‘A Pivotal Time For Our Organization’
By Tamara Fleischhaker
It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as Interim CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership. As I step into this role at a pivotal time for our organization and the region we serve, I am reminded of the enduring values that have guided the CEP’s work for over a decade: bold vision, collaborative spirit, and an unwavering commitment to being the catalyst for a prosperous community.
Right now, it’s not about starting over—it’s about staying focused on what’s working. Our mission, our momentum, and the strong partnerships we’ve built have all played a key role in moving us forward. Staying on track means sticking with the priorities that have helped make the Ocala Metro one of the most vibrant communities in Florida and beyond. It also means continuing to invest in the relationships that truly make a difference—whether with small businesses, major employers, local governments, schools, or community groups. These connections aren’t just part of our progress—they’re at the heart of it. Continue reading
May 18–24, 2025
Theme: “People, Purpose, Presence”
The Town of Lady Lake proudly recognizes the incredible efforts of our Public Works team during National Public Works Week!
At the May 19 Town Commission meeting, Mayor Ed Freeman presented an official proclamation to honor the dedicated Public Works professionals who keep our community running smoothly—from maintaining roads and facilities to ensuring clean water and reliable infrastructure.
These behind-the-scenes heroes are essential to our health, safety, and quality of life. Their work touches every part of our daily lives, and this week we say THANK YOU!
Join us in celebrating the purpose, presence, and people of Public Works who make Lady Lake a better place to live!
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
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