[Happy Villager]

Did anyone see today's Daily Sun? Front page article "Broadening Golf Cart Access Creates Concern". There has been discussion regarding a plan that would expand golf cart access throughout Lady Lake, including incoming and outgoing cart traffic in The Villages. I was very happy and relieved to read: "Some Villages officials see plans for increased golf cart access as an undue burden on current Villages residents. Gary Lester,
vice president of community relations for The Villages, said Villages residents pay more to live in a unique, master-designed, golf cart community and enjoy the special amenities - and he said he can't imagine them wanting to contribute to funding to "just turn around and open it up to everyone so that we lose our uniqueness." Regardless of funding, Lester doesn't think Villages residents would be comfortable with traffic flowing in and out of the community. "I suspect that our residents will be very concerned about opening up their recreation trails to outside traffic. Once you allow such access by the general publid into our community via recreation trails, that means anyone at any time of day or night can slip in and out of our community," Lester said. "With all the challenges we already have with nonresidents using our amenities, accessing our pools, executive golf courses, etc., I can't imagine our residents wanting to grant them even easier access." Allowing outside golf cart access also would hamper the community's goal of providing residents with priority golf cart parking at special events at the town squares, Polo Club and other venues. "That priority parking is a convenience and a privilege Villager enjoy, and I'm not sure how that could work if just anyone can drive their golf cart into our community," Lester said.

I will be composing a letter to send to Janet Tutt, The Villages District Manager voicing my support to uphold the uniqueness of The Villages and the reason why we chose to retire here. I would encourage others to consider writing their own letters to protect the
privileges we now enjoy.