VOLUME 7 ISSUE 14
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“Ambassador Molly” moves to the Appleton Page B3
March 27 - April 2, 2026
Judge’s law enforcement status prompts paperwork shuffle at MCSO By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
WEC’s soccer, baseball, football and concert complex clears final hurdles
Judge Timothy McCourt
C
ircuit Judge Timothy McCourt recently found himself navigating a tangled administrative web regarding his past employment with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) after state records indicated his law enforcement certification remained active while he served as a judge. The Florida Constitution generally prohibits a person from simultaneously holding dual offices, such as an active sworn law enforcement officer and a judge. The paper trail began on Jan. 29, 2026, when the “Gazette” contacted McCourt to point out that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) database still listed him as an active MCSO employee. Upon receiving the inquiry, McCourt immediately contacted MCSO Human Resources, reminding them that he had resigned his positions as General Counsel and deputy sheriff effective Jan. 2, 2024, specifically to assume his role as a judge Jan. 3, 2024. Upon hearing from McCourt, MCSO HR Director Monica Chisholm signed the first of three “Affidavit of Separation” forms (CJSTC 61), listing his separation date as his original exit date: Jan. 2, 2024. However, just a few days later, the agency changed course. On Feb. 2, Chisholm signed a second affidavit, this time listing McCourt’s official separation date as Jan. 29, 2026. The office informed McCourt the date was changed because his credentials had ostensibly been held on inactive reserve status, meaning the office had to “use the date of the request to separate as the separation date.” See MCSO, page A7
Construction workers grade and drop fill dirt at the site where work has already started on the new sports complex north of Highway 40 and near the southwest corner of the World Equestrian Center in Ocala on March 24, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
After discussions about traffic impacts, concerts and noise levels, and a formal letter of opposition, the BOCC voted unanimously to approve the project. By Belea T. Keeney belea@magnoliamediaco.com
I
n a sparsely attended third and final public hearing about the World Equestrian Center Sports at WEC, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to allow the expansive sports complex. The vote during the board’s March 18 Planning & Zoning meeting allows for multiple sports fields, a concert/events center and up to eight concerts per year held in the outdoor venues, with the possibility of up to 24 concerts per year after review by the county. The project spans about 250 acres in the southwest corner of the WEC complex and fronts State Road 40. A portion of it is within the Urban Growth Boundary. The soccer fields are already under construction on land previously designated for low-density housing and “equestrian estates.” The Comp Plan large-scale text amendments and land-use changes revise low-residential usage to Urban/WEC land use and adds new definitions of sports facilities beyond the equestrian-related amenities already in place.
The nearly five-hour meeting had several public commenters, both for and against the project; a presentation from an attorney representing Charlotte Weber, a neighbor in opposition; and several experts for WEC speaking about noise, light and traffic management. The final board discussion involved sometimes confusing back-andforth between the board, staff and the applicant. Especially problematic were the restrictions on concerts. Attorney Jimmy Gooding was the main WEC representative supplemented by discussions with traffic experts, sports league reps and sound experts; along with Wyatt Stephens, director of WEC Sports; Danny Sheldon, a lighting expert; and David Tillman, owner of Tillman & Associates Engineering, a local firm that represents many of the development projects in the county.
TRAFFIC CONCERNS AND PAID PARKING
The commissioners approved the overall development application in July 2025 and, as a Development of Regional Impact, the application was sent to the state for review. It was returned with concerns about public
facilities regarding water/sewer and the lack of a completed traffic study. That study has since been completed, Gooding said. The entire WEC Planned Unit Development (PUD) is served by its own water wells and water treatment plant. With regard to area traffic, Commissioner Kathy Bryant pressed staff about the coming improvements to the future widening of Northwest 70th/80th Avenue north of State Road 40 up to U.S. 27 and asked for a timeline. The county currently has bids out for April, with construction to start in midsummer or by the end of summer, said County Engineer Steven Cohoon. That portion has a 12-month time frame. The Florida Department of Transportation has no plans to expand SR 40, the east-west access to the south end of WEC, where the sports complex would be sited. Because many of WEC’s patrons tow horse trailers, there was discussion about extended turn lanes and the larger turn radius needed for trailers and rigs. See WEC, page A8
Inaugural event
12 local heroes are inducted into Marion County Veterans Hall of Fame. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
U.S. Navy and U.S Coast Guard veteran William Dorsey, center, is honored by Myles McConico, Veterans Helping Veterans deputy director and Daisy Diaz, Marion County Veterans Services director, as he is inducted into the Marion County Veterans Hall of Fame in Ocala on March 19, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
T
he first ever Marion County Veterans Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held March 19 at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Auditorium in Ocala. About 350 guests attended the ceremony, which honored 12 local
veterans, including the county’s sole Medal of Honor recipient and several members of the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard, for their lifetimes of service to country and community. Marion County Commissioner Carl Zalak III praised the inductees in opening remarks for their integrity and “legacy we’ll never forget. Heroes we call neighbors…
the spirit and heart of Marion County.” Zalak acknowledged the Ocala nonprofit Veterans Helping Veterans USA of Marion County as the prime mover in establishing the MCVHOF and County Commissioner Craig Curry as the “tip of the spear” for the county’s participation. See Inaugural event, page A4
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