Non-Residents Invited To Colony Cottage Recreation Sports Pool

[Happy Villager]

The Villages Recreation Department has an article in today's Daily Sun stating the recreation staff have planned an event "The Sports Pool Splash". At the very end of this article it states: "Because of the variety and importance of information dispensed, the Sports Pool Splash is open to residents in The Villages and surrounding communities.

What's up with that?

In a prior posting I wrote about non-residents from Lakeside Landings and Stonecrest using our multi-model transportation trails (golf cart trails). I was upset enough about that to call District Administration Customer Service Center and was told it is Ok! I would like to add there is an ad in the classified for a home for sale in Stonecrest advertisied as "A Cart Ride To The Villages".

Now before someone accuses me of not living up to my name "Happy Villager" let me state I love living here. I gladly pay my amenity fee, I follow the deed restrictions, etc. but I will also say I am not happy about the above. I am about ready to quit the VHA and join the POA!

[Fourpar]

Happy Villager has valid point. One of the wonderful things that attracted us to TV is the many facilities that are if not in fact, certainly by inference, for exclusive use of Villagers. Inviting the world to use same is not part of the deal as far as I am concerned.

As I read through this forum, I am getting the feeling that developer does what developer wants regardless of anyone else's wishes. I had heard rumors to that affect from a couple of folks we played golf with during our lifestyle visit. Wrote it off to minority view. Now I'm not so sure...

[marianne237]

We've been noticing this for awhile now and I thought perhaps it was just me. Exclusive means nothing in TV any longer. Relatives of ours who snowbird in condos near Ocala come down here to use our facilities and are not questioned or carded. There's something wrong with this picture.

[barb1191]

I am about ready to quit the VHA and join the POA!


That would be a smart move.....b

[gfmucci]

Could it be...

...that "the Management" wants to invite "others" to this particular facility (Colony Cottage) to show a sense of activity, as opposed to a relatively vacant looking large facility?* The slowdown in sales has caused the amenties to be constructed much further ahead of home construcition and occupancy than intended, in my opinion.* They need to show activity in these mega facilities in the meantime.* There are dozens (hundreds?) of acres around the Colony Cottage area still in need of houses and residents.

What thinkest thou wise ones?

[sandybill2]

Doesn't seem fair to invite surrounding areas to Sport's Pools. I just had a visitor--who had a guest pass--and I was told that guests of Villagers were NOT allowed to use the sport's pools at all.

[mcelheny]

I use the a pool every morning and I am the only resident in it!
I am on the west edge of the villages.
I have good friends who live in Stonecrest and use all the facilities here.
My husband goes out late on golf courses and there are tons of non- resident people playing free golf. Its a case of there is no real carding or checking going on and more and more people in neighboring communties have figured it out. It is hard to find no pool chairs left !!!

[mcelheny]

POA has saved us winning the 4 million dollar lawsuit and the siding problem. :bigthumbsup:
Even the classes they do card...all you have to do is come in late. Go to some of these "outside" communities and ask them how easy it is to use all our amenities.? :o

Now if you try to sneak in to their pool or golf course...you will see how resident checks should be done!!
I hope the POA will get involved but they have a hugh money machine fighting them on other issues.
Residents here have no power here and are lied too.(New Year Eve) Luckily while the developer is trying to sell homes he will want a good PR. I talk to people everyday who have lived here but have moved because of the way things have gone in recent years.
The big surprise to me is that people are happier in other locations!! :o I knew nothing but the Villages so I had nothing to compare it too. I still like it here but there are things I am going to keep watching.

[Russ_Boston]

On my preview visit in late April we were never asked to show any ID at the pools or rec centers. On the other hand we were sometimes the only people in the Largo pool and it was 85 degrees outside. The Largo area is already built out for the most part.

I assume that Jan/Feb/March timeframe is much more crowded and resident/guest only facilities are supposed to be just that. I say do more ID checks.

[graciegirl]

Didn't I hear that the developer was building family housing near that shopping plaza. Maybe they wanted younger people to see the quality of the facilities that would be offered in the family development being planned. Why doesn't someone call the office and ask them? I am way up here.

[judylou]

I resent outsiders using the facilities I pay for. I am a snowbird and am paying the entire year and only using the facilities for six months.
I have met lots of people that said they don't live here, it is too busy. Then why are they always here? If it is too busy to live here then stay in your own communities.
People from Stonecrest and other communities behind Wal-Mart just come over thru Country Club Estates at a gate that is not manned or does not even have a gate at all and ride down the road to the bridge and over they come.
We can't get into their communities.
I also think the fees for outsiders (example the Life Long Learning College) should pay a lot higher fee than just a few dollars more than we pay.
I think that monitors at the pool should be there at all times.

[Muncle]

Let's see if I understand his correctly. The Villages Recreation Department is going to hold a special TWO HOUR event. This will include programs aimed at Villagers as well as generic health/swimming issues. Per the Daily Sun "Because of the variety and importance of information dispensed, the Sports Pool Splash is open to residents in The Villages and surrounding communities." My Gawd, they're going to let the Huns inside the walls!!! I pay my amenity fees. I don't want outsiders using my stuff!!! People . . . it . . . is . . . TWO . . . FRIGGING . . . HOURS.

So now a bunch of you are going to join the POA. Great. I'm all for it. The POA's latest campaigns are attacking the hospital because everyone knows it's a deathtrap and reversing One Sumter because, well, I'm no real sure why. As everyone knows, as a result of One Sumter, the Developer owns Sumter County and dictates whatever he desires. Obviously we need to get that program reversed. I don't know about y'all, but I know I'm certainly not paying enough property tax and I want my tax rate double like it was before One Sumter. And just because TV pays 80%+ of the taxes in the county, who in their right mind thinks this area should have as much political influence as Coleman or Bushnell. Join the POA in bringing back the county government that takes Villages tax money and spends it down south. We're rich. We can afford it.

And then there's this one ---


POA has saved us winning the 4 million dollar lawsuit and the siding problem. :bigthumbsup:
Even the classes they do card...all you have to do is come in late. Go to some of these "outside" communities and ask them how easy it is to use all our amenities.? :o

Now if you try to sneak in to their pool or golf course...you will see how resident checks should be done!!
I hope the POA will get involved but they have a hugh money machine fighting them on other issues.
Residents here have no power here and are lied too.(New Year Eve) Luckily while the developer is trying to sell homes he will want a good PR. I talk to people everyday who have lived here but have moved because of the way things have gone in recent years.
The big surprise to me is that people are happier in other locations!! :o I knew nothing but the Villages so I had nothing to compare it too. I still like it here but there are things I am going to keep watching.


I'm sorry, but I don't understand most of it. I assume the 4 million dollar lawsuit is the $40 Million suit from which 7 POA members made $350,000 and their lawyers another $7 Mil. The amount "we" won seems like a lot, but spread over the span of the payout, it ain't much. And the jury is definitely still out on the organizational impact of the settlement.

Siding -- okay, a generally minor advantage that has been blown totally out of proportion.

The rest of it, you lost me. She wants the POA to run the pools and golf courses because people sneak onto them when nobody else is there. People get lied to, especially about New Years Eve, so they've moved out of TV and are much happier where they are. Good for them. I am quite happy for anyone who's dissatisfied in one situation and moves to another and achieves their desire. I believe anyone who is unhappy in a situation, especially one they cannot change, is a damned fool to staying if there is an alternative.

[golfnut]

non residents invited to a specific sanctioned event, probably to try to win over some people and sell them a place in TV, don't see an issue here. As far as people in Ocala, Stonecrest et al using our facilities, I have to say every time I've gone to a rec center there is someone at the desk looking for my ID. I'm going back to the home page to, never mind let's just say I'm moving forward.

[renielarson]

We choose to live where we choose to live

If we don't like it once moved....we can leave...no one is making us stay

I get so sick and tired of all the complaints. We live in a free country and can go wherever we want...so go find a location where there are no rules or regulations and where you will be happy and have no complaints...

Or live in TV and accept what is dealt...like it or not

Life's too short to be unhappy...

Someone once said to me...if this is the very worst thing that can happen to you then deal with it head on...if not, let it go

My advice...let it go

Just my opinion...

[Happy Villager]

I think a few of you are missing the point here.

When we all chose to become residents in this community we agreed to pay for this privilege thru bond payments and the contractural amenities fee. This is our home and our community. Mark Morse was quoted in Thursday's Daily Sun that the residents must protect their lifestyle and we must stay engaged. That is exactly what I am doing and intend to keep on doing.

We the residents are the ones paying the bills and non-residents should not be allowed to take advantage of using facilities they do not want to maintain when the choose to live elsewhere.

It would be great if we could join together and be proactive and find solutions for the few negatives found in our community. I do know last summer the golf course ambassadors were required to stay until 8 or 8:30 to try and prevent non-residents using the executive courses. I'm not sure if that is still policy or not or even if it worked. As for Stonecrest residents I would think finding a way to close off the dirt path that leads from Lowe's to the medical buildings behind Country Club Hills would alleviate that problem. Perhaps a fence could be built? Hiring pool monitors would be one solution to prevent non-residents using them but that would add more labor cost. Does anyone think it would be feasible to have volunteer pool monitors? If enough people volunteer perhaps it would only mean giving one hour a week or less.

[renielarson]

Like I said...

"if this is the very worst thing that can happen to you then deal with it head on...if not, let it go"

It's a personal decision...

[Happy Villager]

Sorry but your not saying much. Anything intelligent to add?

It is our community and you need to stay engaged and help it to stay a worthwhile place to live.

[renielarson]

I'm intelligent enough to respect your opinion and make no implications to your intelligence.

[Jullie]

:agree:I agree it is ridiculous non residents are using the facilities we pay for. What I worry about is if we complain a lot about this, they might decide to close the executive golf courses before the ambassadors leave. We hop on a lot after hours which is so nice.

[mcelheny]

Jullie,Happy Villager, :agree: :agree: :agree:
I have lived here for 3 years and every year it gets worst. It is to the point now where I give up all exercise classes in the winter because they are so overcrowded. There are no pool chairs left. I wait 2 hours anyplace I go to eat. I see fights over chairs at card games and the town centers. One reason I am so happy summer comes is because I can use the amenities again.
Believe me...I have mixed emotions about staying in the Villages. I loved it at first and the people are great. But I feel they are overbuilding and we are losing our friendlest hometown to an overcrowed city (in the winter) where the fees just keep going up. Look at all the traffic accidents. I don't trust the developer and family and hate the fact they control everyting. I am going to look into resident owned gated communities. I need to look around and check out other places. There always two sides to every story.
So thanks again Happy Villager and Jullie and everybody else who understands :)

[Muncle]

:agree:I agree it is ridiculous non residents are using the facilities we pay for. What I worry about is if we complain a lot about this, they might decide to close the executive golf courses before the ambassadors leave. We hop on a lot after hours which is so nice.


Well Jullie, I think it is ridiculous that you "hop on" to the Executive courses after the ambassadors leave and thereby play without getting points or having your trail fee status checked. But I don't think it requires a massive change in TV policy to stop you.

[golfnut]

golfing on executive courses after regularly scheduled tee times expire is an accepted practice at TV, nothing underhanded about it, the starters at the courses will even let you know when you can start lining up.

[Muncle]

golfing on executive courses after regularly scheduled tee times expire is an accepted practice at TV, nothing underhanded about it, the starters at the courses will even let you know when you can start lining up.


Totally agree, but just because something is accepted does not mean that one cannot be just as outraged by it as some appear to be about non Villagers who dare to drive on our trails. Is it fair that you and I pay a trail fee to use our carts on the golf courses while Jullie or someone else waits 'til later and plays without paying? Personally, I don't care if anyone does that and I believe it would be asinine for someone to make a big deal out of it. In the overall scheme of things, it's real small potatoes. But then, this constant carping about every single little issue like it's the greatest tragedy, the greatest injustice in history, is equally asinine. There are :edit: in this community who, if they woke up with a cold tomorrow morning, would blame the Morse family. Now that, I think, is ridiculous.

[chuckinca]

I think a few of you are missing the point here.

When we all chose to become residents in this community we agreed to pay for this privilege thru bond payments and the contractural amenities fee. This is our home and our community. Mark Morse was quoted in Thursday's Daily Sun that the residents must protect their lifestyle and we must stay engaged. That is exactly what I am doing and intend to keep on doing.

We the residents are the ones paying the bills and non-residents should not be allowed to take advantage of using facilities they do not want to maintain when the choose to live elsewhere.




It would be great if we could join together and be proactive and find solutions for the few negatives found in our community. I do know last summer the golf course ambassadors were required to stay until 8 or 8:30 to try and prevent non-residents using the executive courses. I'm not sure if that is still policy or not or even if it worked. As for Stonecrest residents I would think finding a way to close off the dirt path that leads from Lowe's to the medical buildings behind Country Club Hills would alleviate that problem. Perhaps a fence could be built? Hiring pool monitors would be one solution to prevent non-residents using them but that would add more labor cost. Does anyone think it would be feasible to have volunteer pool monitors? If enough people volunteer perhaps it would only mean giving one hour a week or less.




The dirt path goes both ways - probably five times as many village residents going North to Wal-Mart, Lowe's, etc as Stonecrest residents using the dirt cart trail to go South to Spanish Springs or wherever instead of driving their cars to those locations. Next, you'll want to put gates on 441, Spanish Springs, LSL, all the strip malls, etc, etc, etc. You should do the same with the State of NY to keep the non-NYer's out and stop them from using your tax paid amenities.

[graciegirl]

Sorry but your not saying much. Anything intelligent to add?

It is our community and you need to stay engaged and help it to stay a worthwhile place to live.


Brightspot has a valid argument as she usually does. You have a valid argument too.

I disagreed with Muncles advice a week or so ago which was "You have a choice". It seemed cold, unfriendly. But now it appears to have more validity. We can't change everyone's behavior, even with adequate policing. As the community grows, so does the recreation centers, pools, golf courses. It should work out.

I don't even live there yet. I have no right to any opinion whatsoever.

Say goodnight Gracie.

[Happy Villager]

Here we go again! Maybe if I clarify what the concern is it just might sink in. We are trying to discuss illegal activity called "TRESPASSING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY"!

When a topic is being discussed that some of you don't want to deal with you are very quick to try and cut the topic off by telling the person to MOVE! The statement "to live in TV and accept what is dealt...like it or not" I feel is ludicrous. We signed a legal contract when we chose to move here and contracts work both ways. Everyone on here appears to have intelligence but please use it to discuss the topic. Posting barbs or trying to irritate the poster does nothing constructive to alleviate the situation.

Does anyone have any suggestion on how to deal with trespassing on private property?

[Cassie325]

I am truly not trying to add fuel to the fire...but while some of you may know some specific people that are non-villagers, who use the pools and golf cart paths and courses....

How can you honestly tell if someone is a NON-Villager??* Do "real villagers" have a distinctive mark somewhere...perhaps we should have everyone have a computerized chip instead of just an id card.

We all know that many real villagers come into town Jan-March.* The Villages is extremely busy and crowded.* Everyone has visitors as well.* So of course it is going to be busy.* I agree that everyone should be required to have some sort of pass, however there is no guarantee that the id system works either.* I have one friend who's daughter lives just outside the villages.* My friend gets a guest pass for her grand daughter all the time.* She is under 16, so my friend just changes the name for the guest pass.* Who is really going to know.

....but more importantly....isn't life too short to complain about a non-villages golf cart using our paths....or someone using the pool....how do you really know that they don't live in the villages.....I think that this world has too many real problems for us to be so concerned about small little things like this....

[renielarson]

mariab
:agree: :bigthumbsup: :agree: :bigthumbsup: :agree:

[Rokinronda]

Maria, I agree :bigthumbsup: Let's not sweat the small stuff, let's enjoy what we have and continue to input our thoughts for improvements. Our amenities are for Villagers enjoyment. As for the lady that changes the name to get a pass for her granddaughter, report her. That is unethical and you should speak up.... If you meet someone at a pool or golf course that is from Stonecrest or the like, get on your cell phone and report it. Put a gate at the dirt path that is giving access. Problem solved. If non-residents are loving our amenities so much that they have to sneak in, BUY A HOME HERE! 'nuff said

[Cassie325]

well the lady with the granddaughter is a friend...who am I to judge as it really doesn't bother me....as far as a gate on the dirt path....i know a lot of us who head over there on golf cart...i like to get to bealls and lowes.....i am guessing many others do as well...

truly is just doesn't matter..

[Rokinronda]

I meant a gate that opens with our entry card. Not a solid fence! Also, I would never change my granddaughters name to get her access beyond 30 days. 30 days is the rule. Lying is Lying. It doesn't mean they can't visit more than 30 days, just can't use the amenities more than 30 days. If everyone broke this rule, our quiet retirement community would not be quiet. It would be full of children everywhere. Your friend has to live with her decisions. You live with yours. I live with mine with peace of mind and a sense of doing right. Friend or not, I would let her know of my disapproval. But I guess you don't disapprove or care.

[Happy Villager]

The facts of the matter are non-residents are using our amenities that we all pay for and they do not. This is a known fact! Our golf course ambassadors are aware of it and are trying their best to catch them but all they can do is tell them to leave. They should be charged with trespassing but we must not make waves or bad publicity. The village watch personnel are also instructed to check the id's at the pools and throw out non-residents but the same thing here is they should be charged with trespassing. Word will get out and it will stop.

Now since I started this posting I will end it by saying: IF YOU ARE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM!

[GERALDINE]

Doesn't seem fair to invite surrounding areas to Sport's Pools. I just had a visitor--who had a guest pass--and I was told that guests of Villagers were NOT allowed to use the sport's pools at all.


YUP...same here. Had a guest, with a pass, denied access to Lake Miona Pool because it is a "Resident Only" pool...no exceptions is what I was told. ...and now they're INVITING outsiders in...I'm sorry but I just don't agree with THAT at all...unless, of course, these other neighboring communities are willing to give us reciprocitiy!!!!????? Yea...like THAT's going to happen!!

[Frangyomory]

I brought this subject up a while back and was chastized for being so "unfriendly". Yes, residents of other communities come here to the Villages routinelly and use our amenities, which we pay for and which are supposed to be restricted to residents and their guests only.

The developer does do what he/they please on a routine basis but this is the first time I have heart about an open pool function. Is this just one more erosion on our amenities?

What started out as a real gated community with amenities etc. just for residents seems now to be a free for all. People buy in other retirement communities because they are as the paper said...just a golf cart drive away from the Villages.

How can we stop this iinappropriate use????? Support the ID check at the pools and at all the recreation centers so that these non-eligible folks can be caught and ejected from the premises.

Talking about it does nothing. Need to tell John Rohan how you feel as a resident about his "open pool event" and let him know that sales parties and treats are one thing but our amenities are another and we DO NOT support non qualified people using our pools, etc.

:edit:

[Cassie325]

Ok...so not that I don't care...but it is her decision...again it does not bother me as I know she owns two homes in TV and certainly pays her dues. I guess I live my life the way I see is right....and everyone else can do the same. Unless they are directly hurting someone, I don't feel it is my place whether I agree or not. I am not trying to start an argument here but it really is not worth my friendship to start one with her either. The entry card at a gate is a GRREAT idea....wouldn't that fix everyone's issues?

Here is a question for everyone....atleast something to ponder....in regards to children and the Morse family....my guess is they have children, I have heard they all live in the villages....where do their children live??? or are they exempt....


I meant a gate that opens with our entry card. Not a solid fence! Also, I would never change my granddaughters name to get her access beyond 30 days. 30 days is the rule. Lying is Lying. It doesn't mean they can't visit more than 30 days, just can't use the amenities more than 30 days. If everyone broke this rule, our quiet retirement community would not be quiet. It would be full of children everywhere. Your friend has to live with her decisions. You live with yours. I live with mine with peace of mind and a sense of doing right. Friend or not, I would let her know of my disapproval. But I guess you don't disapprove or care.