Hi Governor DeSantis
Hi Bailey A Smith
I have four monthly newspapers and run a lot of your press releases. My papers are distributed in the Villages and in Ocala.
I also live in Dunnellon Florida, the residence have been informed that the turnpike extension is coming through the area most likely along the Rainbow River, one of Florida’s last natural resources. People are really upset and are losing sleep wondering if the extension will destroy their farm or their land (investment), I’m one of them. The Sabal Trail Gasline has already intruded through my small farm. From what I understand there is another route that is also being studied in Citrus County which would take it away from the Rainbow River, the Withalacochee, the Barge Canal that connects to the gulf, The Blue Run and the Backwaters (Lake Rousseau). There is another choice that I have not heard anyone discussing, here it is.
Extend Turnpike to I-75 & widen, to HWY 27 clover leaf widen at HWY 27 west that would give the World Equestrian Center a very large Horse complex in Ocala a route from the west and from the east, HWY 27 west to HWY 19 widen that to the Georgia state line. I think sending the traffic to Georgia by way of HWY 19 north, Georgia was already the plan 15 years ago for the traffic when the last Turnpike extension was tried. The World Equestrian Center is one of the biggest things to ever happen in Ocala. Thousands of Horse people and visitors are visiting WEC and using this route above would help you and them for normal traffic and more important an emergency evac route out of the state.
Better yet Florida already owns the land, Florida already have road access just build extra lanes. I also don’t think we need Turnpike Authorities / Turnpike Enterprises. Extra management money extra retirement money when the Florida DOT can handle it. CUT THE FAT!
Your humble servent.
TomL
