44.4 F
The Villages
Sunday, December 22, 2024

County buildings to be named in honor of two devoted public servants

Gloria Hayward
Garry Breeden
Garry Breeden

Sumter County commissioners voted Tuesday night to name two buildings after longtime county employees.

The Bushnell Public Works Building is now the Garry Breeden Public Works Building and the new Sumterville County Service Center will be known as the Gloria Rowe Hayward Sumter County Service Center.

Breeden joined the public works department in 1972, serving as director from 1977 until his retirement in 2004. He served as county commissioner from 2006 until 2022.

Hayward began working at the clerk’s office in 1969 and moved to the office of the clerk of the circuit court in 1997.

Renaming the buildings recognizes Breeden’s and Hayward’s “extensive contributions as a public servant to the residents of Sumter County,” according to resolutions authorizing the name changes.

County Chairman Craig Estep cited Breeden’s “litany of work” and said Breeden provided guidance when Estep joined the board in 2020.

He also offered praise for Hayward.

“I can’t say enough for the great work she’s done for the people of Sumter County,” Estep said.

Commissioners began the practice of naming buildings for longtime county employees last fall when the law enforcement center near Pinellas Plaza was named after Sheriff William Farmer.

Why are residents paying for advertising on the bridge at Spanish Springs?

A Villager is wondering why amenity money is being used to light up the bridge with advertising for The Villages.

Banning of faith-based Batterers Intervention Program in Florida

In a Letter to the Editor, a reader laments a decision by lawmakers to hand the reins of the Batterers Intervention Programs over to a state agency.

Trump’s choice for ambassador to Israel doesn’t recognize Palestinians

A reader from Milwaukee points out that Trump’s choice for ambassador to Israel doesn’t recognize the Palestinian people.

Elon Musk has a new puppet

A Village of Santiago resident, in a Letter to the Editor, says it looks like Elon Musk has a new puppet.

If structures are suddenly ‘amenities’ residents will be driven out of The Villages

A Village of Springdale resident fears that if structures like bridges and the Lake Sumter Landing dock are suddenly “amenities” residents will be driven out of The Villages by astronomically high amenity fees.