Who Rules the Roost in Marion County/Ocala? (University: how much, schools)

[kmarc]

So it's coming up on a year we've been here, and I'm still trying to get a feel for who or what group really holds the power here.

There is, of course, always the window dressing of county commissions and local politicians and community service organizations and such, but it's been my experience there's always some power or powers behind the throne, so to speak, and I'm trying to figure out who or what it is. I haven't really been able to get a handle on it.

Is it developers or some other local business group? The equestrian community? The legal community? Some long established family or group of families? Law enforcement?

It seems to me that there's two main groups of residents: The local folks who work in all sorts of businesses, and the transplanted retirees. I don't see much resentment between the two. The attitude from the locals toward the retirees seems to be a sort of benign indifference. As long as they keep to their communities, do business with the local merchants, don't get involved with local politics and customs and don't put too much strain on resources, everything's cool. Conversely, it seems that the retirees are either oblivious to what goes on in the broader area, or try to help a little bit, but not enough to be obtrusive.

But who really runs things here? What drives the area as a whole? I'm wondering if any of the posters who have been here longer than I have might know or have an idea?

[dontaskwhy]

I think it is the rednecks running this town.

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by dontaskwhy

I think it is the rednecks running this town.

"Rednecks" can mean different things. So what are we talking about here? Old Florida crackers with money and influence? Stetson University grad type rednecks?

[KatesKat]

Originally Posted by kmarc

"Rednecks" can mean different things. So what are we talking about here? Old Florida crackers with money and influence? Stetson University grad type rednecks?

I don't delve deeply into politics but from what I gather it's a conservative Republican town. Now you have me wondering......

[dontaskwhy]

Don't take my post too seriously, I am kidding somewhat. I do feel that Ocala/Marion County is still a "good 'ol boy" network and has been/will be for generations to come. It is definitely a Republican town.

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by KatesKat

I don't delve deeply into politics but from what I gather it's a conservative Republican town. Now you have me wondering......

Yes, that's why I made this post, because I'm wondering too. I wasn't looking for political party dominance, necessarily. Those labels tend to go out the window in parts of Florida. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if Marion County had a lot of what they used to call Blue Dog Democrats:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Dog_Coalition

As I understand it, Florida, especially the northern half, used to be dominated by a good old boy Democrat network. A prime example would be someone like Bill Nelson, or it used to be. I don't think even he knows who or what he is anymore. But Nelson has way more in common with Adam Putnam, who is a Republican, than he does with many of his fellow Democrats. It's just that Putnam realized early on which way the wind was blowing for him in terms of political parties. The bottom line is, both Nelson and Putnam are good old Florida boys. Power is power, and the more savvy politicians who want to keep their power will switch parties to stay in power.

So that's why I don't look at it in terms of political party affiliation. Trust me, though, there are people who run things here. I'm just wondering who they are and what they want for themselves. It's a good way of getting a handle on what the county will be like going forward.

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by dontaskwhy

Don't take my post too seriously, I am kidding somewhat. I do feel that Ocala/Marion County is still a "good 'ol boy" network and has been/will be for generations to come. It is definitely a Republican town.

"Good 'ol boy" network, with a gal or two in the mix, that makes sense. But who are they and what do they want? That's what I'm trying to get at. At this point, political labels don't mean much.

[dontaskwhy]

Originally Posted by kmarc

"Good 'ol boy" network, with a gal or two in the mix, that makes sense. But who are they and what do they want? That's what I'm trying to get at. At this point, political labels don't mean much.

They want chewing tobacco, jacked up pickup trucks, and rebel flags.

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by bgmiami

Ocala is a very Republican, conservative city. The powers that be sometimes resent the "northern" seniors who move here for retirement. They view them as being too liberal and a threat to Ocala's "good ole boy" image. To many of them "progress" is a four letter word. However, it was these seniors, with their pension checks and SS checks, who kept the Ocala economy afloat during the recession. These seniors volunteer at the libraries, the hospitals and the schools. Moreover, they don't put any strain on the city's resources.

Good post. The seniors also volunteer with local law enforcement, as I understand it. In some ways, it's rather forward thinking of local government to recognize them as a resource, not a strain.

[kmarc]

Anyone know how much influence Lockheed-Martin has in Marion County?