VOLUME 4 ISSUE 29
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Local events Pg B5 JULY 21 - JULY 27, 2023
Lt. Gov. announces record Alzheimer’s funding during event in Ocala Photos By Julie Garisto Ocala Gazette
Marciano will be Ocala’s next mayor, and Dreyer will remain on city council Staff report
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Clockwise from Left: Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, left, reacts to Christina Ramos, administrator of Touching Hearts at Home, who shares stories about her family’s touching story of elder care. Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham, who revealed that an estimated 800,000 people provide unpaid care to a loved one with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez shared news of “record funding” earmarked for Alzheimer’s and dementia research and care. Cary Eyre, dementia director at the Florida Department of Elder Affairs speaks.
Local VIPs and healthcare representatives cheered the news as a game-changer for senior healthcare. By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com
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ccording to Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, more than 580,000 people ages 65 and older in the state are dealing with Alzheimer’s
disease and dementia-related cognitive decline. Nuñez visited the Hospice of Marion County Elliott Center in Ocala on Wednesday, July 19, for a media event to announce “record funding” earmarked for Alzheimer’s and dementia research and care.
The new state budget allocates more than $65 million for Alzheimer’s care and research, $12.5 million more than last year. The state’s second-incommand officeholder was referencing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ funding for
Alzheimer’s and related dementias, signing Senate Bill 806 to establish the Ramping up Education of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia for You (READY) Act. Described then as the final pillar of the five-part Dementia See Funding, page A4
Statute of limitations bars action against questionable votes By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
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five-year statute of limitations will bar any action against Rich Bianculli, a trustee of the Marion County Hospital District (MCHD), related to two questionable votes in 2014 and 2017 concerning a contract the board gave an investment advisor, Berman Capital. Following a report by the “Gazette” last month about an apparent conflict of interest between the district’s longtime trustee and Berman Capital, which was entrusted with a third of the district’s investment, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBOCC) asked the county’s attorney, Guy Minter, to look
into the situation. The commissioners are responsible for appointing and removing trustees from the district’s board. Minter informed the commissioners by email that he had reached out to the Florida Ethics Commission, which informed him that the dates of the votes meant they were barred by a five-year statute of limitations and the ethics commission had no jurisdiction to take action in the matter. MCHD investments, totaling $275,661,698 during the last reporting period, are broken up equally among the investment companies of Cresset Berman, Graystone, and Truist. MCHD started investing approximately $213 million in 2014 when the county,
with approval from Marion County voters, decided to lease the county hospital, Munroe Regional Medical Center, to a private healthcare company. The hospital lease has changed hands a few times since then and is now held by AdventHealth. The money from the lease came to the MCHD trustees to be used to meet the health needs of Marion County residents. The three investment companies are overseen by an investment consultant, Park Place, which advises the trustee board. Cresset Berman, formerly known as Berman Capital Advisors, and Truist, formerly known as SunTrust, have continually invested money for the MCHD since the hospital was leased. Graystone replaced another investment company, See Marion, page A2
here were three seats open in the city of Ocala government this election cycle: two are on the city council and the mayoral seat. The qualifying period ended at noon July 14, and two of those seats are now decided because the candidates drew no opposition. Only one person, Ben Marciano, filed to run for mayor. Kent Guinn, who has served as the city’s mayor for 12 years, had announced in April that he would not be seeking reelection. Marciano drew considerable support. At least 82 individuals or businesses, some related, contributed the maximum amount of $1,000 to his campaign. Combined with another 100 contributors, Marciano brought in a total of $110,200, according to the last financial report filed with the supervisor of elections. Marciano also drew endorsements from the Professional Fire Fighters of Ocala as well as for Marion County, and Ocala’s Fraternal Order of Police. “I’m blown away. It’s humbling after all I’ve been through in life to embark on this next chapter,” Marciano said. Marciano told the “Gazette” that he recently sat down to talk about the mayoral role with Guinn, and they made a commitment to work together through the transition. The “Gazette” asked Guinn if he had any advice for the city’s incoming mayor, and Guinn offered the same advice he says he received from former Mayor Ergle. “Don’t think you’re as important as others think you are.” Marciano’s term will begin Dec. 5. City councilmember Kristin Dreyer also did not draw an opponent and will continue a second term as a council member. Dreyer received $19,000 in campaign contributions. “As I stand, unopposed, for a second term on the city council, I am immensely grateful for the trust you have placed in me, and I look forward to the privilege of serving you once again. Together, let us continue the journey of progress, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come,” Dreyer wrote in a statement to the “Gazette.” City councilmember Ire Bethea has drawn one opponent, Reginald Landers. That seat will be decided in a Sept. 19 election.
Ben Marciano, Kristen Dreyer
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Grieving Families.......................... A3 Developers Concerns................... A4 State News...................................... A7 Girl Scouts Gold Award.............. B1 Artist Profile.................................. B3
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