Letters to the Editor

"Listen up people, we do not want noisy airplanes flying over our homes at all times. We have that already with choppers and small planes, we do not need any more. So before you move to Ocala or anywhere, check the place out first," says Ocala resident Marta Varnell in a Letter to the Editor.

"I spent a whole night in Marion County Jail, and in the best words I can describe it: that was the worst experience of my life. I was booked in and the front staff was pretty nice, but unfortunately the guards there were very unprofessional and controlling. The food was sickening and the most smelly, disgusting thing I’ve ever seen in my life," says Ocala Resident Sequoia Robinson in a Letter to the Editor.

"I wholeheartedly agree that it will be beneficial to have a train service in Ocala again. There are a lot of people I know that would love this opportunity to be able to go south and enjoy a day or two without them having to worry about the drive. Marion County is growing rapidly and we need more means of transportation here," says Ocala resident Vicki Briggs in a Letter to the Editor.

"It was convenient to use Amtrak to go to south Florida or anyplace else. Ocala has a beautiful airport but there is no commercial airline service for people to use. I truly believe that if Ocala was able to resume Amtrak service, folks would use it," says Martin Marszalek of Gainesville in a Letter to the Editor.

"I witnessed everything from sexual assault by guards on inmates, to allowing someone to almost overdose. I was not allowed a call. I was not told in court what I'd even been arrested for. I was told I was guilty of something and given a public defender," says Ocala resident Erin Hollfield in a Letter to the Editor.

"Since the jail is privately owned, they more or less make their own rules, not like state prisons that have the same rules for every facility. I honestly recommend that a week-long, unannounced surprise inspection and review of activities of daily living be done and checked. This is the United States and prisoners have rights. Rights that are clearly being violated every day," says Gainesville resident Martin Marszalek in a Letter to the Editor.

"Perhaps people that want [a passenger train] should move to one of the cities that have this service. We do not need it. Stop trying to turn Ocala into another New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc," Ocala resident Marta Varnell says in a Letter to the Editor.

"Why can’t Ocala start a passenger train like Orlando? I would love to hop on a train to Tampa, Saint Augustine or Orlando. Think of the tourism it would bring to Ocala as well" - Ocala resident Heidi Caron shares her opinion. Share your opinions in a letter to the editor at https://www.ocala-news.com/submit-a-letter-to-the-editor/

"I love police but the elected officials stop them from doing their jobs. I served on city council, I served as director of public safety. The city's online reporting is a disgrace to the taxpayers of this city. Let the police do their jobs." - Ocala resident Aaron Hendricks shares his experience regarding his stolen credit cards. Share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

"I’m a 19-month COVID-19 'long-hauler'. When I got COVID in March 2020, not much was known and there was no vaccine. Now, over 700,000 Americans have died and nearly 37% of COVID victims are long-haulers with damage just like me, but there is now a vaccine. Those like me are now immunocompromised, which means that although we are vaccinated, we could die if we get a breakthrough case. We need post-COVID clinics here in Ocala," says Nancy Carp, Ocala resident in a Letter to the Editor.

"A man shoots and kills his neighbor because his cat walked on the killer's property. Not to mention he would walk around the neighborhood brandishing a firearm and threatening other people about their pets. Why couldn't anyone pick up the phone and contact the police about this? Then there is the lady that threatened an Ocala Police Department officer. These people need psychological help," says Anthony resident Lauren Scott in a Letter to the Editor. Share your opinions in a letter to the editor at www.ocala-news.com/submit-editor-letters

"Marion County Child Protective Services removed my child out of my home on April 16, 2021. They will not give my child back. I am a mother of six children and only one was taken away. I have no police record, I am not a drug addict, and I give back to my community by volunteering with Interfaith in Reddick. The Department of Children and Families is keeping my family apart," says Marion County resident Lisa Cleare in a Letter to the Editor.

"I remember every day and every symptom. It was like giving birth, something you never forget. I want to feel like I did prior to COVID, but in some respects I know this is the new me. It would be great to have a group of listeners to share the stories so we all don’t think we are crazy," says Ocala resident Francis Benson in a Letter to the Editor. Share your letters and experiences with us.

"I have only been in Ocala for two years and I can say it's boring. Where is the attraction besides being the great horse capitol of the world? This is Florida and we need an actual real water park like Sun Splash in Cape Coral or a small Aquatica, not a small splash pad with a rinky-dink slide" - Ocala resident Josh Swartz shares his thoughts in a letter to the editor.

"I had Covid this year around the second week of July. We are now in October and I have been to two hospitals with signs of a heart attack and vertigo. They have run tests and they come back negative, showing that there is nothing wrong with me. The doctors look at me and I feel they are not taking me serious." Ocala resident Nedya Torres shares her thoughts on dealing with lingering effects from COVID-19 months after testing positive.

"Past President Trump and his entourage flew into Ocala International Airport on the presidential jet to give a speech in Ocala. It seems not only possible, but Ocala airport is large enough" - Kathy Tetzlaff of Ocala and dozens of other Marion County residents wrote in and shared a variety of opinions on commercial flights to Ocala International Airport.

"I'm older and Ocala is pretty boring, so it's not just younger people that get bored, because there is nothing to do in Ocala. I lived in Saint Petersburg, Florida for a long time. Guess what: It can get boring there too. No matter where you live, it all gets played out sooner or later."- resident John Johnson writes in to share his thoughts in a letter to the editor. Share your letters and comments with us.

"Driving to Gainesville Airport or Sanford Airport is a ridiculous waste of time and expense. The Ocala International Airport expansions over the last few years have made it worth it. The financial benefits would make it more than worth it to the residents and community" - Robert Faeges and other residents wrote in to share their thoughts about commercial flights in and out of Marion County.