[zcaveman]

Here is the article with the candidates and the questions. I sent a note to the Curt Hills to see if it was going to be reposted next week but got no response. I will follow-up.

VHA welcomes AAC candidates
By CURT HILLS, DAILY SUN - October 9, 2008

THE VILLAGES — Villages homeowners across four districts and the Lady Lake-Lake County portion of the community are being asked to shape a board that will oversee their amenity programs.

On Wednesday night, members of the Villages Homeowners Association got a glimpse of 16 candidates vying for five elected seats on the Amenity Authority Committee.

In a landowner election, to be held Nov. 4 — the same day as the general election — property owners who reside in Community Development Districts 1-4, as well as those in Lady Lake and the unincorporated Lake County area, are each being asked to vote in a member of the AAC. On Wednesday, each of those candidates made a brief two-minute presentation before meeting fellow residents one-on-one in a candidate forum held by the VHA.

Once necessary bond payments are made annually, the AAC will be responsible for handling a remaining budget of roughly $18 million to $20 million for the amenities program. The committee will also determine how to spend a little less than

$40 million obtained in a settlement agreement.

Here’s a glimpse of the candidates:




Lady Lake/Lake

Candidate Rose Harvey said she’s been attending community development districts since day one, claiming she was there the day CDDs were approved for The Villages.

“I wasn’t for it,” Harvey said.

Harvey said she is running because she believes residents should have a say when to buy recreational amenities, such as facilities, from The Villages developer.

Her opponent, Eldon Sheldon of Sheldon’s Stompers entertainment notoriety, said he’s backing away from that to enter the political arena because he wants to represent his fellow Villages residents. He said most residents want to enjoy The Villages lifestyle, rather than fretting about whether the lifestyle stays in place.

“You don’t want to worry about politics,” Sheldon said. “You can lean on me to do that.”

District 1

Ray Owens said if elected, he intends to help manage the budget prudently and look out for the needs of the residents.

“To me, the most important thing is we try to represent The Villages,” Owens said about his fellow residents.

Carl Bell said he wants to protect The Villages lifestyle while being mindful of budget constraints. He said getting resident feedback is critical.

“Then I want to vote based on what the majority wants,” Bell said.

Bob Nelson touted his extensive accounting and auditing background. Nelson said, if elected, he sees his role as helping residents by using due diligence to spend the money the way they would want it spent.

“I feel like I’m volunteering, not running (for election),” Nelson said.

District 2

John Land pointed to his community involvement, which includes a current appointed seat on the AAC, as well as a past seat on the former Resident Advisory Council. Land is also a former council member from Punta Gorda.

“I believe we should strive to maintain and improve the property values,” Land said.

Marty Rothbard said he would like to make sure the amenity fees are used properly, and the guest policy is fair. He said he thinks it’s necessary to widen some or all of the multi-modal paths.

“I think I can bring in my background to make sure our amenity fees are spent judiciously,” Rothbard said of his 20 years of financial management.

District 3

Rick Montroy said his careers in the military, ministry, teaching and time as a homeowners association president will be most helpful on the AAC.

“The front-burner issues are the guest policy and the disposition of this settlement (funds),” Montroy said.

Dick Belles called attention to his experience as chairman of both CDD 3 and the current AAC group. As a fiscal conservative, he said a comprehensive plan is needed before spending significant funds.

“Level heads need to prevail in communication with our residents,” Belles said.

John Wilcox said he wants to make sure the AAC does not waste any of the revenue that is coming in.

He believes traffic concerns along Oak Forrest Drive have brought to light one problem the AAC could possibly solve.

“I do feel there is a serious problem with the cart paths and hope there‘s some funds to help with that,” Wilcox said.

David Dingee said he would work with the district staff to create a strong fiscal plan for the long term and would balance the needs of all affected districts.

“The Villages life is a good life and I want to keep it that way,” Dingee said.

Doug Tharp said the current facilities and staff cannot be matched and he wants to work to ensure that will still be true in 10 to 20 years. He said a balance must be maintained among CDDs 1-4, the Village Center District and the AAC.

“Dual membership is a conflict,” Tharp said of other candidates who hold CDD seats. “It’s like having a hand in both pockets.”

District 4

Rich Lambrecht is the current CDD 4 chairman and was active in the past on a straw ballot initiative and involved in the settlement issue.

“I’m intimately knowledgeable in what we’re trying to accomplish here,” Lambrecht said.

Lambrecht favors money for multi-modal trails and in establishing reserves for the future.

Cliff Wiener said he wants to do what is right for residents and believes widening the cart paths is one issue that needs to be addressed.

“My primary goal is to see that the residents north of County Road 466 don’t lose any more amenities,” Wiener said, pointing to removal of pool monitors.

John Knapp said he would work to be the eyes and ears of the community, taking a look at what needs to be done and getting input from residents.

“You need to put people in there who will listen to you,” Knapp told the audience.

David Izzo said if he’s elected, he’ll work to ensure that recreational facilities, golf courses, paths, and other amenities are in the best possible condition. He said he’d like paid pool monitors at swimming facilities.

“I understand that this is a privilege, not a right to serve on this board,” Izzo said.

The Daily Sun will publish candidate profiles Friday and the VHA will include candidate biographies in The Villages Voice, which is inserted into Friday’s Daily Sun, according to VHA president Roger Kass.

Information on the AAC and its duties can be found online at districtgov.org.