Dear Friends,
We are finally beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. For the last three months, and three columns, COVID-19 issues have dominated our conversations. As this is being written, however, the State of Florida has begun it’s re-open plan and we are seeing good signs that we will be fully back on track soon.
Three months ago, No one could have accurately predicted where we would be at today with this virus. Some said it would last three weeks and once warmer weather came, it would be gone. Others said it would be years before we could safely leave our homes as we wait for a vaccine. Neither has turned out to be true. Three months ago, predictions for Florida were dire. Hundreds of thousands of cases, tens of thousands of death, hospitals failing, this was what we were being told would happen in a best-case scenario. None of that looks to be true. Statewide, hospital capacity never went above fifty percent and thousands of ventilators remained unused. Continue reading
The following is a review of just some of the ways the CEP is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic:
Get. Gather. Go.
The CEP ran a marketing campaign around the Paycheck Protection Program called Get. Gather. Go. We were seeking to GET our businesses informed on the program; encouraging them to GATHER the needed documents; and to GO apply. And apply they did! After the first round of funding, we determined that 1 in 8 Marion County businesses received a PPP loan. That compares extremely favorably to the state (1 in 25) and national (1 in 19) rates. All told, approximately 2800 businesses received nearly $300 million in funding in the first round.
The second round of funding is still live but antidotally it appears that most eligible businesses are finding success. We have been in regular communication with our lenders who have done a phenomenal job literally working around the clock to meet the needs of the local business community. We anticipate that when this round is finished, something approaching 25% of all local businesses (not just eligible businesses but all businesses) will have received a PPP loan. Continue reading
By TomL
They worry about China, Russia and other countries manipulating our elections! What about our food source, our water supply, our medical supplies, our power grid and manipulation of our oil supply.
I am hearing we have a shortage of Beef product for Wendy’s restaurant because at the slaughter house processing plants many employees tested positive to COVID-19 and there is a shortage of workers, so they closed the plants. The Smithfield meat processing plants supplies a large portion of USA meats. They are owned by a Chinese Holding Company.
Let me ask because no one else is. Why are so many employees sick and testing positive at the Smithfield meat processing facility? Is the meat OK? Why are we importing beef when we have plenty cattle of in this country? To Nikki Fried (Democrat) the head of Agriculture, don’t let any other country own our food sources or our processing source. Continue reading
Applebee’s 441 Villages
I dined inside. Pretty good size restaurant and maybe six tables were occupied. They brought my place setting on a plate: knife, fork, spoon and napkins. I was asked to take them off of the tray. Interesting they took my drink order, it came on a tray. I had coffee. You take your own coffee off the tray. They take your order when they serve you. They never touch anything you are using to eat or your food.
I had fish. It was good and plentiful, fries, coleslaw which was tasty. The fish looked deep fried which is not my choice of how I like fish but it was good, a little cocktail sauce and I had a nice lunch.
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I have been informed that Sweet Tomato is closing for good. They will be missed. Their food was good, healthy and moderately priced. They always took part in community events. Again I say they will be missed! Continue reading
Experience has taught us that the best thing to do before a hurricane is prepare so you can be confident during a storm that you’ve done everything you can to keep your family safe. Even though forecasting methods and tools are improving year after year, people are still at great risk if they are not prepared. As your Chief of Police, I want you to know that during a hurricane, you can depend on the men and women of the Lady Lake Police Department to be there to assist. Remember, preparation is important because as the storm begins to peak, emergency vehicles will not respond once maximum sustained winds reach 45 MPH.
As a local law enforcement agency, we work with our local, county, state, and federal partners to improve our response, cooperation and communication during hurricanes. Just as we at the police department plan for unexpected weather emergencies, there is plenty you can do to make yourselves, your families and your homes ready for hurricane season. Don’t wait for a storm to threaten. Continue reading
DCF has also made workforce adjustments and instituted a series of policy initiatives to simplify the application process to provide timely benefits to Florida Families
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced the extension of good cause for the month of May and the submission of a federal waiver, to assist Floridians participating in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) during the current public health emergency. Following initial approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP recipients’ maximum monthly allotment (based on household size) will be increased for the month of May. Once approved, current SNAP recipients will receive this additional benefit amount automatically.
“With nearly three million Floridians participating in SNAP alone, I’m confident that these policy initiatives are in our state’s best interest – they will help us safely and gradually re-establish normalcy and ultimately allow families to thrive post-COVID-19,” said Governor DeSantis. “These timely and proactive efforts taken by DCF helps ensure the good people of Florida have access to the support and resources they need.” Continue reading
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that, beginning May 4 2020 Florida State Parks will re-open access to trails, and some day use areas, including some beach access with limited facilities. Visitors will be asked to practice proper social distancing and to limit group size to 10 or less and to stay six feet apart.
“I applaud the Re-Open Florida Task Force on their hard work to inform a safe, smart and step-by-step approach to re-opening Florida,” said Governor DeSantis. “Recreational activity provides important physical and mental health benefits, particularly during these uncertain times. This Phase One plan will allow for the thoughtful, measured re-opening of some of our state’s incredible natural resources for public recreation.”
“Florida State Parks and Resilience and Coastal Protection managed areas offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein. “We are excited to be welcoming visitors back and appreciate the cooperation of the public as we implement measures that will allow access while protecting both our staff and the public we serve.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is asking Congress to modify the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act as Florida and other states seek to hold China accountable for its role in the COVID-19 pandemic. Attorney General Moody today sent a letter to leaders in Congress requesting that the FSIA be amended to increase opportunities to seek damages from China, when appropriate, for public health and economic harm.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “China must be held accountable, but our current legal framework presents challenges. Modest changes to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act would clarify and support actions against China, if necessary, to seek damages from the devastation from COVID-19.”
The letter Attorney General Moody sent to congressional leaders Thursday states, “Any proposed legislation should be measured to have a limited impact on our diplomatic relations around the world… Such limitations achieve an appropriate balance between the need to provide a forum to hold bad actors accountable and the federal government’s interest in having a coherent foreign policy. I respectfully ask that you consider such legislation to address the grievous harm inflicted on our states.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—This week marks two months since Attorney General Ashley Moody activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline in response to the COVID-19 emergency declaration. During that time, Attorney General Moody’s Office has secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in refunds, worked with online platforms to deactivate nearly 200 posts offering items for outrageous prices and ensured information important to price gouging investigations is preserved.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “My office is dedicated to protecting consumers and that is exactly what we are doing during this COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout this crisis, we have been working diligently to secure refunds, deactivate outrageous online posts and collect information crucial to our price gouging investigations.
“A key part of our success is the thousands of tips flooding into our Price Gouging Hotline from Florida and beyond. And as we slowly start to reopen, I want to remind Floridians to remain vigilant. Don’t let your guard down. We are more successful when we work together, so please keep sending us price gouging tips and we will continue to do our part to protect consumers.” Continue reading
The Sweet Tomatoes restaurant is one of 97 have shut down! The Sweet Tomatoes had buffet style eatery and could not do the curbside service. The reason they gave was the COVID-19 shut down.
Another victim of the COVID-19 Virus is the legendary Katie Belle in the Villages. Management says it will not reopen.
Both were quality restaurants that will be missed.
