[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Advogado

Before she edited her post of yesterday to delete them, Graciegirl asked me two questions:
"How about you Avogado. What issue comes to mind that the POA is really helping us with at the present? Are you one of the lawyers?"

To specifically name just two of the major issues that the POA is helping us with at present:
1. Roofing issue, and
2. Siding issue.

The POA also helps inform Villagers about issues that are not reported in the Developer-owned Daily Sun. An example of this has been the series of articles in the POA Bulletin reporting on golf-cart accidents, which, until recently, the Sun never reported because they reflected unfavorably on the image of the carefree Villages lifestyle. The articles, I believe, have contributed to an increased awareness of the need to drive carefully when operating a golf cart.

Most importantly, the POA serves as a watchdog for residents-- to help ensure that the Developer, who controls all the media in The Villages, except the POA Bulletin, does not violate his obligations to us. A good example of that function is the current IRS investigation, where the POA is trying to ensure that any settlement entered into by the Developer-controlled Center Districts does not negatively impact Villagers.

You also criticized the POA's involvement in the class-action suit against the Developer, which resulted in the Developer's paying Villagers $43 million to fix a deteriorating amenities system--which the Developer is contractually obligated to maintain. The basis and facts of that lawsuit have been extensively explained in earlier posts and in POA Bulletins. (Not clearly to my satisfaction) If you really feel the suit was wrong, you can certainly send the Developer a check for your share of the settlement. Say there were 50,000 homes at the time of the settlement-- your check made payable to The Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc. for $860 should square things.

This being said, I am not anti-Developer or anti-Villages. This is a great place to live and the Developer is an absolute genius in planning it and administering it. But I have seen enough of life to believe that people need to be vigilant in protecting their rights and to believe in the maxim about "all power corrupting"--and the Developer is pretty darn powerful here.

Finally, to answer the personal question that you have again posed to me and that I have answered before: I am not an officer or director of the POA or a lawyer for the POA or any of its members nor have I ever been. I am merely interesting in seeing that the rights of yourself, other Villagers, and myself are protected.

Thank you sir or madam. I feel a whole lot more comfortable about your views after this explanation.

I still say that...for some reason as we age our political views color a lot more than they used to. AND I still say that a lot of people are against the developer ONLY because of his large contributions to his favorite party.

I could be wrong. I frequently am. Ask Sweetie.