The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-11-05
SELECTING A SCHOOL STE
SubschooI Trustees Reply to Objec-
tiOnS Made to the New
Location

10 an article recently written by Mr.
j. H. Brinson, Directing 10 the pro-
posed site of the new Ocala high
school building. So far as We are
advised, there exists no general
complaint or objection in this com
munity TO erecting the building on
the site which was selected and pur-
chased, not by this board, but by
committee Of five representative per-
sons, as follows: w T. Gary, repre-
senting the sub-school district trus-
tees; W. D. earn, representing the
county board Of public instruction;
J. II. Brins0n. county superintend-
ent; R. s. Hall. representing the cit
liens of OcaIa; Airs. Jack Camp
representing the Woman's Club.
Two or three communications, in
Guiding one written by Mr.. Brinson
have appeared in the local papers
which set forth some objections tc
the site, but it would seem that the
writer's in each instance do not rep
SSSIit u O+d4AI ~ ltpl Co6EIt- d44N
ones opinion except their own. AS
this fact is matter OF public con-
Germ, we wish TO present some facts
and figures bearing upon the ques-
ton, so that the taxpayers ana pat
rOns of the school may form some
judgment upon the matter
1st. As between the site pur-
chased and the property known as
the DuebeI lot, the comparative dis
lance from the court house square
shows that the Duebel lot is nine
tenths OF a mile from the public
square. while the lot selected is six
tenths. From the point in North
Ocala where Magnolia street inter
sects the A. C. L. railroads main
line to the Duebel property, the dis
lance by the most direct route pos
sible, to be trayersel over any high
way. is IL miles. From the same
point via the paved streets the dis
lance is Is miles. From the same
point to the site purchased. the dis
lance is 145 miles This would
seem to dispose Of the criticism bas-
Ell on the Inconvenience to North
Ocala
2nd. Elevation and drainage
The site selected by the committee
feet above the level OF the public
square. that is from the bottom STEP
OF the court house on the south side
ana also 22.36 feet higher than q
point on Fort King avenue directly
north Of this site. The drainage. az
is we'll known. can be made perfect
and at very little expense from the
site selected toward the lower levels
Of the City, in a nOrthWesterly direc-
ton This should meet all objections
on the score Of elevation and drain
age.
3rd. AS 10 alleged Inconvenience
to students living west of the \ c
L. railroad The facts are that pu-
pills residing in the third ward OF the
city could most conveniently use the
crossing at South Eighth street
where there is only single track OF
| the railroad. while students in the
| fourth ward would necessarily come
/ through the business part of the city
! just as they would have to do tC
reach the Duebel lot. This ought tc
| cover the objection raised on that
| score.
/ 4th. AS to the objection that the
! site selected is not suitable 10 the
! future growth and development OF
! the city. 1t is only necessary to say
! that this is a matter largely Of opin-
! ion and prophecy, and the five per
sons on the committee who selected
! this school site probably exercised
sound Judgment in this respect.
9TH. 1t is claimed by Mr.. Brinsor
that the location chosen does not fl
the requirements OF the state law
and that instead OF being dry and
airE. the location i low and fat
! This is a matter which every citizen
I is able to Judge for himself. and We
submit to the candid opinion Of the
/ citizens and taxpayers whether Mr.
/ Brinson's statement a. to the char
. acter OF the site is correct, judged
by their knowledge Of the facts. and
| the actual figures shown in Mr.
| Moorhead's report. hereto appended
Mr.. Brinson apparently wishes &c
convey the impression that water
sometimes stands on the lots. but he
makes no positive statement to thai
effect Mr.. ]. w Akin. who has beer
living just east OF the property fol
four years. states positively that ht
has never seen water standing or
this property.
9Th. In regard to Objectionable
quarters occupied by negroes. which