Sumter County District 1 Commissioner

Commissioner Search resides in District 1, which includes the general areas of The Villages – North of 466A to 466 and East of Buena Vista Boulevard to the county line. 

Commissioner Search and his wife Debbie of 36 years relocated and made their permanent home in The Villages, Florida, in 2008. He moved from rural Pennsylvania, near Allentown. Gary and his wife Debbie have four children and seven grandchildren.

Public Service

Commissioner Search served as a Commissioner in South Whitehall Township, PA, for 13 years (1994-2008) before moving to Florida. He served as the President of the Board for 12 years. During his public service, Mr. Search was able to provide the taxpayers with no tax increase budgets during his tenure through sound/strict financial planning and budgeting while stimulating responsible economic growth. Mr. Search was very intentional on having a sound comprehensive plan which incorporated all aspects of the community. 

Commissioner Search also spent 35 years in public education. During his education career, he served as a teacher for three years, an assistant administrator for two years, and spent the last 30 years as a school counselor. He also had the pleasure of coaching High School Wrestling, Baseball, and Girls Softball. Commissioner Search was also a trainer for CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) and STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting). Mr. Search also received the Counselor of the Year Award in Lehigh County and was nominated for the Pennsylvania Counselor of the Year Award. 

As a member of the New Covenant United Methodist Church, Commissioner Search is currently the Chair of the Strategic Action Leadership Team (the governing body of the church). Mr. Search also chaired the Outreach Ministry Program and the Helping Hands/Bargains and Blessings Ministry. He also previously served on the Staff Parish Relations Team and the Building Task Force.

As a commissioner, Mr. Search believes in open, honest, and transparent government. As a public servant, All residents need to know they will be treated with respect and dignity.

Education

Bachelor of Education from Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA
Masters in School Counseling from Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA