[villages07]

Fran,

The extra charge for recycling, to be included in trash bills, was announced quite some time ago. No surprise to me. There does seem to be some debate about the cost and profit from recycling. Personally, the extra fee for recycling doesn't bother me. Trash and landfill costs continue to rise. Back in MD, I paid $103 per year for the privilege of taking my trash and recyclables to the dump. So $204 per year for curbside pickup, essentially 4 times a week (2 regular trash, 1 recycle, 1 lawn waste) is a pretty good deal. Like many others, I do notice my 'regular' trash is now very minimal.

As to the TECO payment, I would defer from commenting until more facts are known.

Yes, no doubt things have changed from the days of Harold Schwartz strolling the streets of OBG. We are no longer a sleepy town nestled amongst orange groves and cow pastures. Like it or not, the Villages is now a big city and that comes with the expenses, politics, and complexities to run such an operation. I view the Morse family as benevolent dictators. I truly believe they have some family pride in what they have built and have a genuine interest in seeing it live in perpetuity...the family legacy. But, they are also business folks, looking to make a profit from their risks and labors. I don't begrudge them that at all.

My greatest hope (and biggest fear) is that the Villages of 20 years from now is as beautiful, well run, and economical to live in as it is today.