Quote:
Originally Posted by Bonanza
No, you are not the only one who thinks we are being overcharged. I have lived in more places than I have fingers and I have never had a water bill where I've had two separate water meters and the cost is different for inside and outside.
The developer is a very shrewd business man. He values his pocket more than he cares about you or me. He either has his hand in everything or simply owns the business outright. This is apparent when you think about the water system, the trash, electric, gas, recycling, etc. In a normal homeowners' assn. the residents own the amenities. Not here. Businesses here have gone out of business because the costs are so high: rent, utilities, a percentage of receipts, etc. A doctor here told me he has to pay for parking spaces (Morse owns the property) over and beyond what he pays for his office. Doesn't it strike you as strange that Brownwood still has so many unoccupied store fronts? Think $$$ in terms of costs to the businessman.
Why has no one complained about our trash. We have to buy clear plastic bags for his recycling, from which he makes money??? In addition, it's really an oxymoron. We have to put our recyclables in plastic bags that we buy??? Talk about stupid things. That's 50,000 homes X who knows how many plastic bags every week. That is scary! We are adding to the problem by using more plastic. Why don't we have recycling bins and trash cans like the ones Waste Management supplies to their residents? I guess it's because it costs too much money to supply them.
There are many great things about this community. But there also ain't no free lunch!
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The water cost is so much more where I came from in West Chester, Ohio.
The trash here is picked up twice as often as where we have lived before.
I don't like trash cans. Plastic makes more sense because of the heat and the smell here, both in the garage and on the driveway. Sometimes it isn't perfect environmentally, but it works better.
A for profit business operates for profit. The doctor operates for profit. He could choose a less expensive place to run his business, but he chose to locate in a high traffic area. His choice.
It took just as long for business to come to the other squares. He could fill the slots quicker if he lowered the price. If
you owned the squares would you fill them right away or wait?
Businesses here could choose where they located. They knew the price of rent ahead of time. They may have gone out of business because of poor planning, of being unused to the seasonal flow, or in some cases because the national chain went under or was going under. (For example Friday's, and The women's store I can't think of it's name in Sumter Landing)
A percentage of receipts is done all across the country in high traffic business areas. Everywhere. If you own a business it is a choice where you rent.
North of 466, they have just one water meter. South of 466 they use retention ponds for watering outside of the home. Some think that is a good plan and some do not. It is still cheaper than what Hamilton, Ohio charges. So I don't complain.
That pesky Gary Morse. If only I knew him. I think he is nice. but I could be wrong. I am glad he built The Villages. I wish every municipality in the country was run as well. I am a fan. Yes I am.