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.

OFR Engines 1, 3 and 5, Rescues 1 and 4, Tower 1, Battalion Chief 11, and a Safety Officer were dispatched to the call. Engine 5 arrived on scene within three minutes to find a working structure fire and a burn victim outside the home. The patient advised that a second person was trapped inside.

While Rescue 1 worked with Marion County Fire Rescue in preparing the burn victim for transport, Rescue 4 and Engine 5 crews began fire operations with a search for the victim inside. As crews made their way to the rear of the structure the second patient was located. Unfortunately, the second patient had succumbed to injuries sustained.

The fire was under control within twelve minutes. The burn victim was transported as a trauma alert to UF Health Shands Hospital.

The cause of the fire is unknown. The State Fire Marshal’s office will be leading the investigation.

The Ocala Police Department and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded.

Sandra Wilson, Interim City Manager for the City of Ocala, presented information on City Council’s eleven strategic initiatives ranging from addressing the impacts of drug abuse and the homeless issue to being proactive on infrastructure, to name a few.  She also shared how the City has used the penny sales tax to fund public safety needs and roadway improvements throughout the City.

Connie Ann Pendleton of Ocala Business Brokers is the outgoing President of the Ocala Business Leaders 2019. She is an accomplished business person in selling businesses to investors / entrepreneurs. She knows her way around the business world and is well liked. She brought humor and structure to the Ocala Business Leaders. Although she will still be part of the club her leadership will be missed. Following her is the new President, Patrick Dolder of Pals Ocala Auto Repair. You will hear more about him when the new year starts. In January, Patrick will be sworn in.