Quote:
Originally Posted by outlaw
I prefer to think POA Repubs VHA Repubs.
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I think you are mistaken. The distinction is really:
POA: Property owners' association. VHA: Developer front organization. I don't think political parties have anything to do with it.
I will preface my remarks in this regard by making the following disclosures:
a. I am a registered Republican, but knowing what I now know, I view the VHA as a blight upon the Villages landscape. I have to admit that shortly after I moved here, I naively believed that the VHA was a legitimate homeowners' association, and I became a member. Needless to say, as I learned more about it, I allowed my membership to lapse.
b. I will stipulate the Developer, which is the Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc. (and a maze of trusts, family members, and other corporations), has done a marvelous job of developing, and in almost all aspects, running, The Villages. I love living here and have no intention of moving. However, it is absurd to think that the interests of the Developer, who controls the local media and politics, will always coincide with those of the residents. It is for that reason that we need our own, independent homeowners' organization, i.e., the POA.
Here are the reasons that I view the VHA as a blight:
1. In case of conflict between the interests of homeowners and those of the Developer, the VHA has consistently sided with the Developer. The latest example of this is the absolute nonsense published by the VHA's newsletter, The Villages Voice, about the ongoing IRS investigation of the Developer's actions in selling amenity facilities to the Developer-controlled Center Districts. The reasons why the VHA always supports the Developer follow.
2. The Developer sponsors the VHA. The Villages Voice is printed and delivered by the Developer's newspaper, The Daily Sun.
3. The Developer collaborated in the very establishment of the VHA. The motive of the Developer in doing so was obviously to weaken the POA, which was frustrating his actions when they conflicted with the interests of the residents.
4. The Developer has co-opted as least some of the VHA presidents. One VHA president was, incredibly, actually on the Developer's payroll while holding office. Two other presidents were, upon leaving office, rewarded by the Developer by getting his political and financial backing to successfully run for County Supervisor positions. These are just examples of the corruption of VHA officers that I have been able to glean from public records. Do other members of this forum know of other examples?
I would not have a real problem with the VHA if it would not, hypocritically, hold itself out as a
bona fide homeowners' association. After all, the VHA does run a golf-cart safety clinic, a very worthwhile activity. Perhaps a name change to something like "The Villages of Lake-Sumter Landing, Inc. Booster Club"?