Marion Minute

March 2023 | Marion County Day 2023 Recap & Animal Services Land Donation

We had a great time celebrating our community during Marion County Day! Thousands of people stopped by the McPherson Campus on SE 25th Ave. to enjoy vendors, food trucks, entertainment, music, bounce houses, and more! Visitors also had a chance to meet Rubbish the Raccoon, the mascot for the new Marion County litter awareness campaign. Also in this episode, Stephanie Kash, with Marion County Animal Services stopped by to talk about some big things happening for our furry friends. Thank you to the great team at Animal Services that is dedicated to providing great service to everyone in our community!

March 2023 | Marion County Day & Run for the Springs!

Marion County is gearing up for a couple of great events happening soon! Marion County Day celebrates everything that makes Marion County great during its anniversary! Enjoy local vendors, a kids zone, food trucks, and much more on Saturday, March 25th from 10 am to 2 pm. Amanda Tart, Assistant County Administrator tells us more about this great event as well as what it means to her to serve our community. Learn more at marionfl.org/mcday.
 
Run for the Springs is a 5k event that is focused on raising awareness to protect and preserve our unique springs! Grab your coworkers & your running shoes to join us for this family-friendly 5K event. Enjoy a children’s area, refreshments, & prizes including a Travel Cup award for the fastest team! Learn more at marionfl.org/runforthesprings.

February 2023 | Big Lee’s Barbecue’s Rashad Jones

In this episode, we sit down to talk to Rashad Jones, celebrity food chef, and owner of Big Lee's.  He talks about growing up in Marion County, his love of all things BBQ, and his friendship with the Mayor of Flavortown. We also touch on why our federal delegates were in Marion County, and how you can sign your anti-litter pledge.  

January 2023 | Trinity Catholic’s John Brantley

In this episode, we sit down to talk to John Brantley, head football coach at Trinity Catholic to talk about their latest run to the state championship. We also take a moment to share a great award Marion County recently brought home thanks to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. Finally, we talk about a great initiative being led by the Junior League of Ocala.

January 2023 | Kingdom of the Sun Basketball Tournament & Marion County Legislative Delegation

In this episode, we hear from Brett Beville, the athletic director at Vanguard High School, who recaps the most recent Kingdom of the Sun basketball tournament, updates us on VHS athletics, and discusses the role coaches and sports play in our society. We also get an update on a citizen engagement program put on by the 5th Judicial Circuit and a quick recap of the most recent meeting of the Marion County Legislative Delegation. 

December 2022 | Rescues & Rescuers of Marion County Calendar

The Rescues and Rescuers of Marion County have teamed up to help you plan 2023! 🚒🐾 Marion County Fire Rescue is helping showcase some of the great pets available for adoption at Marion County Animal Services in this amazing wall calendar! In this episode listen to those involved in making this great project come to life as well as an opportunity to learn more about our judicial system. To purchase your own calendar, visit petsofmarioncounty.org.

December 2022 | SPECIAL EPISODE: MARK EMERY

Enjoy this special episode of the Marion Minute which features a conversation between Marion County Board of County Commissioners Chair Craig Curry and Emmy award-winning filmmaker, musician, and photographer Mark Emery.  Emery, who grew up in Marion County and has worked with National Geographic, Discovery, the BBC, PBS, ESPN, and more, sits down with Chairman Curry to talk about the impact litter has had at home and during his travels all across the globe. 

November 2022 | Supervisor of Elections, United Way Opportunity, and Bring the Harvest Home Food Drive

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute, which features a conversation with Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox about the most recent general election, as well as how his staff works to serve Marion County residents. The episode contains information about a United Way program designed to help households with gain financial stability and independence, and finally, you will hear a conversation with Roger Waddell about the upcoming Bring the Harvest Home event.

November 2022 | Celebrating Veterans and Service to our Community

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute, which features a look at how Marion County honored its employees who are military veterans by proclaiming the month of November as Veteran Employee Appreciation Month.  In addition to recognizing its veteran employees, the episode also features county personnel and first responders who were recognized for their service to those affected by Hurricane Ian.  You will also hear a conversation with incoming Board of County Commission Chair Craig Curry where he talks about his time in the U.S. Army, his friendship with Medal of Honor recipient Hammett L. Bowen Jr. as well as what serving his county and country means to him.  Finally, the episode contains information about a new program designed to help low-income households with their water bill.  

October 2022 | Constitutional Officers Harrell and Wilcox and Hurricane Ian relief efforts

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute, which features conversations with two of Marion County’s constitutional officers, an update on one local nonprofit’s preparation and response to Hurricane Ian, and letting you know who the next Chair and Vice-Chair of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners will be.  First, Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox joins us to discuss the upcoming general election and how his office partners with the county in multiple ways.
Interim United Way CEO Bob Haight stops by to chat about how his organization prepared for the storm, how the United Way is assisting those affected by Hurricane Ian, and previews the upcoming Strong Families program graduation.  The episode winds up by hearing from Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Greg Harrell on the dual roles his office has, how he partners with Marion County, and more.