Every resident has a voice, and there are many ways to share it. 

Dear Members,

Thank you for the overwhelmingly positive feedback about The Villager Mini. Through our surveys and conversations with residents, we have heard how much many of you value the publication. Your feedback helps us understand what is working and what information is most useful to you.

We have also received several questions about the cost of producing The Villager Mini and whether additional staff were hired to support it. I would like to take this opportunity to provide clarification for the broader community.

Q: If The Villager was reduced to two issues per month to save money, does producing The Villager Mini increase costs? Were additional staff hired to support it?

A: This is a reasonable question, and several residents have asked about it.

The Villager was reduced to two issues per month because professional printing and communitywide distribution are significantly more expensive than publishing information digitally.

The Villager Mini was launched in March, following resident feedback and with Board approval. It focuses primarily on important announcements and upcoming Villages events. It is formatted on standard letter-size pages so residents may print it at home.

We also recognize that some residents do not have access to a computer or printer. For that reason, Communications produces fewer than 50 printed copies using office equipment. These copies are available at the Cribari Center Library, Cribari Center Post Office and Business Buildings A and B.

Because The Villager Mini is primarily digital and only a limited number of copies are printed in-house, it does not carry the same printing and distribution costs as a communitywide issue of The Villager.

No additional staff were hired to produce The Villager Mini or support the other digital publications. In fact, the Communications team was reduced from six employees to five. The same team produces The Villager, The Villager Mini, The Villager Online and FastNews, while also supporting The Villages’ websites.

Our goal is to provide residents with timely and useful information while operating within the department’s approved budget.

Thank you for your questions and for taking the time to engage. We hope this information provides helpful clarification.

Sincerely,

Anita Leung Communications Manager