I recently hosted a meeting with several equine industry leaders to discuss the state of the industry and what comes next. In short, the industry is strong and the future is bring.
In 2015 the CEP commissioned an economic impact study of what it means, dollars and cents-wise, to be the Horse Capital. The data was both surprising and impactful. Equine contributes $2.6 billion annually to the local economy. That reflects not only the direct spin of the horse farms, shows, and support industries but also the thousands of tourists and guest who visit our community whether for a horse show, thoroughbred auction, or just to view the beautiful farms.
The CEP had planned to repeat the study in 2020 but put it on pause for two important reasons: 1) COVID and, more importantly, 2) the pending arrival of the World Equestrian Center. Today, this billion-dollar complex is remaking not only equine competition but our local tourism. With the second on-site hotel now under construction along with an events center, urgent care facility, and a number of additional restaurants and stores, the economic impact just of this facility easily reaches into the tens of millions of dollars annually. Continue reading
Dear Friends,
This will be the third column reporting on the 2022 Legislative Session and the good work done on behalf of the citizens of the free state of Florida!
This past month, Governor DeSantis signed off on $109.9 billion budget that includes a record $1.24 billion in tax relief for Floridians. Providing ongoing tax relief to Floridians, especially in the midst of extraordinary inflation brought on by the federal government’s irresponsible policies, remains a top priority of the Florida Legislature. This tax package includes: A Gas Tax Holiday: October 1-31, 2022, reducing the cost of fuel by $0.25 per gallon, a Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: July 25 – August 7, 2022, on clothing, footwear, backpacks, school supplies, computers and electronics, and software. Additionally, it includes: Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday: May 28 – June 10, 2022, on flashlights, lanterns, radios, tarps, coolers, batteries, smoke detectors, and generators. The tax bill also included some long-term tax relief on items like: Impact Resistant Windows, Doors and Garage Doors, Children’s Clothing and Shoes, Children’s Diapers, Energy Efficient Appliances, and Farm Trailers and Fencing. Continue reading
The United States Supreme Court – No ‘Government-In-The-Sunshine’ here!
The news media reports the recent leak about abortion, as an ‘invasion of the judges privacy’.
But wouldn’t you think that the American People have every right to know what’s going on up there?
These people seem think that we should wait for their decision on what’s best for us, while they deny us the right to decide for ourselves.
(Kinda like ‘Big Brother in ‘1984’.
Fortunately, in the past, there has often been that one glimmer of freedom when a brave ‘insider’ told us what was going on.
Back in 1852, the New-York Tribune published the intended decision of Pennsylvania vs a Bridge Company which, probably was leaked by one of the justices,
So a so-called ‘leak’ is OK when they do it themselves? Continue reading
The Lady Lake Chamber sponsor’s a “Network Luncheon” Before COVID it was held at Texas Roadhouse. The Networking Luncheons were shut down and are now back. It was a great success Chamber business people responded. Pictures of the attendee’s are in this paper. One of the managers spoke welcoming all of us back. The food was good, the service was good, prices were good. In all I think everyone was happy. I met marketing people and sales people and owners. I was raised in a small town in Broward County. I met a person that sells for a company that started in Broward County, small world. If you want more information about these networking Luncheons check with the Lady Lake Chamber.
The city of Ocala has a variety of beautiful parks for the whole family. Different parks offer different amenities such as playground equipment, walking trails and courts for various sports.
Parks are open from sunrise to sunset, with the exception of lighted courts and fields which close at 10 p.m.
https://www.ocalafl.org/government/city-departments-i-z/recreation-parks/parks
Ocala Skate Park
517 NE Ninth St.
Open daily | Sunrise – 10 PM
The Ocala Skate Park is 6 acres with a dedicated parking lot, murals, benches, and most importantly, plenty of surfaces for skaters!
Pursuant to Florida Statute, 316.0085, the skate park is only for skateboarding, in-line skating and freestyle bicycling only. No other recreational activity is permitted in this designated area. Mountain bikes and off-road biking are not permitted.
Please exercise caution and follow all recommended guidelines. Failure to comply with all rules and regulations may prohibit your future use of the park. Your understanding and cooperation will benefit all users. No modifications to the riding surface or features are allowed.
Rules to Ride at the Ocala Skate Park Continue reading
By TomL and others
Is someone manipulating food prices by creating shortages? Why? To starve us or punish The USA?
A friend of mine was concerned about the shortage of food processing plants. The fires destroying some of the largest food processing plants. The questions was & is there a conspiracy to starve us or punish us? Good question considering all the things that have been happening. If you ask a question enough times and word it differently each time on a computer search you will finally come up with some theories of your own. I will report to you and you make up your own mind.
This list is destroyed food process plant. it was sent to me by the reader, There are some problem with the list:
1 ➖4/30/21 Monmouth Smithfield Foods pork processing plant
2 ➖7/25/21 Memphis Kellogg plant
3 ➖8/13/21 JBS beef plant
4 ➖8/24/21 Patak Meat Company
5 ➖7/30/21 Tyson River Valley ingredient plant
6 ➖10/21/21 Darigold plant
7 ➖11/15/21 Garrard County food plant Continue reading
Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.
He said…
“Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.
I am speaking to the House Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee, Darrell Scott said every one is looking for someone to blame, the real blame is is here in this room “finger pointing And accusations but not putting the blame in the right place. Continue reading
The shooter in the Texas, the Uvalde shooter had over 85 thousand dollars in equipment, how did he manage this on a part time job at a fast food place working eight hour’s a week? He was obsessed with video games. He was 18 year’s old lived with his grandmother. He dressed in expensive women’s clothes?
He had a Brand new expensive game console. A brand new F250 pickup. His weapons: 2 Brand new Daniel Defense (brand) AR15/M4 rifles, with Military grade Optics. Each rifle is between 3,000 and 4,000 dollars. Thousands of rounds of expensive Military grade ammunition. A thousand dollar bullet proof vest. It sounds like someone was funding him.
Where did he get his training from? It seems he knew the Buffalo Shooter. He carried the same make rifle used in the Las Vegas shooting, Same optics, same grip only available by military or Law enforcement. Was this an effort to create a reason to take our guns? It was just in time for the NRA Convention.
It only takes a minute. You look away, you may not hear the splash and your child is nowhere in sight. Drowning – the harsh reality of losing a child in less than one minute. Drowning is swift and silent.
According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), there are approximately 4000 drowning deaths a year in the United States. The Lady Lake Police Department is committed to educating parents and caregivers about taking precautions to help end these preventable tragedies.
Florida loses more children under age five to drowning than any other state. Annually in Florida, enough children to fill three to four preschool classrooms drown and do not live to see their fifth birthday (Floridahealth.gov.)
Living in Central Florida, we are surrounded by water. Although children may know how to swim, if left unsupervised, they can drown in less than two inches of water. When participating in outdoor water activities, I encourage you to follow these safety-conscious behaviors: Continue reading
