Quote:
Originally Posted by mickey100
The POA spends its time on nitpicky issues??? May I remind you of some of the POA's accomplishments:
The Lawsuit Settlement - Villagers achieved a friendly class action lawsuit settlement with the developer in 2008 valued at $43 million. The key points of the settlement were: Provision for Reserve funds for eventual repair and replacement of our facilities north of Hwy. 466; provision for renovation of the recreation trails north of Hwy 446; creation of the AAC (Amenity Authority Committee) which allows residents elected by residents to make decisions about the expenditure of amenity funds north of Hwy. 466; and payoff of the Paradise Recreation Center renovation debt.
Defeat of the Sumter County Hospital Tax -The POA opposed the creation of this taxing district which would have taxed Sumter County residents about $200-$300 per home for use by our hospital and also given 20% of the tax off the top to the developer's foundation.
Hospital Emergency Room - After receiving reports of continuing poor service and performance in our hospital's ER over the years the POA documented over 125 instances of serious problems in the ER and they publicized the problems. In response, LRMC brought in a new CEO of the hospital, a new director of the ER, dedicated more resources and staff to the ER, hired more nurses, established better training programs, and brought in three Villagers to sit on the Board of the hospital's parent organization.
Moffitt Cancer Center - The POA advocated bringing this cancer center to The Villages for what we believed would be one of the crown jewels in the medical facilities of The Villages. They organized a letter-writing program, researched the demographics, argued for bringing the center here, and voiced our hopes to the appropriate decision-makers.
Vinyl Siding - Sloppy work and installation procedures characterized the building effort of the contractors for homes in The Villages south of Hwy 466 in the 2005-2008 time period. Credit has to go to Ray Micucci and his wife Lori for spearheading the inspection of over 1,500 homes and prodding the work of the warranty department and various contractors to repair the problems.
Activity Policy Reversal - The Center Districts voted to restrict residents from gathering to protest anything. A liability insurance policy for $1 million was also required 30 days in advance of any protest gathering. The POA opposed this action, calling it a violation of our Constitutional Rights of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly, and argued against it in the Bulletin. The Center Districts backed down and rescinded the rule.
Paradise Center - The original recreation center on the east side of Hwy 441/27 was deteriorating and an absolute disgrace. POA did a survey, organized residents, pleaded with the VCCDD to renovate the center, advocated renovation in the Bulletin, and were eventually successful in getting this $5 million project off the ground.
IRS/Bonds - We are waiting on this one. But, what the POA did do was caution restraint rather than wild speculation, and identified the developer as the only one to benefit financially from the issuance of the bonds as tax exempt. If we get the negative outcome, we trust that the developer will do what is necessary to protect residents from any adverse impact.
Conflict of Interests by District Employees - The POA documented the fact that some Center District employees were in line to benefit financially from certain dealings with the developer. The POA viewed this as a conflict of interests. As a result, one Center District employee was re-assigned, and any dealing like this in the future will be scrutinized for any potential conflict of interests problems.
Forgotten $200,000 Billing - Somehow or another, a VCCDD bill to the developer for about $200,000 for expenses related to his use of the Savannah Center was never issued. A POA director, Irving Yedwab, noticed the problem and the POA publicized the situation in the Bulletin. The developer did pay up once the bill was issued.....
and the list goes on and on. Nitpicking??? Not in my estimation.
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Hi, Mickey. See that what was confusing to me, I thought I had previously read that two or three attorneys sued the Developer. I was seeking clarification that they were hired by the POA, I had thought they were filing on their own and a resident owner's behalf for a class action. I did not know they were under the employ of the POA.
I also didn't realize the POA brought Moffitt to The Villages, I thought the Morse family had a hand in that. There were many upset posters on TOTV that Moffitt was coming to The Villages and blamed it all on the developer, if only they would have known it was the fault of the POA.
I didn't say the POA didn't have a voice, they ring the bell when they become alarmed but quite often they are picking up on issues already in the public eye and just reexamining it. I said I thought the POA had a place for people who are fearful of the next harm the developer will wrack on The Villages citizenry. I do think it's somewhat humorous that the POA feels a billionaire was trying to skin $200,000. off a bill.
I did say the POA was not MY cup of tea and maybe someday I would change my mind, if or when the Morse family turns over the controls of this development to the residents.
Does the POA highlight often all that the Morse family has contributed to this area of Florida? How about keeping a running reminder in their bulletin that the developer has: made the 301 Hwy and other road improvements possible, had a hand in the fine Sumter County buildings which include a library, developed a wonderful school system, is attempting to improve medical services constantly in our community and so forth. Does the POA bulletin go out of its way to remind people the Morse family truly does appear to have our best interests at heart?
Bimmertl wants us to be alarmed with information that sources which include Andrew Blechman, (I'm not at all impressed with that source
), provided about the prosperous developer. If the Morse family has the business acumen to generate income after the buildout is complete so they may remain in this community, I am delighted.
The Villages operates in the manner that we desire and bought into years ago. I believe it will be a sorry day if the residents gain control and operate this wonderful community. Then I will have panic in my heart.