July 22, 2026

On Monday, the Board met to discuss its review of candidate responses to the questionnaire sent to candidates for BOCC Districts 2 and 4, as well as for State House Representative. Our goal was to determine which candidates we believe will best serve the interests of Pine Ridge.

Of particular concern is how the BOCC—now and in the future—will act on matters important to Pine Ridge residents. Although our community lies within District 3, and Commissioner Janet Barek has been a visible supporter of issues important to both Citrus Springs and Pine Ridge. It has become clear, that she needs support in helping us advance our issues.

As noted in the President’s Message of July 1, 2026, the POA found it necessary to engage in the political process to help preserve the character of Pine Ridge. The first official Pine Ridge Candidate’s Forum was held in 2022, followed by forums in 2024 and now the current 2026 process. While there is never a guarantee that a preferred candidate will prevail, this Board believes it is prudent to continue vetting candidates and providing relevant information to Pine Ridge voters.

It is important for every Pine Ridge voter to understand that commissioners qualify in the district where they are homesteaded, but they run countywide. As a result, voters outside Pine Ridge have been electing commissioners beyond their designated districts for years. This matters because issues important to Pine Ridge do not always align with countywide priorities. Historically, voting blocs driven by other vested interests have often left Pine Ridge as an afterthought—if it was considered at all.

The current POA Board takes a proactive approach to governing our community. We work to protect our master plan and zoning; lobby for improved road maintenance and traffic enforcement; and actively oppose adjacent activities that could negatively affect Pine Ridge’s environment, density, intensity, and quality of life.

The Board cannot achieve these goals in a vacuum. We need elected BOCC members and state representatives who share a similar mindset on issues affecting Pine Ridge. We understand that we will not receive everything we request, but we want elected officials who will listen to our concerns, consider them in their decisions, and act in ways that benefit Pine Ridge.

After conducting its due diligence on behalf of Pine Ridge, the Board recommends Grow, Finegan, and Herndon as the candidates we believe can and will help our community.

Every Pine Ridge voter is encouraged to conduct their own research and make their own choices. We hope those choices align with the Board’s recommendations. If you have not already done so, please visit the Pine Ridge website to read the candidate materials, questionnaire responses, and the Board’s message.

In this matter, the Board is not speaking for the community; we are making recommendations to the community.

May 27, 2026

This is the first meeting of Pine Ridge’s new Board of Directors. First, I would like to thank everyone who supported Diane, Bob, and me by electing us to the Board. I would also like to thank my fellow Board members for the confidence they showed in electing me to lead this Board.

This was a contentious election, but it clearly reflected two different visions for Pine Ridge’s future. I have been asked whether I believe the election result represents a mandate. I would not characterize it that way. Rather, I would say the community voted for continuity. The three candidates elected all ran on maintaining the direction Pine Ridge has followed over the past four years: preserving our Master Plan and zoning protections while maintaining the character of our community.

Over the last several months, we spoke with many residents while campaigning. The three of us knocked on many doors, and if you are an early morning walker, there is a good chance I stopped to speak with you as well. The clearest message we heard throughout the community was simple: “Keep Pine Ridge, Pine Ridge.”

We also heard other important concerns. Residents want stronger enforcement of our deed restrictions — and we agree. We are currently developing new processes that will be rolled out shortly to improve enforcement and responsiveness. I will continue serving as Chair of the Deed Restriction Violation Review Committee in the near term as these improvements are implemented, and you will be hearing more about those efforts soon.

The community also expects better customer service from our staff. When residents come to the office with a concern, they want to leave with a solution. We will be evaluating what changes are necessary to make that happen. Pine Ridge has experienced significant growth in recent years, and as we approach 4,000 homes, we must adapt our operations and business model to better serve our expanding membership.

Road conditions and traffic enforcement are also major concerns for many residents. Fortunately, we have encouraging news on both fronts. Through a great deal of hard work and persistence, we are beginning to see real progress. I would like to thank Mark Sevestka and the Roads Committee for their efforts. This year, Pine Ridge will receive 28 miles of road refurbishment — that’s 66% more than we have received in in the last two years combined. In addition, since the conclusion of our off-duty Deputy Sheriff engagement, we have seen increased patrol activity throughout Pine Ridge. The Committee’s proactive engagement and advocacy are producing meaningful results for our community.

This Board will continue taking a proactive approach to the issues facing Pine Ridge. One emerging concern involves the Interchange Management Area (IMA). There is discussion about potentially rezoning portions of that area for Heavy Industrial use rather than the Light Industrial and Manufacturing uses originally envisioned. Heavy Industrial development could bring increased noise, traffic, and other negative impacts, including traffic flow affecting the southwest side of Pine Ridge. We will closely monitor these developments and keep residents informed as more information becomes available.

The new Board remains fully committed to maintaining the confidence of the community while protecting the character and future of Pine Ridge. I also hope that the candidates who were not elected, along with their supporters, will remain active in the governance of the POA by participating on committees, keeping an open mind, and helping us take a constructive, proactive approach to the challenges facing Pine Ridge.

John Hyde, President