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Originally Posted by brightspot01
You are correct Forever Villager that the squares are owned by the developer along with all the other land that is part of the Central CDDs.
Now, let's discuss the CDD's. Who sits on the boards of the CDD's? Only those who are appointed by the majority landowner. Who is the majority landowner in the Central CDD's (Lake Sumter Landing and Spanish Springs)? The developer because he is the ONLY landowner. So, who basically "owns' the two Central CDD's? I don't think I need to answer that one. I'm sorry, but there IS a difference in the CDDs. Two are owned and controlled by the developer...the remaining CDDs are controlled and owned by the residents when the area has been built out. Don't tell me that you are going to say that a CDD is still a CDD. Maybe in definiton of the term but in actuality...here in The Villages, there IS a difference....based on who (how many) have ownership.
Repeating myself, you are correct with who owns the squares...they are owned by the CDD's that purchased them from the developer at his asking price without question (I'm supposing since they have purchased golf courses at his high inflated asking prices without question.).
You are probably going to misunderstand me but I'm in favor of Gary Morse and have no complaints with what he has accomplished. I applaud him and his father for all they have done for us. Without them, I wouldn't be the happy Villager I am today. All I'm doing here is educating you, and others about CDD's. Nothing more. It's the teacher in me.
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I appreciate your efforts in "educating" me. Just for grins and giggles, call the District office in the morning and ask them who "owns" the squares. Better yet, check with the Clerk of Court for Lake and Sumter Counties. You will learn that it is the Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc., not the CDD's. Any of the CDD's. Also, you shouldn't think about the center districts in terms of just the squares. The Village Center CDD is responsible for all amenities north of 466 and Sumter Landing is responsible for those amenities south of 466 that have been sold to the CDD (eventually it will be all areas except for Brownwood which will be a 13th CDD). Their only involvement in the actual squares (SS and LSL), again, is the maintenance (landscaping, janitorial, repair, etc.)
And, just out of curiosity, how did you learn about CDD's. Attend the CDD orientation? Read Chapter 190? Attend meetings? Talk to board members and District staff? I have done all of these and feel very comfortable in my knowldege of Chapter 190, The Florida Statues, the public records law and how the CDD's operate. It is the first "research" project I engaged in when moving here.
I have worked for both state and local municipalities my entire career. After watching those who run and operate the CDD's, they conduct themselves very much like any local governmental agency would. I must say, I have been quite impressed. I strongly urge anyone who doesn't understand them to get involved. It is easy to misunderstand how they work and it is easy to fall prey to "grapevine" politics. I have always learned it is best to go to the source. Cut out all of the speculation.