Open Thread

{This thread is closed. Use the new "Open Thread" posted on October 30 for your discussion topics.}

Have a hot issue you would like to discuss? Use this thread for any hot topics you want to cover and get some input from other bloggers.

Ocala Mayor: Clark vs. Ewers

On October 16, Ocala voters will go to the polls to elect a City Mayor. Some of the political followers tell us this race has about as much voter interest as watching grass grow. However, we will go ahead and post a thread to give our bloggers an opportunity to comment and share points of view on the Election. Perhaps the politicos are wrong on the level of interest. We’ll see.

David Clark is the challenger to incumbent Mayor Randy Ewers. Clark, a developer from a politically experienced and prominent family, is making a first time run for the Mayor’s position. Ewers, an engineer at Class 1, his family’s previously owned company, also comes from a locally prominent and community active family. He is completing his first term as Mayor.

Tell us who you like in the Mayor’s race and why.

Our County Commissioners: How Are They Doing?

It has been about two years since we last asked our bloggers about the performance of our County Commission. With three of the five positions up for Election in 2008, we thought it might be good to get a reading on your current opinion of the job being done by our County Commissioners.

The Commissioners have recently taken heat from all sides for some decisions. One group of constituents says we're not voting for you if you don’t enact higher impact fees. Another says we're not supporting you if you do. One group says raise my water bill and you're out. Another group says if you don’t equalize the water consumption rates, you’re gone. And the list of conflicting viewpoints goes on and on.

A couple of questions to get you started: (1) what would you tell the Commissioners concerning how they are doing and (2) what do those running for County Commissioner in 2008 (including those running who aren’t incumbent Commissioners) need to do to get your vote? Give us your comments.

Also, click on the link below and participate in our "Straw Poll" to give us some additional feedback on the performance of the Commission:

http://www.insitefulsurveys.com/Survey.asp?SI=157441712828

BCC Adopts Policy on Business Relocation Incentives

At the September 4 BCC meeting, policy guidelines were approved to determine eligibility to receive property tax rebate incentives for businesses considering relocating within Marion County. The key provisions of the guidelines are:

(1) Allows businesses to apply for rebates of 50% of the amount if their property taxes increase. The figure is 75% if the business locates within the city of Ocala.
(2) Businesses must guarantee to provide at least 10 new jobs that pay 115% of the average county or state wage, whichever is lower. The jobs must be filled within the first year and within a target industry as defined by state standards.
(3) Applicants for rebates must agree to make at least $300,000 in capital improvements within the first year and complete construction within a specified amount of time.
(4) Businesses must pay their property taxes and meet the other guidelines before any rebate grants are paid.
(5) Businesses must apply annually and prove that they continue to meet the guidelines for receiving grants.

Click on the following link to read the Star-Banner’s take on the new guidelines:

http://www.ocala.com/article/20070905/OPINION/209050305/1008/OPINION

What do you think about the new policy? Do you think it might have been useful in the E- One situation if it had been available at that time?

Education Budgets: Spare the Knife?

The state, county and municipal budgets are undergoing much scrutiny to find ways to reduce expenses. This will most likely become a bigger issue if the Constitutional Amendment to further reduce property taxes passes in January 2008 and/or our economy (e.g., housing) does not pick up. Every governmental entity wants to make a case that budget reductions should not apply to them. One of the more vocal areas is education.

What do you think? Should our education system get some leeway from the budget cut knife? Why or why not?

NOTE: Since the City Election on October 16 is only for one position (Mayor), we will wait a week or so and then start a thread for comments on the Mayor’s race. The two City Council positions up for reelection were unopposed. A boring year for City political races.