For immediate release
July 22, 2022
Contact: Levi Solomon, levisolomon@aol.com, 352-406-6628
Allison Baltzersen, abaltzersen@gmail.com, 305-393-7806
Michael McGrath, michael.mcgrath@sierraclub.org, 386-341-4708
**MEDIAADVISORY**
NO BUILD COMMUNITY TO SUMTER COUNTY:
“Here we come”
WHAT: “No Build” activists will gather in The Villages to send a clear, loud message to the
Sumter County Commissioners that it is time for them to follow in the footsteps of the Levy
Board of County Commissioners, Citrus Board of County Commissioners, Dunnellon City
Council, Inverness City Council, Inglis Town Commission, and Yankeetown Council and pass a
“No Build” resolution of their own. See the Facebook event.
WHO: Residents from the Royal, Tillman’s Hammock, Wildwood, and The Village
communities, and unincorporated Sumter County.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Press conference will begin at 4:00 pm sharp.
WHERE: Sumter County Commission Meeting
Everglades Regional Recreation Center
5497 Marsh Bend Trail, Grand Canyon Room
The Villages, FL 32163
Rain cover will be provided.
BACKGROUND: In 2019 the bill creating the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic
Significance (M-CORES) was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, and while M-CORES
was technically repealed in 2021, the threat of a proposed Northern Turnpike Extension remains.
In February, the Sumter Commission and Wildwood City Council jointly sent a letter petitioning
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise to modify the “Alternative Corridor Center” route to put it in close
proximity to CR 475 North of SR 44 to CR 245E. That action has been universally unpopular;
any route emanating from the current endpoint of the Florida Turnpike would severely impact
the communities of Royal, Wildwood, Tillman’s Hammock, and Oxford in Sumter County.
Go to the No Roads to Ruin Coalition website for more information.
VISUALS will include a large crowd, t-shirts, signs, posters, banners, and maps.
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