Letters to the Editor submitted by local residents of Ocala and surrounding areas. Submissions from users of Ocala-News.com to express their opinions on topical issues and events in Ocala, Marion County, and surrounding areas.
"Since last fall I've noticed an increasing amount of "potholes" in the pavement in the area. Who, if anybody, is making repairs to our roadways. I've yet to see any crews out there making repairs. The roadways around here are starting to look like Chicago's streets, and that's bad!" - An Ocala resident shares his thoughts.
"Did legalizing alcohol consumption result in Americans becoming better people and making our United States a better place to live? Will legalizing recreational marijuana result in Americans becoming better people and making our United States a better place to live?" - An Ocala resident shares his opinion.
"Communities are not static. They either grow, or they die. There is no in-between. There are countless communities across our country where the downtown is a row of crumbling empty buildings where once there were storefronts, banks and restaurants" - An Ocala resident who previously lived in a small town in decline shares her thoughts on growth.
"It seems little thought was given to the infrastructure issues, crowded roads, uncontrolled speeders. Our medical crews, fire departments, and all those who work hard to keep us safe everyday are understaffed. This no longer is the town I was thrilled to be a part of. On Top of the World is no longer the beautiful, amazing place we want to retire in" - A retiree shares her opinion about life in Ocala.
"Why does the FDA allow nicotine/alcohol consumption when they are known poisons, yet deny use of a non-poisonous, all-natural, God-given plant that is legally allowed as a medical treatment for so many conditions? Are all the medical marijuana patients in Florida robbing banks, killing their grammas, jumping off tall buildings, etc. like the old "Devil's weed" movies depicted?" - An Ocala resident shares her opinions on the medical benefits of marijuana.
"I've watched the growth here over the years and it sickens me. I've lived in big cities and came back here because I got tired of the chaos. Now it's here. If someone offered me $150,000 for my property, I'd relocate as fast as the money hit my bank account. It's progress I know, but this kind of progress does not appeal to me" - A man born in Ocala in 1959 shares his opinion. Share your opinions in a comment or a letter to the editor.
"I have noticed more car accidents as we get more people here in Marion County. I've lived here in Marion County since September of 2015. Since then, the traffic to me has doubled. Many times I've been behind a slow poke doing 40-45 in a 55 limit. Sometimes, there's one in each lane too. Then you got the crazy ones zipping in and out as they appear to be doing 60-70 in the 55 limit" - An Ocala resident shares his thoughts.
"When we made the decision to downsize we both had already seen our 90th birthdays. I didn’t want to own another house. So renting one was the answer. Moving this late in life has truly been a challenge" - A couple in their 90s shares their experience downsizing from a large home to a rental in Ocala.
"Think about us natives and those who have lived here for decades. We hate all of this growth. We didn't ask for this. We were happy before all these people moved here" - A Native Ocalan says the city is becoming more like Orlando, Tampa, and St. Petersburg.
"To all the letter writers complaining about traffic, infrastructure, and development: You may feel better after submitting your thoughts, but it's unlikely your complaint will be read by anyone who actually votes on a development agreement" - An Ocklawaha resident says those who want to share their thoughts should do so at city and county meetings.
"Ocala needs more shopping and restaurants on the southwest side, and apartments. We, the regular Floridians, don't have the kind of money that these people have coming from New York and California" - An Ocala resident says the city needs more development, especially in its southwest corridor.
"People from Florida can hardly live here because of the rapid growth, the constant increase in population, and the tearing down of beautiful farms and land for car washes and homes that are not really worth 300+ thousand dollars. To be able to afford to live here I would have to make 20+ an hour. And an employer is hardly ever going to pay that" - A 37-year Ocala resident shares her thoughts on the affordability of living in Ocala.
"Time to start removing those "Horse Capital of the World" signs in Ocala. Thanks to our illustrious county officials and commissioners, we can consider renaming Ocala: 'The Gas Station, Car Wash, Storage Facility, Traffic, & Ugly Apartment Building Capital of the world.'" - An Ocala resident shares her opinions on development.
"I came here 19 years ago to enjoy something special in the country setting that was Ocala. Not knowing of course that the commission was willing to allow anything and everything to be developed without concern for preserving the uniqueness that was Ocala" - An Ocala resident says nothing is being done to improve infrastructure and preserve nature.
"I was born and raised in Ocala. I walked miles to CF. Getting a mall was a gift. There is plenty of space for the rurals and there will always be room for the wildlife, horses, and deer. More progress, please" - A lifelong Ocala resident encourages growth and thinks there's room for all.
"The county can't keep up with road repairs and traffic now. Traffic accidents have increased and so has car insurance. I was born here in 1944 and it was a small, beautiful community. Now, we are turning into a mini Orlando" - Residents shared their opinions about development in light of a recent letter.
"We moved here 21 years ago. It was wonderful...Now, the roads are worse than up north...The beautiful horse farms are disappearing, 200 looks like one big shopping mall, and car washes and gas stations are everywhere you look" - An Ocala resident shares her thoughts.
"I sold my home to downsize. I was faced with no option when looking for housing besides apartments that were not affordable" - A disabled resident who has worked in Ocala for two decades says she can't find an affordable place to live.
"I am upset my child is late to school weekly and that they are left standing at a very busy spot of a highway in the dark, but I also understand that there is only so much that can be done" - An Ocala mother says she believes Marion school bus drivers are doing the best they can and are still coming up short. What are your thoughts?
"I do not feel threatened, as some seem to be, by the apartments. I am so glad the doors to Ocala and On Top of The World were not closed to us when we came here in 2001, and I am happy to welcome new folks to our end of town," - A 23-year resident of On Top of the World says she welcomes new apartments and development.
"I moved up here 8 years ago from St. Pete to get away from concrete jungles to only see it happening up here. What was once a quiet place to live is now overrun with traffic, apartments and houses filling our once pristine countryside," - An Ocala resident shares her thoughts on development.
"Accidents will be more prevalent causing our insurance rates to sore! Delays for emergency vehicles will suffer and deaths will be caused by these delays...Especially at OTOW! An adult retirement community will be mostly effected as our way of life will be forever changed" - A resident of one of Ocala's 55+ communities shares his opinion on development in southwest Ocala.
Ocala-News.com receives dozens of letters to the editor every week. Unlike other publications, we do our best to publish as many as we can and share your voice. Here's a collection of all the letters we didn't get to publish.
"The school board, lacking adequate transportation for our children, is now putting our children in danger and not communicating with parents. Because they don't have enough drivers, we get the phone call every day for the last 6 months that our children have to sit at the bus stop for an extra 45 minutes to an hour" - A Fort McCoy parent shares an opinion about bus transportation in the county.
