To the Editor:
I wrote to all my county commissioners and city council members about the terrible traffic and growth in Ocala on February 6, 2026. I asked each why there is not a building moratorium until roads, other infrastructure and schools catch up to the current population and if they see Marion County headed in a positive direction.
I got crickets. No one responded to my letters. Here is the text of my letter to them:
I just sat through 4 of the same traffic signal this afternoon at SW 42 St flyover at the new light that was recently installed before you reach 200. Worse than that, trying to cross SR 200 to get to my home near Fore Ranch on SW 40th St. took me 20 minutes! I was less than a mile from my home but I could not get there! The light at SR 200 was just as bad and took three light cycles to get across 200. This is not acceptable! And this happens every time I go somewhere and it doesn’t matter what time I go. Housing developments, apartment complexes, townhomes and condos are out of control and I blame you, the entire county commission and the City of Ocala city council for your lack of vision! Why hasn’t there been a housing construction moratorium on ALL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION IN MARION COUNTY UNTIL ALL ROADS, OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE AND SCHOOLS HAVE CAUGHT UP TO HANDLING THE CURRENT POPULATION! I know some of you are supported through campaign contributions from land and housing developers as well as local builders. Don’t forget you represent all of us in Marion county not just the rich contributors to your campaigns! We will remember at election time but where are you all in this? Do you think Marion county is headed in a positive direction? I don’t and most of the people who have to navigate roads that can no longer get through existing traffic don’t know where we are headed either. Something must be done and I and your constituents of the county will be watching.” I wonder if they care what you and I think? They should but if only a few write them they must feel like they are doing a great job even if that is not true. If you are as aggravated by the growth and traffic in Ocala and Marion County, please consider writing to them. Their email as addresses are on line and they need to hear from all of us! There are things that they can do to tamper the growth but will they? Let’s make them answer our questions and if they don’t let’s vote them out!
Shari Spaeth
Ocala