VOLUME 7 ISSUE 25
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Hear Us Roar III Page B1
June 19 - 25 2026
Let the races begin Marion County election fields set as qualifying ends. By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
T
he candidate fields for two Marion County Commission seats and three Marion County School Board seats are now set following the close of the qualifying period on June 12. The county commission elections are likely to be decided during the Aug. 18 Republican primary because only Republican candidates and write-in candidates qualified for the general election. Under Florida’s universal primary contest provision, when all candidates for an office have the same party affiliation and face only write-in opposition in November, the primary is closed to members of that party. As a result, registered Republicans in Marion County will likely determine the winners of both commission seats. Historically, write-in candidates rarely prevail in countywide races and frequently withdraw before the general election. The school board races follow a different process because they are nonpartisan. If a candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the Aug. 18 primary, that candidate is elected outright and the race ends. However, if no candidate secures a majority, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will advance to the Nov. 3 general election. Early voting for the Aug. 18 primary begins Aug. 8.
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 2
• Matt Cretul (Republican) – Qualified • Mike Crimi (Republican) – Qualified • Brien Weidemiller (Republican) – Qualified • Mark Okus (Write-In) – Qualified
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 4 • Randall Alvord (Republican) – Qualified • Jeff Bairstow (Republican) – Qualified • Wanda Wimberly Lasher (Republican) – Qualified • Sherri Meadows (Republican) – Qualified • Leonard Michael Racioppi (Write-In) – Qualified See The races, page A4
Saluting Earl Allison, Gary McCleery and Chris Farley, of the Marine Corps League Marion Detachment 061 Honor Guard, properly retire an American flag by burning it during a Flag Day ceremony at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park in Ocala on June 14, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
an American icon
Local students are honored for their essays on “What the American Flag Means to Me” during event that included a proper flag retirement ceremony. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
M
ore than two dozen local youth were recognized for their essays on “What the American Flag Means to Me” at the annual Flag Day ceremony at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park. Upwards of 85 people, including members several local veterans’ organizations, gathered at the event, which included a tribute to “Old Glory” during a flag retirement ceremony. This year, 27 student essay writers were recognized with a framed certificate. Students Tobi White, Joesph Sorrentino, Foster Owen, Blake Lewis, Jacob Lopez and A’Layah Powell read their entries at the June 14 event. Blake, 10, said after the event that he learned about “bravery and courage” when some veterans spoke at his Marion County Public Schools elementary school. The event was hosted by the Marion County Veterans Council and presented in cooperation with the Marion County
Veterans Service Office and the Friends of Marion County’s Veterans Park. The Marion County Memorial Honor Guard supplied a color guard, ceremonial flag folding and, along with the Marine Corps League, performed a ceremonial flag disposal. The essay program, spearheaded by MCVC Secretary Suzanne McGuire, involves selecting winning essays from 4th and 5th grade classes in local elementary schools following talks in their classes by American military veterans. MCVC President Charles Calhoun said the essay program has been expanded with groups of veterans visiting local schools, such as six veterans visiting Eighth Street Elementary School before the essay were submitted. Calhoun said the visiting veterans shared their experiences and the program included a discussion on the American Flag and flag etiquette. He said students asked about the three-corner ceremonial style flag folding and he explained that the shape resembles the tri-corner hat worn by the Revolutionary Guard.
George Meyer, a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1968 to 1975, with service as a submariner, was one of the visiting veterans. Calhoun said the students asked Meyer the most questions. Meyer, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the U.S. Nautilus Base of Ocala submarine group, said students asked the greatest depth the sub was submerged and related questions. Essay winner Jacob Lopez, 12, was accompanied by his mother, Maria Borgen, at the event. He said submariner Meyer was a speaker at his school. Jacob said he learned “a lot” from the veteran’s talk. Shannon Johnson, an ESE (exceptional student education) teacher at Sunrise Elementary School, said the veterans’ visit to her class was impactful and inspired her class to work hard and complete their essays The commander of the local U.S. Nautilus Base, Joe Civiletti, was on hand for the ceremony as were members of the American Legion, VFW and Marine Corps League. See Saluting an American icon, page A3
Hidden danger beneath our feet
Why conserving Marion County’s groundwater is critical before the heavy summer rains arrive. By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
A Aquifer confinement illustration. [Haley Moody, Florida Springs Institute]
s the North Central Florida region bakes under unrelenting sunshine, residents and local leaders are anxiously awaiting the heavy rains that often come in the afternoon this time of year. But environmental scientists and
geologists are warning that the combination of a severe drought, excessive groundwater pumping and any sudden deluge of rain is the perfect recipe for a dangerous geological hazard: sinkhole collapses. The St. Johns River Water Management District recently declared a Phase III Extreme Water Shortage in this region in response to exceptional drought conditions
and severely declining groundwater levels. While mandatory irrigation restrictions are put in place to conserve drinking water, experts say reducing our daily draw on the Floridan aquifer is also a matter of public safety.
THE MECHANICS OF A COLLAPSE
To understand the danger, consider the porous limestone, or
karst, that makes up the Floridan aquifer. The aquifer acts like an underground sponge full of waterfilled cavities and caves. Under normal weather conditions, the water inside these cavities provides a “hydrostatic buoyancy effect,” which literally helps hold up the ceiling of the underground limestone cavities. See Hidden danger, page A7
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INSIDE:
Mandatory water restrictions.... A5 BOCC approves 350 homes........ A6 Ocala pitmaster on TV................ B2 Trees at the Discovery Center.... B4 Calendar......................................... B6
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