An official is pleading for an end to broken promises when it comes to addressing the “Gutenberg” Recreation News.
Community Development District 2 Supervisor Bryan Lifsey invoked the memory of Johannes Gutenberg, who started a revolution in 1440 when he invented the printing press.
Lifsey recalled in 2017 both the Amenity Authority Committee and Project Wide Advisory were “ambushed” by a “stunning” 74 percent increase in printing costs for the Recreation News. He said that massive increase ignited a call from residents to find a technology alternative to the weekly pulp version of the Recreation News, which is distributed Thursdays in The Villages Daily Sun.
Lifsey told PWAC members on Monday morning that promises have been made in the past to bring Recreation News into the modern age.
“Did that happen? NO! But promises were made for 2019-20. Did that happen? NO! But promises were made for 2020-21. Did that happen during your May Budget Workshop? Again, NO!” Lifsey told PWAC members.
He pointed the finger of blame at Recreation Director John Rohan, who last month offered an impassioned plea to continue funding of the Recreation News, which last year cost residents about $800,000 per year. The Amenity Authority Committee, which represents residents north of County Road 466, also helps pay for Recreation News. The weekly press run of the Recreation News tops $14,000.
“His recommendation – I call it the Gutenberg recommendation – keeps putting ink on paper. His mention of a technology alternative is noticeable only by its complete absence. For the fourth year in a row, the ‘ink on paper’ Gutenberg recommendation makes a complete mockery of this committee and its desire to explore alternatives. That should not be acceptable to this committee,” Lifsey told PWAC.
PWAC member Don Brozick said he would like to see a breakdown of the costs of the production of Recreation News.
“All we see is a lot of paper being sent out,” Broznick said.
The CDD 11 supervisor added that he is encouraged by the online version of Recreation News offered via a link on the DistrictGov.org website.
However, PWAC members appeared puzzled when they were told there is no data about how many Villagers are using the online Recreation News and were told the document is housed on the The Villages Daily Sun’s website, not the District’s website.
“Shouldn’t this be something that’s owned by the residents?” asked PWAC Chairman Peter Moeller.
The proposed PWAC budget shows that PWAC has budgeted $659,350 for Recreation News in 2020-21. That’s up from $565,020 in 2019-20 and $543,924 in 2018-19.