In response to recent Letters to the Editor that discussed growth in Ocala/Marion County, a few county residents wrote in and shared their thoughts and concerns on the topic:
“We have only lived here for just under four years and still love it. Growth in that little bit of time is clearly obvious. What is concerning, though, is the concentration on State Road 200. We go there as little as possible and are forever thankful that we didn’t buy in a community heavily dependent on that road which is rapidly becoming one of the world’s longest parking lots at rush hour. Just try to find a break in traffic to re-enter that road from a side business if there is no traffic light. At the same time, growth along other roads like State Road 40 is relatively slow. Spreading the wealth would disperse traffic and provide services for people closer to home and ease the burden on State Road 200, making its use more pleasant,” says Ocala resident Pank Defendorf.
“In order to grow, one has to decide what one is willing to destroy in order to get that fancy restaurant or whatever. One can always drive to Orlando to enjoy those things as Orlando went from a sleepy small town to the overpopulated, traffic ridden, overbuilt place it is now,” says Jackie White, Reddick resident.
“Good grief, really? This is a retirement city. You young people want action? Do what the rest of us do and drive to places like Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, etc. Transportation on the southwest side of Ocala? Oh no. We have enough traffic including school buses, rigs, dump trucks. No, we do not need a transportation system on this side. Coming from New York, I was well aware that I would have to drive everywhere, which is great because I do not have to be on a crowded train or bus smelling odors from others. We have plenty of restaurants and businesses already. If you disagree, then you may want to consider relocation and leave the horse capital of the world alone,” says Ocala resident Marta Varnell.
Would you like to share your thoughts with us? Share them in a comment or by writing a Letter to the Editor.