[musicman]

Barefoot,

I am going to have to disagree with you there. My wife and I both work in TV and provide services to the community. When we first moved here, we didn't know the area, where to buy a home, so we leased a home in TV. We lived there for three years. We are quiet folk, no kids, no wild parties, rarely home because we work our tales off. We are both in our 40's. We were NEVER made to feel welcome in our home. In fact, we were made to feel most UN-welcome. We quit going to the rec facilities and pools (the fees were paid by the homeowner we leased from) because we were constantly harassed by residents accusing us of taking advantage of THEIR facilities and we shouldn't be there. We got tired of answering to these blow hards that we WERE entitled to be there.

As for the use of public facilities, we rarely go to the town squares anymore. We have been nearly run down by people driving carts on sidewalks, and upon pointing out that it is a SIDEWALK not a cart path, we have been verbally abused. We have not been able to drive on the street because of carts parked in the road. Some of these "friendliest hometown" residents have even told us that we should get out of their way because this is their town and they can drive and park where they want.

I don't get it. We work to support the retired community and provide services they need, but aren't made to feel welcome when we want to use the facilities we have (or had) a right to use. Many residents need to consider that if the under 55 crowd stayed out of "their" town, they would not have anyone to serve them at the restaurant, mix them a drink, provide their healthcare, bag their groceries, cut their hair, trim their bushes, etc.

I understand the frustration of wanting the "private" facilities restricted to those that pay for them. It makes sense to me. Unfortunately I encounter many that have that feeling about the entire Villages area.

I often joke that the town motto should be "Florida's Friendliest Hometown as long as you're 55 or older". Just my opinion, I guess. Sorry for the rant.