Ranch CDD supervisor resigns

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Longtime Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 1 supervisor Gary Berns has resigned.

Berns submitted his letter of resignation to Lakewood Ranch Town Hall and his fellow board members Oct. 1.

“I’m going to be 75 years old in three months,” said Berns, who had two years left on his term. “I had already made up my mind that I wasn’t going to run again.

“The (Inter-District Authority board) constantly has taken more power away from individual districts and staff has done more, leaving little more for me to do on the board,” he said of why he resigned.

Berns, who also is active in the Summerfield/Riverwalk Village Association, has been a CDD 1 supervisor for 10 years and is one of the original resident-elected board members for CDD 1. He also is one of the residents who spearheaded efforts in 2010 and 2011 to oppose the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch.

Berns has served as an elected official for more than 30 years, previously working as a fire commissioner in New York. He said he will continue volunteering for Tidewell Hospice and remain active in his homeowners association.

“I’ve enjoyed most of my 10 years, and I wish (my fellow board members) all success in the future,” he said.
CDD 1 Chairwoman June Stroup said Berns has been a valuable asset to the board.

“Gary has been a very active, interested person and has done a lot to provide quality service for the community,” she said. “He’s believed in helping the residents and has worked hard to maintain financial levels that are affordable for the entire community.”

CDD 1 supervisors are now accepting résumés from individuals interested in filling the remainder of Berns’ term.

Candidates must be residents of District 1 and must be a legal resident of Florida, over the age of 18 and a registered voter in Manatee County.

Résumés must be submitted by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, to Jessica Mears, clerk to the boards, at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch, 34202, either in-person or by mail.
CDD 1 Board of Supervisors will interview applicants at a later date; no date has yet been set.

For more information, visit lakewoodranchgov.org or call 907-0202.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].