Check out insert in The Sun

[Hope2b]

Very informative. I am in group 1 and proud of it. ;D

[cabo35]

It was an informative read over the breakfast table this morning. It was the clearest explanation of CDD's, VCD's, amenity operation, repair and replacement reserves and the class action suit I have seen. Suddenly the gorilla in the room is not so terrifying. It's worth a second read this afternoon after golf.

I suspect most Villagers are with you in Group 1 although some will contest that opinion. Have a nice day.

[another Linda]

For those of us who are still in the frozen hinterland, is there a link to this online? I looked and couldn't find any. If, as I suspect, there isn't, can someone enlighten us? thanks.

[gfmucci]

Ditto... would like to see a summary, or a scanned copy :bigthumbsup: Thanks.

[Golf-Tinker]

Try this link:

http://thevillagesfl.blogspot.com/

The blog author summarizes the insert's content in his latest post.

[Russ_Boston]

Thanks for the link Golf-T

Jeez, i have to read legal documents every day of my life but this is one confusing issue. I guess it all comes down to how much the new Activity committees will need to do their job in perpetuity. The amounts mentioned by Morse seem huge but (knowling the way any developer works) I'm sure that they are the bare minimum to satisfy the class action suit.

[samhass]

I'm in Group 1 as well. I enjoyed the article and admire the developer.

[beady]

I am in group 1 as well. I am grateful to the group who instituted the suit beacause it seems like there is a dialogue, albeit a legal one, and we are getting some answers to some very important questions

[Happy62]

http://thevillagesfl.blogspot.com/#6464231659073899198

[cabo35]

The supplement looks like it would be very difficult to scan unless someone is way more proficient than I am with a computer. I just called the Sun to find out if additional copies were available for you and those that were out of town. I was advised they just went to subscribers and at the moment the Sun did not intend to print additional issues. The blog mentioned is helpful but far short of the detailed history of development and current status.

The Sun supplement is entitled "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow".

The sub-headings are:

How do you build the World's Premier Community for 100,000 retirees on 25,000 acres? Answer: We think we're learning.

Talks about first venture with Orange Blossom Gardens and relationship with first POA. The original improvements as a result and the first free golf initiative

Where do we go from here?

Decision to develop 3 small towns like the ones we grew up in.

The Secrets in the Planning

Defined boundaries of Villages, Hwys: 42, 44, 301 and 441. Deciding ratio of home to facilities. 47 golf courses (35 exec./12 champ) 91 rec centers, 23 Villages, 61 postal fac., 69 pools, 84 miles of rec. trails


Trucks, Cars, Golf Carts, Bicycles, In-Line Skaters, Joggers and Walkers. How do you keep them all flowing throughout the community.

Original golf cart paths were made for golf cart only. Golf cart paths became multi-modal and were designed to handle all modes as Villages grew, especially south of 466.


Where does all the money come from?

Billions to develop TV. 3 towns, dozen shopping centers, 100,000 residents at completion. Needed framework to fund maintenance in perpetuity. Looked at Disney World structure.

Enter: Community Development District Government

Disney started Development District Government. Morse hired Gary Moyer, foremost authority on District Governments in Florida.

The Plan

Districts designed for ultimate self government in perpetuity. In case of Disney, no resident, Disney controls. Villages divided into 10 numbered districts of property owners. 3 town districts, no residents, and control, like Disney, residing with the Morse family.

The problem with the plan

Developer says 3 town districts should retain responsibility to assess land owners to maintain their districts and enforce bond covenants. But, after, developer builds amenities, and transfers them to districts, responsibility should be turned over to residents. The rub: some residents approved of transfer of responsibility, some did not. In the interim, until resident Amenity Authority Committee is established, the Village Center District has put in place a Resident Advisory Committee which has been working well. Developer says its first step in right direction.

Enter Politics

Developer ID's three groups. 1. Silent group, love living here. 2. Love living here and want to help. Gravitate to VHA. 3. Love living here but believe developers goal is take advantage of residents. Gravitate to POA. Group 3 largest complaint is that developer sells amenities to districts without establishing adequate repair and replacement costs and accurately project future increased cost. (This seems to be core of class action suit discussed later.)

The Solution

Developer says Group 3 complaint is "best thing that ever happened to every resident that's here today and yet to come." Developer admits some issues could have been handled better. Most glaring was not setting aside enough reserves to rebuild Paradise Center. A settlement offer will be put forward by the developer on Dec. 21. It would be an immediate payment of $11,803,168 and annual payments totaling $28,021,000 over the next 13 years. All monies go to the amenity Division budget to assure adequate reserves and continuity of amenity services. The class action suit will bring this before a judge for a fairness hearing and court approval of a fair settlement. This applies to the districts north of rt. 466. South of Rt. 466 will follow later hopefully with less acrimony.
[u]
The future

Essentially the plan is the same including the class action process for development south of 466. Hopefully, some of the earlier reserve funding mistakes will be out of the equation and the process will be smoother. No truth to rumor that the developer is going to Texas.

Sorry about the shouting (bold). I had a problem trying to bring the responses back to regular type. Its back to computer 101 if the administrator catches me with all that noise.

I tried to capture an abbreviated essence of the supplement for our friends and neighbors who are interested and out of town. It is not meant to be complete copy. Hope you find it useful.

[another Linda]

Thanks, all. We think TV is a marvelous place and want to see it stay that way. Since we can't be down there full time to do our part (whatever that may be), it is nice to get help keeping up with it all.

[Hope2b]

I will try to find time to scan the entire article but will probably be next week. I have a party tomorrow, Kazoo on Sunday, Katie belles on Monday, Golf on Tuesday, cards on Weds, Christmas party on Thursday. LOL never a dull moment in TV. Kidding aside I will try to scan it tomorrow.

[Villages Kahuna]

As far as "perpetuity" is concerned, I don't even buy green bananas.

[The Great Fumar]

[color=red]this insert in the paper today from the developer was outstanding and much needed at this time, It answered many misconceptions that some people have and verified others..The maps and flyovers were very informative and makes one very glad he owns a piece of this wonderful place..

the greatful fumar

[Donna]

Fumar,
I love the alligator..Is it a real one or were you at Alligator land where the statues are...

[ladykathleen]

Without the diligent work of the POA and the resident boards and the class action lawsuit, this "humble" tone of the article and its information would never have been published. The developer cannot tolerate negative publicity, he still has so much village to build, and millions to make.

[chuckster]

Without the diligent work of the POA and the resident boards and the class action lawsuit, this "humble" tone of the article and its information would never have been published. The developer cannot tolerate negative publicity, he still has so much village to build, and millions to make.
Why is it someone always takes informative and positive information and puts a negative spin on it. :dontknow: Relax, enjoy and smile alot. :) :) We have too few happy years left.

[Barefoot]

Without the diligent work of the POA and the resident boards and the class action lawsuit, this "humble" tone of the article and its information would never have been published. The developer cannot tolerate negative publicity, he still has so much village to build, and millions to make.

:agree: We live in TV Paradise, and I am in Group 1. ;D However I think we still need to be diligent about the financial aspects of life in TV. Chuckster, I think you missed Ladykathleen's point. I don't think she is putting a negative spin on anything .. she is just reminding us that we should be thankful for the efforts of the VHA and POA who seem to be making the Developer just a little more accountable. Rebuilding the Paradise Center seeming to be a relevant example.

[chuckster]

Without the diligent work of the POA and the resident boards and the class action lawsuit, this "humble" tone of the article and its information would never have been published. The developer cannot tolerate negative publicity, he still has so much village to build, and millions to make.


I was in agreement until reading the last sentence and its insinuations. It could have been phrased better if the POA and its members are earnestly trying to reach agreement with all parties.

[gfmucci]

I am occasionally (in my darker moments) resentful of people who make lots of money (a little like ladykathleen sounds).* But then I declare it "jealousy" and realize that I was not willing to make the effort, and apply the diligence and perseverence to do all the things those who "make their millions" need to do.* I will not lump all those who "make their millions" in the same negative category some people tend to do.* There are people among those who "make their millions" who have applied a formula in a sincere, honest, innovative, and productive manner that addresses the need and ignites the spirit of thousands of folks.* This is what it appears to me "the family" has done.

So, should we slam someone via innuendo when they effectively address a stated need or unanticipated problem? Of course, people have the right, but we have the right to express all sorts of ill-conceived and mean spirited rantings. Does "the right" make it "right"? Absolutely not.

[chuckinca]

Generally, NO

However, specific issues may require negative comments

[chuckster]

Generally, NO

However, specific issues may require negative comments


??? "Specific issues"???? If we list them, they can be discussed in a reasonable manner by reasonable people. Not me, but by reasonable people. ;) ;)

[JohnM]

I will try to find time to scan the entire article but will probably be next week. I have a party tomorrow, Kazoo on Sunday, Katie belles on Monday, Golf on Tuesday, cards on Weds, Christmas party on Thursday. LOL never a dull moment in TV. Kidding aside I will try to scan it tomorrow.


Hop2b...did you get a chance to scan the entire article...I have seen summaries, but woul like to read the entire article...Thank you for your effort!

JohnM

[REDCART]

JohnM, My sister sent me the insert this week. We just got it yesterday, and while I have a flatbed legal scanner, it's almost impossible to scan because of the paper size. The insert is only four pages in length but this paper size is about 12" by 30" and the text columns are all over the page. Since I have to work tomorrow, I thought I'd take it with me and see if I couldn't reduce it on a photocopier and then scan it to PDF. I'll give it my best shot. The article is sincere and well written. We applaud the genius of Bill Gates but what the "family" has accomplished in TV, in my humble opinion, shows absolute genius on par with Bill and people like him. I have worked on several small projects at work and we all know how the devil is in the details and how the laws of chaos come into play with the project scope and complexity. I have the greatest respect for the way the family has executed The Villages concept. I'm not sure what I would say to H. Gary Morse, but I'd love the opportunity just to shake the man's hand. Getting back on point, I'll let you know how I make out with shrinking the size of the Daily Sun insert. George

[jjdees]

Gryoung, you're absolutely correct. The family has done a magnificent job developing TV. There's nothing like it anywhere else in the US and the world. All belly aching aside, they've got some geniuses among them.

[jtdraig]

Yeah, the people who thought this place up are geniuses. It's hard not to attribute this place to brilliance in marketing. They stumble occasionally but who among us doesn't? The POA is a compete turnoff...too bad. They could be a force for change but they are so lousy in their ability to communicate that they are a total turnoff. Sort of like a bunch of werewolves howling at the moon...and, if they had the right leadership and communication skills they would be leaders in the Community. They don't seem to get the truth that "perception is reality"...and when you get a rag dripping with sarcasm in your driveway every month or so,then you turn off. Howl away...you hurt yourselves.

[Hope2b]

Yeah, the people who thought this place up are geniuses. It's hard not to attribute this place to brilliance in marketing. They stumble occasionally but who among us doesn't? The POA is a compete turnoff...too bad. They could be a force for change but they are so lousy in their ability to communicate that they are a total turnoff. Sort of like a bunch of werewolves howling at the moon...and, if they had the right leadership and communication skills they would be leaders in the Community. They don't seem to get the truth that "perception is reality"...and when you get a rag dripping with sarcasm in your driveway every month or so,then you turn off. Howl away...you hurt yourselves.

:agree: :agree: 100%

[JohnM]

... I'll let you know how I make out with shrinking the size of the Daily Sun insert. George


George...thank you for your effort!

John

[golfnut]

Anyone know what happened on the 21st?

[REDCART]

JohnM,

A few minutes ago I sent you an email with a PDF attached. Once I take Talk Host's class on posting pics, I may be able to post this PDF for anyone else who may be outside TV land and wants to see the Daily Sun Insert from Dec. 8th titled, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Anyone else interested in the PDF, please send me an email at gryoung@optonline.net. George

[Village Kid 2]

JohnM,

A few minutes ago I sent you an email with a PDF attached. Once I take Talk Host's class on posting pics, I may be able to post this PDF for anyone else who may be outside TV land and wants to see the Daily Sun Insert from Dec. 8th titled, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Anyone else interested in the PDF, please send me an email at gryoung@otonline.net. George

--------------------------------------

Email address is gryoung@optonline. net

[Hope2b]

Thanks for copying the news articile. I just finished scanning it but have not finished putting it all together. Guess I don't need to now. Sorry it took me so long.