Berns vacates Lakewood Ranch district 1 seat

By Nick Williams
nwilliams@bradenton.com

Longtime Lakewood Ranch district supervisor Gary Berns has resigned from his seat in Community Development District 1, which serves the Summerfield and Riverwalk neighborhoods.

Gary Berns (Herald file photo)

Berns has sat on the district board for 10 years and was chairman of the organization opposed to incorporating Lakewood Ranch.

He officially resigned on Monday.

Berns has been a resident of Lakewood Ranch for 13 years. Prior to serving in Lakewood Ranch, he was a fire commissioner in Long Island, N.Y., for 23 years.

Berns said he'll cherish his time serving his community.

"It all comes down to helping people and giving people a decent place to live at a reasonable price," he said.

Berns said he'll continue to volunteer at Tidewell Hospice, a not-for-profit agency serving patients and families who are living with advanced illness in the Manatee area.

"I may do more work now that I have time," he said.

District 1 supervisors are now accepting resumes to fill the seat. Applicants must be legal residents of Florida and district 1, over the age of 18 and registered voters in Manatee County. The deadline to submit applications is Nov. 5. Applications can be mailed to Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, addressed to Jessica Mears, Clerk to the Boards, at 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202.