Editorial
Winter Haven News Chief, 3/9/2000

The Florence Villa Community Development Corporation hosts its third annual banquet tonight amid encouraging signs for the organization and the area.

In its first two years, the fund-raiser netted about $10,000. This year organizers hope the banquet, held at Nora Mayo Hall in Winter Haven, will exceed that total by up to $2,000. Local businesswoman Seretha Tinsley and City Commissioner Tom Freijo established this event and have been co-chairs since it began. Thanks to them and the efforts of many others, support from the community is growing. There has been an increase in the number of corporate sponsorships and in the number of businesses that choose to give more. Ticket sales to individuals are also expected to be up from last year.

The CDC has put the money it raises to good use, generating programs that directly benefit the community. Among the services that have been offered are loans, small business training, computer literacy classes, customer service training, adult education classes, teen pregnancy prevention, employment assistance and counseling on various aspects of housing.

The growing success of the CDC's fund-raising efforts, coupled with the city's decision to establish a Community Redevelopment Agency in the area, bode well for Florence Villa and its residents. The CRA will empower business owners and others to address long-standing issues that must be dealt with.

That's as it should be. Whatever Winter Haven's vision is for the future, it will never be achieved unless Florence Villa and every other part of the city are included.