The Town of Lady Lake is pleased to announce that Commissioner Mike Sage, who represents Ward 5, recently graduated from the Institute for Elected Municipal Officials II (IEMO II), an advanced educational program offered by the Florida League of Cities.
The program is designed to strengthen the knowledge and leadership skills of Florida’s elected municipal officials, helping them better serve their communities and navigate the complexities of local government.
IEMO II is the second level of training offered through the League’s Institute for Elected Municipal Officials. Participation is reserved for municipal officials who have successfully completed the first-level IEMO course or have served one or more terms in office.
The intensive two-day program features classes and workshops covering a wide range of municipal government responsibilities, including advanced municipal finance, media relations, planning and land use, and other issues facing Florida’s cities and towns. Continue reading
Thank you to generous community sponsorship…
LADY LAKE — A beloved holiday tradition is making its return! The Town of Lady Lake is pleased to announce that the annual Christmas Parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 5, thanks to the generous support of PARALIFE Financial, which has stepped forward to fully sponsor the event.
The parade was previously canceled due to budget constraints and the significant costs associated with hosting the event, including public safety, staffing and road closures. However, an extraordinary show of community support has made it possible to bring the cherished tradition back this holiday season.
Greg Parady, CEO and founder of PARALIFE Financial, and Julie Harkins, president and managing partner, have generously committed to funding the entire parade. Representatives Alisha Helseth and Melissa Steele attended Monday’s Town Commission meeting to share the news. Continue reading
LADY
LAKE — The Lady Lake Library is preparing to deck the halls, and the community is invited to be part of the holiday magic! The fourth annual Festival of Trees returns this November, offering families, businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations and individuals an opportunity to showcase their creativity and spread holiday cheer.
The Festival of Trees transforms the library into a festive showcase of beautifully decorated Christmas trees, each reflecting the personality, creativity and holiday spirit of its sponsor. From traditional holiday themes to imaginative designs, the displays will be enjoyed by hundreds of library visitors throughout the season. Trees will be on display at the Lady Lake Library from Nov. 23, 2026, through Jan. 2, 2027.
“Festival of Trees has become a wonderful holiday tradition that brings our community together in such a creative and meaningful way,” said Library Director Aly Herman. “One of my favorite things is seeing how each tree tells a different story, whether it represents a local business, a family tradition or an organization that makes Lady Lake special. Our library is a gathering place for the community all year long, and this event makes it even more welcoming during the holidays. We can’t wait to see what everyone dreams up this year!” Continue reading
October’s Ambassador of the Month is Bonnie Sue Field. Bonnie has been an ambassador for a year. She enjoys visiting new members and connecting at events. Chamber Ambassadors are the heartbeat of our organization.
Property Taxes = 35%
Services = 25%
Impact Fees = 1%
Infrastructure Fees = 10% Continue reading
It was another busy week in Florida’s Third District, focused on building stronger communities, creating more opportunities, and making sure the voices of North Central Florida are heard in Washington.
From bringing together economic development leaders and visiting local manufacturers to spending time with Alzheimer’s advocates, I heard directly from the people working every day to move our communities forward. Those conversations about good-paying jobs, our skilled workforce, access to quality healthcare, and cutting bureaucratic red tape are shaping the work I’m taking back to Washington.
Every conversation is an opportunity to listen, learn, and turn the challenges facing our communities into real solutions. That’s what public service is all about, and I’m proud to keep fighting for a stronger future for North Central Florida!
As always, thank you for the trust you place in me to serve as your voice in Washington.
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Strengthening Economic Development Across North Central Florida
I brought together economic development leaders from 11 counties across Florida’s Third District at my Gainesville office to discuss opportunities to strengthen our local economies, attract new businesses, and support continued growth throughout North Central Florida. Continue reading
Ocala Fire Rescue Welcomes 12 Members to its Special Operations Team
(OCALA, FL.) Oct. 16, 2026 – Ocala Fire Rescue is proud to announce the induction of 12 fire service members into its Special Operations Team, a significant milestone under the 2026-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement, which took effect on October 1st, 2026.
With this expansion, the Special Operations Team has grown from 32 to 44 members. This strategic enhancement reflects our commitment to ensuring our community receives the highest level of emergency response capabilities and that we have a robust team ready to respond to critical incidents.
The Special Operations Team is composed of highly trained personnel who have dedicated at least four years to Ocala Fire Rescue. Members are specifically trained in technical rescue and hazardous materials identification and response. They undergo rigorous training that includes completing at least five specialized courses in areas such as Trench and Collapse Rescue, Vehicle and Machinery Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Confined Space Rescue, Rope Rescue, and Structural Collapse Operations, among others. Continue reading
I joined Florida Gateway College in Lake City to announce $3 million for workforce training, the largest federal grant in the college’s history!
This funding will help build a new Building Construction Technology Center, including a 4,800-square-foot construction lab, and launch new trade programs for students across our rural communities. These opportunities will help students learn a trade and prepare for good-paying jobs close to home. Team Kat proudly sent a letter of support backing FGC’s application.
Thank you to Dr. Barrett, Dr. McIntire, and the entire FGC team
When you purchase an item such as a loaf of bread, a shirt, an automobile or a service, you see the sales tax on your receipt. Most people think that that is the total tax your are paying but, unfortunately, that is far from the truth. What you don’t see on the receipt is the embedded taxes.
Hidden inside the price of everything you buy are the tax costs of every entity that had a hand in the production and distribution of that item. To stay in business, a business must recover their costs – including labor costs, cost of materials and taxes – through the prices they charge. It is estimated that 15%-30% of the retail price you pay for an item is due to these tax costs being passed on to you.
Goods and services involve a lot of labor with federal payroll taxes alone demonstrate the magnitude of taxes associated with labor. Social Security and Medicare taxes are 7.65% for the employee and 7.65% for the employer for a total of 15.3%. In addition to payroll taxes, corporate income tax affects consumer prices. Research by the National Bureau of Economic Research examining actual retail prices, found significant pass throughs and estimated half of the corporate tax incidence examined ultimately fell on the consumer. Continue reading
By TomL
How about “The AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD!” Republican / Democrats / Independents and those who don’t want to vote! All can join if they love America and are not out to destroy it!
Independent Americans would have to run it. Maybe the Supreme Court could over see it! An agency to vent the applications for membership?
How many candidates with foreign ties are standing against America and its constitution? Now we know there are a lot of people running for office that are United States Citizens and are up standing American but there are a few that do not pledge allegiance to our country and our constitution. Live here but don’t try destroy our country. Continue reading
