Government Day is an annual event in The Villages, Florida, where residents can meet directly with the agencies that serve them. Hosted by The Villages Community Development Districts (CDDs) – special-purpose districts established under Florida State Statutes—the event took place this year at the Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center.
On Saturday, November 2, we attended Government Day, which was bustling with attendees in high spirits. Some even called it “Halloween Trick or Treat for adults,” with tables filled with brochures, trinkets, and candy.
The event offered a fantastic opportunity for residents to connect with local agencies. One highlight was meeting Congressman Daniel Webster. We had a productive conversation about local accessibility issues and shared insights on the new Medical Diagnostic Equipment Accessibility Regulations. He was attentive, shook our hands, and genuinely listened.
We also spoke with Gloria Hayward, our Sumter County Clerk, who advised us to subscribe to the Property Fraud Alert service—a tool that helps protect against the illegal use of your property for financial gain.
Veterans Memorial Park
Looking for a meaningful Christmas gift? Veterans Memorial Park is a serene space dedicated to honoring the service of veterans. With peaceful oaks, benches, and commemorative bricks, it offers a reflective setting. The park hosts regular, public ceremonies to celebrate veterans’ contributions year-round. For $50, you can purchase a memorial brick, to be placed in the Park, honoring a loved one who served our country. Click here to purchase your memorial brick, or for more information, call 352-753-4508.
Community Watch & Public Safety Department
Community Watch promoted their Community Help Initiative Response Program (CHIRP) – a personal whistle alert system Click here to learn more or call Community Watch at (352) 753-0550.
The Villages Public Safety Department offers smoke detector assistance to residents of The Villages as part of the department’s Fall Prevention Program, designed for residents who are unable to climb ladders to safely install and/or change the batteries in their smoke detector(s). They reminded attendees today to check the batteries in their smoke detectors and, if you need it, register for this service. To register, call (352) 205-8280 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Superintendent of Sumter County Schools
A special highlight was meeting Logan Brown, the Superintendent of Sumter County Schools. We discussed accessibility and the future of education for children with disabilities, beyond just Autism. Logan was enthusiastic and suggested we reach out to Jennifer Haynes at Better Life Academy, a nearby school focused on special education. You can contact her at (352) 314-3760 or through the Better Life Academy website.
Property Taxes
We had the opportunity to discuss our current property tax bill with the Sumter County Tax Collector’s office. They offered to personally review our current tax bill and return to us an explanation for the significant increase.
District Representative
Finally, we connected with our District 6 representative, Tweet Coleman, Seat 1, who is an author and motivational speaker. We look forward to the possibility of her speaking to our AFINS group – her energy and enthusiasm would be a wonderful addition.
Ombudsman
We met Phylis Berger, a Certified Ombudsman, who shared information about their role in ensuring quality care for residents in nursing homes. I inquired about group homes for individuals with disabilities, but she wasn’t certain. You can find more information on the Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program website or call (352) 620-3086.
Overall, Government Day was a well-organized, informative, and engaging event. I highly recommend attending in 2025.
Story by Debbie Jenkins
