[Villages Kahuna]

I don't differ with your comment on the obvious Daily Sun policy of not getting involved in negativism in its reportage. But while I read the paper every day, I certainly don't rely on it for a balanced and complete coverage of local news. There is never any coverage of events or issues that might negatively affect the sale of homes in TV or the reputation as "Florida's Friendliest Hometown". There's never any coverage of crime, political issues, governmental issues such as the budget of the CDD's, statewide issues or even coverage of the ongoing political campaigns other than those of the candidates that the developer and owner of The Daily Sun supports. It really isn't a newspaper that one should rely on for balanced and complete coverage of important local news.

That's really OK with me. I use the Daily Sun for activities and recreational schedules, an occasional look at those who advertise in the paper, the construction updates, etc. But for the real day-to-day news, one needs to look elsewhere, whether it be other print media, TV or the internet. Oftentimes this approach doesn't produce the desired results as the "newsworthiness" of events or issues which may be important in The Villages declines precipitously as one gets more than a few miles "off campus",

A good example of the voids in news coverage by The Villages Media Group is the class action lawsuit by residents against the developer and the settlement that has been agreed to by the litigants. There has been absolutely no coverage of this situation and it's unlikely that there will be, even after the agreement is approved by the judge this coming Wednesday in Tavares. There is little more important to Villagers than our golf courses, rec centers, pools, clubs, etc. Yet a very important legal settlement which will affect the operation of our rec facilities, future amenities fees, etc. will occur without any news coverage whatsoever. While things that involve our recreation is important to residents, it's not a subject that the developer/owner of the local media chooses to report on. And there is little newsworthiness of issues regarding our golf courses and facilities in Orlando, or even Leesburg, as an example.

The developer owns the media here and can set whatever editorial policy he wishes. But no one should really conclude that The Daily Sun, WVLG or VNN ar anything more than self-promotional newsletters published by the developer of The Villages.