To the Editor:
With a heavy heart, I read about the demise of the Community Improvement Council. As a former two term member and secretary I will always remember the fine people and things we were able to do for the community. I still have the shirt and jacket we wore when we were ambassadors for the Villages realty as they opened new model house areas. We would man the models and greet people and answer general Village questions.
Ann Forrester was the author and backbone of the memorial bench project and there is a bench on El Camino just east of the Savannah Center with the CIC plaque. We met each month to discuss the suggestions – many of which came to fruition. Others were (tabled) such as wanting the gate houses as mini marts so people didn’t have to go far for milk, eggs, beer, etc. We were a close-knit body that seriously looked at each idea. The “donut holes” we consumed at each meeting were our perk. The highlight was the holiday party the Developer had for us each year and Mark Morse and Sam Wartinbee would come just to thank us for our help. I still have my plaque honoring my service when I went off the committee. (I believe we were only allowed two terms). CIC “Rest in Peace” for a well deserved job.
Donald Simson
Village of Santiago