Preparing for the Community Association Election  

By Diane M. Loeffler

 

As senior citizens, we have experienced enough in our lives to have some ideas on how things work and how they should work. We have our opinions and reasons for them. Over the years, we may have felt we were in a position where all we could do was vent our frustrations or complain.

In Sun City Center things are different. Our community is small enough that each vote does make a difference. We can be involved in the day-to-day decisions in a significant way. When we volunteer for our Community Association’s committees, clubs, charities or government, we can actually see the results of our efforts.

Have you ever wanted to get involved, but don’t want a year-round commitment? Can you spare a few hours for three or four days to count newspaper ballots? Would you like to greet people as they come in for the two days of in-person elections? Would you like to count votes after the election?  If so, consider volunteering this fall to be a judge, teller, door greeter, floor person, ballot box person, or affidavit person. These roles only require a commitment of a few days a year. Another option would be to be the election committee chair or co-chair beginning in January.

Recently, Barbara Gingrich stepped in to chair the election committee. Gingrich is working with Brigitt Lewis this fall, but prior commitments will keep her from continuing in that role in 2020.

Some years ago, Gingrich and Tommy Wardlow co-chaired the elections committee for six or seven years. Gingrich says, “Sam Sudman told me there was a need for an election committee chair for the rest of this year, so I stepped in. If anyone would like to help the community in this way, I would be glad to train that person. It would be helpful if one of the chairs had some technical experience.”

Gingrich has lived here for 22 years and has been involved in many organizations over the years. She currently volunteers at St. John the Divine and the Information Center. She is also on the board for the Oldies but Goodies Club, and helps with many organizations and activities including the July 4 and Holiday Breakfasts.

Gingrich wonders why so many people don’t vote and asks, “Are people so content that they don’t feel we need to make any changes?”

Do you have opinions on how things should be done? Put your ideas and experience toward a good cause, the future of our community. You can do so by volunteering for the election committee or any number of clubs or groups. Your efforts, whether for a day or all-year round, do make a difference in the quality of life for us all.

 

IN THE PHOTO: Barbara Gingrich is currently chair of the elections committee.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Coffee with a Cop June 25

Coffee with a Cop June 25

Deputy Jeffrey Merry would like to invite you to join your neighbors and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies for “Coffee with a Cop” on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, 8 to 9 a.m., at the Ruskin Dunkin Donuts location, 717 Cypress Creek Blvd.Deputy Merry says...

Veterans Fair Draws Tremendous Response

Veterans Fair Draws Tremendous Response

Veterans Fair Draws Tremendous Response By Kai Rambow   “I went all the way around, and I probably stopped at ninety percent of the tables,” commented wheelchair-bound veteran, Patrick Clarahan.  “Just about every table, people were very easy to talk...

Chalk Festival: Art on the Street, Literally!

Chalk Festival: Art on the Street, Literally!

Chalk Festival: Art on the Street, Literally! By Diane M. Loeffler   Florida loves to throw a party. There are festivals and expos somewhere in central Florida nearly every weekend. The Chalk Festival may well be one of the most visually pleasing of all them....

South Hillsborough Veterans Clinic to Open May 21

South Hillsborough Veterans Clinic to Open May 21

The highly-anticipated VA South Hillsborough Outpatient Clinic is scheduled to open May 21. Located at 12920 Summerfield Crossing Boulevard, at the corner of US-301, the 50,000-square-foot clinic expects to serve more than 10,000 Veterans residing in...

The Comics Club Celebrates 30 Years

The Comics Club Celebrates 30 Years

When it comes to fun businesses, selling comic books, games and toys ranks up there with the best of them. That’s exactly what The Comics Club in Brandon, Fla., has been doing for since 1989. For D.J. Stamper, owner of The Comics Club, it just gets better...

The May 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The May 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Discover some beautiful art that tricks your senses; learn what happened when Governor Ron DeSantis came to town; save the date for the new Riverview VA Clinic Open House and Grand Opening, as well as the annual Memorial Day...