The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-06-30
BOOST AND BOOM
The People of ocala,. Like the Demo
cratic Party, Should "Get
Touether"

Editor of the Ocala Banner:
The writer has watched develop
ments in Ocala during the past two
years with considerable interest.
Since that time when Ocala was
brought into prominence by the adver-
Using campaign conducted by two
large colonization propositions, there
has been a steady growth in the town,
and all for the better. While Ocala
has had practically no advertising,
many people who have come to this
county have located in Ocala-some
for homes, while others have gone
into business, and thus our population
has been added to.
Improvements have been made in
our stores, store buildings, banks,
bank buildings. A great number of
residences have been built, sub-divis-
ions sold, buildings contracted to be
built on same, but with all of this
there is still no boom in Ocala, and
not as much is being done as should
be done, and would be done, if all our
citizens would get together and make
united effort for Ocala.
Ocala is the Hub city of Florida, as
well as the Brick City, and the Banner
city OF the Banner county Of the Ban
tner state. Its natural advantages are
many-too many in fact to tell in
this article but Notwithstanding the
fact that Ocala has so many natural
advantages, it will not build up the
way it should build up unless Ocala
citizens get together, pull together
and everyone for Ocala.
Ocala is the logical point-halfway
between the Gulf and Atlantic. Oc-
cupying a central position in the
state, it should have hard road to
the Gulf and to the Atlantic 1t
should have railroad leading east to
connect with the east coast Many
travelling men have told the writer
that if Ocala had easier connections
with the east coast, their houses
would undoubtedly establish their
branches in Ocala rather than in
Jacksonville
Ocala needs first-class, high grade
hotel, it needs factories, for we have
the Camps water power close by
1t needs a sewerage system, it needs
union depot, it needs better train
and shipping service.
l wonder how many Ocala citizens
read the late report Of Commissioner
of Agriculture, McIin. The commits
sioner gives the average production
on truck at $2f300 per acre. Ocala
has many acres of land surrounding it
which would make ideal land for IT.
rigation. This means a trucking
country 1t is an ideal fruit country,
and if you will stop and compare
Ocala with California towns with the
| same advantages, you will find out
that Ocala should be city of 10000
Or $4,000 people.
Ocala citizens, if interested in
Ocala's welfare, should look forward
to what is going to happen in the state
of Florida during the next ten or fif-
teen years, and if they will do so
and anticipate the future-the growth
of this city, and the growth of this
safe, they will wake up, unless they
have the hookworm and are beyond
all recall
There has been some agitation
about bonding the city. The writer is
thoroughly in favor of bonding, not
only the city, but the county for pub
lie improvements. Bonds, if issued.
would be sold away from home. Out
side capital would be brought into
this city and county, and the major
ity of it-Yes so per cent of it would
be spent at home; ana where is the
business man today who won't borrow
all the money he can possibly handle
to use for the betterment OF his bus
mess
Let the city and county do likewise
We are rich-so much richer than
other communicative we can well
afford to borrow and owe money.
One of the most encouraging things
toward Ocala's future growth that
has come to the writer's observation
| is the manner in which the Ocala
! bankers got together and entertained
the State Bankers Association. They
did the city of Ocala proud Why?
Because they all got together, they
worked together. and they sent away
every member of their association
feeling good and thinking well of
Ocala If the same spirit was shown
by the citizens in other projects for
the betterment of Ocala, we would
soon have much better town.
/