VOLUME 6 ISSUE 3
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Local events Jan. 20 Pg B1
JANUARY 17 - 23, 2025
DeSantis defends special session, says ‘action’ needed By Jim Turner
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The beautifully restored exterior of the historic Hotel Marion was revealed after The Collage Companies, the construction company overseeing the renovations, recently removed scaffolding from the building that is being renovated on North Magnolia Avenue in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo by Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
Hotel Marion makeover The historic downtown hotel is being restored, in part, to its original glory. By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
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he restoration of the historic Hotel Marion began in the spring of 2022 and the “Gazette’’ keeps popping over to see how the efforts to revive the landmark build are faring. The project to renovate the hotel, built in 1927, is being co-managed by local business owner David Midgett and HDG Hotels. The scaffolding came down recently, after a façade refresh that included stucco work, a new roof and new paint. “We spent the time and money to determine the original colors of the building, decorative elements and windows, so the exterior now looks just like it did 98 years ago,” said Midgett. Midgett told the “Gazette” that the façade required a significant amount of work to stabilize the stucco and decorative elements, which was expected. He said the metal roof installed by the prior owners was not authentic historically, but it has now been replaced with a barrel tile roof as was originally installed.
This closeup shows some of the details of the beautifully restored exterior of the historic Hotel Marion. [Photo by Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
Midgett said the biggest “unexpected” exterior expense came at the cost of $1 million when they decided to remove and repair all the “original cypress wood
windows” rather than just replace them with new windows. See Hotel Marion, page A2
aying “a sense of urgency” exists, Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed back Wednesday against legislative leaders who called his decision to hold a special session on immigration enforcement and other issues “premature.” With President-elect Donald Trump vowing to crack down on undocumented immigrants after he is inaugurated Monday, DeSantis said Florida won’t approach the issue in a “lackadaisical fashion.” He also said Republicans, who dominate the Legislature, campaigned on addressing illegal immigration. “Don’t say you’ll get around to it in a few months. No, we need action, and we need action now,” DeSantis said during an appearance at the Polk County Sheriff ’s Office in Winter Haven. DeSantis said the special session, which he called to start Jan. 27, is “about actually getting the policies right and delivering the results that we want to do.” “So it’s certainly not premature,” DeSantis said. “I don’t know why you would want to wait months to be able to take action on an issue that is top drawer with voters.” DeSantis also wants lawmakers to use the special session to address issues such as providing aid to hurricane victims; replenishing money for the My Safe Florida Home hardening program; revamping rules for ballot initiatives; and revising condominium-safety laws. DeSantis has not proposed specific legislation. In describing DeSantis’ decision as premature Monday, House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, pointed to the March 4 start of the annual regular legislative session. In a joint memo, the legislative leaders said they support Trump and “stand ready to follow his lead” on immigration. But the memo said that “at this time, we are not aware of any specific guidance provided to the states about actions state legislatures can take to support forthcoming federal action.” “It is completely irresponsible to get out ahead of any announcements President Trump will make, especially See Special Session, page A2
Veterans honored with memorial reading The Jan. 11 event acknowledged the service of local military personnel who died between April and September of 2024. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
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he Winter Memorial Reading held Jan. 11 at the Marion County Commissioners Auditorium honored Marion
County veterans who honorably served and passed away between April and September of 2024. The group included a World War II veteran who led a squad that liberated a Nazi work camp and a former Marion County Commissioner.
Robert B. Anderson, 99, was the first American soldier to enter as his squad liberated Das K-2 Lager Kaufering III, a Nazi work camp tied to Dachau Prison, according to his son, Richard Anderson. Robert Anderson died Sept. 30, 2024. He was a native of Long
Island, New York, and moved here in 2021.According to a U.S. Army online database, he served as an infantryman and squad leader in the 63rd Division and entered World War II in December of 1944 at Marseilles, France, and fought through the
Maginot and Siegfried Lines. His squad advanced to south Germany and liberated the work camp in an area west of Munich. He was on the front lines through April of 1945, according to an email from his son. See Veterans, page A3
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