And while I'm at it.

[Talk Host]

How many of you want a horserace track and betting parlor within 1 mile of the Villages.

1. Traffic at a stand still on 301 and 466
2. Public Address announcements Weekend and late at night.
3. People of all character from all over the state driving through the Villages to the track
4. The added burden on our restaurants and stores.
5. The call to the post before every race.

Just thought I'd ask.

JLK

[Shirleevee]

Not us!


Shirleevee

[Happy Villager]

Two NO votes!

[Rokinronda]

Good point Jan, and when put in that aspect, I've decided I'll travel to enjoy the sport (and the slots??). 3 nos 4 including Jan............Now take a poll!

[Talk Host]

Sumter County residents have got to go to the polls and vote on this. We Marion county residents have no say, and it will be in our back yard.

[Halle]

I vote no. I can drive a couple of hours if I want to gamble and see the races.

[jflynn1]

We agree. Not needed here..............

[jmarkohio]

I'm totally against it. Wildwood with all it's drugs...now add a racetrack and other forms of gambling?

[Russ_Boston]

Who the heck would want to create jobs in such a turbulent time as these - shame on them!

[ouma1938]

I wish I were already a resident of Sumter county so that I could NO. But I'll be voting in spirit. NO NO NO.

[villages07]

Now this is interesting....

everybody who responded to this thread has said an emphatic NO.

But, when you read the "Oxford Horse Park" thread, the sentiment seems to be majority Yes.

In looking at Google Earth and not necessarily knowing the exact location of the horse park, my guess is that Glenbrook and Polo Ridge Summerhill neighborhoods on the west border of TV could be affected the most...but, still appear far enough away (certainly noise disruption would be less than the train).

The number of actual racing days is unknown....that's where you would have the largest crowds and potential for sound from PA system.

I believe the bigger attraction will be the poker rooms...not a big noisemaker.

Yes, this venue will draw gamblers who might patronize local shops and restaurants, but, I really don't see them driving through the Villages to get to the track.

So, I guess, it comes down to how the majority rules in the June vote. Lots of sentiment for and against. Also, voters in Bushnell and other parts of Sumter will have equal say on this.

[nONIE]

NAAAAAAY! Comming right from the horses mouth! crap

[Russ_Boston]

Great response V7 - Last time I checked it would be hard to hear the sound of shuffling cards from over 1 mile away.

[Rokinronda]

I live in Lake (no vote) and I don't know if an increase of traffic or crime will really affect me personally, but it may affect other Villagers that are closer to 301. :dontknow: Good subject for debate, though! June 17th will be here soon.

[zcaveman]

If it is going to be in Oxford it is going to be west of the Bufffalo Ridge mall where Walmart is. It is already busy down that way.

I am against it but as I live in Marion County I have no say anyway.

[chuckinca]

Not for me and I don't think it is a good addition to the local attractions.

A dog track or trotters without the card room would get my vote (if I had one)

[samhass]

I vote yes. I enjoy the track and cards very much.

[chelsea24]

I vote yes! I'm with Samhass. I love the track and poker. And as I asked on the other post, where do you people live? There is already gambling in TV. Many high stakes poker at house clubs and some at the rec centers. Cards and Mahjong for money everywhere. It's really no secret. As for the extra traffic, you all complain when the snowbirds get here too! Heck yes, bring em on. Many of the snowbirds are my best friends. I don't want The Villages to become an old people's home, no matter what my age is. I also think they should open up a couple of really late night clubs for drinks and dancing. The streets roll up at 10! I'm not that old yet and hopefully I'll always stay young at heart. You'll soon see a difference in attitude as the real Baby Boomers start arriving in the next two to three years. My hubby retired early. I want lots of new things to do, lots of new people to meet. My favorite line from one of the Marx Brothers movies "I want to sing, I want to dance, I want hot-cha-cha!" Ante up! ;D

[captain1202]

Perhaps we could convince the petitioners to do a combo horse/NASCAR track. Now THAT would be some noise!

According to the info in the "Oxford Park" thread it says "approx. 2 miles north of 466 and west of 301." I fail to see how that would cause huge traffic or noise problems in TV.

[dolpterry]

The new proposed track and card rooms will be located 1.7 miles north of 466 and right on 301 next to browns produce,thats the trouble 301 is already getting busy. Please vote no

[redwitch]

301 is being widened and more funds have just been allocated for even more work on 301. Either way, traffic on it will increase as it becomes more of a major thoroughfare.

I won't vote on this issue for the simple reason I don't know enough of the pros and cons. If I can find out enough to let me feel comfortable voting, I will. For now, it is truly an I don't know for me.

I've lived near race tracks. The traffic really wasn't that much worse on race days (but we are talking the SF Bay Area where traffic congestion is the norm). You adjust; just like you do when a ball game starts or ends at commute time. The noise level honestly wasn't that bad and, for awhile, I lived in a high-rise apartment right next to Golden Gate Fields, so I do know. You could occasionally hear the announcer but the wind had to be just right. As to the bad elements, yes, it will bring some. So will and does the expansion of TV. More people, activities, etc. bring crime. It's the nature of the beast.

[Barefoot]

Jan, I can understand why this would be of concern to you. And to anyone else who lives in a Village north of 466 on the western side of TV. Residents living on the western perimeter of TV are already subject to noise from the train tracks. It seems unfair to now locate a busy horse park in that same area.

Those of you who would vote for a horse park .. would you really want one within hearing distance of your back yard? I don't think so.

[nONIE]

Chuck, did you say dog track????

Are ya ready to get blasted??? I thought you learned your lesson with Veal?? >:(

[DENNIS G]

Another NO, NO, NO

[Russ_Boston]

I'm with Chuck - a good braised veal shank - yum - nothing better!

Bring on the bashers.

[nONIE]

Russ,

lucky for you, I am a peace loving soul.

[redwitch]

Russ, darlink, we would never think of bashing you. Hitting you over the head with your plate, yes, but never bash you.

How can you even think of eating an innocent calf that has been raised in a crate, never allowed to turn around, lie down, do anything but be force fed so that some human can eat its flesh? Don't get me wrong, I am a big time beef eater, but I do try to eat free range beef. However, just picturing a calf that never has a chance to do anything but suffer and die makes it impossible to eat veal.

I really, truly hope you are kidding. In the meantime, I hope Linda is reading this thread and decides to "bash" you for us. ;)

[nONIE]

I cant begin to tell you how many times people have ordered veal when they are out to dinner with us, and I am absolutely sure they are doing it to upset me. So I have learned to keep my mouth shut and suck it up but a very strange thing happens almost every time they order it.I hear comments about how dry and tasteless it is all the time.

Im thinkin this must be justice prevailing, it happens way too often to be anything else.
Next time yur thinking of ordering veal off the menu, try giving a little thought to that baby calf who never had a chance to run and play and graze which is so natural to them, just so you could eat Veal, which will probably be dry and tastless anyway.

OK, Im done. Now Im ready for the bashing >:(

[beady]

Nonie :
You underestimate yourself. You are projecting your "distaste" into the universe and causing the veal to be dry and unsatisfactory. I am a believer , it can happen. :clap2: :clap2:

[nONIE]

Beady,

Of course, you are so right! I believe it, not intentionally of course, I would never do anything like that! evil6



So how did a racetrack lead to veal????

[Russ_Boston]

Actually not kidding but just for my new TOTV friends I vow to switch to braised goat shanks instead of veal. (Not joking - they are delicious - I have them all the time in my local Portuguese club). I think they are free-range goats though.

Linda is strictly Chicken or Steak.

[nONIE]

Ah, tell Linda shes our kind of girl, but come to think of it I know chickens can be trained to play a song on the piano with their beaks and.........................

[Just Susan]

What is the difference in life value between a chicken and a cow? Chickens are raised much the same way as veal. Look it up. Animals raised for meat are not raised in roomy accommodations. Here is a picture of hormone free, organic raised chicks. They are considered free range...I guess that's cause they can move.

All meat is killed so that we can eat it. If you humanize it, all meat comes from cute animals with eyes that look at you and say "why me?"

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj277/lake21brook/IMG_4651.jpg

[Talk Host]

Has this tread been hijacked? Can we get it back to the original topic please?

[mcelheny]

I take my life in my hands now to get on 301 from Rainy trail. I have seen some bad accidents there. Unless something is done about traffic jams and the pollution from cars and people, I vote no. >:(

[Shirleevee]

In all fairness to this thread, Sailor is for the track..............as usual,

we don't agree...........

Shirleevee

[Peggy D]

I lived less than two miles from Delaware Park. Horse racing and casino.

There was no major increase traffic in the area--nothing that could be blamed on the track, and no increase in crime.

The casino at Dover Downs is the same. Unless it is race week or beach season (route to the shore) there is no major traffic problem through Dover due to the casino.

Look at what is being proposed and where, then decide.

[Barefoot]

Look at what is being proposed and where, then decide.

Jan, can you clarify what exactly is being proposed and where? :dontknow: If the proposed location and number of racing days is unknown, how can there be a vote in June?

Is it only Sumter Country residents that can vote? Can Canadians or US snowbirds vote via mail or computer?

[drr47]

canadians vote in Sumter County USA....did I miss something in civics class..

[Barefoot]

canadians vote in Sumter County USA....did I miss something in civics class..

Of course I realize that Canadians can't vote in US Federal or State elections! However I thought this was an "Opinion Poll", and that the residents who pay taxes in Sumter County might have a say.

Thanks for the clarification Drr47.

[Hancle704]

I posted a reply after reading Letter attributed to Mike Tucker regarding his objections to the "horse park" and think my post should go here too. It follows:

If you are in favor of this "Horse ParK" ask yourself, when have you ever gone to a real Race track that had card rooms? I recall hearing mention of slot machines in the initial "telephone survey" I received at my home when this horse park started being mentioned.

What is the real motive for timing the vote so it couldn't be done on Primary Voting Day or, scheduling it on General Election Day? I suspect that it was done because a low turnout is expected and those who will vote will be mainly retirees looking for another fun thing to do. Who else has the time or interest to show up at the polls on a day in June to vote on a single question?

If you want a really fun day watching horse racing, take one of the frequent day trips to Tampa Bay Downs. Stop by AAA Travel Center for schedules and prices.

If this gets approved and you find yourself stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Rte 301, CR466, 466A or 42 every day of the racing season after the last race is over, try to remember what you voted for. Don't think there will be a traffic problem? Then do yourself a favor and take the Tampa Bay Downs trip and observe how much time you sit in traffic after the last race has been run and you inch you way through residentail and commercial areas before you finally get to a major highway or I-75. Been there and done that and it's not fun.

[rdmills]

My bet would be that the crowd at the horse park would be us. I'm sure most of us "Older Americans" won't be committing crimes.

[redwitch]

I really don't mind the idea of a race track. I have lived by two of them. In neither case did it really affect me either noisewise nor trafficwise.

Card rooms, though, are another issue. At least in California, they have brought out the worst in people -- fights in the parking lots, vandalism, litter, lots of DUIs around them. This is definitely an issue I would like to hear more about, especially how they plan to control these types of problems (it didn't seem that the people hired to "police" the card rooms did a particularly good job). Also, would this be an "upscale" card room or the garden variety? And, yes, it makes a difference. Those that have serious architecture, good interior decorating do seem to have less problems.