Errol Advisory Board Gets First Look at Possibility of Restoring Amenities
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Lifestyle Sports The Apopka Woman’s Club Apopka High football coach Subscribe gives out its annual scholar- Jeff Rolson talks about get- ships. ting back to workouts. online God Bless See page 1B. America See page 1C. today for 52 editions a year! $30 in The Apopka Chief Orange County Your trusted local news source ©2020 The Apopka Chief ($35 out of county) Volume 98 Number 26 Friday, June 26, 2020 / 50 cents Price Includes E-Edition Errol advisory board gets first look Taking a look at possibility of restoring amenities By Teresa Sargeant Apopka Chief Staff Deciding which ame- nities to keep and rehabili- tate, and which ones to re- build, including the 18-hole golf course, was the prior- ity at the Errol Estate Rec- reation District Adviso- ry Committee’s first meet- ing. The group is also ex- ploring options for land ac- Members of the Errol advisory committee spread out at City Hall due to social quisition and renovation distancing requirements. The meeting was held Tuesday, June 23, at Apop- of the city. It was decided at the golf course land as well sibilities for the recreation ka City Hall. Formed by the meeting that those who as build a new pool and re- district. Mayor Bryan Nelson, the live in the recreation district habilitate other amenities. Members also dis- 21-member advisory com- and pay the special proper- A new clubhouse would be cussed whether to keep mittee has been tasked with ty tax would have access to among the costs, committee the redevelopment vision figuring out what it would all the amenities, except the members said. in line with that of Signa- take to overhaul the strug- golf course, at no additional The committee in- ture H, the Celebration real gling Errol Estate recre- cost. There could be a dis- formally voted on each of estate developer that was ational amenities. count for district residents the following amenities: hired to overhaul the prop- Funding for the recre- for golf, committee mem- the pool, clubhouse, tennis erty into New Errol before A great blue heron keeps an eye on a potential ation district would come bers said. courts, fitness center, walk- they and 5th Hole Invest- meal along the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. The from a special assessment Money raised from ing trails, and “800-pound ments, which is managed drive is free to the public and opens at 7 a.m. with on the property tax bill of the recreation district tax gorilla in the room” that is by the estate of golf course the final entrance to the 11-mile one-way drive at each homeowner within would be used to purchase the golf course, Mayor Nel- proprietor Larry Klein, 3 p.m. The exit gate is locked at 5 p.m. The en- the recreational district, not bonds. Proceeds from the son said, choosing to pur- trance is located at 2850 Lust Road, Apopka. from general tax revenues bonds would be used to buy sue those amenities as pos- See ERROL Page 5A Celebrating Juneteenth Chamber of Commerce will host political hob nob By Teresa Sargeant which much of north- Apopka Chief Staff ern Apopka is a part. State Rep. Jennifer A political meet-and-greet will take Sullivan is retiring place in conjunction with the grand open- from office, so candi- ing of a new hotel, a development that dates are lining up to marks the completion of phase 1 of the city replace her. center, a public-private mixed-use devel- “That’s a very opment. Agrusa important race for The annual Apopka Area Political Hob our community be- Nob and Straw Poll will take place on Sat- cause they do represent our voice in Tal- urday, July 25, at 9 a.m. at the Hilton Gar- lahassee in the state House,” said Apopka den Inn at the Apopka City Center, 580 E. Chamber President Robert Agrusa. A rally and walk was held Friday, Main St., Apopka. The event is free and Other elections this year include: Or- June 19, to celebrate Juneteenth, a open to the public, and will be held outside ange County sheriff, for which incumbent day that celebrates the emancipa- rain or shine under the shade of trees. John W. Mina is again running; Orange tion of slaves in the United States The hob nob and straw poll will follow County property appraiser, for which in- on June 19, 1865. In the picture all Centers for Disease Control and Pre- cumbent Rick Singh is campaigning; cir- at the right, Pastor Gerard Moss vention guidelines that include the proper cuit and county judges; and state attorney. social distancing required for hosting the Agrusa believes there will be “a lot of of St. Paul AME Church of Apopka community event. interest” in the judges’ races. speaks during a short rally held at Organized by the Apopka Area Cham- “I think in light of the last month or so, the church on Park Avenue. In the ber of Commerce, the event is an opportu- talking about change and that many voices picture above, participants walk nity for community members to meet lo- are being heard, this is a great opportunity along Central Avenue from the cal, state, and national candidates while to have an input in our criminal justice sys- church to Wheatley Park, located discussing important campaign issues and tem,” Agrusa said. adjacent to Phillis Wheatley Ele- voting in a straw poll. The Hilton Garden Inn’s development mentary School. The event drew Many offices are up for grabs this marks the end of phase 1 for the Apop- about 50 people. year. A key local race is the Florida Leg- islature representative for District 31, of See HOB Page 7A Piedmont Lakes Middle School has new principal This week By Teresa Sargeant each student has a promising and Piedmont Lake’s new top adminis- Section A Opinion .................. 2A Apopka Chief Staff successful future and just want to trator at the school board’s June 9 Public Notices ....... 6A be able to support the families in meeting. Golden Chief ......... 8A Beginning with the 2020-2021 the community because I under- According to OCPS’s 2020- Bus. Rev. ........9A-10A school year, whatever that may stand it’s a pathway to lead our stu- 2021 school calendar, July look like, Dr. Frederick Ray Jr. will dents to success.” 31 through August 7 is pre-plan- fill the role as principal of Pied- “The biggest thing is to have ning in OCPS, with August 5 be- Section B mont Lakes Middle School, which high expectations for student learn- ing Professional Development Day Sports ....................1B has a student body of a little over ing and understanding the social and August 10 being the first day Dining & Ent .......... 1B 1,000. and emotional well being of each of school for students. Due to the Worship .................2B An Apopka resident who of our children in our communities coronavirus pandemic, that calen- Automotive ............3B lives eight minutes from Piedmont and families, and trying to have a dar could possibly be changed. Kapers ................... 4B Lakes, Ray succeeds Dr. Edward focus on a high quality and dedi- Ray began his education ca- NASCAR ................ 5B (Jerome) Thompson, who was cated team so we can serve the reer in 2001 as a substitute teach- Legal ads ......... 6B-8B its principal from 2013 until this community the best way we can,” er for OCPS while playing for the Classified....... 8B-10B March when he retired. Dr. Valeria Dr. Frederick Ray Jr. Ray said. “One of the things I en- Orlando Predators, an Arena Foot- Service Dir. ..........10B Maxwell, a retired Orange County . school principal joy is – and that I know – is that any ball League team. He played for six Public Schools principal, returned school in Orange County is a pillar years; during that time, he got his to become acting principal from speaks to how we want to assist the of the community, and we want to teaching certification. March to June. students in the community within be open to the families of the stu- “While I was playing – I “I like to align my vision this district,” Ray said. “So the val- dents that we serve.” played six years in the Arena – I and mission with the district. I’ve ues of equity, integrity, inclusion, OCPS Superintendent Dr. Bar- aligned that component because it and respect, I want to ensure that bara Jenkins announced Ray as See SCHOOL Page 5A The Apopka Chief June 26, 2020 Page 2A Apopka Event of the Week Quotable On Saturday, June 27 at 875 E. 13th The process to form a recreation dis- Street, Apopka, there will be a yard trict is controlled by the state govern- sale held from 10 a.m. until noon. Af- ment and in order to form the district, it must be approved by 50 percent ter the yard sale, from noon to 3 p.m., plus one of the voting residents of the there will be free groceries, food and proposed recreation district. fellowship. For information, call 407- 234-3916. The Apopka Chief on the Opinion requirements tor a new district The Apopka Chief A weekly newspaper founded in 1923 Publisher Reporters Marketing Director John Ricketson Richard Corbeil Jackie Trefcer Editor Teresa Sargeant Advertising John Peery Neal Fisher Kayla Leon General Manager Photographer Emeritus Tammy Keaton Neoma Knox Our position Errol recreation district should be explored This week, the first meeting of an the proposed recreation district. If the advisory committee tasked with the district is approved by those voters, a idea of seeing if a recreation district governing board made up of at least Community must work together would be plausible to resurrect the Er- five residents of those who live in the I keep getting more County Commissioner learn about the success of District 2 rol Estate golf course and other ameni- district would be voted upon by those news of friends being laid our special appropriation ties was held.