Message from the Mayor

“As an Ocala native, I deeply care about what happens in our city.  The people and places that make up this town are an important part of our community.  Serving as your mayor for 10 years is both an honor and a privilege and I remain committed to staying connected to our citizens. My hope is that through this monthly newsletter, you will see the continuous progress of our city as we work together to make this city a great place to live, play and prosper.”

Upcoming Events

From Around the Community

Each January, we get the opportunity to honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Thank you to everyone who attended any or all of the great events organized by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission.

Mary Sue Rich Community Center Now Open

The Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place was officially opened to the public on Tuesday, Jan. 10 with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mrs. Rich and Mrs. Reed. Without the many years of dedicated service of Mrs. Rich and Mrs. Reed, the vision for this property and the plan for this community center would not have been possible. The center, located at 1821 NW 21st Ave., sits on 24 ½ acres that was formerly the site of the Royal Oak Charcoal Plant. 

Mrs. Ruth Reed, long-time resident of Ocala and active member of the community, recognized this blighted and polluted site needed a new vision and led the effort to transform it. In 2019, City Council passed a resolution naming the acreage, Reed Place.

Memberships are required to enjoy the amenities and programming available at the center throughout the year. City residents may sign up for free. Memberships for non-residents are $30 per person, per year. To learn more about the community center, visit the City of Ocala website. 

United States Conference of Mayors

January 17 - 20, I attended the winter meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. The goal of the conference is to participate in advocacy, best practices within our cities, business connections and networking. This annual conference is a great way for me to work with my fellow mayors, but to also connect with Congressional leaders who could have a direct impact on what happens within our city. 

This session's agenda included topics like mental health, solving affordable housing challenges, water infrastructure and gun violence, among other things. 

February is the official month of love. We have so many things to love about our city, our state, and our country. Ocala has a great historic district, local businesses who chose to be a part of our community, and incredible events happening throughout the month. It’s impossible to not find something to love about our town. During the month of February I want to challenge you to take a moment to think about all the things you love in your life. It could be your family, friends, your home, job, or something you love to do in Ocala. I love this city and I’m grateful to be a part of it every day.

Night to Shine 2023

Each year, the Tim Tebow Foundation partners with 500+ churches in over 30 countries to host Night to Shine. Night to Shine is a memorable prom night experience for people with special needs ages 14 and older. This year, the event is happening Feb. 10 at One Life Fellowship church. Registration is closed, but they are still looking for volunteers. Interested volunteers should visit their web page at nighttoshineocala.com/register-or-volunteer. 

Art Outside the Lines Brunch

he City. Coming up in February, the City, in partnership with Magnolia Art Xchange, presents the annual Art Outside the Lines Brunch.

This event features brunch, signature coffee drinks, guest art speakers, and a performance by Tasha Robinson of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra (OSO), all on the platform of the historic Ocala Union Station. Attendees may also upgrade their ticket to include a guided bus tour of the city’s new public art. Five dollars of every ticket sold will be donated to the artist-in-residency program at the Magnolia Art Xchange.

For many years I've had the opportunity to serve on the Appleton Museum of Art Advisory Board. This wonderful organization brings so much enrichment to our community. I encourage everyone to keep up with their latest exhibits and programming such as Free First Saturday, art classes, book clubs, film screenings and more. To view their current exhibitions, visit their website appletonmuseum.org. 

Sign-up to volunteer

Have a worthy cause?

A proclamation is a formal public statement issued by a person of authority, dealing with matters of great importance or offering recognition to a person or organization. If you or your organization is interested in working with the Mayor’s office to receive recognition, please contact Fazillete Gonzalez at (352)401-3977.

View Recent Proclamations