(OCALA, Fla.) Feb. 13, 2020 – Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) donated a firefighting apparatus to a volunteer fire department in the Bahamas during a quaint ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 13.

After the destruction of most of their fire rescue equipment during Hurricane Dorian, the Marsh Harbour Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department (MHVFRD) in Central Abaco, Bahamas, was left with a dire need for everything from apparatus to bunker gear. Learning about their needs, OFR began an exhaustive search for potential equipment donations. The search led to a 1992 Titan Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) truck, which had been retired from OFR’s fleet in 2018.

Today, among a group of representatives from both fire departments, as well as city officials, the keys and title were presented to Marsh Harbour Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department. Equipped with separate tanks capable of holding copious amounts of water and extinguishing agent, the ARFF truck, which had been decommissioned in 2018, was a perfect fit for Marsh Harbour’s needs.

The donation of the ARFF truck will allow the MHVFRD to service areas, including Marsh Harbour International Airport, Treasure Cay International Airport, the North Abaco Port, and Port of Marsh Harbour. Additionally, the ARFF truck will aid with coverage of six area fire stations and the ability to fight fuel fires.

Ken Boggs from First Federal Bank spoke at the OBL breakfast. The Bank headquarters are in Lake City Florida. They have banks all over the country concentrated along the I-10 and I-75 corridors. They offer many services.

Kent Poimboeuf was the designated speaker at the Ocala Business Leaders breakfast last month. He was explaining how to update your OBL website so the marketing tools work, how to use the website, how to use the mobile directory and how to advertise in the OBL Directory. This was all video available on Ocala Business Leaders Facebook. Kent also talked about advertising on Ocala4sale.com. Kent has been a long time valuable member of OBL. See OBL pictures on page 10.

 Many years ago David Liner started the Ocala Business Leaders. There is a core group that has been in the club for many years. What draws them to meeting for years? Friends / Business Associates that will help at the drop of a hat. David has been the leader in bringing new businesses in to the club and leads in the honor of best net worker!

The Marion County Genealogical Society will meet Thursday, February 20, 2020 from 2pm – 4pm at the Marion County Public Library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL. Annette Burke Lytle will give a live presentation on the topic “Find Your Family History in Free Online Newspapers”.  For further information, visit www.mcgsocala.org or contact Joel Swanson at (352) 897-0840.

Congratulation Carissa Sawyer of Fox Fire Realty for agreeing to be Vice President of the Select Business Associates of Ocala. They are a Wednesday lunch group that meets at Mojos at Ocala location Hwy 200.

Congratulation Felecia Judge of Columbia Bank! Felecia has taken over as president of the Select Business Associates of Ocala. They are a Wednesday lunch group that meets at Mojos at Ocala, location Hwy 200.

Post Date:01/14/2020 10:15 AM

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 14, 2020) – The City of Ocala will host a retirement celebration for Councilwoman Mary Sue Rich Friday, Jan. 31, 6 p.m. at the Hilton Ocala. Rich was a council member for District 2 since November 1995 and served the community for over two decades. She officially retired in December 2019.

The community is welcome to attend, and tickets are available to purchase through Eventbrite. All proceeds will go to the Mary Sue Rich Scholarship Fund at the College of Central Florida to help future generations become leaders within our community. For anyone unable to attend the dinner, donations can be made to the scholarship fund through the same ticketing service. Reception tickets are $15 per person. Semi-formal attire is requested.

As an Ocala native, Mary Sue Rich has seen the city grow and change throughout the years, and her involvement in helping others has always been a primary goal in her personal and professional life. She has been a driving force behind the Racial Harmony Task Force, which sponsors One Ocala/One America, a weeklong celebration that highlights the diversity within the city of Ocala. Each year during the annual UNITY breakfast, the Mary Sue Rich Diversity Award is given out to those who have distinguished themselves by promoting racial harmony or cultural awareness in the community. It encompasses the values that Mrs. Rich preaches in her everyday life. Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2020) – City of Ocala business offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. There will be no residential collection for sanitation, yard waste or recycling routes Monday, Jan. 20.

Residential sanitation collection regularly scheduled for Monday, Jan. 20 through Thursday, Jan. 23 will experience a one-day delay and will be collected Tuesday, Jan. 21 through Friday, Jan. 24.

Waste Pro recycling collection for City of Ocala residents regularly scheduled for Monday, Jan. 20 through Thursday, Jan. 23 will experience a one-day delay and will be collected Tuesday, Jan. 21 through Friday, Jan. 24.

For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Residential Sanitation Department at 352-351-6697.