Resolve to Learn More About Our Local Government

It’s February, and for many of us, New Year’s resolutions about exercising more or losing weight have come and gone, but there’s still time to make another resolution. Why not resolve to become better informed? Since we already have 24-hour coverage of national events, why not resolve to become more familiar with things closer to home? Why not resolve to learn more about Village and county government?

Try starting easily by attending a VHA Residents’ Night. It’s a perfect opportunity to meet representatives from local government and organizations that make The Villages lifestyle possible. Residents’ Nights take place on the second Tuesday of the month, beginning at 7:00pm at various rec centers throughout The Villages. Check The VHA website for details at thevhastag.wpenginepowered.com

Ready for the next step? Consider attending a Community Development District (CDD) Orientation Session. The Villages’ form of government is probably a lot different than where you came from. Come and learn about what District you are in and how the Districts operate. Sessions are held at the District Main Office at 10:00am on the first and third Tuesdays. Remember, the District Offices have moved to 3571 Kiessel Road in Brownwood. No prior registration is required for this free event.

For a more in-depth discussion, consider attending Resident Academy. It’s a four-hour interactive program, complete with Q&A sessions where participants receive a detailed look at the various District Departments and how they work together. The Resident Academy is held three times a year. To register, go to the District Government website at www.districtgov.org. For the procrastinators among us, there is always Government Day, an annual event held in early November.

To further increase your knowledge, Marion and Sumter Counties offer Citizens Academies that provide an opportunity for residents to gain an in-depth understanding of how county government operates. The Marion County program is on Thursday mornings and runs from March through May. For more information, call (352) 438-2300. Marion County also offers an Alumni Academy dealing with the Constitutional offices for graduates of the Citizens Academy.

The Sumter County’s Citizens Academy offers an opportunity to connect with local government and gain a deeper understanding of the services that impact your daily life. It is held four times a year and consists of five weekly four-hour sessions. For more information, call (352) 689-4400.

For those interested in law enforcement, the Sheriffs of Lake, Marion, and Sumter County also offer multi-session Citizens Academies designed to build a better understanding of the issues facing police and the community. For more information, contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Department at (352) 326-8108, Marion County Sheriff’s Office at (352) 438-5998, and Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at (352) 689-4604.

In addition to The VHA, District Government, and County Programs, The Office of the State Attorney for the 5^th Judicial Circuit offers a six-week Citizens Prosecutors Academy. Participants will hear directly from attorneys, judges, and subject-matter experts about various topics, including the jury trial process, forensics, and homicide investigations. For more information, call (352) 671-5800.

As you can see, from VHA Residents’ Nights to multi-week programs, there are various opportunities to increase your knowledge and understanding of our local government.  What are you waiting for?

The VHA Editorial Board
Rich Cole
Roger Kass