SKVA bids members a final farewell

The Siesta Key Village Association went out with a bang Wednesday, Dec. 7 at Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar on Siesta Key. 

The association announced it would be merging with the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce as of Jan. 1 2017 in early November. Members, both current and past, gathered together to commemorate the organization's more than 40-year history with appetizers and drinks. 

Attendees wore their years of membership as badges of honor. Owner of Blase Cafe Cynthia Bieslin boasted four years with the organization, Kay Kouvatsos over 20 years, but none in attendance could top SKVA Treasurer Roz Hyman's 40 years of membership. 

Although all in attendance looked forward to the merger, for some, the meeting was bittersweet. 

"We've made a lot of friends working together," SKVA Secretary Helene Hyland said. 

The meeting was short. There was no Sheriff's to report, no code enforcement update and no minutes to approve. 

President Wendall Jacobson addressed the about 15 members in attendance with enthusiasm. He assured members the organization would continue to participate in island events such as Crystal Classic and the Siesta Key Easter Egg hunt after it merged with the Chamber of Commerce. 

Although the SKVA has been the village's primary voice in island politics, Jacobson said operating under the banner of the chamber will not diminish members' voices, but strengthen them. 

"We're hoping instead of being a voice of the village, we hope to be a voice of the whole key," Jacobson said.