[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by lawgolfer

This is a great reply. Don probably knows more about The Villages and its management than any single individual in the area. I have always been amazed at the quality of the management of TV and how so many different operations function so well. If anyone doubts this, he/she should give some thought to everything that takes place every day in TV. Just organizing the mowing/trimming/irrigation of the medians and the main streets takes considerable effort and skill. When the roundabouts are replanted, it is with plants that TV grows in its own greenhouses. Live entertainment is provided at four venues. The chairs at the venues are delivered and picked up. The utilities all work. 13 championship golf courses and 40+ executive courses operate daily. I can't count the number of swimming pools, pickleball courts and other recreational facilities that are operated daily. In The Villages we have a medium-size city that is operated in an excellent manner by a private company at minimal cost to its residents. The organization and operation of TV at this level of excellence is mind-boggling.

If that's not enough, consider the future expansion plans in the south. The developer has laid out an entirely new city that will be built-out over the next 20 years. All this is being done with private money.

I've never understood the people who post critical, if not derogatory, comments about the Morse family. I will always be amazed that a family-owned business could have the foresight, skills, and dedication to do what the family has done with The Villages. The family deserves the millions they have made. Anyone who is bothered by their financial success needs to consider the risks the family has taken and the incredible risk they are taking with the expansion of The Villages in the south.

(Having laid all this praise on the family and the management, I still would like to know who approved the color palette for the houses being built in the south)

Two things.
1) The developer (family, sales, marketing, construction divisions) has little to do with the day-to-day management and maintenance of the community, this is all done by a combination of the district staff, recreation department, district property management, entertainment department, and the CDD government. Once a facility or community is completed, even if they still own it (e.g. Everglades, Ezell, Franklin RCs, executive golf courses south of 44, pitch & putt, etc.) the operations and maintenance are turned over to the entities mentioned above and the costs are paid and/or reimbursed by the developer to these departments. The commercial properties are operated by a separate developer owned company, here again the "family" doesn't get too involved except in the big decisions.
2) Someone who is color blind and has never felt the joys of using a bag when viewing the fruits of their labors picks the colors. Just close your eyes (not while you're driving please) and take a deep breath as you pass by.