The POA's primary function is to be an advocate for owners, who individually (history is replete with examples of this)...have very little sway in getting things changed.
The VHA's primary function, is to counteract the legitimate complaints brought by the POA...and to minimize costs of fixing issues, of which developer should take responsibility. 
It really is...as simple as THAT. 
Even those, provided they possess a sense of fairness, shouldn't begrudge those (much less take it personal) who were compensated for their time/effort/money/chance taking...spent on the successful $40M settlement.
After all, those legal monetary awards...is the way the law works.
The POA hit a roadblock in finding a large law firm willing to take on the power of 'The Developer' and they eventually found a lower status firm willing to play David...against The Developer's Goliath.
The eventual outcome, which even the developer admitted to
"being good for The Villages owners" shows that even the
'little guy' can win...if they have fairness on their side.
It's very telling, that some people hate the POA...
even though the POA advocates for them too.