Remarks by Ire J. Bethea Sr
382 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 7 of 16
- Play at 1:31:09
“Agenda item. Let me make sure because y'all have been on me today. All right, agenda item 11, internal auditor's report.”
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 1:47:09
“So you have a tentative date for the hotel?”
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 1:47:22
“Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? All right. Police Chief Mike Balkins. Balkins.”
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 1:50:26
“That's his name? FEED THE FEARLESS. FEED THE FEARLESS. FEED THE FEARLESS.”
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 1:54:23
“Thank you. Thank you. Anybody have any questions?”
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 1:54:43
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 1:57:56
“Do you have any questions for me? Well, we thank you for coming. And I don't think none of us trying to brush you off. We was dealing with situations at one time. Our investigation was not finished. And we don't talk about ongoing investigations and things of that nature now. I APPRECIATE YOUR COMING.”
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 1:58:22
“LISTEN TO ME. I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING. I GREATLY APPRECIATE THE WAY YOU HANDLE YOURSELF. AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS YOU DIDN'T COME UP HERE SCREAMING AND HOLLYING, ALL RIGHT? YOU'RE ASKING, YOU'RE TRYING TO COMMUNICATE. AND WE'RE TRYING TO COMMUNICATE BACK. WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU CALLED THE CITY MANAGER OR THE POLICE CHIEF OR ANY OTHER DIRECTOR OF A DEPARTMENT They're supposed to get back with you in a timely manner, and I believe they're doing their best to do that.”
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 1:59:13
“This is what I think. A month. I think that the staff, period, tried to communicate with you. Hold on. Now, you said, let me. Sure. And you was a little irate. You got upset.”
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 1:59:30
“Okay. So then they could not talk to you. Listen to me. If I'm going to talk to you, you need to hear me just like I'm hearing you. We don't have to agree, but you have to hear me. And we can't keep going back and forth. There'll come a time that we have to stop. I think the staff have tried to talk to you, try to reconcile this, whatever way it is that you think that we're supposed to do. But we are trying to do a job here, and all of us are professionals, and we are working to try to handle the business of the city of Ocala. You may not agree with the way we do it. Yes, you're right.”
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 2:01:16
“Everything is concerning to me. All right. I say to you...”
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 2:01:45
“No, that's not necessarily true. And listen, I'm going to stop. If that's how you feel. Yes, sir. Thank you for coming. God bless you. God bless you too, sir. Okay.”
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 2:02:17
“THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. I THINK THAT WAS THE LAST COMMENT WE HAD. IS THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT. AGENDA ITEM 17. You review that, you know, they're telling you about all the upcoming meetings that we have, communications that we have. If there's nothing else, this meeting is adjourned.”
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 2:05:15
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 2:11:20
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 2:12:41
“Positive. Ladies and gentlemen, you all have a good night. Meeting adjourned.”
City Council · Sep 1, 2026
- Play at 0:32
“Good evening. Our invocation will be offered by Chaplain Joe Hasler. And thereafter, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance.”
City Council · Aug 18, 2026
- Play at 1:13
“I will pledge allegiance to the flag. It is now 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18th, 2026. And this meeting of the Ocala City Council is called to order. Item two. Clerk, please call the roll.”
City Council · Aug 18, 2026
- Play at 2:02
“Here. to a, we have two new employees with us tonight, and we would like to recognize them. When I call your name, please stand. Michael Cortez, Public Works. Jesse Palmers, Palmers Public Works. A welcome to the city family. The clerk will provide the public notice.”
City Council · Aug 18, 2026
- Play at 3:13
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Aug 18, 2026
- Play at 6:38
“All right. Thank you. Item 4B is the presentation of the Arts in the Health Day in Ocala. Proclamation to Arts and Health Ocala Metro Executive Director, Patricia Tomlinson.”
City Council · Aug 18, 2026
- Play at 10:08
“Item 4C is the presentation of a service award to Jerry Tafoya for 25 years of service with Ocala Fire Rescue.”
City Council · Aug 18, 2026
- Play at 11:55
“Item 4D is the presentation of a service award to Joseph Dodden for 25 years of service with O'Kelley Electric Utilities. Thank you.”
City Council · Aug 18, 2026
- Play at 13:52
“Item 4E is the presentation of a service award to Jody Taylor for 30 years of service with public works.”
City Council · Aug 18, 2026
- Play at 15:52
“Item 4F is the presentation of a service award to Major Gregory Martin for 30 years of service with the Ocala Police Department.”
City Council · Aug 18, 2026