By TomL
When I look at Columbia and tariffs I see coffee export and the farm / Marijuana by farmers & cartels. A very large portion of the Columbian money comes from drug farming. How do you put a tariff on drugs?
Colombia (COL) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners
The Observatory of Economic Complexity
The top exports of Colombia are Crude Petroleum ($16.1B), Coal Briquettes ($12.9B), Coffee ($4.15B), Refined Petroleum ($2.64B), and Gold ($2.59B)
United States · China · Flag Brazil / Colombia Flag · Germany
Colombia exports a variety of products, including crude petroleum, coal, coffee, gold, and other minerals, as well as agricultural products (drugs), food, and manufactured goods
Mineral oils, and thermal coal, reaching an export value of 12.4 billion U.S. dollars and 7.65 billion dollars, respectively. Unroasted and not decaffeinated coffee was Colombia’s fourth most exported product, with roughly 2.8 billion U.S. dollars’ worth of exports.
Most exported products from Colombia in 2023 Continue reading
Ocala Metro Chamber of Commerce: Congratulations to the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County, Florida on the grand unveiling of the COX Innovation Labs at the Dr. H.L. Harrell Youth Center! Thanks to a generous grant from Cox Communications and the James M. Cox Foundation, this incredible new space is set to inspire and empower the next generation of creators, thinkers, and innovators. Photo credit: Ocala Metro CEP Communications Team
By TomL
California has never taken responsibly for any of their disasters. Florida has a maintenance program with their forest. In the town where I live the State Park burns the underbrush to prevent a forest fire. They have crews especially trained for that. They watch it close and burn anything under the trees so there is no foliage. It help growth of the tree’s and prevent out of control wild fire. That is half the battle. Why can’t California do that? Why did they not plan for the dry season. Why was the reservoir dry, why did they not have water brought down from the north. It is probably to save a minnow or a frog or a bug something that might go extinct. They have been bailed out to many times. Instead they let whole town get wipe out, people died, animals died and the fat cat politicians say it’s not my fault. YES IT IS! They say ”We need a bail out!” Now California heads are asking what happened to the water? They know what happened they are just trying to save their butt! The people at the top should be charged with neglect.
State Affairs:
by Briggitte Smith
Chairman, Marion County Republican Executive Committee
The Marion County Republican Executive Committee Legislative Affairs committee traveled to Tallahassee for the special session. We have been sending prior emails regarding the immigration legislation, but below is a new rule to vehicle registration that we learned about during our trip.
New Rule 15C-1.015, FAC – Vehicle Registration Information, rule was established to define a “valid passport” when filing an application to register a motor vehicle; when filing an application for vehicle registration, an individual applicant must provide a valid driver license or identification card issued by this state or another state or a valid passport. For purposes of s. 320.02(2)(a), Florida Statutes, new Rule 15C-1.015, FAC, defines a “valid passport” as: (1) An unexpired passport or passport card issued by the United States government; or (2) An unexpired passport issued by the government of another country with: (a) A stamp or mark affixed by the United States Department of Homeland Security onto the passport to evidence and authorize lawful presence in the United States; or (b) An unexpired I-94, or current permanent resident card, or unexpired immigrant visa, issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security. Continue reading
I had a number of things going on at once. I received several fraudulent attempts on the internet, then I turned them in and my computer got hacked. I click on something and the computer started DONG DONG a siren I think and a voice saying don’t turn your computer off. I push the button on the side of the mac which stopped everything. The silence was deafening, then I let the computer boot back up and the was no email response. My password was breached, I was sent help emails to click on I did not do that. I got really discourage. Turned the computer off and unplugged it. I thought about it all night. Next morning I tried to create a new password and at about 25 or more attempts I made some head way. My computer and email is back. That was Saturday AM
Sunday AM I get a text from the bank that I have my credit card with and it said we think there was fraudulent attempts to use my card. Sure enough there 5 fraudulent attempts. I called the bank it shut down my card and went over the charges with the bank and I said yes or no to the charges. All done over the phone. They said I would get a new card in two business days. They will investigate the fraud. The bank said I won’t lose any money, it might take a little time. My card came in two business days. One week later they said all my money was put back in my account and will report later with information about the hack or breach.
What do you think? Do you think someone is after me? I’ll bet there is, I have been filing complaints and questioning fraudulent people. One of them is doing this and I hope they catch them. I’ll file charges against them.
(Ensuring Government Efficiency)
WHEREAS, state and local governments should be efficient, effective, transparent, and responsive and should be held accountable for achieving these goals; and
WHEREAS, fiscal accountability is necessary to ensure good government and to minimize financial burdens on the taxpayer; and
WHEREAS, all levels of government should continue to work to eliminate unnecessary and inappropriate spending; and
WHEREAS, the State of Florida has a strong record of responsible fiscal management and stewardship; and
WHEREAS, in addition to balancing the budget each year, my Administration has consistently strived toward streamlining government; and
WHEREAS, for example, the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 “Focus on Florida’s Future” Budget saved Florida taxpayers $3.5 billion; and
WHEREAS, Florida has paid down 41% of the State’s total historic tax-supported debt since 2019; and
WHEREAS, Florida’s debt per capita is estimated to have decreased by 54% from $1,457 in Fiscal Year 2010-2011 to $664 in Fiscal Year 2023-2024; and Continue reading
Over 150 years ago our fore fathers brought fourth unto this land a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men and women are created equal. Now we are involved in a Civil war. The popular party of common sense and the failed party that has run our country into deep deep debt! Stealing, buying things we should not. Buying favors, doing favors for money. all over the world. Some did not steal! Spending money to develop Viruses that could kill the masses in our country and it did. I think the intent was to develop the virus then develop the cure. Instead it killed the masses. The Government administration was giving and receiving large amount of money for special groups; projects in one state and nothing for others. Everything you can imagine has gone on and at the same time breaking the law and using our IRS and other government agencies to punish any resistance. Continue reading
LADY LAKE — In celebration of National Arbor Day on April 25, the Town of Lady Lake is announcing its annual Tree Raffle, reinforcing its commitment to conservation and community beautification.
This year, the Town Commission doubled the award to $10,000, allowing 50 residents to win $200 in gift certificates to Fairfield Farms Nurseries in Oxford, where they may choose from a variety of trees and plants. Winners must arrange for pickup and planting
How to Enter:
Open to Lady Lake residents only (addresses will be verified).
One entry per household (previous winners from the last two years are not eligible).
Submit raffle tickets to the Town Clerk’s Office at 409 Fennell Blvd. no later than 6
p.m. on April 14, 2025.
The drawing will take place on April 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall
Commission Chambers (409 Fennell Blvd., Lady Lake). Winners will be notified and do not
need to be present.
Entry forms can be found online at www.ladylakefl.gov and at Town Hall.
For the 20th consecutive year, Lady Lake has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, highlighting its dedication to urban forestry, tree preservation, and responsible development. The Town’s tree bank, funded by developer contributions, supports initiatives like the annual tree raffle to ensure a greener future for Lady Lake.
“Being named a Tree City USA for 20 years solidifies our ongoing commitment to protecting our environment,” said Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske. “This raffle is a wonderful way to engage residents in beautification efforts.”
Elisha Pappacoda
OCALA, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the groundbreaking of over 31 miles of new auxiliary lanes to be added to I-75, from State Road 44 in Wildwood to State Road 326 in Ocala. This latest Moving Florida Forward project has been fully funded and is beginning 10-15 years ahead of schedule.
“We launched Moving Florida Forward in 2023 to accelerate road projects with an emphasis on alleviating traffic. We are accelerating this I-75 project near Ocala because residents and visitors alike need relief from the congestion,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This project was not slated to begin for another 10-15 years, but thanks to our program, construction is now underway.”
“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, congestion relief along I-75 will be delivered 10-15 years ahead of schedule,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “With nearly 114,000 vehicles driving the corridor daily, these improvements will make traveling easier and bring a $2.3 billion economic impact to the region.” Continue reading
LADY LAKE — The Town of Lady Lake will host its first-ever Adult Easter Scavenger Hunt, “An Eggstraordinary Adventure,” on Saturday, April 12. The event will feature a competitive hunt across multiple locations, with participants collecting eggs and competing for high value prizes.
Tickets are $10 per person, and at least one team member must be over 18 years old. A valid driver’s license is required to participate. The deadline to purchase tickets is April 4 at either Lady Lake Town Hall or the Lady Lake Library.
The scavenger hunt will begin at 9 a.m. at Snooky Park, located at 120 W. Lady Lake Blvd. Teams of two will follow a series of clues leading them to several different locations within town where they will collect eggs containing small prizes. Each business along the route will also have one golden egg, which will qualify teams for top-tier prizes.
Prizes include a 75-inch television, a Bose speaker, a Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headset, a drone with a camera, a Kodak Printomatic camera, and gift cards valued at up to $200. Participants must return to Snooky Park by 12:15 p.m., with a prize ceremony scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Teams that find a golden egg will receive a top prize, while all remaining participants will be entered into a drawing for a $250 gift card.
“This is a unique opportunity for the community to come together and experience an Easter event designed specifically for adults,” said Amy Alicea, events coordinator for the Town of Lady Lake. “We are excited to host this event for the first time and look forward to seeing teams compete for great prizes while exploring the town.”
The Town’s annual family Easter Eggstravanganza will take place at Snooky Park on the same date, April 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This beloved community event is expected to draw approximately 1,500 children for a fun-filled day of hunting eggs, games, prizes, food trucks, music, and Easter cheer.
Please note that there is no rain date scheduled. For more information on either event, text “LLEaster25” to 38276 or call 352-205-2826.
