To the Editor:
“As to the parking spaces for golf carts, they could have the spots at the far end of the parking lot. The near spots should be for handicapped or veterans. It doesn’t make sense that the people who are athletic enough to play golf cannot walk to the store. If they cannot walk, they are handicapped. It is not the elitism I object to so much as the lack of consideration for others less fortunate.” – Karen Reade, Ocala
“The person complaining of inadequate handicap parking and too many golf cart parking spots indicated that her father was 94 and a World War II Veteran. Impossible! If her father is 94 , he would have been born around 1931 and would have been only 15 at conclusion of World War II. She does have a point about too many golf cart spaces and a lack of handicap spaces!” – John Wooton, Key West
“There’s too many golf cart spots at Summerfield Walmart, closer than handicapped spots. Why are they allowed to drive all over the area with no tags, no insurance, and no seatbelt? And they drive like it’s a go-kart, cutting people off. No respect! Why are they allowed to drive everywhere and even cross U.S. 441. It’s really annoying and not fair.” – Elmer Mcduggle, Summerfield
“What does it matter if someone has driven a golf cart instead of a car? It takes up less space, as well as assuring that people with lesser mobility have closer parking. It’s called being nice, an ability a lot of people have forgotten in this me, me, me world. You’re the same person who hugs the bumper of the person in front of you in traffic so nobody can get in front of you. You beep your horn at people when they dont react to a green light in .0005 seconds. Add more golf cart and handicap parking. People who are able should walk the extra distance. It won’t kill you!” – Tony Barbour, Leesburg
“In The Villages, most have golf carts. They should accommodate them, and leave cars at home. And make sure they have disabled parking area. I wish more areas accepted golf carts. Cheaper to drive.” – Pamela Huseman, Davenport
“There seems to be a clear discrepancy in parking privileges at the Publix located at Canopy Oaks at State Road 200 in Ocala. However, acting un-civil and unintelligible of the ongoing issue with negative remarks as well as behavior, like rolling over, is not the correct approach. Obviously, there is a problem. Publix supermarket apparently does not have a process or policy for addressing the situation. Nevertheless, we must take under consideration, the growth of the community, and the intent with which public supermarket offered golf cart parking to residents of On Top of the World. One of the drawing factors of living in a retired community like OTOW was the ability of being able to reach your supermarket with a golf cart rather than the consumption of timing and gasoline to go to a supermarket. That remains a fact at On Top of the World. In addition, being that it’s a senior retired community, handicap is also a must have in this situation. We must also consider that this Publix supermarket, when compared to others, that are more developed and modern, lacks the vision to accommodate a growing community. Taking all this under consideration, major renovations are required to take place in order to accommodate the growing demand for the services that this supermarket offers. Or, consideration for a new location should be taken as a high priority to accommodate the services that the community demands. In the meantime, what we can do, is to be civil and considerate of others, especially preferential parking for those who want to use their golf carts, and those that use handicap, as well as do your shopping according to low traffic consumer hours so that you can get the parking of your preference. We are retired, we have time to accommodate our daily schedules accordingly.” – Eddie Ortiz, Ocala
“There should be a few more handicap parking spaces added. The golf cart parking should be for the golf carts only. Not the inconsiderate people who think rules don’t apply to them. The golf carts should park right by their doors so they have a difficult time getting back in their vehicles. I got to watch this one day, right in front of my car (in handicap space) and got a good laugh out of it, of course the nasty woman had to get in on the passenger side and didn’t appreciate me laughing about it. It was designed with golf cart parking for a reason. If you don’t like it, you can go to the newer Publix on 90th as they don’t have golf cart parking and fewer handicap spaces. Please go elsewhere.” – Mike Williams, Ocala
“One day, one day I’m going to get very annoyed when I need a parking space and there’s a damn golf cart where it shouldn’t be. I find a lot of golf carts parked in handicap with no handicap hanger. I am just itching the one day that I’m going to take one and tip one over on its side I think these golf cart drivers are abusing the parking lot system and keeping people who need the handicap spots where there’s handicapped with handicap citizens that need the spot as I said there’s going to be a day at a golf carts going to be in my way and I’m going to take one and tip it over on its side and leave a note saying thank you for parking in my space when I need it and you don’t have a handicap hanger for your golf cart most of them think that they’re all privileged to park wherever they want because they’re driving a golf cart they’re filthy Rich they own a big mansion they have a big bank account and they don’t give or care about anybody else but themselves as a part wherever they feel like it as I said I’m waiting for one to get in my way plus I’m going to tip one over on its side and see how they like it.” John W. Harris, Wildwood