FROM THE DESK OF THE MAYOR
Dear Citizens of Belleview,
We have several exciting events coming to our City and our surrounding area in the upcoming year. Mr. Gus Blanco, a local citizen, is proposing a “Go-Kart Grand Prix” to be held at our Sports Complex in the month of December. This is a national past-time and will boast professional go-kart drivers from across the country. This is projected to be a day-long, free event for the families in our community, with lots to watch and do. Stay tuned for more information as it comes available!
In the month of October, the local chapter of the American Heart Association will be holding their annual heart walk. This is a charity event whose mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Various teams will get together to walk approximately 3 miles, beginning at the Baseline Trail Head, on Baseline Road and Maricamp. Any donations raised will go to the American Heart Association to fund their various life saving and life enhancing programs. If you or your business is interested in attending or making a donation, please call me at 352-233-7214.
On our upcoming Commission agenda, please look for a discussion regarding economic development, enterprise zones, and a request for bids for a video highlighting the City of Belleview. Several members of the Commission were not convinced that the Today in America proposal was in the best interest of the City and would like to entertain proposals from local businesses instead.
Also, the City will, at some point this year, be voting on an interlocal agreement with Marion County regarding the Belleview Sports Complex. Marion County is currently maintaining the park, but the cost has been become prohibitive for the City. We have asked them to renegotiate the terms of the contract, lessening the financial burden on the citizens, while giving the county more control of the various leagues who utilize the complex. Gina Peebles, from the Marion County Parks Department, is in the process of putting together an advisory board composed of various league officials, as well as a representative from the Belleview City Commission. This board will be making recommendations on the direction of the park, as well as keeping the County advised of the various maintenance needs.
In other news, Senator Alan Hayes is working hard for the City of Belleview in Tallahassee. He has included an appropriations request in the amount of 1.5 million dollars in the upcoming budget, in order to help the City repair the water main leak under Hwy 441 and to begin our sewer project on South Hwy 441. Our lobbyist team, Patrick Bell and Josh Phares, are working hard for you to help bring this to fruition.
I enjoyed meeting with one of our local business owners at this month’s Mayoral Luncheon and cordially invite all of you to join me on March 12 for lunch at a location to be announced. Please RSVP to 352-233-7214 if you are interested in attending!