church, 14100 State Road 40, Silver Springs.

Worshippers should bring their own blankets or chairs.

•Neighborhood Church Ocala, formerly Grace Church, will have a Christmas Celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 19) at the church, 6474 NE 7th St. The program will begin with a free meal and cookie decorating for kids, followed

by Christmas carols, a Christmas story and candle lighting. The event is free and open to the public.

•The holidays can be a lonely and depressing time for those dealing with the death of a loved one or facing difficult times, and with that in mind Anthony United Methodist Church will host a Blue Christmas Service at 5 p.m.

Tuesday (Dec. 21). The program will include a meal, prayer and communion to sooth hurting hearts. The church is located at 2396 NE 97th Street Road.

•Church of the Springs will have Christmas Eve services at 4, 5:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 24 at its main campus in

Ocala, 5424 SE 58th Ave., at 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 24 at its Southwest Campus, 2141 SW Hwy 484, Ocala, and at 4 and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 24 at its Villages campus, 1601 Tracy Ave., Lady Lake.

•Christ’s Church of Marion County, 6768 SW 80th St., Ocala (off State Road 200) will celebrate the birth of Christ by hosting a Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service at 7 p.m. Dec. 24, with traditional Christmas carols, message from Pastor David Bellows, communion and the singing of “Silent Night,” by candlelight to close out the service. The public is welcome to attend. Details: ccomc.org or 352-8616182.

•Grandview Baptist Church will host a Christmas Carol and Prayer Service from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday (Dec. 22) at the church, 233 NE 58th Ave., Ocala. The public is welcome to attend.

•Citra United Methodist Church, 2000 NE 180th St., will have a Christmas Eve Service of Lights at 11:30 of angels and a manger. The public is welcome to attend.

•Abiding Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church will host a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. Dec. 24 and a Christmas Day service at 9 a.m. Dec. 25. The church, 777 SE 58th Ave., Ocala, welcomes the public to the services. (352)-694-1861 •Second Chance Church, 13405 SE County Highway 484, Belleview, will have its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m. Dec. 24.

The service is open to the public.

•Ocala First United Methodist Church of Ocala, 1126 E. Silver Springs Blvd., will host its annual traditional Christmas Eve Worship Service at 4 p.m. Dec. 24. The service will feature Emily Heumann, soloist and Kaylee. Ascencio, violinist.

The church will also host a Contemporary Christmas Eve Service, featuring its Treehouse Kids Christmas Show beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 24 in its Family Life Center.

•City Light Church, 4645 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala will have a Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. Dec. 24.

The public is welcome to attend.

MICHAEL WARREN Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church’s Annual Living Nativity Pageant

•First Presbyterian Church of Ocala will have a Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m.

Dec. 24. Worshippers and guests are asked to wear face masks. The church is located at 511 S.E. Third St., •First Baptist Church of Ocala will have its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service at 5 p.m. Dec. 24.

The service will include a Christmas message, a special children’s reading, and familiar songs and carols. The public is welcome to attend. The church is located at 2801 S. Maricamp Road, Ocala.

•Grace Episcopal Church will host its annual Christmas Eve services at 6 and 10 p.m. Dec. 24. The early service will not have incense, but the latter one will. Both services will be available in person or via livestream on the church’s YouTube channel. The church is located at 503 SE Broadway St., Ocala.

•Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 5 S.E. 17th St., Ocala, will have its annual Christmas Eve Mass at 7:10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 24, and Christmas Day services 8 a.m., and 4 and 6 p.m. Dec. 25. The public is welcome to attend.

MICHAEL WARREN Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church’s Annual Living Nativity Pageant

The future of MTI? Continued from page A1 environments, according to Whitehouse.

In his findings presented to the board last Thursday, Whitehouse said that 78 fulltime students are currently enrolled at MTI with 172 enrolled part-time.

Further, MTI had Full-Time Equivalent (FTE), or through state funds, generated $1.03 million from enrollment with $1.5 million in salary expenses.

Transportation expenses totaled $693,000. Operational expenses were $150,000. According to Whitehouse’s findings, MTI currently costs the school board a total of $1.3 million.

Current programs offered at MTI include automotive, construction, culinary arts, early childhood education, first responder, information technology, and welding. A total of 56 students were enrolled in the automotive program this school year, leading all programs, while early childhood education, with only 18 students enrolled, was the lowest currently attended.

“I think it’s important to note that when we look at the numbers here that if we’re looking at a typical high school…of our seven traditional high schools, you usually need about 100 students or more to offer a program,” said Whitehouse, “Just because of scheduling. If you have too few students, those students who aren’t in classes are now overloading a class somewhere else.”

Some challenges the school now faces, according to Whitehouse, include duplicated

programs, cost of operation, facility needs, low enrollment, and transportation.

“At our peak at MTI, we were roughly 400 students. So, it’s never been a huge program.

But we have struggled over the last few years to try and keep those numbers up,” explained Whitehouse, pointing out that most other area high schools offer the same programs that MTI offers.

If option two was implemented, which is the option Whitehouse recommended, he stated that the Young Parenting program and the ESE Work

for technical institute might look like, describing to the board an integrated curriculum approach that evaluated community needs.

He also described a possible trades academy to offer programs in HVAC, plumbing, electrical and carpentry, and a manufacturing and design academy, offering 3D design, engineering, and mechanical programs.

“MTI was successful in the beginning,” stated Kelly, “But we’ve just outlived it. So, let’s do it again. Let’s get back out there, let’s talk to our community. Let’s talk to the CEP, to the colleges,

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

The Marion County Public Schools District East campus, which also houses the Marion Technical Institute, is shown on Southeast Fort King Street in Ocala on Dec. 14.

Study program would still remain at MTI (as well as the daycare program), being that it serves all of the county’s schools and is centrally located.

“It makes sense that if we were to do any kind of revision, we should keep those programs there,” he added.

MTI principal Mike Kelly elaborated on what a new vision

to CF—what is a career pathway that we’re not doing right now?”

Exploration and Student Outcome School board member Nancy Thrower’s first thoughts were to the reaction that pausing MTI might have on the community at large.

“It’s important to reassure the public, the parents of students at

MTI especially, that regardless of whether we decide to keep MTI open or not, there is plenty of room,” she said. “I think that the district has a done a great job of partnering with the CEP and local businesses…it’s also really important to include our families and citizens…so, as we continue to take steps, I would like to see more outreach.”

Thrower continued, “Just because a program is expensive within reason, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t serve or meet a need,” adding that she‘s a big fan of surveys and would like to see some done.

Board vice-chair Allison Campbell wished to know why students choose to enroll at MTI and suggested a survey could help answer many of her questions.

“Is it because the program they wanted isn’t in their base school?” she asked. “Is it because the program that they wanted was in their base school, but they wanted to go somewhere else? And we don’t know that information yet. So, we’ll start with that. Because I don’t want parents feeling that we’re leaving them high and dry,” Campbell said.

Thrower echoed Campbell’s concern.

“This isn’t just some flyby-night program that we did for three years and said, ‘Oh, we don’t like it anymore.’ Our community is growing and changing, so it’s good to have this conversation,” she said.

Board member Don Browning said he liked the idea of exploring and the potential for new scholarship, but that it needed to happen within the community

first.

“Advocate from both of these positions,” encouraged Browning to Whitehouse and Kelly, “Keeping it going [or not]. Think about it from the position of a student—because everybody is talking about this. It’s a big deal.

So if you could advocate on one side and advocate on the other— keeping it going or moving it out—I need to hear that. And I need you to know that everyone in the community is listening to you.”

Board member Kelly King acknowledged that the world in which MTI first opened has changed and so should the board’s perspective on how the institute might need to change to meet the needs of today’s community.

Said King, “Just because a thing has been a way for 15 years doesn’t mean that it’s right and good for us anymore.”

Board chair Eric Cummings expressed apprehensions that if the closing of MTI happened too fast, costly mistakes could be made.

“Whatever we’re going to do in this rebranding—because you didn’t say stop, you said pause— the focus must be on student outcome,” said Cummings.

“What’s going to happen to these students? Are we doing what’s best for us, or are we doing what’s best for these students?

“And if we’re going to do what’s best for the students,” he concluded, “we’re going to have to make sure that they are getting the same equity and accessibility to the programs that they have had this whole time.”

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DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

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

- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@magnoliamediaco.com Bruce Ackerman, Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com James Blevins, Reporter james@ocalagazette.com Matthew Cretul, Senior Reporter matthew@ocalagazette.com Sadie Fitzpatrick, Columnist sadie@ocalagazette.com Susan Smiley-Height, Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com Amy Harbert, Graphic Designer amy@magnoliamediaco.com Lisa Maliff, Graphic Designer lisa.maliff@magnoliamediaco.com Joel Bronson, Reporter joel@ocalagazette.com Kristine Nolan, Editor kristine@magnoliamediaco.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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Public information officers—the Gazette team thanks you

By Gazette staff The goal of local government and the Gazette team of reporters runs parallel most days, in that both aim to serve the best interests of Ocala and Marion County residents.

However, as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black declared in the historic “New York Times Co. v. United States” case: “The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.” And this one distinction is oftentimes where conflict can arise between the Gazette and local government agencies.

Local government employees essentially sign on to be public servants, just like those of us working in local journalism. We too have a thankless job most days and did not sign up for a job that ends in fame or fortune.

Yet, public employees must do the bidding of those elected by the people—and this is where the parallel ends. The press must remain independent enough to inform the public of information that may or may not be complimentary to those in power.

With the decline of local news outlets through the years, you may have noticed local agencies have hired public information professionals to increase their output to the public through social media and other digital channels.

While it’s a great effort to stay connected with the public they serve, the public cannot expect these efforts by individuals working for the government to lift the curtain that shields the production— or share information that would not be flattering to the public officials or even department heads for whom they work and produce content. Yet, it is these same public information officers that Gazette reporters must rely on to obtain the information they need to deliver a clear picture to the public.

There are times while trying to give you independent, balanced reports that we must ask questions that are uncomfortable for a public employee to answer because the information sought after will most likely bring controversy to the government agency they work for.

Sometimes, the public

information officer cannot respond at all because of the direction of their superiors.

This happens more often than the public might imagine.

We have found that the government agencies that are truly committed to transparency have the most approachable and accommodating public information officers and are run by the most straightforward leaders, open to directly providing answers.

There are many such agencies, but we wanted to use this opportunity to give a shout-out to those superlative public information officers who help make our mission at the Gazette possible.

Ashley Dobbs, who works with the City of Ocala, is straightforward and helpful.

She goes the extra mile to direct us to the right person if she can’t find the information.

Marion County Public Information Officer Staci Causey is a true public servant who works hard to quickly and thoroughly respond to each and every inquiry, and most days seems to have all the answers.

Starley Ard, the public

information officer for Wesley Wilcox, our Supervisor of Elections, is a true reflection of the open nature of the constitutional officer she serves. She makes sure we have access to Wilcox to answer questions and goes the extra mile to identify ways we can help keep misinformation from getting out to the public.

Ashley Lopez with Ocala Fire Rescue is always helpful and prompt with requests for information or interviews.

She is able to help translate technical language or provide guidance whenever it is asked of her.

There is no doubt, as far as the Gazette team of reporters is concerned, that these professionals are committed to being conduits of information that facilitates transparent government in this community.

For that, we end this year with a public note of thanks. For all the times you responded to a request with a “What’s your deadline?” or “Did you mean this?” or promptly acknowledged our email question with an “I’m on it!”—We thank you!

Ocala’s Cone Distribution recognized as top place to work

By Matthew R. Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com For the third year in a row, Cone Distributing, Inc. of Ocala has been recognized as one of Florida’s top 25 large companies to work for by Florida Trend Magazine.

Doug Cone Jr. founded the company in Marion County in 1985 and is still president/CEO today. In addition to its Marion County roots, the company has expanded over the years, and now boasts a presence in Tallahassee as Supplied well.

Doug Cone Jr. Cone said that while he was proud of the recognition, one specific aspect really stood out to him.

“One of the things that we‘re most proud of is during those three years, we were the only Florida-based company to win the award. The others were all domiciled outside of the state of Florida.”

Jonathan “JJ” Jarrell, the director of human resources, said there was a concerted effort about four or five years ago to really focus on a positive workplace ethos, and the awards are simply a result of that.

“We got real, real pointed with what we wanted to improve on. And it was just a paradigm shift in how we treated our folks. [We got] more centered around treating people right, we took a holistic view of individuals. And that‘s essentially what created our culture. We went back to our roots, which Mr. Cone established our core values years ago,” Jarrell pointed out.

In order to be considered for recognition in the large company category, a business must have at least 250 or more employees. According to Jarrell, Cone currently has 306 employees between Ocala and Tallahassee.

Cone relayed that he looks at everyone at his company as more than simply employees, which is why he refers to it as Team Cone.

“From my perspective, and our leadership team‘s perspective, you know, we feel like we have a responsibility to over 300 families. And that every family member is a member of Team Cone.

And not only have we watched families grow up, but we actually have had and currently have two generations working here. And in one case, we have a third generation,” Cone said.

He pointed to the length of time

employees spend with the company as a him I’d do it,” Jenkins relayed. sign that he’s doing something right when Brett Polk has been a delivery driver it comes to establishing a positive culture. with Cone for a little over two years. He “Over 41 percent of our employees echoes Jenkins’ feelings on the work have been with us for a minimum of 10 environment. years. 26 percent have been with us for “The culture here is big on teams over 20 years. And we are very proud of and teamwork. It’s designed that way. that because I think it speaks volumes,” If you’re having a heavy day, they’ll get Cone noted. someone out to help you out. They’re big Chaddrick Jenkins is one of those on work-life balance too, they make sure employees. He’s worked with Cone we get home in time to our families, and Distribution for just over a year now as that we aren’t working long days.” merchandising trainer at their Tallahassee Florida Trend has been published location. Jenkins said Cone stands out for over 60 years, and according to its because of the actions behind their words. website, “The magazine has reported on “They care for you and have your back. the people and issues that have defined Most people say it, but I feel it with Team Florida and shaped its future.”

Cone. They care,” he said.

“Even if you’re faced with a bad day, Team Cone is a team, so they’ve got someone who can help. There’s never a day where I feel I’m overwhelmed.”

Jenkins said he could really feel how much they value personal growth when Jarrell insisted on a particular stipulation during his interview.

“One of the conditions of getting BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette JJ Jarrell, the human resources director, left, talks with Gavin Cruse, center, as the job I have now was Cruse loads beverages onto a pallet jack, while Shandon Montgomery, right, finishing my Bachelors. operates another a pallet jack to gather beverages in the warehouse at Team JJ made me promise Cone in Ocala on Dec. 15.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Raynard Brant speeds by on a pallet jack as he gathers beverages for an order.

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DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Editorial LETTER TO EDITOR

Yes! It really happened to me...

“Right is right, wrong is wrong, and a body ain’t got no business doing wrong when he ain’t ignorant and knows better.”

—Mark Twain, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”

I

was born on an Army post during the outset of World War II to a middle class, two-parent family. Raised in this consistent, two-parent family all of their lives, my two siblings and I lived in an environment of care, concern, respect and honor. We were never taught to hate, despise or judge a human’s worth by their human behavior.

Institutional and subtle racism were always present in our lives. Overt racism hid its ugly face in the human mind and heart literally afraid to expose itself because of some folkways, mores (the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community) and laws. I once heard a military school bus driver tell a Black student, “You ‘N-word’ have no business sitting next to white people.”

(Note: the young airman bus driver was court-martialed for his conduct and sentenced to a prison term at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.)

During most of my adult life, I had not witnessed overt racism in my average, every day existence. However, systemic racism was always as clear as a bright, sunny day.

Several weeks ago, after my mid-

morning church service, a group of us went to a local restaurant for brunch. One of us had a “service” dog. A lady in front of our group questioned why the dog did not have on a service dog vest. The dog’s owner said she had the required information attached to the dog’s collar and also had the requisite card in her possession.

Wrong question number one was asked, “What services does the dog provide?”

The answer; “Alerts on, among other things, high-blood pressure, diabetes, panic attacks and bed bugs.” The inquiring woman, we’ll call her “Karen,” looked at the Black male in the group and told him that he was probably the one who was alerted on for bed bugs. “Karen” was immediately called out for her obvious racist statement. “Karen” used the age-old excuse so frequently heard during the last five years, “I was only kidding. I’m sorry.”

Sad! Other patrons in the restaurant expressed their dismay at “Karen’s” outburst and weak apology to the subjected Black man. The major thing not done was that none of the patrons reported the incident to a manager, nor demanded “Karen’s” removal from the premises.

Wouldn’t it have been a proper outcome of “Karen’s” outburst to have immediately involved management in this possibly wrong action? The main objective would have been the desire to finitely show that

any patron involved was “not ignorant and knew better.”

I am a life member of a military organization, known worldwide, that tries very hard to keep the local community apprised of military news via the organization’s speaker program.

During a recent speaking request to our organization by a world-renowned children’s organization, the president of our chapter and the first vice president both made presentations.

After the president’s remarks, the next presenter—a black man—who had previously been asked to speak on race gave his talk, which included remarks on diabetes. After the presentations, an elderly gentleman, without seeking to ask a question, blurted out, “You Black people have no business talking about race. You act like it’s an issue. If you weren’t so fat, you would not have a diabetes problem.”

Nothing he said was either graceful or relevant to the just-concluded talk.

Not a single member of the audience said one positive or negative comment to the elderly man. It was a slow-motion movement of life.

Again, the main objective would have been the desire to finitely show that any member of the audience was “not ignorant and knew better.”

I often wonder exactly why we can’t solve this simple basic human problem— RACISM. Racism is so pervasive in our

country and so many of us do not stand up for anything let alone what is right.

Will some more of us die without seeing resolution to this 400-year-old malady?

In the protestant hymnal, the song “Praise with Joy the Work’s Creator,” the third verse says: Praise the Spirit sent among us, liberating truth from pride, Forging bonds where race or gender, age or nation dare divide.

Celebrate the Spirit’s treasure: foolishness non dare deride.

Why are we so reluctant to call people out? Why are some of us so willing to allow our fellow man to be constantly hurt?

—I was that little boy on the school bus.

—I was that man accused of having bed bugs.

—I was the speaker representing a renowned military organization.

“A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury.”

—John Steward Mill, “On Liberty” Gorham L. Black, III Colonel, United States Army (Ret.)

OPINION

City of Ocala council, consider hiring staff attorneys

By Ocala Gazette Editorial Board The preamble to the Florida Bar Rules of Professional Conduct states: A lawyer, as a member of the legal profession, is a representative of clients, an officer of the legal system, and a public citizen having special responsibility for the quality of justice.

As a representative of clients, a lawyer performs various functions. As an adviser, a lawyer provides a client with an informed understanding of the client’s legal rights and obligations and explains their practical implications. As an advocate, a lawyer zealously asserts the client’s position under the rules of the adversary system. As a negotiator, a lawyer seeks a result advantageous to the client but consistent with requirements of honest dealing with others. As an evaluator, a lawyer acts by examining a client’s legal affairs and reporting about them to the client or to others.

Understanding that a lawyer cannot effectively execute this duty to the client when they also represent parties who may have other interests, the Florida Bar set forth strict rules for conflicts of interest.

Obtaining a waiver of a conflict of interest would require the attorney to identify the specific client, explain the risk associated with the potential conflict, and obtain a written waiver of the conflict—by both clients.

However, even when an attorney can obtain that informed consent by both parties and get a signed waiver, sometimes it’s still unethical representation according to the Florida Bar rules, and according to many legal opinions exhausting the subject.

The challenges for lawyers navigating the pitfalls of representing private clients as well as government entities are substantial when it comes to the potential for real or perceived conflicts that might undermine the interests of the government client was explored in our recent report Conflict-of-interest questions surround city attorneys.

Besides conflicts of interest that could arise when government attorneys represent private clients, the attorneys must also navigate conflicts within the government. For example, if there was

an ethics violation filed against one of our county commissioners, the county’s attorney would probably not be able to represent the individual commissioner in the complaint because the interests of the county and the commissioner could possibly be conflicted. In a bid protest or complaint against a building official, it becomes often necessary for the government to hire an outside counsel to represent the interest of the department that is part of the complaint.

Imagine how hard some of these issues can be to navigate when the government attorney is usually hired by a board or council, and not county or city management? The jobs of those attorneys are at the whim of a politician who may not necessarily like the advice they are giving, or find it politically expedient or beneficial.

Since attorneys are human, and not all are necessarily altruistic, we would be remiss not to weigh the government attorney’s own financial interests at play.

Many government branches have found that it is in their best interest to hire staff attorneys where the only financial interest and ethical duty is clearly defined for the government agency. For example, in the case of our county attorneys, they represent Marion County the government entity, not any individual, and none of the attorneys are allowed to do legal work outside the scope of legal services they do for the county, unless it‘s pro bono work performed to execute the other duty imposed on their entire profession— furthering justice for all.

These government attorneys, who are not elected, but are hired by those elected have an enormous amount of power. They help shape policy that becomes law. They make recommendations to our elected officials on how to execute their wishes within a legal framework. They weigh in on what is required and not required to be put on a meeting agenda so that it meets the State of Florida’s sunshine rules.

Since our loyalty is always with the public’s right to know, we are concerned when we see conflict waivers in city attorney contracts that just memorialize “what’s always been done.” In that case, we want to ask for you, the reader—how has it always been done?

A good example is the resolution passed in October 2020 giving the chairman of the city council and the city attorney authority to enter into agreements with developers outside the city limits for water and sewer hookup without needing approval by the larger city council. It was passed on the consent agenda, without explanation. Since we are not attorneys, we have no opinion on the legality of that measure, but we do think it flies in the face of transparency. Why wouldn’t we want to make approval of these developer agreements a council decision?

You would be hard-pressed to identify a law firm in Ocala better connected, or more powerful, than the private firm who has represented the city for more than 30 years, Gilligan, Gooding, Batsel, Anderson & Phelan, P.A. If any of you have listened to either Patrick Gilligan or Jimmy Gooding argue their point, it’s easy to be impressed. They are smart fellows.

Gooding acknowledged recently to a Gazette reporter that development was at an all-time high. When Gilligan was asked if he thought there was a shortage of real estate land use attorneys, he replied, “Not really, just [short] ones that do it well.”

The general consensus amongst those in the construction industry and the city staff that negotiate with them aligns with what Gooding and Gilligan say: there is a

lot of development, and not a lot of lawyers who understand how to move well in that arena.

It is exactly for these reasons that the Gazette Editorial Board recommends that the city council and city management explore hiring general counsel to represent the city without any interests other than the city’s interest, similar to how our other local government bodies have hired attorneys.

In those cases, those government attorneys can hire outside attorneys on a case-by-case basis when there are areas of law they are not personally familiar with. Said staff city attorney can then thoroughly vet and monitor any conflicts of interest for outside attorneys who would do work for the city.

By taking this route, the public will know the city attorney serves only one interest during this development boom— the City of Ocala’s.

Whether government attorneys represent the government, the officials that make it up, or the people it serves is a discussion for another time, but for now, we feel it is in the public’s best interest for the plans of developers to be challenged, so that each plan impacts our city in only the most beneficial way.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

The new Ocala City Council is shown seated after three new council members were sworn in, along with Mayor Kent Guinn, who was re-sworn in during the Ocala City Council meeting in Ocala on Dec. 7. The Council members are, from left: Jay Musleh, James Hilty, Ire Bethea, Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn, Kristen Dreyer, Barry Mansfield and City Manager Sandra Wilson.

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DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

School board meetings relocating due to serious mold issues in district office building

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

M

arion County Public Schools (MCPS) announced on Dec. 9 that it would soon be relocating its main district office to 1614 E. Fort King St. in Ocala on the Marion Technical Institute (MTI) campus.

The move comes as a result of recent internal reports indicating that the current building, located at 512 S.E. 3rd St., poses serious moisture and mold issues.

Marion County School Board (MCSB) meetings and work sessions will also move to MTI and be held in the Browne Greaton Cole Auditorium.

Both changes of venue are planned to occur by the first of the coming year, with the school board hoping to have it’s first meeting at the new location during the first week of January.

Barbara Dobbins, executive director of Operations and Emergency Management at MCPS, informed the school board during a recent administrative briefing and work session on Dec. 9 that the 114-yearold building on Southeast 3rd Street was last fully renovated in 1967.

“In that renovation,” she said, “we failed to do one thing that put us in this situation. We failed to put a vapor or moisture barrier between the brick walls and the now current gypsum board walls.

So basically, we’ve closed in and created a terrarium of issues.”

An initial assessment was done in 2019, added Dobbins, but it was primarily done visually. However, the 2021 assessment was more hands on in nature.

“We asked them to literally cut holes in the walls and look behind them with cameras, producing a report,” she said.

Based out of Tampa, Gallagher Bassett Technical Services produced its Moisture

Impact Assessment report on Oct. 28.

The report stated that its purpose was to identify moisture-impacted building materials and other factors which may have affected indoor air quality.

On Oct. 11 and 12, the assessment team discovered multiple examples of staining, damage, and/or mold growth throughout the county administration office building with later laboratory analysis for all samples collected from the building confirming those initial on-site findings.

“It was recommended that people should not be in this building long term,” added Dobbins.

Senior Industrial Hygiene Project Manager for Gallagher Bassett John LeJeune said before the MCSB on Dec. 9 that it wasn’t just one source of intrusion but several that were damaging the building.

“We did find a combination of water intrusion, which is free water or rain water intruding into the building, moisture intrusion in certain areas, and condensation,” said LeJeune, mentioning that he could see with the naked eye mold growth just about anywhere he looked.

Operations Manager for Gallagher Bassett Mike Sewell seconded much of what LeJeune said to the board.

“We just let our eyes and our noses lead us and identified these areas of concern,” he said. “We’re not doctors. We just tell you what’s here and make some recommendations. But this building has some issues.”

In order to solve the issues that the building currently has, Dobbins said, the building would have to be brought all the way back to its original brick structure and renovated out from there, an option the board didn’t appear to entertain.

Board member Don Browning stated that he was primarily concerned with

staff health, urging an immediate move of venue for future MCSB meetings and work sessions.

“If we’re not going to fix it immediately,” he said, “I want out of this building.

We need to be focusing on the health of everyone who enters here.”

Superintendent of Schools Diane Gullet informed the board that she had already made the decision to move 14 employees out of the building, so there would not be any additional risks to their health.

Three area superintendents who previously worked within the building, along with their assistants for a total of six additional employees, were also relocated from the current district office, said Gullet, to work instead at each respective school site they supervise.

She stressed that staff would be relocated to unoccupied adult spaces at MTI that are not presently in use, so there will be no disruption of the students who

are currently enrolled on campus.

Cummings hoped to clarify to the public that the decision to move venues did not come out of nowhere.

“This was not a knee-jerk reaction,” he said. “It’s been ongoing for a long time. We’ve had employees with adverse reactions to the environment here. And it is our obligation to make a decision to put them in a safer place.”

Dobbins assured the school board that staff at its current location would be fully relocated and working from the MTI campus by Dec. 17.

The school board said it planned on officially voting on the move of venue at its next board meeting later this month, but, according to Kevin Christian, director of Public Relations for MCPS on Dec. 15, the board had yet to determine the future of the building or arrive at an estimate on how much it might cost to repair it.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

The Marion County Public Schools administration building is shown on Southeast 3rd Street in Ocala on Dec. 14.

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DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

County Board to write letter to FDOT Re: Northern turnpike extension

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com After hearing concerns from the public during its Tuesday regular meeting, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBOCC) agreed to draft a letter to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) relating to the proposed northern turnpike extension.

The letter is to be included in the Dec. 21 agenda. The board is taking the next two weeks to review all options before committing to a statement.

Commissioner Kathy Bryant spearheaded the idea on Dec. 7 by suggesting that the County Board’s silence was probably making their constituents upset.

“This is Marion County, this is our home,” Bryant added. “We are the ones that get to at least make a statement. And I think that a letter should be drafted and sent to FDOT that states our position.”

Commissioner Michelle Stone countered that the board should at least wait for the state to finish its study.

“If we’re going to send a letter,” said Stone, “then I think we should say that we respect what they are asked to do, and that is to find safety for the community… we know we have horrible traffic problems in the south end of Marion County, and if we put up a ‘no,’ we’re not going to get any relief from the state.”

In October, FDOT indicated they were exploring two northern routes that could pass through southwest Marion County, with a third route skimming just inside the

county line south of Marion Oaks.

The purpose of these extensions, according to the FDOT, is to help Interstate 75, which is often congested through a 25-mile stretch of road north of the turnpike.

One northern route crosses south of Marion Oaks, heading north, connecting with S.W. 140th Avenue. The second northern route skims west of Marion Oaks, running near the intersection of SR 200 and County Road 484, before heading north, curving west across SR 40 and U.S. 41 and heading southwest to U.S. 19 just north of Yankeetown.

These two northern routes have generated the most ire from the public.

Charles Lee, director of Advocacy of Audubon Florida, expressed to the board that he understands that the decision on where the turnpike will go is ultimately up to FDOT, but he believes the board can have a major influence.

Lee hoped that FDOT would adhere to recommendations made by a task force created in 2020 to reports directly to Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature about the economic and environmental impact of the proposed new toll routes.

The task force ultimately recommended updating existing corridors rather than approving the proposed new routes.

“There are ample reasons why they should apply them,” said Lee of the task force’s recommendations. “We think that you as the county commission should simply nudge them a bit with your letter and say we would like to see the task force recommendations carried out.”

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Commissioner Michelle Stone speaks during the Marion County Commission meeting on Dec. 7.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Commissioner Kathy Bryant speaks during the Marion County Commission meeting in the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala on Dec. 7.

Bryant, who sat on the taskforce in 2020, said that it was the third time the board had dealt with the turnpike expansion proposal “In 2018, we told [the FDOT] no,” said Bryant. “We told them no in 2020. I sat on the task force. We laid out what we thought was recommendations for them.

They have taken those recommendations and they have gotten rid of [them].”

She added that the Florida Legislature gave FDOT the authority to decide where the turnpike extension is going.

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners has no authority over any of it.

“We’re in the same boat as you are,” Bryant said.

David Houtz, who lives at 8741 S.W. 140th Avenue in Dunnellon, started his comments by thanking the board for giving he and other concerned Marion County residents the time to talk about, what he termed, “the biggest threat to our way of life in West Marion County.”

“I have emailed my concerns to the board about the proposed turnpike and ask that you help support our cause of fighting this road to nowhere,” Houtz said.

“Since this latest version of the turnpike expansion was announced by the FDOT, I‘ve been amazed how the citizens that are directly affected and others that are not directly affected are coming together to come up with a game plan to fight back.”

Houtz detailed that the “forever home” he and his family built and moved into in June of 2020 will be taken from them if the proposed route is approved.

“It seems people in the affected area have felt the stress of possibly losing their homes to this proposed highway many times,” he added. “Over the last 20 years or

so, it doesn‘t seem fair that we should have to live with this burden hanging over our heads, not knowing if our homes will be taken from us. This isn‘t the dream I had when I moved here.”

“Bottom line is we got to speak up together,” said Annette Studston to the board. Studston lives in Romeo. “We need your voice, Marion County Commission, just like y’all did in 2018. As your citizens, you all are our father and our mother. And we need to hear from you now.”

Commissioner Carl Zalak III said, from his perspective, that he didn’t know where the FDOT could put the proposed routes that wouldn’t impact Marion County in some significant way.

“There‘s a lot that goes into this,” said Bryant. “We sit up here…it‘s not proposed to come through my backyard. It‘s not proposed to come through any of our backyards. But if you‘re sitting there, and it‘s proposed to come to your backyard, you have to face that uncertainty on a daily basis. And I think local government…we are the ones that are closest to the people, we are the ones that have to make some kind of a statement.”

Commissioner Craig Curry wished to study the issue a bit more before deciding on Dec. 7 to draft a letter to FDOT. Bryant finished her comments to the rest of the board that it was “very easy for all of you to say, because it doesn’t go through your district. And I don’t say that with any disrespect. But I‘m going to be the one that‘s going to get the majority of the emails, because all of their proposed routes, most of them, go right through District 2.”

Marion COVID numbers decrease STATE SEES INCREASE OVERALL, MCPS SEES DECREASE

By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com

MARION COUNTY UPDATE Marion County’s COVID numbers slightly declined last week as the county registered 146 new cases according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health Friday evening, down from the 165 cases reported two weeks ago.

The county’s positivity rate and cases per 100,000 dropped along with the overall number of cases. The positivity rate fell from 3.0% to 2.4%, and the cases per 100,000 declined from 44.3 to 39.2.

No recent hospitalization numbers are available as Health and Human Services data has not been updated since Dec. 3.

COVID Test FL is offering testing in Ocala at the Ocala First Baptist Church located at 2801 SE Maricamp Road.

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

Both locations are open Monday-Friday 8 am-4 pm.

STATE UPDATE

MCPS UPDATE

While cases dropped locally in Marion County, they rose across the state as a whole, as the State of Florida recorded 13,530 during the week of Dec. 3 to Dec. 9. That number is the highest number of cases reported statewide since Oct. 15, and up from 10,892 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Nov. 26 to Dec. 2.

Statewide, vaccines numbers have risen in children ages 5-11 since vaccines became available, as the state reported 185,556 doses of the vaccine were administered last week compared to the 162,542 doses given two weeks ago. The total population of children ages 5-11 in the state is just under 1.7 million, and figures showed 11% of them are now vaccinated against COVID-19.

The state’s overall vaccination rates fell slightly, as the state recorded administering 528,287 doses during the week of Dec. 3 to Dec. 9, bringing the population of the state vaccinated to 70% of those ages 5 and up.

Marion County Public Schools recorded 10 cases for the week of Dec. 4– Dec. 10, with nine students and one employee, were confirmed COVID-19 Aug. 26: 3,500 positive by the Florida Department 3,000 of Health in Marion 2,500 County in figures released Dec. 3 - 9 2,000 on Monday morning.

Dec. 9: Additionally, 1,500 MCPS reported Source: 55 students, Marion County 1,000 Health Department and no employees were 500 quarantined due to direct contact 0 with someone 13 19 26 2 9 16 23 7 14 21 28 4 11 18 25 2 9 testing positive DEC. NOVEMBER AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER for COVID-19.

AMY HARBERT/Ocala Gazette

MCPS previously recorded 17 cases (13 students, four employees) and 57 quarantines (55 students, two employees) from Nov. 20 through Dec. 3.

3,228

New reported Covid-19 cases per week

146

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DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Local Briefs COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OCALA/ MARION COUNTY ACCEPTING NURSING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County is currently accepting applications for the 2022 spring semester scholarships awarded from the Angelica G. Muns Nursing Scholarship fund.

Students must be enrolled in a certified nursing program in Marion County and pursuing an ADN or BSN nursing degree while maintaining a 3.0 GPA throughout the duration of their schooling.

Angelica G. Muns was a registered nurse and U.S. Airforce Lt. Colonel who served during World War II. Muns and her husband established the scholarship to give aspiring Marion County students that were interested in working at community acute healthcare facilities the opportunity to pursue a nursing degree.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Thursday, January 6th, 2022.

To apply, go to: Impact - Community Foundation (ocalafoundation.org)

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

OCALA

ART OF HR CONFERENCE SET FOR JANUARY AT WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER Registration is now open for the 2022 Art of HR conference presented by the Ocala Human Resource Management Association (OHRMA) in partnership with CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion and the Mid-Florida Regional Manufacturers Association (MRMA).

The conference takes place Jan. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave., in Ocala.

The Art of HR features a full-day of in-person sessions designed to assist business leverage the value of their people, learn about the state of the workforce and key data to help build critical talent pipelines, understand the latest employment law and how it affects local

businesses, and discover workplace best practices to recruit and retain employees.

Rusty Skinner, CEO of CareerSource CLM, said that “partnering with OHRMA allows us to collaborate on HR and workforce development issues of importance.”

The conference will begin with keynote comedian and human experience leader David Horning, who uses humor as a tool to get audiences thinking differently about the status quo and come up with new ways to create a better experience of work.

Presentations include highlights from the manufacturing wage and benefit survey CareerSource CLM conducted for MRMA in partnership with OHRMA.

CareerSource CLM will also present the annual Bridging the Gap award recognizing a local business that has gone above and beyond to build the regional workforce by closing gaps in skills, training, and opportunity.

Cost to attend is $150 for individuals or $125 for members of ORHMA, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), MRMA, and CareerSource CLM’s Board of Directors. A discounted rate is also available for groups of 10 or more. The conference fee includes breakfast and lunch.

To request a group rate, contact Sarah Bland, conference chair, at sbland@marswater.com.

Tickets are available at bit.ly// ARTOFHR.

HAVE FUN AND DONATE TO A WORTHY CAUSE AT HOLIDAY GIVEBACK EVENT

By Rosemarie Dowell

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Commissioner Kathy Bryant speaks during the Marion County Commission meeting in the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala on Dec. 7.

If you’re looking for a new way to give back to the community during the holiday season, and have some fun while doing it, AdventHealth Ocala might have the perfect opportunity for you.

The hospital this weekend will host its inaugural Holiday Giveback Event, “Caring for the Children in Our

Twelve Paws of Christmas Adoption Special

By Ocala Gazette Staff Marion County Animal Services (MCAS) announced on Dec. 14 that all adoptions are $12 during the month of December.

Adoption includes up-to-date vaccinations, county license and

microchip, along with spay/neuter surgery.

MCAS is located at 6701 S.E. 66th St. in Ocala. For more information, call its main office at (352) 671-8700. View all adoptable pets at MarionFL.org/Animal.

The database is updated every hour.

Community,”, featuring a slew of fun and festive activities including a hot chocolate bar, a kids’ craft station, face painting, balloon artists, live music

by Jeff Jarrett, live dance performances, selfie wall crawl, and of course, pictures with Santa.

The charity event, in partnership with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County and the

AdventHealth Ocala Foundation, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 19) at the Hospital’s Auxiliary Conference Center 1542 SW 1st Ave., Ocala.

Admission is free, but donations of gifts and essentials for needy children in the community are encouraged including toys, jackets, socks, underwear, boy’s gym shorts, and jogging pants,

The giving continues The Share Your Christmas Food drive raised about 10,000 pounds of food this year in Ocala with Frank DeLuca donating a dollar for each pound of food donated.

WESH 2 organizes the food drive, spending the first week of December in visiting different counties.

Photos by BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

People drive through to donate food during the WESH 2 Share Your Christmas Food Drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank at DeLuca Toyota on State Road 200 in Ocala on Dec. 9.

Sal

Sal is a social and friendly potbellied pig, looking for a place to lay his head and soak in some mud baths.

Marcie Golgoski, the WESH 2 executive producer, left, and Jim McGrath, right, pack up food.

Ellie

Ellie is a nine-month-old kitten that prefers calm, gentle humans willing to take their time to win her affection.

Chrome

Chrome is a two-year-old dog that likes to have fun, loves treats and will gladly learn new commands to get a tasty morsel.

personal hygiene products, and warm clothing.

The toy and clothing drive will benefit Marion County Public School‘s Homeless Family Program, The Rock Program, a faith-based non-profit that provides basic hygiene products and clothing to middle and high school students, and AdventHealth Ocala Foundation.

ABOVE: Frank DeLuca, left, and Joey Stathas, the DeLuca Toyota general manager, right, pack up food.

RIGHT: Frank DeLuca, center, presents a check for $10,000 to Jason Guy, the anchor for WESH 2, left, live on the air as DeLuca employees stand behind them.

A8

DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

City attorneys

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

The Ocala City Council meets at Ocala City Hall in Ocala on Dec. 15, 2020.

Continued from page A1 the Florida Bar is what we do.”

Jimmy Gooding, who has been the assistant city attorney for 26 years, originally told the Ocala Gazette he too did not remember the clause, but then, upon review, said that he remembered writing it.

“It was mainly just to formalize what we‘d always done….I do not recall any particular event or thing that triggered it,” he said.

Robert Batsel Jr. joined the firm on June 1, 2017, and under the current contract was “main city attorney.”

Speaking to the clause in the contract to the Ocala Gazette, Batsel Jr. said, “If you look at our contract, it is pretty clear on this, I think, and it‘s been a while since I‘ve looked at it, but basically what it says is that the city understands that, you know, this is a small town. There‘s only so many real estate and land use lawyers and that, from time-totime, people who we represent in the county or surrounding counties may wish to develop property in the city that obviously poses a conflict of interest and that we will not represent them in connection with any of those projects.”

Batsel Jr. said that all their private clients know they represent the city, but that if city staff calls the firm about a project belonging to one of the firm’s private clients, they can remind city staff that the firm represents the private client “prior to giving advice.”

All three attorneys told the Ocala Gazette that they did not recollect discussing this conflictof-interest clause with the city council or city management.

In response to inquiry by the Ocala Gazette, all the councilmen, except for Justin Grabelle who was unresponsive, indicated that they had no recollection of discussing this conflict-ofinterest clause. Similarly, the city manager and two assistant city managers—who, at the time, ran operations for the procurement, engineering, and growth management departments that negotiate with developers and contractors most often—all told the Ocala Gazette that they were unaware of the conflict-ofinterest clause.

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

Musleh indicated that he knew the firm represented developers who potentially did business with the city. However, Musleh was unconcerned by the conflictof-interest clause, having a history since childhood with both Gooding and Gilligan.

“I believe them to be ethical attorneys,” Musleh insisted.

When the most recent contract with the firm was approved at the city council meeting Oct. 20, 2020, congratulatory talk was exchanged between the attorneys, Batsel Jr. and Gilligan, while council listened on. Council

remained silent–not asking even one question about the contract–and the attorneys gave no explanation of the significance of the new conflict-of-interest clause.

The contract was signed by council president at the time, Jay Musleh, and the three attorneys.

The contract was attested to by the city clerk.

For this article, the Gazette has interviewed more than a dozen people to explore the mechanics of how the city attorneys and city staff navigate the conflicts of interest.

What are the Florida Bar rules about conflicts of interest?

Rule 4-1.7 of the Florida Bar Rules & Standards, related to professional conduct of lawyers, states that a lawyer must not represent a client if 1. The representation of one client will be directly adverse to another client; or 2. There is a substantial risk that the representation of one or more clients will be materially limited by the lawyer’s responsibilities to another client, a former client or a third person, or by a personal interest of the lawyer.

The exception to that rule is if the lawyer “reasonably believes that the lawyer will be able to provide competent and diligent representation to each affected client” and “each affected client gives informed consent, confirmed in writing or clearly stated on the record at a hearing.”

According to the rules, “informed consent” denotes the agreement by a person to a proposed course of conduct after the lawyer has communicated adequate information and explanation about the material risks of and reasonably available alternatives to the proposed course of conduct.

In the case of the city attorneys’ conflict-of-interest waiver, no specific clients were identified, only industries– development and contractors. No separate specific conflict memos have been supplied by the firm or the city in response to the Gazette’s request.

The Ocala Gazette sought the opinion of Attorney Amanda Coffey, the chair of the City, County, & Local Government Law Section for the Florida Bar, and asked how important it is for attorneys to identify a specific client that might share the conflict is worrisome.

Coffey expressed, “I can‘t think of the instance where that [the client’s name] wouldn‘t be necessary. It doesn‘t mean there isn‘t one. But generally, I believe you have to disclose to the other who the other client is in order for the conflict to be clear.”

“This specificity is important in getting the conflict waiver because it makes clear that your client understands what the potential conflicts in your representation might be. Without the specificity, I think it would be too big for them to make a clear and conscientious waiver of the conflict. So, an attorney would want to be as precise as they can,” continued Coffey, “As a general rule, you would get a waiver at each particular instance of representation.”

As to whose obligation it is to identify conflicts of interest and clearly communicate them, Coffey said, “The burden for the conflict

waivers is on the attorney. This is the attorney’s ethical duty.

It‘s entirely on the attorney, the private clients that don‘t have any duty to other clients of the attorney.”

Dividing jobs and ethical duties During Gazette interviews with the three city attorneys, there was an attempt to delineate the duties and obligations they owed with Gilligan primarily focused on the city’s litigation matters, Gooding on land-use issues, and Batsel Jr. the day-today legal considerations of the city.

They also attempted to describe self-imposed barriers that would allow Gooding to represent developers such as the Roberts family, principals behind the latest big development– The World Equestrian Center (WEC) –while Batsel Jr. could approve contracts for the city

“It was mainly just to formalize what we‘d always done...”

Jimmy Gooding, Esq.

Gilligan, Gooding, Batsel, Anderson & Phelan, P.A.

that benefited the developer and draft or negotiate interlocal agreements between the city and county government that would benefit the development for water and sewer hookup.

With that particular conflict, Gooding said it was his understanding that Batsel Jr. communicated the conflict to the city.

“I‘m pretty sure that Rob [Batsel Jr.] advised everybody at the city who he was dealing with, reminded them of it, and pointed out that because of my representation of what I was, I had nothing to do with it,” Gooding stated.

Gooding also explained that the firm has a special understanding with their private clients.

“We can withdraw from our representation of them and continue to represent the city. So, our private clients have always understood that we represent the city first. Now, that‘s not because we favor the city over our other clients, but because we have a responsibility to the city as their essentially only attorneys.

Whereas our private clients can go get other attorneys to represent them.”

When Gooding was asked why the city simply could not go get other attorneys to represent them, Gooding agreed the city could, “but it‘s a lot of trouble for the city to do that. They have to find a lawyer, and then, they have to hire him and negotiate an agreement with him.”

The issue of whether or not it was proper for an attorney who represents a public body to represent a private client to that body, “even though the matter is not the subject of controversy and is outside the scope of the public attorney’s responsibilities,” was explored in Florida Bar Ethics

Opinion 60-12. In that opinion, it was found improper even with “disclosure of facts and consent of the parties involved.”

In that same opinion, the question was asked, “Would the answer to the basic question be altered if it were assumed that the attorney for the public body is only one of several attorneys representing this body, each with delineated responsibilities, and his responsibilities do not fall in the area in which his partner or associate is requesting action on behalf of a private client?”

The answer stated, “In answer to this question, we do not feel that the fact that the public agency has several attorneys would alter our opinion in this connection, and we therefore consider that such representation would still be unethical.”

The other resolution and agreement approved on Oct. 20, 2020 At the same city council meeting where the firm’s contract was approved, Gooding offered resolution 2021-1, which was accepted unanimously by the council on the consent agenda.

In that resolution, developers seeking to hook up to water and sewer located outside the city limits could enter into an agreement Gooding had drafted for the city “with such revisions as are acceptable to the city attorney based upon its determination.”

These agreements only required the signature of the city council president and would not require approval by the city council.

City infrastructure, such as electric, water, and sewer, can be extended five miles outside the city limits to service developments in the county, according to the city engineer Sean Lanier.

Currently, there are 22 developments outside the city limits that are hooked up to city water.

Just three months after Gooding’s resolution is adopted by the city, one of Roberts’ developments, a mobile home park created for the purpose of housing staff who work at WEC, that is located in the county, signed the annex agreement to hook up to city water and wastewater services.

Gooding indicated that he had nothing to do with it other than admittedly creating the form for the city to use. The copy of the agreement was signed by thencity council president, Justin Grabelle, and approved by city attorney Batsel Jr. At the bottom of the agreement, it stated, “Council Approval 10-20-2020,” yet only the fill-in-the-blank annexation agreement was prepared by Gooding and approved by the council on that date, without identifying specific developers.

As intended by the resolution passed on Oct. 20, 2020, the contract did not need to go before council until the property became contiguous to the city. Lanier said that sometimes there was no anticipation that the development would really be annexed into the city. In those cases, there would be nothing that would trigger the development agreement coming before city council.

Although not reflected in the agreement, Lanier said that the particular Roberts development had a “verbal agreement” with attorneys that the usual 25 percent surcharge the city charges developers to hook up to city would be waived. In line with that understanding, the city’s utilities service who handles the billing had not charged, a savings of more than $80,000 in impact fees to the developer.

A handful of other developments had signed the same annex agreement since the form had been approved by the city council, but they all were billed and paid the surcharge, confirmed Lanier.

Batsel, Jr. had no independent recollection of making a verbal agreement for waiving the 25% surcharge, and said he believes it was something Lanier negotiated.

Batsel stated that the annex agreement would need to be

readdressed since it was a mobile home park, and the city had expressly stated that it wants no more mobile home parks in the city limits.

Gooding said he did not know whether any of the other developers he currently worked with in the county were currently looking to hook up with the city’s services.

The director for growth management, Tye Chighizola, explained that according to the Marion County Comprehensive Plan that has been in place since 1985, “You‘re not supposed to move forward with development if you don‘t have concurrent development. So, if you don‘t have water and sewer and everything then you can‘t put up, you know, 3,000 or 10,000 houses out in the county - you had proved that there were services available.”

According to Chighizola, the city’s water and sewer infrastructure has been growing for over 100 years, whereas the areas of rural Marion County have been slower to get water and sewer connected. For some developments within the county, this makes hooking up to the city’s water and sewer an attractive solution.

In the summer of 2020, negotiations took place between the city and county for an interlocal government agreement to use city water and waste infrastructure to service WEC. The deal fell through, but Batsel Jr. said that he did work on draft agreement exchanged between the city and county.

The city manager, Sandra Wilson, indicated that she was unaware during those negotiations of Gooding’s representation of WEC. City employees navigate conflicts of interest The heads of the three departments who regularly negotiate with developers and contractors indicated they received no detailed writtenconflict memos for signature.

Only procurement department head, Tiffany Kimball, produced emails and memos where a conflict had been recognized in 2019 over a bid on the Mary Sue Rich Center between the city and Ausley Construction, the principal of which is Ken AusleyGooding’s half-brother.

Notably, Ausley Construction was the construction company who won the $6 million contract to build the new Ocala airport terminal–with Gilligan, as the city attorney, signing approval for that contract.

The firm and construction company are next door to each other and share a road entryway and parking lot.

In that August 2019 bid conflict about the Mary Sue Rich Center, Ausley was represented

by Robert Batsel Sr. –father of Batsel Jr. The senior Batsel joined his son at the firm in 2020.

Batsel Jr. and Gooding recommended to city procurement director, Kimball, that she hire attorney Dude Phelan to represent her office in the bid protest with Ausley Construction. Kimball ultimately decided to hire an out-of-town lawyer against the advice of Batsel Jr. Following the settlement of the bid protest between the city and Ausley Construction, Gooding drafted a memo acknowledging the conflict of interest, but also negatively critiquing the performance the out-of-town attorney hired by the procurement department.

In the memo, Gooding indicated that the city “bungled the process” when, amongst other things, it “disregarded advice from the city attorney concerning [the] attorney to hire for bid protest.”

Phelan would also join the city’s attorney firm in 2020.

The city engineer Sean Lanier who frequently negotiates with developers on the city’s behalf for different agreements was unaware of the conflict-ofinterest clause but thought it inconsequential in that, since he negotiates his own contracts, the See City, page A9

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City attorneys Continued from page A8 firm’s involvement was only to memorialize the agreements for “form and legality.”

While Lanier noticed some of the developers he negotiated with were represented by the firm’s attorney for development issues before the Marion County Board of Commission, Lanier had noticed that attorney Fred Roberts would often end up representing the firm’s private clients for matters specifically related to the city.

Chighizola, who also frequently negotiates with developers and oversees every permit, development agreement, and building ordinance for the city responded similarly.

When asked what developers Chighizola knew Gooding had represented that may have business in the city, he rattled off some of the larger local developer names: Frank Stronach, John Rudnianyn, and Thad Boyd.

But Chighizola explained why he was not worried about the potential for conflict this way: “When we do development agreements, we kind of tell them what to put in there….We tell them, ‘This is what we‘re gonna support, this is what we‘re gonna do.’ And they [the attorneys] basically just write it, and then, we review it. So, it‘s not like they‘re driving the boat. We‘re driving the boat, and, you know, they‘re just drafting what we tell them to do.”

Chighizola seemed to have received the most verbal notifications from the firm that there could be a conflict, but understood that in those cases, the firm gave up the private client because the city’s representation

took priority.

When Chighizola was asked to hypothetically identify what would cause concern over a potential conflict-of-interest with an attorney, he paused, then answered, “Maybe if he had represented them on a specific case in the past or something that‘s very similar.”

But Chighizola maintained he felt that, when those cases have come up, the city’s representation priority has been with the firm– and the private client would be dropped.

Procurement director, Tiffany Kimball, who keeps track of the majority of the city’s contract and attempts to ensure fair and responsible bidding for the city, sends every contract the city enters to the city’s firm for approval.

When asked how she navigated those contracts where she knew the firm represented the business also on the other side of the transaction, she responded, “Sometimes, I’m unsure what to do. Sometimes, I don’t find out until after the fact.

I just send them all the contracts to review because they are [the] city’s attorneys.”

When Kimball was asked how she detects conflicts of interest with the city’s firm, she could not recall a single time in her 11 years with the city in which the firm declined to review a city contract due to a conflict of interest.

“It’s the attorney’s duty to point out conflicts of interest,” she added.

The firm’s structure and financial interests When Batsel Jr. was asked whether their representation of the city provided a special

appeal to private development clients, he emphatically stated no, but added, “if you‘re hiring me to represent you in a project located in the county, then yes, I think that you would value my knowledge of the county code and the permits necessary to do what you want to do. But that doesn’t mean that you hire me because I‘m the city attorney. Because you know that I‘m the city attorney and that I cannot and will not assist you with anything concerning the city.”

Over the past three months, the firm has been informing council members and city management of their split.

Gooding stated that one of the reasons they were making the split was that their private clients had become increasingly frustrated with their limitations of representing them in the city.

Upon inquiry about the firm break, Batsel Jr. said, “I wouldn’t call it breaking up, but yes, we are all going to remain under one roof, but we will be two firms effective Jan. 1.”

“You know, everyone is on good, strong, wonderful terms and everything like that, so there‘s nothing, you know, nothing to it in that respect.

We‘re all on the same page,” clarified Batsel Jr. “Jimmy Gooding and my practice, of course, involves representation of the city, but in large part, our practice otherwise involves representation of private developers and we have a private land-use real estate practice. Historically, our clients have understood that we have a conflict in the city and they know that we represent the city first and foremost, and so we‘ve never had a problem with that.”

Batsel Jr. acknowledged that things are changing.

“Whether it‘s because of just the amount of work going on in the city right now, or otherwise, that conflict is becoming an increasing problem for our private clients. And at the same time, the representation of the city has grown so much just because the city is growing and evolving up, we had to pick one lane or another,” said Batsel Jr. Pointing out that his private clients pay substantially more than the city’s hourly rate of $250 an hour, Gooding said, “It‘s been an economic sacrifice for 20-something years [representing the city] and that‘s not the reason that I am no longer wanting to represent the city. It‘s just that the development activity is so heavy right now and the universe of land-use lawyers has gotten smaller. I feel like I need to be able to represent my private

clients in front of the city.”

After Jan. 1st, Batsel Jr. said that Jimmy Gooding, Rob Batsel Sr., and Rob Batsel Jr. will make up one firm focused on their real estate land-use practice, “and the rest of the attorneys in our current firm will remain at another firm. And if they have an interest in representing the city beyond that point, wonderful, but Jimmy and I will no longer do city work after that point.”

The names of the attorneys who will make up the second firm under that roof are Patrick Gilligan, Dude Phelan, Chris Anderson, Gwen Williams, and Sydney Simmons.

Regardless of the firm’s split, all three city attorneys, Gilligan, Gooding, and Batsel Jr. indicated that they intend to serve out the rest of the contract through Nov.2022 when the city’s contract for legal services is up for renewal.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

City Attorney Robert Batsel Jr. speaks during an Ocala City Council meeting at Ocala City Hall in Ocala on Dec. 15, 2020..

Miss America turns 100. Will she last another 100 years?

By SUSAN HAIGH Associated Press As Miss America turns 100, a major question remains unanswered: Is she still relevant?

The glitzy competition, born from a 1921 Atlantic City beauty contest just a year after women were given the right to vote, maintains a complicated presence in American culture that has undergone multiple waves of feminism.

Participation and viewership has dropped since its 1960s heyday. When the next Miss America is crowned Thursday, her coronation will only be available to stream via NBC‘s Peacock service, shunted from her primetime broadcast throne.

Faithful Miss America organizers and enthusiasts contend the annual ritual is here to stay and will keep changing with the times. And even though they may not have indeed devised a plan for world peace, many participants say the organization — a large provider of scholarship assistance to young women — has been life-altering, opening doors for them professionally and personally. Others should have the same opportunities, they say.

“I think that people have the wrong idea about what Miss America is all about because it‘s not just about getting dressed up and being prim and proper and being perfect on stage,” said Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap, who graduated from college debt-free, founded a public relations firm and became a TV personality.

Fans of Miss America often cheer on their state‘s contender like they would for a local sports team. Yet some have voiced disappointment about the competition‘s attempts to adapt to contemporary mores.

“It‘s in kind of a bind because as it tries to progress, it not only loses its original identity, but becomes less entertaining to the people who like to watch it,” said Margot Mifflin, author of “Looking for Miss America: A Pageant‘s 100–Year Quest to Define Womanhood.”

Fans, she said, are split over the trajectory of the competition — no longer a “pageant.” Some want it to be about “beauty and fitness” while others embrace the move toward focusing on leadership, talent and communication skills, she said.

Meanwhile, the competition is still

engulfed by calls for greater diversity.

In the late 1930s, 40s and 50s, “rule number seven,” stated contestants had to be “of good health and of the white race.”

1968 saw a Miss Black America Contest, held to revolt against the lack of diversity, as well as a protest by several hundred women organized by the feminist group New York Radical Women, which called Miss America “an image that oppresses women in every area in which it purports to represent us.”

It wasn‘t until 1984 that the first Black Miss America, Vanessa Williams, was crowned — and she relinquished her title over a nude photo scandal, receiving an apology from the organization only in 2015. At least 11 minority women have won the title in all.

Miss America President and CEO Shantel Krebs, a former South Dakota secretary of state who does not take a salary, contends the Miss America organization is “committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.”

She said the event has been at “the center of social issues” over the past 100 years, noting winners have taken on causes including HIV/AIDS awareness and the scourge of opioid abuse. But Mifflin notes the modernization of the competition has happened “well behind the broader culture in terms of women‘s progress.”

It wasn‘t until 2018 that the judging on physical appearance was eliminated, with the help of Miss America 1989 Gretchen Carlson.

Carlson, who stepped down as board chair in 2019, was part of an allfemale leadership team that took over following an email scandal in which male leaders insulted former Miss Americas, denigrating their appearance, intelligence and even their sex lives. While some welcomed the changes as a way to make the event more relevant, many state organizations rebelled against the new leadership team.

“I say in the book that it‘s always been in dialogue with feminism, but behind feminism,” Mifflin said of the Miss America competition. “So it always seems like it‘s trying to catch up.”

Dunlap, the seventh Black Miss America, believes the competition — which she has no problem calling a pageant — needs to become more diverse in order to remain relevant. She noted, for

example, there have been no winners of Hispanic origin.

She said more needs to be done to help young women of color get involved at the local level, such as helping them cover the high costs of participating — including developing their talents and buying gowns — so they can pursue the same lifechanging opportunities.

This year, the nonprofit organization — run by an ardent group of volunteers at the national, state and local levels — announced the top scholarship awarded at the Dec. 16 finale will double to $100,000. The change was made possible by a donation from Miss America 1996 Shawntel Smith Wuerch and her husband Ryan Wuerch. According to the organization, a total of $435,500 in scholarship money will be distributed in this year‘s competition, while more than $5 million is awarded annually through national, state and local programs.

Dunlap hopes that instead of looking for what she calls an “it girl” who can attract hits on social media, the Miss America organization in the coming years focuses on the promoting the “longevity of the organization.” Krebs says organizers are doing just that, noting the number of annual participants increased from about 5,000 to 6,500 after the 2018 changes.

“I just feel like there‘s mixed messaging on whether or not you can be beautiful and attractive and also still be intelligent.

And I just think that‘s silly to me,” Dunlap said. “It‘s like women can only do one thing, so pick a side. And that‘s not true.”

It‘s unclear if the decision to move the competition online says more about the fate of broadcast television than Miss America.

NBCUniversal Media has been bullish about its streaming

service and Krebs insisted the move to streaming was the organization‘s decision and it had nothing to do with viewership numbers.

In 2019, the Miss America finale on NBC drew 3.6 million viewers, an all-time low. In contrast, the 1954 competition attracted 27 million viewers when there was much less competition for eyeballs.

“If you say you want to be around the next 100 years, we absolutely had the desire to be streamed because that is where our future is,” Krebs said, noting how younger people — and keep in mind, Miss America contestants must be between the ages of 17 and 25 — are less likely to have access to broadcast television.

Some fear moving online may spell the downfall of what‘s often dubbed “the first reality TV show,” which started airing live in 1954.

“We have witnessed the demise of a historic event that helped shape Americans‘ lifetimes,” one fan proclaimed on Facebook. Another agreed with Krebs, predicting “the audience we can reach is greater than ever now!”

Yet another fan, still upset the event is no longer in Atlantic City — it moved to a Connecticut casino in 2019 — wrote: “Unfortunately after 100 years it seems to have run its course.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

State DeSantis Pitches $99.7 Billion Budget

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service Saying that Florida is “clicking on all cylinders,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday proposed an election-year $99.7 billion budget that would funnel money to education, the environment and law-enforcement officers while giving motorists a temporary gas-tax break.

The proposal, which came as DeSantis runs for a second term in November, will be a starting point for lawmakers as they negotiate a spending plan during the legislative session that will start Jan. 11.

“This is a huge, huge budget. This is a huge deal,” DeSantis said during a news conference at the Capitol. “This is something that is going to have very positive effects. We are doing that while remaining the lowest per-capita tax burden in the country.”

The bottom line of DeSantis’ proposal would be about $2 billion less than the current year’s budget, according to the governor’s office. The current year budget, which took effect in July, became the state’s first $100 billion budget, at least in part because of a huge influx of federal money tied to the coronavirus pandemic.

DeSantis’ proposal would continue to use such federal money to fund key issues, such as a plan to eliminate state gas taxes for five months starting in July. Federal money would make up for about $1 billion in lost gas-tax revenue that ordinarily goes to transportation projects.

The governor in recent weeks trickled out some details of the budget, spurring Democrats to argue that the spending plan should be more “peoplecentered.”

“The state’s budget should prioritize the everyday challenges facing the people across our state and reflect a commitment to the important partnership between the state and federal government that is needed for Florida and Floridians to thrive, not more double talk from the governor that only serves his political aspirations,” Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a Democratic candidate for governor, said in a prepared statement Thursday after DeSantis released the proposal.

News Service Assignment Manager Tom Urban contributed to this report.

DeSantis’ proposal includes:

■ Spending $600 million to continue efforts to raise salaries of public-school teachers, an increase of $50 million over the current year.

The plan also would provide $238 million for $1,000 “retention” bonuses for teachers and principals.

■ No tuition increases for state college or university students.

■ Spending $980 million on Everglades restoration and other water projects. That amount includes $660 million related to the Everglades, with other money going to addressing issues such as blue-green algae, red tide and natural springs.

■ Spending $124.2 million to increase base pay for correctional officers, as the prison system grapples with massive turnover.

DeSantis also wants to give pay raises to law-enforcement officers at other agencies and provide $1,000 bonuses to police officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergencymedical technicians throughout the state.

■ Spending $226.5 million to increase Medicaid payment rates for health- and human-services providers such as nursing homes as a way to address staffing problems.

The budget also would provide $100 million for cancer care and research, an increase of $37 million from the current year.

■ Providing $225 million for pay increases for state employees, in addition to the increases sought for correctional officers and lawenforcement officers.

■ Eliminating state gas taxes for a five-month period and holding a series of sales-tax “holidays.” That includes a 10-day period in which back-to-school shoppers could avoid paying sales taxes on clothes, school supplies and personal computers.

FLORIDA NEWS SERVICE

Governer Ron DeSantis

DeSantis, Simpson dominate money chase

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service Gov. Ron DeSantis and Senate President Wilton Simpson are two of the most-powerful political figures in Florida.

And they dominated fundraising in November as they prepare for statewide campaigns next year, according to newly filed finance reports.

FLORIDA NEWS SERVICE

Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, is raising large amounts of money for his bid to become state agriculture commissioner.

DeSantis raised slightly more than $6 million during the month for his campaign account and the political committee Friends of Ron DeSantis, as a torrent of cash continued pouring in to support his re-election bid.

The DeSantis political committee had about $66.7 million in cash on hand as of Nov. 30, after raising $4.53 million in November. The committee topped $4 million in contributions for the ninth straight month and received 25 contributions of $50,000 or more in November, according to the Division of Elections database.

DeSantis formally launched his campaign in November and opened the campaign account. He quickly raised $1.49 million for the account, while spending just shy of $100,000.

Meanwhile, Simpson, R-Trilby, is looking to move next year from the Senate president’s office to the Cabinet position of agriculture commissioner. While he does not face any prominent opponents, Simpson raised about $1.27 million in November for his campaign account and four political committees he chairs.

Simpson collected $256,826 for his campaign account and had more than $582,000 in cash on hand as of Nov. 30, the finance reports show. He also raised a total of $1.015 million for the committees. In all, the committees had more than $8 million in cash on hand.

State political candidates and committees faced a Friday deadline for filing reports detailing November finance activity. The reports continued to show DeSantis dwarfing his Democratic challengers in the money chase.

Among the Democratic gubernatorial candidates,

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist had the best fundraising month, collecting a total of $607,000 for his campaign account and the committee Friends of Charlie Crist. As of Nov. 30, Crist had nearly $993,000 on hand in his campaign account and about $2.54 million with the committee.

Nikki Fried, who is trying to move from agriculture commissioner to governor, raised $106,086 for her campaign account last month and $110,223 for her Florida Consumers First political committee. Fried had $776,697 on hand in her campaign account and nearly $2.58 million with the committee.

The third prominent Democrat in the gubernatorial race, Sen. Annette Taddeo of Miami, raised a total of about $101,000 in November for her campaign account and her Fight Back Florida political committee. The campaign account had nearly $155,000 on hand, while the committee had about $462,000.

Among other statewide candidates, Republican Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis raised $199,675 for his campaign account and $193,530 for his Treasure Florida political committee. As of Nov. 30, he had about $399,000 in cash on hand in his campaign account and about $2.86 million on hand with the committee.

Also, Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody raised about $218,000 for her campaign account and the Friends of Ashley Moody political committee. Moody had nearly $475,000 on hand in the campaign account and $2.95 million on hand with the committee.

ROADSIDE FARM STANDS EYED AS TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

STATE OFFICES TO CLOSE DEC. 23, DEC. 30

Florida News Service

Florida News Service

Two South Florida lawmakers want some roadside farm stands to be deemed tourist attractions, with signs to help draw motorists. Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, and Rep. Kevin Chambliss, D-Homestead, have filed bills (SB 1212 and HB 901) in recent days that would establish a “Fresh From Florida Roadside Farm Stand Signage Program” and create an accompanying 12-member

council within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The proposal, filed for the legislative session that begins Jan. 11, would limit the program to businesses that offer farm products at least four days a week, 10 months of the year, have growing areas on-site of at least 87,120-square-feet --- two acres --- and are open for tours of the growing areas. Owners and operators of the roadside stands would have to register and pay fees for the program.

State government workers will get some extra time off before Christmas and the New Year’s holiday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday. State offices will be closed Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, along with the previously scheduled closures on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. “Our state employees worked hard throughout the year to ensure that Floridians were free to earn a living, to operate businesses,

and to choose educational options tailored for their children,” DeSantis said in a prepared statement. “Closing state offices on December 23rd and December 30th will provide these employees with well-deserved time to spend the holiday season with their loved ones. The first lady and I are thankful for the dedication of our state employees as we continue to put freedom first in Florida.”

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State Drops Appeal Over Immigration Policies

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service As Gov. Ron DeSantis launched another broadside against the federal government’s immigration policies, the state on Friday said it is dropping a legal challenge against the Biden administration over immigration directives issued early this year.

Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office filed a motion at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to dismiss the case, saying it is moot because the Biden administration issued “superseding” policies dealing with people entering the country illegally.

Moody took the case to the Atlanta-based appeals court after U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell in May rejected the state’s request for a preliminary injunction against the Biden administration.

Meanwhile, U.S. Department of Justice attorneys this month argued that a federal judge in Pensacola should dismiss a separate lawsuit that Moody filed in September challenging federal immigration policies. U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell has not ruled on that motion.

Moody and Gov. Ron DeSantis have long criticized the Biden administration’s handling of undocumented immigrants and border security, and DeSantis on Friday ratcheted up the criticism by announcing a series of legislative proposals.

During a news conference in Jacksonville, DeSantis called for state lawmakers to “fight against the Biden border crisis” by passing legislation that, for example, would expand a law targeting so-called “sanctuary cities” and bolster efforts to verify the legal eligibility of workers.

As DeSantis runs for re-election next year --- and is widely speculated as a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate --- immigration could become a high-profile issue during the legislative session that starts Jan. 11.

The case at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals focused heavily on memos issued Jan. 20 and Feb. 18 by

the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement about immigration enforcement. The memos set priorities for enforcement, including focusing on immigrants who pose national-security threats, have been convicted of aggravated felonies or have been convicted of gang-related activity.

Moody contended that the directives violated federal immigration laws and what is known as the Administrative Procedure Act. But Honeywell ruled in May that the memos were “interim policies” that were not final actions by the federal agencies and, as a result, were not subject to judicial review. She also wrote that the memos prioritized immigration-enforcement decisions, such as focusing on cases involving national security, border security and public safety.

A panel of the appeals court held a hearing in September and appeared skeptical of Florida’s FLORIDA NEWS SERVICE arguments. But it did not issue a ruling, and Governer Ron DeSantis the motion filed Friday said the case should be dismissed because of subsequent immigration Southern border. guidelines issued by U.S. Department of Homeland The lawsuit said the “government is not free to ignore Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The motion also the clear commands of Congress” and alleged that some asked for “vacatur” of Honeywell’s decision, which would undocumented immigrants coming to Florida could be essentially set it aside. gang members, drug traffickers and other criminals.

“In this suit, Florida challenged certain interim But in a motion filed Dec. 3, Department of Justice immigration enforcement policies issued by DHS and attorneys argued the lawsuit should be dismissed on a sought a preliminary injunction, which the district court series of grounds, including that immigration officials denied,” the motion said. “Because DHS has issued have discretion to set policies. superseding policies, Florida now moves under Federal “Because immigration policy affects many complex and Rules of Appellate Procedure … to dismiss its appeal as important areas, Congress constructed an immigration moot and for vacatur of the district court’s decision.” enforcement system whose ‘principal feature’ is the ‘broad The appeals court had not signed off on the motion as discretion exercised by immigration officials,’” the motion of Monday morning. said, partially quoting legal precedent. “This reflects the While the appeal was pending, Moody filed the reality --embodied in every presidential administration’s additional lawsuit in Pensacola. That case accused the policies for decades --that officials must deploy limited Biden administration of violating immigration laws by resources according to priorities set by policymakers.” releasing many undocumented immigrants who cross the

FANDUEL ANTES UP AGAIN FOR GAMBLING INITIATIVE Florida News Service The online gambling company FanDuel in November contributed another $4.38 million to an effort to pass a constitutional amendment that would broadly allow sports betting in Florida. FanDuel made the contribution to the Florida Education Champions political committee, which is

trying to put the proposed amendment on the November 2022 ballot. FanDuel and DraftKings, Inc., have combined to spend more than $37 million on the initiative.

FanDuel has contributed $14.38 million, while DraftKings has contributed $22.71 million, according to a newly filed finance report. Florida Education Champions had spent about $26.77 million as of Nov. 30 as it

tries to meet a Feb. 1 deadline for submitting 891,589 valid petition signatures to the state. As of Monday afternoon, the state had received 173,479 signatures for the initiative.

If ultimately approved by voters, the initiative would funnel taxes on sports betting to a state education trust fund.

HappyHolidays from us to you

Member FDIC

A Holiday Message

A

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rusty Branson Rusty Branson

SVP, Regional President

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DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

State DeSantis Pitches $99.7 Billion Budget

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service Saying that Florida is “clicking on all cylinders,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday proposed an election-year $99.7 billion budget that would funnel money to education, the environment and law-enforcement officers while giving motorists a temporary gas-tax break.

The proposal, which came as DeSantis runs for a second term in November, will be a starting point for lawmakers as they negotiate a spending plan during the legislative session that will start Jan. 11.

“This is a huge, huge budget. This is a huge deal,” DeSantis said during a news conference at the Capitol. “This is something that is going to have very positive effects. We are doing that while remaining the lowest per-capita tax burden in the country.”

The bottom line of DeSantis’ proposal would be about $2 billion less than the current year’s budget, according to the governor’s office. The current year budget, which took effect in July, became the state’s first $100 billion budget, at least in part because of a huge influx of federal money tied to the coronavirus pandemic.

DeSantis’ proposal would continue to use such federal money to fund key issues, such as a plan to eliminate state gas taxes for five months starting in July. Federal money would make up for about $1 billion in lost gas-tax revenue that ordinarily goes to transportation projects.

The governor in recent weeks trickled out some details of the budget, spurring Democrats to argue that the spending plan should be more “peoplecentered.”

“The state’s budget should prioritize the everyday challenges facing the people across our state and reflect a commitment to the important partnership between the state and federal government that is needed for Florida and Floridians to thrive, not more double talk from the governor that only serves his political aspirations,” Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a Democratic candidate for governor, said in a prepared statement Thursday after DeSantis released the proposal.

News Service Assignment Manager Tom Urban contributed to this report.

DeSantis’ proposal includes:

■ Spending $600 million to continue efforts to raise salaries of public-school teachers, an increase of $50 million over the current year.

The plan also would provide $238 million for $1,000 “retention” bonuses for teachers and principals.

■ No tuition increases for state college or university students.

■ Spending $980 million on Everglades restoration and other water projects. That amount includes $660 million related to the Everglades, with other money going to addressing issues such as blue-green algae, red tide and natural springs.

■ Spending $124.2 million to increase base pay for correctional officers, as the prison system grapples with massive turnover.

DeSantis also wants to give pay raises to law-enforcement officers at other agencies and provide $1,000 bonuses to police officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergencymedical technicians throughout the state.

■ Spending $226.5 million to increase Medicaid payment rates for health- and human-services providers such as nursing homes as a way to address staffing problems.

The budget also would provide $100 million for cancer care and research, an increase of $37 million from the current year.

■ Providing $225 million for pay increases for state employees, in addition to the increases sought for correctional officers and lawenforcement officers.

■ Eliminating state gas taxes for a five-month period and holding a series of sales-tax “holidays.” That includes a 10-day period in which back-to-school shoppers could avoid paying sales taxes on clothes, school supplies and personal computers.

FLORIDA NEWS SERVICE

Governer Ron DeSantis

DeSantis, Simpson dominate money chase

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service Gov. Ron DeSantis and Senate President Wilton Simpson are two of the most-powerful political figures in Florida.

And they dominated fundraising in November as they prepare for statewide campaigns next year, according to newly filed finance reports.

FLORIDA NEWS SERVICE

Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, is raising large amounts of money for his bid to become state agriculture commissioner.

DeSantis raised slightly more than $6 million during the month for his campaign account and the political committee Friends of Ron DeSantis, as a torrent of cash continued pouring in to support his re-election bid.

The DeSantis political committee had about $66.7 million in cash on hand as of Nov. 30, after raising $4.53 million in November. The committee topped $4 million in contributions for the ninth straight month and received 25 contributions of $50,000 or more in November, according to the Division of Elections database.

DeSantis formally launched his campaign in November and opened the campaign account. He quickly raised $1.49 million for the account, while spending just shy of $100,000.

Meanwhile, Simpson, R-Trilby, is looking to move next year from the Senate president’s office to the Cabinet position of agriculture commissioner. While he does not face any prominent opponents, Simpson raised about $1.27 million in November for his campaign account and four political committees he chairs.

Simpson collected $256,826 for his campaign account and had more than $582,000 in cash on hand as of Nov. 30, the finance reports show. He also raised a total of $1.015 million for the committees. In all, the committees had more than $8 million in cash on hand.

State political candidates and committees faced a Friday deadline for filing reports detailing November finance activity. The reports continued to show DeSantis dwarfing his Democratic challengers in the money chase.

Among the Democratic gubernatorial candidates,

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist had the best fundraising month, collecting a total of $607,000 for his campaign account and the committee Friends of Charlie Crist. As of Nov. 30, Crist had nearly $993,000 on hand in his campaign account and about $2.54 million with the committee.

Nikki Fried, who is trying to move from agriculture commissioner to governor, raised $106,086 for her campaign account last month and $110,223 for her Florida Consumers First political committee. Fried had $776,697 on hand in her campaign account and nearly $2.58 million with the committee.

The third prominent Democrat in the gubernatorial race, Sen. Annette Taddeo of Miami, raised a total of about $101,000 in November for her campaign account and her Fight Back Florida political committee. The campaign account had nearly $155,000 on hand, while the committee had about $462,000.

Among other statewide candidates, Republican Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis raised $199,675 for his campaign account and $193,530 for his Treasure Florida political committee. As of Nov. 30, he had about $399,000 in cash on hand in his campaign account and about $2.86 million on hand with the committee.

Also, Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody raised about $218,000 for her campaign account and the Friends of Ashley Moody political committee. Moody had nearly $475,000 on hand in the campaign account and $2.95 million on hand with the committee.

ROADSIDE FARM STANDS EYED AS TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

STATE OFFICES TO CLOSE DEC. 23, DEC. 30

Florida News Service

Florida News Service

Two South Florida lawmakers want some roadside farm stands to be deemed tourist attractions, with signs to help draw motorists. Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, and Rep. Kevin Chambliss, D-Homestead, have filed bills (SB 1212 and HB 901) in recent days that would establish a “Fresh From Florida Roadside Farm Stand Signage Program” and create an accompanying 12-member

council within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The proposal, filed for the legislative session that begins Jan. 11, would limit the program to businesses that offer farm products at least four days a week, 10 months of the year, have growing areas on-site of at least 87,120-square-feet --- two acres --- and are open for tours of the growing areas. Owners and operators of the roadside stands would have to register and pay fees for the program.

State government workers will get some extra time off before Christmas and the New Year’s holiday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday. State offices will be closed Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, along with the previously scheduled closures on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. “Our state employees worked hard throughout the year to ensure that Floridians were free to earn a living, to operate businesses,

and to choose educational options tailored for their children,” DeSantis said in a prepared statement. “Closing state offices on December 23rd and December 30th will provide these employees with well-deserved time to spend the holiday season with their loved ones. The first lady and I are thankful for the dedication of our state employees as we continue to put freedom first in Florida.”

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DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things Meet Marion County’s Principal and Assistant principal of the year Principal Christine Sandy

Assistant principal Sarah Dobbs

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Principal Christine Sandy, left, works with Abigail Tierney, 9, center, and Tristan Ledesma, 10, right, two students in Christine Morton‘s fourth grade classroom, at Oakcrest Elementary as Huffman, looks on a top left at Oakcrest Elementary School in Ocala on Dec. 10.

Assistant Principal Sarah Dobbs works with Delilah Connelly, 7, in Barbara Godwin‘s first grade classroom at Oakcrest Elementary School in Ocala on Dec. 10.

By Rosemarie Dowell Special Correspondent

By Rosemarie Dowell Special Correspondent

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retiring in 2012. In 2016, Sandy came out of retirement to serve on assignment under former school superintendent Heidi Maier, the county‘s last elected school superintendent.

In November of 2018, Sandy was asked to take over the principal position at Reddick-Collier Elementary School, which had a “F” rating at the time, warranting a spot on Florida’s school intervention list.

Sandy quickly led the school to a “C” grade, and away from the eyes of the state.

“At Reddick, we made such a quick turnaround the state backed off some,” she said. Superintendent of Schools Diane Gullett, who was appointed by the school board in 2020, now oversees the school district.

Oakcrest is a little more daunting since so many parents of students have challenges of their own, said Sandy.

“Their focus rolls from one thing to the next and we need to get them into thinking that success in schools is a top priority,” said Sandy, a mother of four adult children and five grandchildren.

“It’s a case of seeing the value of education and working magic to get there.”

“At Reddick, I proved kids could be successful,” she said. “I enjoy the challenge of doing what I can to make a difference.”

At Oakcrest, the theme for this year is, Dream, Believe and Achieve, she added.

“I dream big, I believe big,” said

hen Oakcrest Elementary School Principal Christine, “Chris,” Sandy started her career as an educator in Michigan 50 years ago, teachers were in short supply.

Some things never change.

“When I started teaching, we needed educators just as badly as we do today,” said Sandy, who was recently honored as Marion County Public Schools’ Principal of the Year. “Teachers were as hard to find then as they are now.”

Sandy has been at the helm of the lowperforming Oakcrest since June after serving in the same role from 2002-2005.

Oakcrest, which has a student body of 450 mostly-minority, economically disadvantaged students, has been an underperforming school for years with consistent “D,” ratings, garnering attention from the state.

However, the school is making strides under Sandy’s leadership, as well as Assistant Principal Sarah Dobbs, who was named Assistant Principal of the Year, receiving a well-earned “C” rating this summer.

“We are in the process of making the turn,” said Sandy. “We are still under the watchful eye of the state though because they have an expectation of what they want for students.”

“They want to make sure we are doing everything we can so that our kids can be successful,” she said.

The well-seasoned educator spent the first ten years of her teaching career in Michigan but moved with her family to the Ocala area around 1980 when the nation’s economy was struggling.

Sandy, now a 40-year veteran of the Marion school district, landed at North Marion Middle School first, armed with a fresh master’s degree in reading BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette from Michigan State Principal Christine Sandy, center, gets a hug from 4th grade students in Mary University.

Huffman‘s fourth grade classroom.

“The principal snatched me up because at the time Sandy. “My goal now is to help students reading teachers was a relatively new achieve big.” field,” said Sandy, a native of Flint.

As for working with Dobbs, Sandy Her teaching stints also included said it is a joy.

Ward-Highlands Elementary School and “She is a consummate educator and Fort McCoy School, where she won the would move heaven and earth to enable Teacher of the Year in 1990. She then our students and teachers at Oakcrest to started on an administrative career path be successful.” that included assistant and principal Sandy said she’s not sure how much positions throughout the district. longer she’ll continue to work before Later, Sandy became the district‘s retiring again. executive director of elementary “I could go home today and be done,” education for several years before she said. “I know where my keys are.”

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or Sarah Dobbs, Marion County’s newly crowned Assistant Principal of the Year, each school day is akin to going

home.

Oakcrest Elementary School, where she’s been since 2019, is nearby Vanguard High School, Dobbs beloved alma mater and old stomping ground.

“The first thing I said when I got assigned here was, ‘this is my neck of the woods, I know all the hotspots,’” said Dobbs, 33.

“I love it here,” she said. “I went to school with many of our student’s parents so we’ve known each other for years and it makes things a little easier.”

A native of Marion County, Dobbs also attended Madison Street Academy and Fort King Middle school before attending the College of Central Florida, and the University of South Florida, where she earned an education degree.

While at Oakcrest, a struggling school with 450 mostly-minority and economically disadvantaged students, that has consistently garnered “D” grades from the state, Dobbs has met the challenges with grit and moxie.

The school last year initiated some changes and made improvements and earlier this year earned a coveted “C” grade. Christine Sandy, a seasoned veteran of Marion County schools, was assigned as principal of Oakcrest in June and was recently named Principal of the Year, a rare but welcome double accolade for the school.

Getting to that C grade has been hard for Oakcrest’s teachers and administrators.

“It’s been an uphill battle,” said Dobbs of Oakcrest’s challenges. “We had an external operator last year and everyone had to teach like they were on fire.”

“This is my third year at Oakcrest, when I arrived, we were a “D” school,” she said. “Now we’ve got a “C” grade and that is significant.”

Dobbs, Marion County’s Rookie Teacher of the Year in 2014, joined the district in 2010 and caught the educator bug while still in high school, soon realizing teaching was her calling.

“I was in the Future Educators of America Club and took a teacher’s assistant class and just fell in love with it,” said Dobb, 33 who has two sons with her firefighter husband, Joshua Dobbs.

“I love teaching and the way kids light up when they’ve learned something new,” she said.

Dobbs didn’t think she’d ever be an administrator, but deeply appreciates her peers who encouraged her to take on a leadership position.

“It’s interesting to be spring-boarded from teaching to where I am now,” she said. “I’m grateful for those that pushed and cheered me along.”

Oakcrest’s rare double achievement as having the Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year has been uplifting for everyone involved, said Dobbs.

“This is great for Oakcrest because people have had a negative perception of it for some time,” said Dobbs. “Neither of us got into education for the accolades; Christine is a wonderful role model.”

The students have been especially excited for the two administrators.

“We’re celebrities on campus; it’s been fun,” she said. “It’s been an enjoyable claim to fame.”

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Assistant Principal Sarah Dobbs, center, spends some time with students in Lindsey Miller‘s first grade classroom at Oakcrest Elementary School in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. The students are, from left: Malaya James, 7, Armani Robles, 6, Alayna Patterson, 6, Victoria Ramos, 6, and Ryder Stauffer, 6.

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DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Marion County Teacher of the Year finalists, Rookie Teacher of the Year announced

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

eligible for recognition as the rookie teacher of the year.

The winner is also presented with a golden apple award.

All six teachers will be recognized at the Golden Apple Gala on Saturday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala. The event will be broadcast live on the Marion Education Channel and livestreamed on Youtube at www.youtube.com/MCPSmedia.

At the Gala, one of the five Golden Apple teachers

will be revealed as Marion County’s 2022 Golden Apple Teacher of the Year and will drive away in a new, pre-paid, three-year leased vehicle from Jenkins Auto Group.

For more information, contact Meghan Magamoll with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County at Meghan.Magamoll@marion.k12.fl.us or 352.671.4160.

• Beth Abel - Lake Weir Middle School Abel is an English Language Arts teacher for Exceptional Student Education. Abel joined the district in 1989 and has 35 years of classroom experience.

• Leah Bender - West Port High School Bender teaches Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature and Composition, AP Capstone Seminar, and AP Capstone Research. She joined the district in 2014.

• Jennifer Bourque - Harbour View Elementary Bourque is a Self-Contained Exceptional Student Education teacher. She joined the district in 2014 and has 14 years of classroom experience.

Beth Abel

Leah Bender

Jennifer Bourque

• Joanne Houghton - Fort McCoy School Houghton is a seventh-grade Civics and eighth-grade U.S. History teacher. She initially joined the district in 2010 and has eight years of teaching experience with MCPS.

• Hannah Whitston - Madison Street Academy Whitston teaches Music to kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Whitston has been with the district since 2015.

• Melinda Kimball - Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks Kimball, an agriculture teacher, was recognized as the 2022 rookie teacher of the year for Marion County.

Joanne Houghton

Hannah Whitston

Melinda Kimball

Six Marion County Public School teachers were awarded golden apples from superintendent Diane Gullett Tuesday morning in recognition as teacher of the year finalists.

Teachers with three years of experience or less are The finalists (listed in alphabetical order by last name):

20 endangered sea turtles flown to Florida to avoid freezing

By The Associated Press

T

wenty critically endangered juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtles were flown from New England to the subtropical Florida Keys to convalesce at the Marathon Turtle Hospital after being rescued from Cape Cod Bay's frigid coastal waters.

Each of the turtles suffers from "cold stunning," a hypothermic reaction that occurs when sea turtles are exposed to cold water for a prolonged time, according to hospital manager Bette Zirkelbach. They arrived Friday by private plane.

"These sea turtles are at the Turtle Hospital in the Florida Keys to warm up just like the tourists that come to the Keys to warm up," said Zirkelbach. "The Kemps ridley is the most critically endangered sea turtle in the world, so it's important to help these little ones survive."

The flight transport to Florida Keys Marathon International Airport was conducted in collaboration with Turtles Fly Too, a nonprofit group that engages general aviation pilots who donate their aircraft, fuel and time to provide emergency transportation for rescued sea turtles.

Upon the turtles' arrival at the hospital, staff assigned a dedicated number to each reptile, photographed them and documented their weight and swimming ability in a small pool to gauge their in-water respiration and swim strength.

Treatment over the next few months at

Bob Care/Florida Keys News Bureau via AP

In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, staff from the Florida Keys-based Turtle Hospital examine many of a group of 20 critically endangered Kemps ridley sea turtles that was flown to Marathon, Fla., Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, after being rescued from Cape Cod Bay in a "cold-stunned" condition earlier this month. The juvenile reptiles were transported to the warmer climate of the Florida Keys courtesy of "Turtles Fly Too," a nonprofit group of general aviation pilots who donate their aircraft, fuel and time to provide emergency transport for rescued sea turtles.

the Turtle Hospital is expected to include broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluids, vitamins, a diet of mixed seafood and

rehabilitation in water tanks at about 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius).

According to Zirkelbach, once the sea

turtles are healthy enough, they will likely be released off the central Florida east coast near Cape Canaveral.

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DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Celebrate the birth of cool in Ocala THE REILLY NOIR SERIES BRINGS JAZZ AND INTERNATIONAL HEADLINERS TO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.

By Julie Garisto

in the world,” Wilson said. “And you're talking to somebody who really knows almost all of them. It's he Reilly Arts Center’s new black box going to be an absolutely fantastic show and he's theater offers rentals by day and by night. going to bring the house down. I've seen this show And it is by night that the cool cats are before, which is another reason why I booked it.” coming out to enjoy the venue’s new Reilly The jazzman isn’t exaggerating when he says Noir performance series. he knows almost every major player. He served as Presenting a range of musical styles, from jazz the committee chairman for the Jazz Education bebop to eclectic combos, Reilly Noir in bringing Network national conference. Among his colleagues a sophisticated edge to the recently revamped at UF are Latin Grammy recipients Jose Valentino entertainment complex. and Silviu Ciulei. Also a UF guitar instructor, Ciulei “It's a really big black box as black box goes,” performs in the Maharajah Flamenco Trio, which Scott Wilson, coordinator of the Noir series, said of will headline the black box on Feb. 18. new space.

Other acts to come include The Carlos Vizoso “I thought it was going be really ‘boomy’ because Band (March 12), Longineau Parsons (April 15) and of the concrete floors and sheer size of it, but the the Global Jazz Collective, featuring both Wilson sound was just great. It was and Valentino (May 27). fantastically done because they The recent expansion of have incredible curtains that the Reilly included additions they can draw or pull to create of a new lobby, a catering ideal acoustics,” Wilson noted. prep kitchen and studio and The black box theater classroom spaces. The main can accommodate cafe-style, theater is part of the original rows or in-the-round seating center, which served for years arrangements as well as as the city auditorium. Both multimedia and standingtheater spaces can be rented room-only events. The space for banquets, receptions, has a capacity that ranges speaking engagements and in crowd size from 75 to 100 community events. for an intimate show to up “I'm excited about this to around 500 for a speaking space because it does offer the engagement. chance to experience music in Last week, Wilson’s band, arts in a different way,” said the Funk Allstars and the Maven Photo + Film Dec. 10, 2021 Reilly Arts Center Executive Cortnie Frazier sings.

Pyramid Horns, sold out and Director Pamela Calero inaugurated the space with Wardell of the black box brass-heavy hits by Chicago and Earth, Wind & theater. “I think it's something that people in this Fire, among other funky favorites that brought the town have been waiting for.” house down.

Pamela’s husband and Reilly CEO/Artistic Wilson, a trumpeter and one of the foremost Director Matthew Wardell conducts the Ocala proponents of the electronic valve instrument Symphony Orchestra. The busy civic leader has (EVI), is director of jazz studies at the University carved out time to earn his Ph.D. at the University of Florida. He assisted the Reilly Arts Center with of Florida, where he attracted the attention of fellow a digital concert series during the recent shutdown cultural steward Wilson. for the renovation project and coordinated the “I've been following Matt Wardell's incredible Hippodrome Jazz Series in Gainesville. At UF, he work as a doctoral student here at the University developed a new Jazz minor and designed six new of Florida,” Wilson said. “Following him and then courses. He has also served as musical director for seeing what he has going on, I’ve discovered all that Universal Studios Japan. he and Pamela are doing in Ocala. I started going The busy bandleader says he is particularly and attending some of their events and also played enthusiastic about the January Reilly Noir for one of their shows. I just couldn't believe what headliner, Juan Rollan. The saxophonist will they've developed here.” recreate the seminal John Coltrane album, “A Love For more information about the Reilly Noir Supreme,” at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 28. series and other Reilly Arts Center events, visit “Rollan is one of my very favorite sax players reillyartscenter.com.

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Maven Photo + Film Dec. 10, 2021

Haley Miller, Derek Miller, Sean Dixon, and Liam White

Maven Photo + Film Dec. 10, 2021

Audience looks on as Funk Allstars and the Pyramid Horns performs.

Maven Photo + Film Dec. 10, 2021

David Hardy plays trombone, next to Peter McCann.

2 stars of 'It's a Wonderful Life' look back at a classic

By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer

I

t was just another job for child actor Karolyn Grimes. She was 6 and had already done four movies by the summer of 1946 when filming began on "It's a Wonderful Life." The only thing she recalls about the biggest movie of her career was being delighted to play in snow on the set.

That single job would become very memorable to a lot of other people. "It's a Wonderful Life," which marks its 75th anniversary this year, is now a beloved holiday tradition across the globe.

"It's a once-a-year pick-me-up for the humanity of America and the world," Grimes told The Associated Press. "It's a good impetus to really keep us going in a positive direction."

"It's a Wonderful Life" was released in late 1946, produced and directed by Frank Capra and starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. It takes place on Christmas Eve in a small town.

The film centers on the character of George Bailey, played by Stewart, who considers suicide until his guardian angel intervenes and shows him all the people whose lives he has touched and the difference he has made in the community.

One memorable character is Zuzu, played by Grimes. She gets to say, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings." And the petals from Zuzu's rose — stuffed into a pants pocket by Stewart's Bailey as he comforts his sickly daughter — become a symbol of life.

If Grimes is sort of fuzzy on the filming details, Jimmy Hawkins, another former child actor who played Tommy in the film, is the opposite. He recalls as a 4-year-old getting up while it was dark and taking buses and streetcars to Culver City to film his scenes.

"I have vivid memories of doing that film," he says. "On the set, Capra would squat down, eye-to-eye, tell me what he wanted me to do and did I understand it. I said, 'Oh, yes, sir.'"

Grimes and Hawkins are among the last surviving members of the cast and have chosen to represent the film's legacy and spread its lesson of doing good.

"We feel we're lucky to have played those parts and carry Frank Capra's message. He's not around to do it, and he gave us a great part and a lot of wonderful memories, so we just naturally do it, says Hawkins.

"We want to carry on that message, whether it's to inmates at Attica or ringing the bell at the Stock Exchange. We talk to everybody to keep it going."

Paramount Home Entertainment has released a limited-edition two-disc Blu-ray set with a colorized version of the film in high definition as well as the original, digitally

remastered black-and-white movie in high definition. The set includes over 45 minutes of bonus content.

The movie was nominated for five Oscars and has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made. The movie also earned first place for most inspirational American Film of All Time by the AFI. "It gives us such an optimistic view of what our lives can be. And we have the Paramount Home Entertainment via AP power to make that. We can This image released by Paramount Home Entertainment shows make a difference and we can child actor Karolyn Grimes on the back of Jimmy Stewart in a scene make things happen," said from the holiday classic "It's a Wonderful Life," also starring Donna Grimes.

Reed. The film is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

Hawkins recalls Capra with a strong vision for the film — faith, hope and life renewed. The movie he made might be sentimental, but on the set, the director was not at all.

"It was his movie," he says. "People fell by the wayside because it was his vision. If you didn't have his vision, you weren't making his move. He was very precise, very nice to everybody on the set. But now it's a job."

The film — now closely associated with Christmas — wasn't initially intended to be released over the holidays. But RKO's scheduled Christmas movie in 1946 — "Sinbad the Sailor" — wasn't ready so the studio asked Capra to rush production of "It's a Wonderful Life." It was released Dec. 20 at the Globe Theatre in New York, a little late for a traditional Christmas rollout.

"They did a beautiful job of getting it out there and then it bombed more or less. It was not a hit," says Grimes. "But then in the early '70s, it became public domain and it was on every channel every year."

Grimes still gets letters from all over the globe and from generations of viewers. "I get a lot of fan mail from Great Britain and even the Mideast and all kinds of places," she says. "It's reaching a lot of people, and I think people will want to make a difference."

B4

DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

DECEMBERS FACTOIDS TO REMEMBER Florida

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

What is it about the month of December in Florida?

Going back centuries, it seems as if this month #12 evokes more than its share of memorable Florida moments — in history, politics, education and even lighter pursuits like sports and entertainment. Today we quiz you on ten such interesting events that we Ocalans, Marion Countians and Floridians may know about.

On his trek northward in 1539, conquistador Hernando de Soto celebrated the first Christmas on what is now U.S soil with the Apalachees at their village near: A. Orlando B. Tampa C. Tallahassee D. Starke

2.

3.

4

The town of Christmas, which is in ________ County, is known worldwide for its distinctive postmark on greetings from Florida.

A. Orange B. Osceola C. Brevard D. Seminole A funny thing happened at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville on December 28, 1978. Ohio State coach Woody Hayes punched a player on the opposing team, from: A. Florida State B. Clemson C. Michigan D. Florida

5.

On December 12, 1988, Florida Lt. Governor Buddy MacKay, from Ocala, was sworn in and served as governor for 24 days upon the death of Governor: A. Farris Bryant B. Leroy Collins C. Bob Martinez D. Lawton Chiles

7.

8.

9.

10.

Just weeks ago, Ocala Forest High School grad Erin Jackson made history when she became the first Black woman to win a World Cup event in: A. Skateboarding B. Downhill slalom C. Speed skating This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direc D. Swimming

WORD FIND

always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you hav pleted the puzzle, there will be 20 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

Until he died on December 26, 1972,

our 32nd president spent most of each December at his Little White House in Key West. He was: A. Dwight Eisenhower B. Franklin Roosevelt C. U. S. Grant D. Harry Truman

Big boys’ toys Solution: 20 Letters

Elmo Shropshire, a 1955 Ocala High grad and veterinarian, is the man behind a whimsical holiday song in which grandma gets run over by a: A. Sleigh B. Reindeer C. Dwarf D. Tesla With the addition of one Congressional seat based on the 2020 census, Florida now has the third most presidential electoral votes of any state, with: A. 25 B. 27 C. 29 D. 30 Ocala’s own Royal Guardsmen called themselves “The ________,” before they topped the national hit music charts in 1966 with “Snoopy’s Christmas.”

A. Lollipops B. Posmen C. Gator Six D. Florida Palms

Answers are on page B7

Amusement Ariel Bicycle Boat Buell Bugatti Cable Cafe racer Cars Cessna

Darts Drone Embraer Engine Family Farm Games Glider Hobby Honda

Horn Indian Jets Lego Moto Guzzi Newest Norton Quad Registration Rims

Rocket Seat Shed Ship Speedometer SUVs Telescope Tool kit Toys Wheels

COMING DEC. 30: 2021 & Done - A Year of Factoids in Review Contact Bob Hauck: bobhauck39@gmail.com

olution: They’re just showing off

On December 6, 1947, President Harry Truman dedicated 1.5 million acres of subtropical wilderness that we know as the: A. Keys B. Peninsula C. Everglades D. Biscayne National Park

6.

© 2021 Australian Word Games Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc.

1.

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

Join the FULL-TIME POSITIONS Faculty – Cardiovascular Technology, Program Manager Faculty – Health Sciences – Associate Degree Nursing Staff Assistant III – Student Support Services Trades Specialist - HVAC Programmer Analyst III Programmer Analyst II

Team PART-TIME POSITIONS

Staff Assistant I – Levy Auditorium Assistant Accountant I

HOW TO APPLY

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

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

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

3001 SW College Road, Ocala, FL 34474 CF is an Equal Opportunity Employer ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B7

Date: 12/17/21

B5

DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

holidays DEC. 17-24

Horse-Drawn Carriage Holiday Tours

Ocala Downtown Square 6-9pm There is no better way to see the lights of the town than by horse-drawn carriage or trolley wagon. Enjoy 15 minutes around the Downtown Square or 30 minutes through the Historic District to see the homes lit for Christmas. A reservation for the private carriage is recommended but not required. Please call (352) 727-0900 or visit horsecountrycarriagecompanyandtours.com/ events for details.

DEC. 17-24

The Nightmare Before Christmas

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

DEC. 18

Holiday Craft Bazaar

Silver Springs State Park 10am-4pm Beautiful surroundings, food vendors, handmade craft items, art, photography, and more. The Friends of Silver Springs present a “sleigh” tram ride along the Creek Trail and Santa will be there, too. Glass-bottom boat tours, games, and toy drop-off. Visit silversprings.com for details.

DEC. 18

Wreaths Across America

Highland Memorial Park (FLHMPO), 1515 NE 3rd St., Ocala 12pm Wreaths Across America will be at Highland Memorial Park to remember and honor our veterans through the laying of remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. For more information or to register to volunteer, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.

DEC. 18

Reindeer Romp Gift Giveaway: A Drive-Through Event

Reddick Public Library, 15150 NW Gainesville Road, Reddick 12-3pm Bring the kids, drive to the library, and pick up books and other holiday gifts. Children and teens must be present to receive gifts. For more info or to register for the event, call (352) 428-2566.

DEC. 18

KidX Club Holiday Krafts

Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Road, Ocala 1-3pm Take a break from shopping and let your kids enjoy FREE crafts with special guest, Olaf! Crafts will be set up in front of My Little Town and Champs Sports. Visit paddockmall.com for more information.

DEC. 18

Giving Gala

Licciardello Farms 7pm Second annual charitable holiday party will benefit The Rock programs in some public schools. Raffles, silent auctions, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres. RSVP at givinggala.info.

DEC. 18-19

Christmas in the Quarry

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, 4990 NE 180th Ave., Williston 5:30-8:00pm Gather your family for holiday merriment during Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens’ annual walkthrough light show. Explore 20-acres of botanical gardens, filled with twinkling lit pathways, holiday caroling, a cookies and cocoa station, food vendors, and more. For more info, visit cedarlakeswoodsandgardens.com or call (352) 529-0055.

DEC. 18-19

A Downton Abbey Christmas Tea

Barn at Bellemoor, 10642 SE 36th Ave., Belleview 2-4pm Barn at Bellemoor, in conjunction with Belleview High School and West Port High School students, presents “A Downton Abbey Christmas Tea.” To purchase tickets, visit eventsatbellemoor.square. site or call (352) 209-7344 for more information.

DEC. 18-19

26th Annual Living Nativity

Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 151 SW 87th Place, Ocala 6-9pm The pageant begins with Adam and works its way through the history of God’s people all the way to the birth of Christ. Join the crowds and walk through the parted Jordan river, feel the heat from the pillar of fire, hear the voice of the prophets of old, see the high priest and the Holy of Holies, smell the camels, travel through bustling Bethlehem, find the baby in a manger, revel at the empty tomb, and hear the live music! Walkthrough tours begin at 6 pm and the drive-through experience starts at 7:30 pm. Visit ocalamarion. com for details.

DEC. 18-JAN.2

25th Annual Trains at the Holidays

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

DEC. 19

Sing! An Irish Christmas Live in Concert with Keith & Kristyn Getty

First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala 6:30pm Known for their modern hymns and carols, Ireland’s Keith & Kristyn Getty “fuse Celtic, bluegrass, Americana, modern, and classical music along with cultural dance and the choral sounds of the holiday” for their 10th anniversary tour.

Visit fbocala.org or call (352) 629-5682 for more information.

THROUGH DEC. 19

Tue and Thu, 6-8pm Santa on the Square returns to the Ocala Downtown Square in a family-friendly holiday program on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 2-21, 6-8 pm. Due to COVID-19, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be socially distanced. Guests are encouraged to wear face coverings, maintain a physical distance of 6-feet-apart in the queue line, and utilize hand sanitation stations supplied by the city. For more information, visit ocalafl.org/ holidays or call the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at (352) 368-5517.

DEC. 22-23

Christmas in the Quarry

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, 4990 NE 180th Ave., Williston 5:30-8:00pm Gather your family for holiday merriment during Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens’ annual walkthrough light show. Explore 20-acres of botanical gardens, filled with twinkling lit pathways, holiday caroling, a cookies and cocoa station, food vendors, and more. For more info, visit cedarlakeswoodsandgardens.com or call (352) 529-0055.

THROUGH DEC. 24

Photos with Santa

It’s A Wonderful Life

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Nov. 26-Dec. 19 The beloved Christmas classic is retold as a 1940s radio play through the magic of versatile voices, special sound effects, and your imagination.

Thursdays and Fridays 7:30 pm, Saturdays 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Purchase tickets at (352) 236-2274, the box office, or ocalacivictheatre.com.

DEC. 20

Paws & Claus

Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Road, Ocala 6-8pm Take your pet to Paddock Mall for a dose of holiday cuteness at Paws & Claus! Mix and mingle with other pet lovers while your furry friend takes a paw-sitively adorable photo with Santa. For more information, visit paddockmall.com.

DEC. 21

Cookies & Claus

Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Road, Ocala 10-11am Enjoy cookie decorating and breakfast with Mrs. Claus and Chick-Fil-A! To reserve your spot, visit paddockmall.com.

THROUGH DEC. 21

Santa on the Square Ocala Downtown Square

Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Road, Ocala Nov. 18-Dec. 24 Santa is back at Paddock Mall “for a safe, fun, holly and jolly Santa photo experience.” While reservations are encouraged, walk-ins are also welcome. To reserve a time for photos, visit paddockmall.com.

THROUGH DEC. 26

Winter Wonderland

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

THROUGH DEC. 31

The Ocala Christmas Light Spectacular

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

government DEC. 21

DEC. 23

Ocala City Council Meetings

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

Board of County Commissioners

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am The Marion County Board of County Commissioners welcomes all to its regularly scheduled meeting held the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9 am unless otherwise noted. The zoning portion of the meeting is also held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 2 pm. All commission and zoning meetings are open to the public.

Visit marionfl.legistar.com for details.

JAN. 13

Tourism Development Meeting

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

community DEC. 17

Marion County Friday Market

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

DEC. 17

Master Gardener Plant Clinic

Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE Highway 484, Belleview 10am-1pm The plant doctors are in! Join the Marion County Master Gardeners for a plant clinic. Visit library. marioncounty.org for details.

DEC. 18

Yoga in the Park

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

DEC. 18

Ocala Downtown Market

310 SE Third St., Ocala 9am-2pm A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, and arts and crafts. Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

DEC. 19

Ocala Polo Club Winter Games

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

DEC. 21

School is Out, Science is In (SOSI) Day Camp

Discovery Center Ocala, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala 8am-5:30pm

School is out, so science is in! Spend the day at Discovery Center in this camp-style one day program for ages 8-11. Campers will experiment, create, and play while spending the day as a young scientist. Visit mydiscoverycenter.org/sosi/ for more information.

DEC. 21

LMS Network Breakfast Networking Meeting

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

DEC. 21

The Shores Market

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

DEC. 22

Wednesday Midday Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 1-6pm Browse organic produce, microgreens, fresh-baked breads, and more. Food trucks such as Tom’s Taste of Chicago, Jimmy’s Philly Cheesesteaks, and Kona Ice Ocala join the fun; recurs every Wednesday.

Visit facebook.com/OcalaDowntownMarket for details.

DEC. 23

Farmers Market

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 8th St., Ocala 9am-1pm Join us for a wonderful selection of fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps, and much more; recurs every Thursday. Visit circlesquarecommons. com for more info.

B6

DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

arts DEC. 18

DEC. 20

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale Silver Bells and The Diamonds combines the best of The Diamonds along with sparkling holiday favorites. Also included are many hits from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s such as “Little Darlin,” “Sugartime,” and “She Say.” Call (352) 821-1201 or visit obopry.com for details.

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 7:30pm MacArthur Fellow and Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, song writer Chris Thile is a founding member of the critically acclaimed bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek. Grammy Award-winning artist Aoife O’Donovan operates in a thrilling musical world beyond genre. Per artist’s requirements, proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of this show date is required. Visit reillyartscenter.com for more info and to purchase tickets.

Silver Bells & The Diamonds

THROUGH DEC. 18 Puffs

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala Closing out 2021 is the magical play, “Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic,” by Matt Cox. For seven years, a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This story is about some other students—the Puffs—who just happened to be enrolled in that school, too. This inventive play takes a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of a group of well-meaning, loyal, lovable outsiders with a thing for badgers.

Overflowing with heart, charm, and laughter every minute, this epic journey reimagines what a boy wizard hero can be. Visit reillyartscenter.com for tickets and more info.

Chris Thile & Aoife O’Donovan

DEC. 23

Classic Albums LIVE: Rolling Stones’ Let It Bleed

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 7:30pm Experience Classic Albums LIVE as they perform the music of the Rolling Stones’ Let It Bleed. Note for Note, Cut for Cut! For more info and to purchase tickets, visit reillyartscenter.com.

THROUGH DEC. 30

Alison Saar: Works from the Permanent Collection

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

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

THROUGH APRIL 24 Heart of the Horse

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

THROUGH APRIL 24

THROUGH JAN. 10 Art Remembers

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

THROUGH JAN. 22

Lisa Russo | European Elegance

Fables

&

THROUGH JAN. 2

Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration Bldg., 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala Lisa Russo studied under a traditional oil painter to learn the techniques and methods from the 1600s. Fun fact: She also holds a U.S. patent for a convertible canvas that creates 3D effects. ocalafl.org.

Garden Party: Botanical Paintings

by Susan Martin

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Florida artist Susan Martin’s photorealistic canvasses explore the botanical world by concentrating on small portions of plant life.

Her detailed explorations, influenced by the photographs of Russell Lee, can be observed in her sharp, clean examination of the subject, her preference for strong contrast that reveals surface quality and detail, and an emphasis on composition that comes from years of work in black-and-white. Visit appletonmuseum.org for details.

music nightlife nig ghtlife DEC. 17

DEC. 18

DEC. 22

Johnny B.

Shayne Rammler

Melissa Lee @ The Yellow Pony

The Lodge, 36 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala 8pm For nearly 18 years, Johnny Bell has been entertaining comedy crowds around the country with a style that can be considered aggressive, logical, offensive, and level-headed all at the same time. Visit bonkerzcomedyproductions.com for tickets and more information.

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, 4414 SW College Road #600, Ocala 6-9pm Live entertainment at the Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar with musician Shayne Rammler. For details, visit theshuckinshack.com.

World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6:30-10pm Country music star Melissa Lee brings southern rock and sassy country to The Yellow Pony. Visit worldequestriancenter.com/events for details.

DEC. 17

Nate Leslie

Dave & Kenny Band The Town Square, 8413 SW 80th St., Ocala 6-9pm The Dave & Kenny Band provides live entertainment at The Town Square. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for details.

DEC. 18

Ssnakeyez The Town Square, 8413 SW 80th St., Ocala 6-9pm Ssnakeyez provides live entertainment at The Town Square. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for details.

DEC. 19

DEC. 22

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

DEC. 18

Brandon Dull @ O’Calahan’s Pub & Eatery O’Calahan’s Pub & Eatery, 3155 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6-10pm Brandon Dull performs rock and country covers, ranging from the classics to present day. For more information, visit facebook.com/ brandondullmusic.

Take 2

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

DEC. 23

Zack Maruniak @ The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6:30-10pm Leesburg native Zack Maruniak joins The Yellow Pony for a live performance. Visit worldequestriancenter.com/events for details.

Keeping local history alive

O

n Dec. 4 and 5, the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department hosted the Festival at Fort King at the Fort King National Historic Landmark.

The Festival at Fort King was a historic-themed event set in the 1800s and features a full-scale re-enactment of the events that fueled the start of the Second Seminole War. Demonstrations and hands-on activities included axe throwing, pine needle basket weaving, live-action combat, leather tanning, pottery, blacksmithing.

Photos by BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Re-enactors from the 2nd U.S. Artillery Troop F fire a Mountain Howitzer cannon that shoots a six pound cannonball.

Betty-Lou Seager spins wool on a spinning wheel.

An 1836 Chuckwagon is shown at the center of Fort King.

Re-enactor Joe Chrin, whose Native American name is “Blue Moccasin,” describes a .12 gauge shotgun like the ones used by Seminole Indians, as Dolly Chrin, whose Native American name is “Clay Basket,” watches in a depiction of a Seminole Indian camp.

Blake Calamela, 6, left, bangs on an Indian drum as his brother, Dylan, 10, right, watches at a General Store.

Emily DeBary, left, cooks lentil soup on an open fire as Bettie DeBary, right, looks on in a Seminole Indian hunting camp.

B7

DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

65th annual Ocala Christmas Parade T

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

The Ocala Police Department Color Guard leads the parade during the Ocala Christmas Parade in Ocala on Saturday, Dec. 11.

he shrill sounds of wailing sirens were a welcome noise on December 11 as they signaled the start of the Ocala Christmas Parade.

As the parade did not take place in 2020 due to the pandemic, participants and attendees were especially eager to get back on the boulevard this year.

Parade units such as gaily decorated floats, marching bands, ROTC groups and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, traveled a route from the McPherson Governmental Complex on Northeast 25th Avenue west along Silver Springs Boulevard to Eighth Avenue, with happy parade-goers shouting encouragement along the way.

The 2021 parade winners, as announced on the Ocala Christmas Parade Facebook page, were: • Youth built – Boy Scouts of America Troop 18 and Marion Technical College • Commercial - Tangley Tails, Tillman Engineering and Loco Graphics • Nonprofit - Fernandina Pirates Club, Champions for Champions and Pop Warner Ravens • Large Band - Lake Weir High School, Howard Middle School and Forest High School/Osceola Middle School • Small Band - Westport High School, Trinity Catholic High School and Lake Weir Middle School • Motor Units - Ocala Slingers, Main Street Bank and Loco Graphics • Marching units – West Port High School ROTC, Belleview High School ROTC and Forest High School ROTC

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Louise Chase, 97 a World War II veteran, waves to people as she rides on a float with other veterans.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Andrew Gleason plays the French Horn as he marches with other members of the Howard Middle School Marching Band.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Starr Fields twirls a flag as she marches with members of the West Port High School Marching Band.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

De‘Janae Thurston, 15, a sophomore, plays her lighted flute as she marches with members of the Vanguard High School Marching Band.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Aliyah Sadik, 8, left, and Rheanna Tolbert, 9, right, who were dressed as snowmen, wave to people as they march with other members of the Sunrise Elementary School Dance Team.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Alora McCumbers rides in her Barbie doll box on the Tangley Tails Pet Spa float.

ABOVE & RIGHT: Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to people from their float.

LEFT: An armored vehicle that was decorated with Christmas lights is driven down the parade route.

Photos by BRUCE ACKERMAN/ Ocala Gazette

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Visit ocalagazette.com/donate to make a tax deductible donation through the Florida Press Foundation

ANSWERS FOR PAGE B4 1. C Tallahassee

Florida

FACTOIDS

2. C Everglades 3. A Orange 4. B Clemson 5. D Lawton Chiles

COMING DEC. 30:

6. C Speed skating 7. D Harry Truman

2021 & Done - A Year of Factoids in Review 8. B Reindeer Contact Bob Hauck: 9. D 30 bobhauck39@gmail.com

10. B Posmen

Sudoku

Newsday Crossword

B8

DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Resale is making gains in December holiday gift shopping

By LEANNE ITALIE Associated Press

site, which has 16 brick-and-mortar consignment stores around the U.S., saw orders with gift boxes rise by 73% over the same month last year for unbranded jewelry. Such purchases were up 62% for Gucci items and 53% for Louis Vuitton selections, according to company data.

“The stigma is gone,” said Marshal Cohen, a consumer behavior and retail analyst for the NPD Group. “There is a new view of how valuable some of the resale product is. Grey market selling of new and used items are now reaching new heights. Scoring a great item others can only dream of is the new form of luxury.”

Sales of gift cards for online thrift giant ThredUp, which went public earlier this year, were up 103% during the first two weeks of December compared to the entire month of November, said Erin Wallace, vice president of integrated marketing.

Kristi Marquez, 36, in Jupiter, Florida, has two young daughters. She has cut down her gift list from about 20 people to 10 this year after her family opted to buy only for their kids. A good three-quarters of her gifts will be resale items. She used Thriftbooks.com and other book resellers to purchase previously owned titles at deeply discounted prices. Facebook Marketplace and local moms' groups have proven fruitful for toys.

Sometimes, she said, going resale isn't about the environment or saving money, especially this year.

“At the top of our oldest’s list is the Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron. At first, I didn’t know the toy was so popular and was shocked to see it sold out everywhere, except at more than double the price from resellers on Amazon and Walmart,” she said. “After wading through potential scammers, I finally got a hold of one on Poshmark for $99. It’s not the eco-

S

econd hand. Like new. Thrift. Buy Nothing. Gently used. There are lots of ways to describe consumption in the booming resale market.

Add “Merry Christmas!” to the list.

Resale has taken off among those looking to save the planet and spend less on gifts during what can be the most wasteful time of the year — the December holidays. This year's supply chain delays have provided extra motivation.

“Gifting at its core should be about thoughtfulness, and arguably more thought is put into finding a meaningful, interesting secondhand gift for someone than just hitting the ‘buy’ button on something everyone is getting from Amazon,” said Ashlee Piper, a sustainability expert and author of “Give a Sh(asterisk)t: Do Good. Live Better.

Save the Planet.”

One of her favorite gifts ever was a tattered copy of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” that a friend found for $2 at a thrift shop.

“It’s kitschy, thoughtful and totally unique," Piper said.

The resale market is far from dominant overall, and spans all ages.

Industry reports have said the recent gains are driven mainly by Gen Z and Millennial shoppers.

Players large and small are reaping the benefits.

Luxury resale marketplace The RealReal, which has more than 23 million members after going public more than two years ago, said it saw a 60% jump last year over the year before among those choosing gift boxes with purchases during the holiday season. Last month, the online

friendly toy we’d hoped for and it’s still overpriced but we’re happy we found the main toy she asked for this year.”

The plastic toy, which makes sounds and produces mist after kids create a “potion,” retails for $69.99.

As more retailers have added resale as an option, tech middlemen have jumped in to assist. One company, List Perfectly, offers tools for resellers to cross-post their wares on 11 marketplaces.

“Resale doesn’t necessarily mean used.

A lot of resellers resell new items that are currently scarce as they’ve planned their inventory for months to accommodate holiday shopping demands,” said Clara Albornoz, co-founder and CEO. “Buyers can see a variety of options, easily price compare, shop from their home, get their items quickly and affordably, and delivered straight to them, usually with opportunities to return if there are any issues.”

Another company, Recurate, enables brands to create their own resale platforms on their websites.

“Recurate’s sales over the Black Friday and Cyber Monday week were over 50% higher than average," said Karin Dillie, vice president of partnerships. She said customers are seeking resale items "to satisfy their own deal hunting as well as to purchase as gifts.”

Appealing specifically to Gen Z, the resale marketplace Galaxy provides live shows for buyers and sellers to interact in real time. It recently hosted a five-day holiday event involving 40 top sellers.

“By being able to have real time conversations through live video and SMS messaging, sellers and shoppers get to build a relationship. This often leads to sellers becoming trusted curators of your wardrobe and your holiday shopping,” said Danny Quick, co-founder and CEO.

Sadie Cherney, a franchise owner with three resale Clothes Mentor boutiques in South Carolina, said resale is a buyerbeware market.

Her tips: Search for items that are new with tags, do your homework on return policies, make sure things like zippers are functional, check for stains and tears, and — perhaps most importantly — decide whether you will tell your gift recipient that you shopped resale.

Kahlil Spurlock, 32, in Jersey City, New Jersey, turned to resale for holiday gifts this year in an effort to reduce his carbon footprint. He used Grailed, a site not unlike The RealReal but focused on menswear.

“I was buying for my 20-year-old brother, who does buy resale,” he said.

“There are some items that are just so cool, like some streetwear, you can only find on resale."

Spurlock picked up two items from hot brands for his younger sibling.

None of this is new to 50-year old Amanda Spencer in suburban Philadelphia. She's a longtime resale hunter on Facebook Marketplace, local Buy Nothing groups that offer items for free, and events like sales at her church.

This year for Christmas, she found a series of books on Facebook that her daughter wanted. And from a Buy Nothing group, she picked up a beanbag chair her daughter had asked for.

“It's not exactly the one but who cares,” Spencer said.

For her son, she found Minecraft cube building toys at a yard sale.

“Most of the stuff that they’ve ever gotten throughout their lives has either been hand-me-downs or from consignment shops,” Spencer said. “Why bother paying full retail?”

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DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports Dudley key to Belleview’s resurgence in 2021

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

B

elleview High School senior Amarion Dudley had quite the 2021 season.

An elite receiver, Dudley hauled in 50 catches for 971 yards and 10 touchdowns during the season.

Dudley’s totals broke the singleseason school records for both receptions and touchdown catches, keys to the Rattlers’ regular season record (8-2) and playoff appearance.

Belleview head football coach Brady Ackerman credited Dudley and his contributions as key to the Rattlers’ success.

“It was a pleasure to coach Amarion this season,” Ackerman said. “He always had a positive attitude and showed up big in practice as well as in games on Friday nights. I couldn’t be more

proud of him.”

Dudley praised Ackerman and wide receivers coach Shane Carr for a stellar 2021 season.

“My coaches taught me a lot,” Dudley said. “Coach Ackerman and Coach Carr did a lot for me, always supported me and helped me to stay positive.”

Colleges have come calling, attempting to court Dudley to their football programs. West Florida, Fort Hayes in Kansas, Valdosta State and Tusculum University in Tennessee have all expressed interest.

“Tusculum and coach (Jerry) Odom came by and are definitely interested,” Ackerman said.

“I took an unofficial visit to Valdosta State,” Dudley shared. “I like that school.”

Dudley was quick to thank his parents for their support and See Dudley, page C3

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Amarion Dudley, 17, a senior, a wide receiver for Belleview High School, looks through the face mask of his helmet as he poses for a photo on the field at Belleview High School in Belleview on Dec. 8.

North Marion pair sign athletic scholarships

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com Two of North Marion High School’s

student-athletes signed collegiate letters of intent on Monday.

Senior golfer Ryan Letterly inked his name on a scholarship to

play golf at Saint Leo University, while baseball player Matt Retamoza signed to play for Florida See Letterly, page C2

North Marion girls come up short against Buchholz in first loss of the season

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

J

unior forward Brianna Garcia scored 13 points and junior center Dy’Ani Hadley chipped in 10 as the Lady Colts came up just

short against the visiting Buchholz Bobcats 48-38 on Monday night.

The Bobcats were sparked by freshman forward Jamison Cardwell, who led Buchholz with 14 See Lady, page C2

CYNDI CHAMBERS/Correspondent Submitted

Ryan Letterly and Matt Retamoza sign LOI‘s on Monday at North Marion High School.

North Marion’s Brianna Garcia (11) looks to get around Buchholz’ Tyra Peterson (5) Dec. 13, at North Marion High School in Citra.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Belleview Lady Rattlers versus McKeel Academy

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com The Belleview Lady Rattlers will be hosting McKeel Academy in the first game of the Pasta Faire Shootout December 17 and 18 at the Belleview High School gym.

Lady Rattlers head coach Gary Greer is looking forward to hosting teams from outside the North Central Florida area.

“We are excited to host this event,” Greer said. “Travis Thorpe and Pasta Faire have

been a great support to our school.”

Lady Rattlers senior guard Laniyah Johnson has averaged an astounding 20.1 points per game through the first eight games of the regular season.

Freshman center Aaliyah Armbrister has grabbed 8.8 rebounds and blocked 2.3 shots during the same period for Belleview.

Greer is happy with the early season performance of Johnson and his team.

“Laniya is on fire,” Greer

said. “We have a stout defense that is led by Zakiya Scruggs and Madison Douglass.”

The McKeel Academy Lady Wildcats, from Lakeland, tout their own scoring star in Serenity Hardy. Hardy is averaging 23.4 points and 5.3 steals per game, as an 8th grader.

Belleview and McKeel are scheduled to tip-off on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Admission is $7 per day and teams will play three times during the two-day event.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Belleview‘s Niya Johnson (24) drives to the basket as she is defended by North Marion‘s Erianna Williams (11) during a basketball game at Belleview High School in Belleview on Dec. 10, 2020.

C2

DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Lady Colts suffer first loss of season Continued from page C1 points. Senior center Jayla Lee and junior guard Toni Davis each scored 9 for the winning squad.

North Marion head coach Stephanie Brown stressed the necessity of playing defense for an entire four quarters.

CYNDI CHAMBERS/Correspondent

North Marion head coach Stephanie Brown talks to a player on the sidelines in the matchup against the Buchholz Bobcats, December 13, at North Marion High School in Citra.

CYNDI CHAMBERS/Correspondent

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

“Tonight’s game was an eye opener for the girls,” Brown said. “Defensively, we played lazy until the last three minutes of the 4th quarter.”

“I told the ladies if we were going to win, defense would be key,” Brown added.

With the win, the visiting Bobcats moved to 4-5 on the season. Their next contest will be at P.K. Yonge on Wednesday with a 7:00 p.m. tip.

The Lady Colts sit at 6-1 after their first loss of the season. North Marion hosts West Port on Thursday night at 6:00 p.m.

Letterly and Retamoza choose schools

Forest notches statement win versus City of Life Christian 54-40

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

Continued from page C1 State College in Jacksonville.

Letterly won the 2021 MCIAC county tournament as well as the FHSAA 2A, District 8 tournament crown.

North Marion golf coach Marcus Rodriguez believes Letterly’s work ethic will prove invaluable at the college level.

“Ryan is an amazing kid,” Rodriguez said.

“His passion for golf is something I have never seen. I couldn’t ask for a better kid and leader for this team.

While the state championship tournament didn’t end the way he would have hoped, Letterly is still thankful and excited for the next challenge.

“My whole family, I am so thankful for them and their support,” Letterly said. “My coaches were also so supportive.”

“I’m extremely excited to play at the next level,” Letterly added.

Senior Matt Retamoza signed his letter of intent to play collegiately at Florida State College in Jacksonville.

Retamoza looks forward to the challenge of playing baseball in college.

“I’m very excited to continue to play baseball at the next level,” Retamoza said. “I couldn’t have done any of this without my family, coaches, and teammates.”

Retamoza went on to thank his parents for their love and support.

“My parents have supported me on this journey and have made a lot of sacrifices to help me achieve this goal,” he added.

Dale Hall, Colts head baseball coach, praised

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Forest‘s head coach, Mike Hoffmann, works with his players on the bench as they play City of Life Christian Academy during a basketball game at Forest High School in Ocala on Dec. 10.

Forest sophomore guard Xzavion McCoy scored 14 points and tallied three steals, and senior guard Calvin Davison knocked down three 3’s as the Wildcats held off the City of Life Warriors 54-40.

The Wildcats were able to negate the front court size of the Warriors, who had three players that stood 6’ 5” or taller, to secure an important victory for the program.

The Wildcats trailed 15-13 to end the first quarter but held the Warriors scoreless for nearly five minutes of the second quarter.

Forest used an 8-0 run to go ahead 21-15 with 3:43 left in the first half.

The Wildcats held onto the lead going into the half 26-21, but City of Life went on a 7-0 run of their own to take the lead 28-26.

Forest reclaimed the lead with an 11-2 run of their own, taking a 3730 lead that the Wildcats would not relinquish.

Forest head coach Mike Hoffmann was extremely proud of the effort from his squad.

“We’ve been talking about playing well all season, our goal every game is to play well,” Hoffmann said. “Tonight, we played well in all aspects and finally executed things that we needed to improve on all year.”

City of Life was led by junior guard Jeffrey Alvarado, who scored 16 points in the losing effort. Junior guard Angel Chamblin chipped in eight points for the Warriors.

With the win, Forest moves to 5-2 on the season. The Wildcats will take on Palatka in the Tim Brinkley Tournament at North Marion High School on Saturday the 11th. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m.

Submitted

Letterly (left) and Retamoza (right)

Retamoza for his leadership and hard work.

“Matt has worked extremely hard for this opportunity,” Hall said. “FSJC is getting a good one. Matt works hard, he is humble, and he has good leadership skills.”

LEFT: Forest‘s Zay McCoy (0) shoots over City of Life Christian Academy‘s Angel Chamblin (5).

ocalagazette

BELOW: Forest‘s Tayvion Jones (4) looks for a way to the basket as he is defended by City of Life Christian Academy‘s Giane Vazquez (15).

Photos by BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

@ocalagazette

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C3

DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Dudley sets receiving records in 2021 Continued from page C1 motivation.

“My dad taught me to never give up,” Dudley said. “And my mom taught me to do well in school.”

Dudley knows that football won’t always be there. So, what does Amarion want to be when he “grows up”?

“When I was younger, I wanted to be a trauma surgeon,” Dudley said. “But now I want to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a

master’s degree in business.”

Dudley wanted to make sure he thanked the offensive linemen that helped Belleview get to the playoffs, and all those catches, possible.

“Huge thanks to the big guys,” Dudley said.

“Without them, none of our success is possible!”

It’s not hard to believe that wherever Amarion Dudley chooses to playing college football, his abundance of positivity and hard work will take him far.

That school’s record books may need some updating by the time he’s done.

ABOVE AND RIGHT: Amarion Dudley, 17, a senior, a wide receiver for Belleview High School, poses for photos on the field at Belleview High School in Belleview on Dec. 8.

Photos by BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

West Port girls fall short at home 38-36

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com The Gainesville Lady Hurricanes were able to squeak out a victory against the West Port Lady Wolfpack on Tuesday night with a tight 38-36 road win.

Lady Hurricanes junior forward Leyah Houston scored 13 points and tallied three steals, while junior center Ta’Niya Walker scored 8 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in the win.

The game was close from start to finish, with neither team holding a lead of more than five points at any point.

The first quarter was a defensive battle, with the teams tied 6-6 going into the 2nd quarter.

Gainesville used a 9-4 run to end the first half, using a press to force the issue and entered halftime with a 22-17 lead.

Junior guard Trinity Goodson hit

two key 3-pointers for West Port, as the team closed to within two points to end the third quarter.

A back-and-forth 4th quarter saw the Lady Hurricanes hit key free throws to ultimately seal the win.

West Port was led by junior guard Mia Lake, who scored 12 points, dished three assists, and blocked two shots for her squad. Freshman forward Saige McCloud scored 4 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.

With the win, Gainesville moved to 5-3 on the season. The Lady Hurricanes will host Hawthorne on Thursday night with a 7:00 p.m. scheduled tip.

West Port, at 6-1 after the loss, will travel to North Marion on Thursday for a road game between two of Marion County’s best girls’ basketball squads.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

West Port‘s Ciarra Lake (11) and Saige McCloud (21) double-team Gainesville‘s Leyah Houston (25).

Photos by BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Gainesville‘s Ta‘Niya Walker (32) drives to the basket as she is double-teamed by West Port‘s Calise Smith (5) and Aaliyah Grant (14) during a basketball game at West Port High School in Ocala on Dec. 14.

West Port‘s Mia Lake (4) takes the ball away from Gainesville‘s Ta‘Niya Walker (32).

C4

DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

SCORE BOARD SELECTED MARION COUNTY

HIGH SCHOOL

SPORTS

RESULTS DEC. 6 - DEC. 11

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Lake Weir‘s Tyrone Smith (22) breaks away from Belleview‘s Angel Sosa (1) during a basketball game at Lake Weir High School in Candler on Dec. 7.

Results were gathered from FHSAA.com and compiled by Joel Bronson

Dec. 11

Redeemer Christian Ocala Christian

74 38

Dec. 7 Lake Weir 79 Belleview 64 North Marion West Port

64 41

Ocala Christian Peniel Baptist

78 42

Dec. 8 Dunnellon 69 Citrus 61

Buchholz West Port

8 0

Belleview Meadowbrook

58 41

Trinity Catholic Tavares

2 1

Forest Lecanto

3 1

61 57

Santa Fe Vanguard

69 50

West Port Eastside

54 52

North Marion Dunnellon

77 39

Seffner Christian Dunnellon

66 61

Trinity Catholic Vanguard

63 37

Palatka Forest

64 55

Belleview Mount Dora

59 6

The Villages 71 Belleview 41

Lake Weir Menendez

71 60

Dec. 10

GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Dec. 6

68 58

North Marion Wekiva

Forest‘s Brandon Baxley (2) looks for a way around City of Life Christian Academy‘s Jeff Alvarado (14) during a basketball game at Forest High School in Ocala on Dec. 10.

BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES

Dunnellon Lecanto

Forest 62 Central 60

Dec. 9 Trinity Catholic Mount Dora

63 40

Vanguard 49 West Port 42 Buchholz 55 TrinityCatholic 51

Dec. 6

Forest 54 City of Life Christian 40

Dunnellon 58 Vanguard 43

Lake Weir Umatilla

Redeemer Christian Ocala Christian

38 20

Belleview The First Academy

49 16

62 53

Dec. 10

West Port‘s Aaliyah Grant (14) drives to the basket as she is defended by Gainesville‘s Julijana Sanford (24) during a basketball game at West Port High School in Ocala on Dec. 14.

North Marion Bradford

41 25

West Port P.K. Yonge

55 39

Trinity Catholic Oak Hall

51 37

Ocala Christian Peniel Baptist

48 12

Chiefland Forest

47 46

Keystone Heights Lake Weir

46 40

38 37

Dec. 9 North Marion Forest

3 1

54 23

The Villages West Port

9 1

Palatka Belleview

3 2

Santa Fe North Marion

4 0

Belleview Dunnellon

9 1

Seven Rivers Christian North Marion

4 2

Lecanto Forest

2 0

Lake Weir Mount Dora Christian

0 0

Dec. 8

CYNDI CHAMBERS/Correspondent

Dec. 8

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

South Sumter Belleview

Dec. 6

Dec. 7

Dec. 7

Vanguard Lake Weir

Dec. 8

GIRLS SOCCER SCORES

North Marion’s Brianna Garcia (11) guards Buchholz Bobcat Samantha Moore (2), Monday, December 13, at North Marion High School in Citra.

BOYS SOCCER SCORES

Dec. 9 Vanguard Eastside

2 2

Dec. 6

West Port Forest

3 2

Lake Weir Umatilla

1 0

Forest 3 South Lake 1 Trinity Catholic P.K. Yonge

5 4

Dunnellon Hernando Christian

7 5

Dec. 7 Vanguard Belleview

5 0

Lake Weir North Marion

1 0

Dec. 10 The Villages Vanguard

4 1

Forest Dunnellon

9 0

Buchholz Trinity Catholic

7 0

Belleview Lake Weir

1 0

P.K. Yonge Vanguard

5 1

West Port Crystal River

1 1

Gainesville Trinity Catholic

2 0

The Villages Forest

1 0

Dec. 9 Leesburg North Marion

3 2

Vanguard Eastside

6 0

Belleview Lake Weir

4 1

Dec. 10 West Port Trinity Catholic

3 3

Forest Columbia

2 0