Early in my term as Mayor, I began a project to help the chronic homeless. I continued to see men on the street that were being arrested constantly for crimes involving being homeless. I felt something needed to be done to help them. About that time, former Mayor Rick Baker from St. Petersburg spoke at the evening lecture series at IHMC about his new book The Seamless City. He was describing a scene of a homeless encampment in front of his City Hall and the demands of the community to do something about it.
He then told the story of how he worked with the community to create Pinellas Hope, a tent city of sorts that got the homeless population the help they needed to get back on their feet. Many in the room turned to me and said “Mayor, why don’t you do that here in Ocala”. So the two year journey began.
I, along with Karla Grimsley, Father Patrick Sheedy of Blessed Trinity, Brothers Keepers, Catholic Charities and First Methodist Church, all gathered together and went to visit Pinellas Hope. We brought the idea back to Ocala and folks said, “that’s a great idea, but not in my back yard”. At one point, we had 22 acres in Northeast Ocala donated to us but since the neighborhood wasn’t behind it, it didn’t pan out for our project and ended up becoming the home of Transitional Learning Center (TLC) which was a perfect fit for them as they needed exactly 22 acres for their project. However, we still needed a home. St. Marks Methodist Church on Northeast Eighth Ave. heard about our project and wanted it to be their mission. We met with them and members of the neighborhood to get their buy-in and they all wanted to be a part of it. Continue reading
Last month, voters throughout our community went to the polls and decided several local elections and, in some cases, selected candidates for the November ballot. While these local raises are very important, I would like to mention an item about which you will start hearing more soon.
Safety. It is probably something we all take for granted until we need it. It is important to our families and to our businesses. We all want to know that in time of emergency, we can depend on our first responders such as the fire and rescue to come to our aid. We also want to know that our roads will be safe to travel.
In March 2016, Marion County voters approved a one-percent sales tax for public safety and transportation infrastructure. There are no salaries nor recurring costs paid by the sales tax revenues. Since January 2017, the tax has brought in approximately $180M in estimated revenue that has funded dozens of projects including:
- Building of Northwest 49th Avenue to improve traffic-carrying capacity and enhance the opportunity for economic development in the area.
- Rehabilitation of over 53 miles of roadways including: County Road 464B, County Road 326, County Road 316, County Road 42, and County Road 320
- Marion County Fire Rescue equipment including: 12 new ambulances, 5 new engines, 1 ladder truck, 300 self-contained breathing apparatus, and new fire station at Rolling Greens
- City of Ocala has completed 12 road improvement projects valued at over $1.9M
- City of Ocala also added 2 new fire stations and a police district office
Additionally, the City of Ocala and Marion County have seen their ISO ratings improve: Ocala to a 2 and Marion County to a 3. These improvements are in large part thanks to the sales tax and provide relief to property owners through lower insurance costs in addition to knowing that our homes and families are safer.
Our economist reveals that at least 30% of the taxes are derived from individuals who do not live in our community. This could include tourists who are visiting our parks or competing in equine events or simply passing through on the interstate. It also includes the approximately 80,000 people who commute into our community to work. The sales tax ensures they are helping to fund the roads they drive on and the first responders on which they depend.
On November 3rd voters in Marion County will have the chance to extend public safety and highway safety with a FOR vote for the 1% local sales tax. We still have a substantial backlog of equipment needs and transportation projects. Should the sales tax fail to pass, the cost for these improvements will be levied on property owners.
Key facts regarding the sales tax:
- One-percent sales tax limited to 4 years
- January 1, 2021, and sunset on December 31, 2024
- Funding only Public Safety (40%) and transportation infrastructure needs (60%)
- Paid for by all county residents AND visitors
Dear Friends,
It is a privilege and blessing to have the opportunity to continue writing these monthly columns. Our country’s founders understood that the power of the pen (or in this case, the keyboard) was one of the best ways to reach the hearts and minds of individuals like you. Individuals who do care what happens in their communities, their state, and their country. Thank you for reading, listening, and being engaged in our fight to preserve faith, family, freedom, opportunity and life itself.
Our next challenge in preserving those values and principles is coming in November. You are already aware of how important November’s Presidential Election will be, but what you may not be aware of yet is the continued attack on our state constitution. The latest move by the socialist wing (which, let us be honest, is probably their biggest wing) of the Democratic Party is two amendment proposals that will be on your November ballot. The first of which, Amendment 2, is heavily funded by the man who almost sent Andrew Gillum to the governor’s mansion. That is right, John Morgan is back after his defeat in 2018 and this time he is looking to amend Florida’s constitution to raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15.00 per hour. This amendment, if passed would make Florida the only state in the nation with such a mandate and would destroy jobs and businesses that have already been hit hard during the COVID-19 situation. Inflation and cost of living would skyrocket and force working families and seniors to pay more for basic necessities. Entry-level and part-time wage jobs would be eliminated as this mandate would force business to shift their workforce to more experienced workers or make them rely further on job automation technology. Amendment 2, like Andrew Gillum, is just another one of John Morgan’s bad ideas. Continue reading
by A.J.(Tony) Powell
Apparently last months column struck a nerve with many residents of ‘The Villages’.
I asked for feedback from any informed ‘Villager’ as to the exact contents of their home purchase agreement regarding the so-called ‘amenities’.
As mentioned, many residents of ‘The Villages’ are concerned about their community moving away from building single-family homes and going full-on commercial and multi-family.
Others questioned the recent closures of many resident-used facilities including, for example, Katie Belle’s Restaurant, The former ‘Church on the Square’, the original Indoor Pool and the very popular ‘Lifelong Learning Academy’.
Since ‘day-one’, the main appeal of ‘The Villages’ has been the (assumed) guarantee of “Free Golf For Life”. As well as promises of numerous other ‘amenities’, clubhouses, Town Squares, softball, tennis and much more, all for a nominal monthly ‘Amenity Fee’.
That has worked well for years, but now ‘management’ is closing down or even demolishing many of the most popular locations. Continue reading
During a vessel stop and subsequent dockside inspection, our officers found 130 wrung lobster tails with over 100 of them undersized! Officers also discovered 89 stone crab claws of which 25 of the claws were undersized. The lobster tails and stone crab claws were hidden in a wet black bag in the cabin of the commercial vessel. The captain and crew members were arrested, transported to jail and charged for their violations.
By TomL
While on a fishing trip in the gulf the other day. My new fishing partner and I were fishing, catching a few fish and releasing them back to where they came from. My fishing partner is a quiet guy and of course I start talking politics. Talking about all of the corruption and things that is going on. My fishing partner blurted out “I don’t like Trump!” I ask why? He told me about all the things he did not like about him. I said I agree with some of what you said, but who is the best equipped person to fix the country he said “Oh I’m voting for Trump because I don’t like the tactic’s that the Democrats are using.” I have changed parties because of what Obama and Bidden have done to us in the past.
So I have come to a new conclusion. First the Democratic’s have never excepted the results of our election and now they are asking Tump if he will except the results of this election? From what I can see, people see Trump as a bully, but when the entire Democratic party jumps on him then, “He becomes the underdog and he is good at fighting back.” I have not seen him do anything that is not good for the country and the people of this country. He is doing a job that no one else wants to do, ROOT OUT THE CORRUPTION IN OUR COUNTRY AND ROOT OUT CORRUPTION BETWEEN OUR POLITICIANS MAKING DEALS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES TO FILL THIER POCKETS!! Continue reading
Luke Emerson joined Edward Jones September 2017
US Army June 1997 – September 2017
Education Georgetown University Masters
As an Edward Jones financial advisor, I believe it’s important to invest my time in understanding what is most important to you. The financial world can sometimes seem like foreign territory; I can work one-on-one with you to help determine the most appropriate financial strategy for you and your family.
Prior to joining Edward Jones, I served as an officer in the United States Army and deployed multiple times to combat terrorism. My 20-plus years in the service developed my passion for serving others, so Edward Jones is a natural fit. I came to Edward Jones in 2017 because I wanted to help individual investors and families work toward achieving their financial goals. I love helping people plan for a financial future they want.
A 2005 graduate of Georgetown University, I hold a master’s degree in public policy. I am a member of the Lady Lake Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion Post 347 and the VFW Post 8083. My time in service had me living all over the United States but I am now settled on Lake Weir, near Ocklawaha. I have lived here since 2015 and as a part of this community, I am excited to take part in making it a better place to live. I am a member of the Save Lake Weir Association and a proud part of the Good News Church of Ocala. My most gratifying role is that of a husband and father. My wife and I have been married for over 22 years and we are blessed with four wonderful children.
At Edward Jones, we focus on you. The firm has thousands of people and advanced technology supporting our office so that we can help you and your family reach your long-term financial goals. Please let me know how we can serve you today.
Luke Emerson Financial Advisor
1150 Paige Place
The Villages, FL 32159
352-775-0028 • luke.emerson@edwardjones.com • www.edwardjones.com/luke-emerson
The Lady Lake Chamber of Commerce welcomes the Immunity Health Spa to the area. They held a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting. As you can see it was well attended. TomL Publishing says welcome to the area.
Southwest Florida Water Management District:
A total of more than $8.3 million for projects in Marion County that will help protect Rainbow Springs, including Burkitt Road Septic to Sewer, Northwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion, Oak Bend I-75 Water Quality Improvement and the 180th Avenue Package Plant Abatement.
Is National News Giving Fair Coverage?
By TomL
Antonio West was the child who was shot and killed by two teens, who were attempting to rob his mother, his mother was also shot. Antonio’s murder and his mother wounding made the news for maybe a day, and then disappeared.
A Grand Jury from Brunswick, Georgia ruled the teens who murdered Antonio will not face the death penalty… it was Antonio who got the death penalty from his killers instead, because his mother didn’t have the money they demanded. They shot him in the face!
Murders from June 1 thru July 10
7/10- Brittany Simpson, white
7/6- Sarah Goode, white
7/6- Jeffrey Westerfield, white
7/5- Perry Renn, white male
7/3- Laurey Kennedy, white
7/3 Eric Mollet, white
7/2 Rupert Anderson, white
7/2 Jennifer Kingeter, white
6/30 Jim Brennan, white
6/29 Paul Shephard, white
6/27 Shirley Barone, white
6/27 Penelope Spencer, white
6/27 Inga Evans, white
6/26 Jake Rameau, white
6/25 Gina Burger, white
6/24 Nathan Dasher, white
6/22 Jonathan Price, white male,
6/20 John Whitmore, white
6/18 John Yingling,white
6/17 Allyn Reeves, white
6/15 Michael Beaver, white
6/11 Angela Cook, white
6/11 Nathan Hall, white
6/7 Harry Briggs, white
6/5 Laura Bachman, white
6/2 Robert Mohler, white
6/1 William Headley, white
No national news! Why did I print this you figure it out. Just be aware and beware!
GOOGLE FACT CHECKED!
