To Kathy Bryant; Chair – Marion County Commissioners
SUBJECT: Marion County Republican Executive Committee support of revised Transportation Impact Fees
On behalf of the Marion County Republican Executive Committee (MCREC), representing more than 130,000 registered Republican voters we support the revision of cost-equivalent transportation impact fees. As an organization we support free enterprise and on-going private equity investment in our County, however a key pillar of this support is “fair share cost liability” with respect to developers and most importantly to Marion County taxpayers.
To state obvious transportation impact fees have not risen for more than a decade, 2015 last revision, subsequent to the economic downturn beginning in 2009 and prior to the Covid impacts of +2019. As a prudent step in 2015 to entice resi-dential and non-residential development, the transportation impact fees set in 2015 were discounted significantly below the actual cost impacts to County residents; only 20% for residential and 11% for commercial developments of the ac-tual impact fee. Again, both below the needed impact fee cost projections. To date, given the ten-year increase in cost for roads, services, property taxes, etc., the current transportation impact fees applied represent an even greater dis-counted fee than in 2015. Continue reading
Pictured is Breakfast with the Mayor at the Cottage in on May 21. About 20 people attended.
Hello, everyon
e.
My name is Steve Hunt, and I have the honor of serving as Chief of the Lady Lake Police Department.
On behalf of LLPD, The Town of Lady Lake Mayor Freeman, the Town Commissioners, and Town Manager Lawrence, thank you all for being here today. It’s not every day that a department our size receives this kind of recognition, and I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t feel a little surreal. I stand here humbled and proud—not for myself, but for the incredible men and women I work alongside every single day.
This recognition from the FBI is a tremendous honor, and I want to sincerely thank them—not only for this acknowledgment, but for their continued partnership and support in pursuing justice.
But let’s be clear—the real story here is about teamwork, dedication, and doing the job the right way. We didn’t make this arrest to be in the spotlight. We did it because it was our duty—our responsibility—to protect this community. Continue reading
Lady Lake Business Luncheon. The Chamber had several events going on at once. Some 30 businesses were represented at the Business Luncheon held at the Glennview Country Club restaurant . There were plenty of Door Prizes given out. The Business Luncheons are held the third Thursday of every month. Check with the chamber for the location because they change once in a while.
Tap and glue scams leverage the convenience of tap-to-pay technology at ATMs, combined with a simple but effective trick involving glue. Scammers first disable the card insertion slot by pouring glue into it, forcing customers to use the tap function. While this may seem like an easy fix, it sets the stage for the scam.
Once a customer taps their card and withdraws cash, they often forget to log out of their account. This leaves the session open, allowing the scammer to step in and continue withdrawing funds. The scam relies on the victim’s unfamiliarity with tap-to-pay procedures, making it a lucrative tactic for fraudsters.
By TomL
They are defending the criminals illegal instead of protecting our legal citizens. They are allowing the taxpayers to suffer and they pay the illegal to stay in our country FREE. There is a delicate balance going on that most US citizens don’t understand. Our country can’t survive the illegal onslaught. Unless Trump pulls the rabbit out of the hat and makes the tariffs work, the United States and World will be in a bad place.
Half of the country is Trump hater’s and would rather we go down with the ship rather than to co-operate. Our politician’s must work together to survive. The world is on a collision course. Most of the countries want the power. A few understand they need to work together to stand up to the giants or super power. The problem is the way our country is run the other countries don’t know who is going to be President next term? They made a deal with Trump! He is timing out in three years ….Or is he!
Mean while the democrat’s are fighting to make a name as the front runner to run for President and they are breaking the law to do it. I think that is pretty stupid. If they set policy and half of the policy’s are in agreement with Trump, that is half the battle is started right. Not imposing men in women’s bathrooms, raising taxes on working families, or defending criminal illegals over American citizen. THEY HAVE LOST THEIR MINDS! Continue reading
This picture was taken by Tammy Griffin at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park while Nick Navetta and his wife Diana were honoring two of his Soldiers who were killed in action while serving in Iraq. Sergeant Rodney Alan Murray and Sergeant Arthur Stacey Mastrapa were killed on two separate incidents. Nick Navetta is listed as the Commander of the 317th Military Police Battalion. Nick expresses his deep condolences and prays for their families.
Nick and Diana have called Marion County their home for over 50 years. Their roots in Marion County are far reaching. Nick and his wife are part of many outreach programs they are proud to be a part of. They live by the same motto as one of the organizations they belong to, the Military Officer’s Association of America —“Never Stop Serving”. Colonel Navetta Nick served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm; Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia; multiple tours of Iraqi Freedom; and Enduring Freedom.
Nick has never stopped serving. On Veteran’s Day in 2009, Nick coordinated the SOCOM Parachute Team from MacDill Airforce Base to fly in and parachute into the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, landing in the middle of the crowd. They were men who worked under Nick at SOCOM. Enthusiastically Nick states, “That’s what these guys do. They’re that good!” His last duty position was the Training Division Chief for all Special Operations Worldwide at the United States Special Operations Command, or SOCOM for short. Continue reading
Pictured from left, Agent Gary Smith, Agent MacKenzie Sutton, Connie Ann Sivesind Pendleton.
What a team they won a number of award “the Million Dollar Plus sales award” “McKenzie won the #1 Top Co-Broker for the North Florida Division of the BBF” (Business Brokers of Florida).awards. Congratulations from TomL publishing!
Lady Lake Chamber Business Luncheon was a great success. Dozens of business people attended. The Mayor of Lady Lake came. The meeting went well, Plenty of Door prizes, Meeting new people sitting four to the table you get a chance to meet three new business people and learn more about their business. Of course Glenview Country Club served a great meal. My compliments to the Ladies at the Lady Lake Chamber and their volunteers for the great effort
Hi Governor DeSantis
I am Thomas N Loury owner and publisher of TomL Publisher of the Ocala DownTown (news) we have four digital newspapers. My apologies for not making the press conference in Ocala I have extreme authorities in my legs. I am 82 years old. I was full blown delivery and digital newspapers eight months ago but the COVID hurt me bad. I would like to get your email address so I can email you. I am currently running a half page in all four newspapers every month. I have been doing that for years. I live on a small farm outside of Ocala in Dunnellon Fl. I am your dedicated voter!
The problem that you were addressing about Seniors paying higher taxes was spot on but you forgot to mention a very important item. When Seniors get their mortgage a couple of years back it was smart for them to get a low rate of interest so they could survive their monthly payments. BUT when the value goes up and the taxes goes up the Insurance companies knock us in the head. A year ago the Insurance went up $100 per month and now this year it went up another $100 per month so now the senior is paying $200 per month on their loan payment, that is $2400 per year coming out of their retirement money. Some can’t afford the groceries they could buy two years ago. I understand you are trying to get rid of property taxes but what about these Insurance Companies? I think it is unfair to the Seniors, we are a stable economic force in this area but we are being drug down by County / State / Insurance Companies.
What say you? tloury@att.net
TomL
Thomas N Loury
352-804-1223
