A gathering of Villages movers and shakers, long-term residents and new homeowners, came out on a chilly Wednesday evening to witness the changing of the guard at the Villages Homeowners Association December meeting.
Before the 2014 VHA President, Bill Gottschalk, turned over the reins to his successor, Fred Briggs, at the Laurel Manor Regional Recreation Center, he reflected on the VHA’s accomplishments during 2014, and also the myriad  long-term history of resident benefits brought about by the organization.
He gratefully acknowledged many leaders in The Villages and Lady Lake for their assistance during his term in office.
“The Villages would not be the great community it is today without the positive efforts of so many people,” Gottschalk said. “We don’t always agree on issues, but we always agree to work together to find positive solutions.”
Important VHA programs of benefit to residents include the long-standing Golf Cart Safety Clinic, held the third Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m., at Colony Cottage; and the New Residents program, hosted the second Tuesdays 7-9 p.m., also at Colony. Gottschalk also mentioned CarFit, a partnership of the VHA with tri-county law enforcement and The Villages District Government to promote safer driving for seniors;  Care Track –– a partnership with the Sumter County Community Foundation and Sheriff’s Office for Alzheimer’s disease patient monitoring, and  Operation S.A.F.E. (Stop Adult Financial Exploitation).Â
Gottschalk spoke proudly of the VHA’s Helping Hands program, which shares donated durable medical equipment among Villages residents; Town Hall Meetings held quarterly since 1991 for two-way communication to  resolve resident issues;  the Project Wide Advisory Committee for community improvements in districts south of County Road 466 and some time ago, VHA assistance to homeowners whose Owens Corning siding exhibited granulation and blistering problems.
He credited past VHA presidents Sandy Mott, who currently writes the VHA newsletter ‘Villages Voice,’ and Don Hahnfeldt, now Chairman of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners, for their excellent leadership; and the at-large and appointed VHA directors, regional directors and committee chairs for their hard work.
The membership approved three new vice presidents: Robin Worth (North Area — north of CR 466); Phil Walker (Center Area — between CR 466 and 466A) and Kay Elder (South Area — below 466A).
New VHA president, Fred Briggs, who moved up from the position of executive vice president, told the assemblage he would do his best to live up to their expectations — to maintain the value of Villages properties and enhance resident lifestyle. He encouraged residents to contact their VHA representatives for their Villages and Villa communities, and encouraged members to speak with their neighbors to enlarge the membership roster.
“The more members we have, the louder our voice becomes when we speak,” Briggs said. He cited Art Rowe for by-laws enhancements and Joe Elliott for his strategic planning efforts — and promised to listen to everyone’s ideas as long as they are presented with good intent. For those who want to learn how the 16,000+member VHA has benefited residents over the years, Gottschalk suggested reading past president, Mott’s, writings found on the website: VHA.net.
Over and over during Gottschalk’s and Brigg’s microphone time, they repeated the words partnership, cooperation and collaboration. Partnership was also the theme of Villages District Manager Janet Tutt’s talk. Tutt ably directs a large staff of district employees; is responsible for an annual budget exceeding $240 million, and works long and hard to coordinate inputs from 77 elected officials on various commercial and residential boards; several utilities and the Developer’s representatives. Tutt is widely admired for her dedication, energy, stamina and ethics.
Tutt said 2014 was an outstanding year, and she looks forward to an even better 2015. She noted cost savings and project efficiencies gained by consolidating most of her staff in new Lake Sumter Landing quarters, and lauded her executive assistant, Brittany Wilson, whose phone system suggestions resulted in a $64,000 savings. Refinancing the district bonds will realize a $21 million in savings over twenty years, and Tutt is always looking to enhance resident communication and participation in district government meetings and Welcome Wednesday interfaces.
“We are all so excited as we move forward to build out of The Villages within a few years,” Tutt said. “We are financially sound; we have strong reserves in place for contingencies, and we have a model of government that works very well. We could easily be a case study for district government principles for master’s degree programs — and it has all been accomplished with partnerships built on trust. We have incredible relationships with our Lady Lake and Wildwood governments, our tri-county sheriff’s offices and local police departments. This doesn’t happen in too many other situations. Here, when anyone calls with a reasonable request, we all readily convene to listen and work toward problem solving.”
Audience members discussed how government in The Villages sounds too good to be true — but since they have seen it in action, they know it to be the case. The ‘can do’ attitude is palpable.
Tutt looks forward to finalization of a license plate (or tag) recognition system for better resident security, and an upcoming Senior Investment Seminar they will host on Jan, 20, at 1-4 p.m. at the SeaBreeze Regional Recreation Center. “Florida is the number one state for senior identity theft,” Tutt said, “and we need to spread the word on how to protect ourselves.”
