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

Updates from the Police Department

Thank you, Chaplain Doug Green

OPD recently expressed their deepest gratitude to Chaplain Doug Green for his incredible 26-and-a-half years of volunteer service to the department.

Doug's introduction to the role of a police chaplain took place during his time at New Orleans Baptist Seminary. While pursuing his studies, he held the position of campus patrolman, functioning as a special officer for the New Orleans Police Department. As he monitored the police radio during his duties, Doug would often hear officers and dispatchers requesting the presence of clergy at certain scenes. It was during these moments that he discerned a calling from God to embark on the path of becoming a police chaplain.

After graduation, Doug returned to his hometown of Mobile, Alabama, serving as Minister of Education at his church. He later relocated to Selma, Alabama, where he continued his profession and also became the first chaplain for the Selma Police Department. In 1983, Doug moved to Belleview, Florida, serving as Minister of Education at another church and continuing his ministry as the first chaplain for the Belleview Police Department.

In 1996, OPD established its chaplain program, and Doug was one of the four chaplains selected to serve. As a chaplain, he provided valuable support, offering prayers, encouragement and solace to officers and staff. From delivering invocations at ceremonies to officiating funerals, Doug's presence brought comfort to those in need.

Reflecting on his service, Chaplain Green shared, "I have been blessed to have formed many friendships among sworn officers as well as civilian employees. It has been meaningful to me to go through happy and difficult times with officers, employees and even the families of former employees. I have appreciated many ride-a-longs with officers and visiting employees in their offices. Those hours allowed me to get to know the staff better, and they were able to get to know me."

Thank you, Chaplain Green, for your incredible service. Your presence has had a profound impact on the lives of many individuals within OPD. We appreciate all that you have done, Happy Retirement!

From Around the Community

Congratulations to the North Marion High School Baseball Team

The North Marion High School baseball team, known as the "Colts," took to the field in Fort Myers, Florida Saturday, May 20, as family members, friends and alumni, as well as current students, cheered and dominated the crowd with their support. Under the leadership of Coach Dale Hall, these talented young men gave a dominant performance and emerged as the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 4A State Champions with a 4-0 victory over the defending champion, Jacksonville's Bishop Kenny High School.

At the July 18 City Council meeting, I had the honor of recognizing the Colts for their championship victory. I was pleased to present this fine group of young men with both a key to the city and a bat signed by myself and fellow Council members. Congratulations to them for their hard work, and great job bringing a win back for Ocala.

Watch a recap of the Colts' championship 2023 season.

Ocala Main Street Conference

Last week, we welcomed the Ocala Main Street Conference to the City of Ocala. This week-long conference highlighted downtown Ocala as a unique destination. Florida Main Street is a technical assistance program with the goal of revitalizing historic downtowns and encouraging economic development within the context of historic preservation.*
 
Attendees had the opportunity to experience the multiple businesses located in the heart of our city and learn some of the history that makes Ocala a must-see destination. We love sharing the revitalization that has taken shape over the past few years and hope that the attendees see the positive growth we have been experiencing.

Florida Main Street Website

Newbridge, Ireland Sister City Visit

As mentioned in the last issue, I recently had the chance to visit one of our sister cities, Newbridge, Ireland. During our trip with the CEP, we had the chance to explore some of the industries that have made Kildare County popular, particularly the horse derbies. Just like Ocala, Newbridge has a deep love for everything equestrian, so it was thrilling to witness an Irish horse derby.

I decided to place a friendly wager on the race and to my surprise, I actually won! This was my first-ever victory in betting, even after all those years of trying to pick a winner for the Kentucky Derby with no luck.

Another interesting aspect of Kildare County is their Foundation in Farrier Training. Farriers play a vital role in caring for horses, especially racehorses, so it was fascinating to learn about their successful program in Ireland. I believe there could be potential for cross-educational opportunities between our regions, which would be beneficial for both sides.

Overall, the trip was a great success and I feel fortunate to have been a part of it. We gained a wealth of knowledge, enjoyed our time in Ireland, and I always appreciate the opportunity to connect with the representatives of our sister city.

Celebrating OEU's 125 Years

Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) was excited to share their 125 Year Celebration with the community Friday, July 14 at the Downtown Square. After a ceremonial ribbon cutting and reading of the proclamation, attendees participated in educational booths, bucket truck rides, face painting, balloon art, and live music, among other things. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us.

I happen to have a personal connection to OEU's history. My grandfather, Oliver Burton, retired from the City of Ocala Utility Division in 1965 after 33 years of service, functioning as the Utility Superintendent for 13 years. I had the opportunity to share his story in the below video:

Cal Ripken World Series Returns

Calling all baseball fans! For the seventh time since 2010, Ocala will be hosting the Cal Ripken World Series. This year is extra exciting, as Ocala's events have expanded to include both the 9-year-old and 11-year-old series in addition to the 8-year-old series.

The week kicks off Saturday, July 29 with the Babe Ruth Experience at the World Equestrian Center. The traditional opening ceremonies parade will take place July 30 at the Downtown Square. World Series games will be played Monday, July 31 through Saturday, August 5 at the Ocala Rotary Sportsplex, located at 5220 SE Maricamp Rd. The series will conclude with three championship games Saturday, August 5.

Schedules are still being finalized, visit the Cal Ripken website or Facebook page for more information. As in years past, I hope our community will go out and support these awesome young people.