[redwitch]

Like all men, Mark Morse has his good and bad side. I can't imagine a single person who lives here or who wants to live here that doesn't appreciate what has been conceived by Harold Schwartz, basically created by Gary Morse and expanded upon by Mark Morse. It would be hard to deny Mark Morse's business acumen.

However, there is no question that Villagers were treated shoddily in having to purchase rec centers way over their value; in Paradise Rec Center being allowed to fall into disrepair while paths were built and improved to Spanish Springs; in the way amenity fees have at times been handled; in the nickle and diming of Villagers in general.

There is no question that Mark Morse did settle a lawsuit filed against the developer (meaning MM) by the homeowners north of 466. There is no question that there are some legitimate issues involved with the IRS and that the IRS originally said they would let them slide the first go-round and that rather than fix the issues, Morse, et al. continued with the same tax deductions. There is no question that his wife and daughter have pled guilty to misdemeanor hunting charges in Montana -- charges which Mark Morse has been accused of actively participating in. There is no question Mark Morse has been charged with some pretty serious crimes in Montana that could put him in prison for many years to come (although the odds are he will simply be fined, which is what has happened in previous cases like this). There is no question that he was once quoted as saying that the land for Moffett Center was a donation and then it was discovered that it was anything but. If you look at some of the fees Villagers have been charged for services (such as $3.50/day for their Empty Nest program), it should be difficult to justify these fees and they do smack of greed.

Personally, I do believe Mark Morse is lacking in ethics and morals, at least to some extent. I do believe that if he could get away with it, he would take every dime in the amenity fees and use them for his personal gain, pretty much as he tried to do prior to the 466-north lawsuit.

Again, none of this stops me from appreciating what he has accomplished in The Villages. It does, however, make me want to keep a very wary eye on Mr. Morse and hope that we have enough controls in place to prevent him from taking more than his share.