Village Gates Poll

[Jim007]

:dontknow:

[JohnN]

When I was working in a manufacturing plant, and money was tight, my plant engineer put some orange "police tape" around some product because we didn't have the budget to build a fence LOLOLOL... he said it created the "illusion of security" and it worked pretty darn well.

That's what I think of the gates. They won't stop anyone determined, but they may deter some. I like 'em well enough, they're not a problem (til I forget one day and run through one)

[NJblue]

True or False?

When we visited TV last April and spent an afternoon with a TV agent, I think he said that when someone pulls up to a gate without a swipe card it will let you through but it takes a photo of the license plate of the car. Is this true? Or, perhaps I was in information overload state and registered what he said wrong. If this is true then I believe that this does indeed provide an element of security.

[chelsea24]

I like the gates even though they're not as effective as touted. They still would hinder some dumb, dopey youngsters from racing down the streets of The villages.

[smalldog]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/smalldog2008/IMG_0171-3.jpg
:agree: SmallDog Sez that last fall we were also given to believe that photo's were taken of plates on the visitor side of the entry :cop: now who has these records or where they are stored and/or for how long are other questions and issues ???
so yes I think they do provide a small level of security

[samhass]

When an altercation occurred at the Bridgeport LS gate, they claimed to have pictures documenting the entire episode. This was at night!! I find that hard to believe.

[dgammon6]

I think they provide a small level of security as well as provide information for a visitor. When we were a visitor and looking at homes they were very helpful giving us directions etc.

[Hancle704]

I think the perception of security is worth something. However when one reads about home break-ins, perception just doesn't cut it. I have been told that when you use your gate card it is recorded. Not sure if a video or photo image of a license plate can prove anything.

With respect to which entrance to use, visitor or resident, I think it is crazy that residents in their cars are rolling down the windows (sometimes in the pouring rain, letting the cool air escape from their vehicles) while they watch visitors get waved through the gates.

[zcaveman]

I thought I read somewhere tht they were putting cameras at all of the unmanned gates (at least in Marion county).

[blueeagle65]

z - they recently installed a camera at the Summerhill gate. We can only hope there is really a camera under the bubble and that it is functional.

PS: I ran in to a couple Community Watch guys and they verified that there is a camera there and it is functional. I had vehicles behind me at the gate so I couldn't ask where it was recorded, etc.

[Jim007]

From the poll results, and the pro and con postings, it looks like most people prefer the gates. In spite of the nuisance, they create getting into a village. I would say the gates are a good thing, but that there ought to be a better way for a resident to open the gate.

[Fourpar]

While they are a minor inconvenience, and won't keep a determined crook out, they do provide a measure of security. They also provide a bit of a "traffic calming" effect where cars and golf carts tend to come together. :)

[Jim007]

Thanks to all, the polling gates are now closed. :cop:

[Sidney Lanier]

TV is not a gated community, which is fine with me. In my view, the gates serve the purpose of slowing down traffic, which is also fine with me, especially considering, as already pointed out, that many gate areas are shared by cars and golf carts.

[kathy and al]

To Hancle 704-
Next time you approach one of the gates while the weather is inclement, just put your ID card up to the inside of the driver's window and your card will read just fine -- without having to roll down the window. I see just about every resident roll down their window to present their card at the gate entrances but you will find that it works just as well without having to "let out that precious A/C"?????

[tonycirocco]

yes

[dadspet]

Yes and Yes

[PJ]

To Hancle 704-
Next time you approach one of the gates while the weather is inclement, just put your ID card up to the inside of the driver's window and your card will read just fine -- without having to roll down the window. I see just about every resident roll down their window to present their card at the gate entrances but you will find that it works just as well without having to "let out that precious A/C"?????


I wish this were true. I've tested this at several gates, and only one worked (to read the card through a closed window). Maybe it works better if you have a tall vehicle, but I don't.

My gate does have cameras that take a few (3 I think) pictures while you're going through the gate. I like that.

I didn't get to this post in time to vote, as I occasionally have a life, LOL, but if I could've voted, it would've been to keep the gates.

[NYVette]

I like security gates and cameras. In fact....I think a moat around TV would be kinda nice.

[PJ]

That's it! A moat filled with alligators & snakes! LOLOLOLO....

[Jim007]

That's it! A moat filled with alligators & snakes! LOLOLOLO....


Alligators, snakes, and rats... Oh my!

[billethkid]

If one has ever lived in a truly gated community, one would see instantly, TV is about as gated as the revolving door at a supermarket!!!!

The gates impede no one who wants access.
They do impede the orderly flow of traffic into a village.

Yes they slow traffic...good? Bad?

No they do not provide security....maybe for some the impression they do. In Sumter County, like it or not, TV are public streets!!!

When it comes time for the residents to take ownership of some of these "features" we'll see if they are really willing to budget some of their funds to repair, replace, update gates.
I wouldn't and will be boisterous about spending money on that which does not do what is or was intended.

BTK

[barb1191]

When I moved here in 2002, all of the gates were secure and only open with a gate pass. Sometime later, couple of years, maybe, the buttons were installed to open the gates.

This was before LSL was built or Rte 466 was widened; no Buffalo Ridge, nor Southern Trace shopping mall.

All of our visitors had to enter a gate where there was live security in a nearby village to get into our village. The streets that are not owned by TV are now accessible to all via pushing the "open" button by the gate.

barb

[aln]

GRAFFITI
First, I like the gates. Whether I have to use a card or not.
And now the cameras will help law enforcement somewhat.

As for "security", some of our problems are brought in by our own residents in the form of guests.
This week the new thing is graffiti. I saw it at the Rio Grande family pool. Someone spray painted "KILL!" on the front wall of the rest room. When the maintenance man showed up to TRY to remove it he said it's the 3rd instance this week. And remember the damage done the greens in the form of someone riding golf carts and spinning tires on them.
I don't think those golf carts are coming from off the reservation.

[mac9]

Interesting isn't it that the spray painting was done at a "family" pool and not at an adult pool. Sounds a lot like younger guests to me!

[Happy Villager]

We like having the gates but we wish it were a true gated community. We understand the fact these are county maintained roads so we have to have them open but why couldn't we take over the maintenance ourselves and close the road off to everyone but residents? I can see leaving Morris Blvd and Buena Vista open since they are thru roads but the road in individual villages should be private. We have read CDD 4 has talked about putting aside money in their budget to pay for road maintenance in case Sumter County doesn't have the revenue to do it. If I remember correctly they did put aside $29,000 in their general fund for this purpose but didn't want to have a separate line item for it. The Villages has a population larger than a good size City and can well afford to bid out the road maintenance. The threat that is used to keep the roads open is that FEMA won't help us if there is a major weather occurrence with major damage. I don't see other retirement communities opening their roads in the hope FEMA will come to their assistance. FEMA's response wasn't all that great in New Orleans.

[Russ_Boston]

HV - First what you are saying is that all villagers except those that live on the main roads could live in a real gated community. OK what about those folks on Morse, Buena Vista etc. Don't they pay the same fees and taxes? There must be hundreds of folks on those streets. Would they be charged less since all fees must go up in your scenario?

Second you say that TV should start to do their own street maintenance. I don't think $29,000 would even be a drop in the bucket to take on that task. TVers already pay county taxes and I don't think they would take to kindly to a street maintenance assessment by TV.

You'd have to hire real security at each gate to accomplish this feat and that would also add to the fees. TV is huge compared to any 'real' gated community. Many of those have only one or maybe two entrances/exits. How many would TV need if you left Morse and Buena Vista open?

I don't think TVers really wish to take on these tasks and associated higher fees.

[Happy Villager]

HV - First what you are saying is that all villagers except those that live on the main roads could live in a real gated community. OK what about those folks on Morse, Buena Vista etc. Don't they pay the same fees and taxes? There must be hundreds of folks on those streets. Would they be charged less since all fees must go up in your scenario?

Second you say that TV should start to do their own street maintenance. I don't think $29,000 would even be a drop in the bucket to take on that task. TVers already pay county taxes and I don't think they would take to kindly to a street maintenance assessment by TV.

You'd have to hire real security at each gate to accomplish this feat and that would also add to the fees. TV is huge compared to any 'real' gated community. Many of those have only one or maybe two entrances/exits. How many would TV need if you left Morse and Buena Vista open?

I don't think TVers really wish to take on these tasks and associated higher fees.


Russ, your 100% correct that all residents in The Villages would have to be gated. To accomplish this the entrances to individual villages located off Morris and/or Buena Vista
would require the installation of gates and cameras. I don't see the reason for hiring security at each gate because not all gates are manned now. If (and I know this is a big if) the counties would agree to turning the roads over and also reducing our taxes apportioned it just might be feasible. The Village CDD's already bid out the maintenace of landscaping, golf course maintenance etc than why can't it also take on the responsibility for roads too. We are already paying for this service and have to wait for the counties to put our street/road on their schedule for repairs and depending on whether or not they feel they have the revenue to do it. The $29,000 put into the budget is a beginning figure only but the fact is they are concerned the county is not going to be able to afford to maintain the roads to our standard.

[forever_villager]

We like having the gates but we wish it were a true gated community. We understand the fact these are county maintained roads so we have to have them open but why couldn't we take over the maintenance ourselves and close the road off to everyone but residents? I can see leaving Morris Blvd and Buena Vista open since they are thru roads but the road in individual villages should be private. We have read CDD 4 has talked about putting aside money in their budget to pay for road maintenance in case Sumter County doesn't have the revenue to do it. If I remember correctly they did put aside $29,000 in their general fund for this purpose but didn't want to have a separate line item for it. The Villages has a population larger than a good size City and can well afford to bid out the road maintenance. The threat that is used to keep the roads open is that FEMA won't help us if there is a major weather occurrence with major damage. I don't see other retirement communities opening their roads in the hope FEMA will come to their assistance. FEMA's response wasn't all that great in New Orleans.


Happy Villager - I can understand your desire for a more "secure" community. However, keep in mind that CDD's are local units of special purpose government formed under Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes. TV is not just any "retirement community". It is very unique. Each of the Districts are public entities or "governmental agencies". Even if all of the Districts maintain their own roads, they will still be "public". Also, the roads (all roads) were built with tax-free municipal bonds, therefore, the roads in The Villages will always be public roads and you just can't restrict access on public roads. I think the FEMA issue was just a secondary issue. But, yes, by closing the gates CDD 4 would have forfeited any local, state or federal funding for anything - not just FEMA. Also, they would be taking on the liability for everything behind the gates, not just the roads. A big financial gamble in my book. And for me, I would rather see my amenity fees and maintenance fees going toward services that enhance my life here and not cleaning up after a Florida storm. Let Big Brother take care of that.

I know it is disappointing. Almost all of us moved here with the understanding that TV was much more "gated" than it really turned out to be. But, I still feel safe and the gates haven't bothered me all that much ( when they are working properly ;D).

[Happy Villager]

Happy Villager - I can understand your desire for a more "secure" community. However, keep in mind that CDD's are local units of special purpose government formed under Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes. TV is not just any "retirement community". It is very unique. Each of the Districts are public entities or "governmental agencies". Even if all of the Districts maintain their own roads, they will still be "public". Also, the roads (all roads) were built with tax-free municipal bonds, therefore, the roads in The Villages will always be public roads and you just can't restrict access on public roads. I think the FEMA issue was just a secondary issue. But, yes, by closing the gates CDD 4 would have forfeited any local, state or federal funding for anything - not just FEMA. Also, they would be taking on the liability for everything behind the gates, not just the roads. A big financial gamble in my book. And for me, I would rather see my amenity fees and maintenance fees going toward services that enhance my life here and not cleaning up after a Florida storm. Let Big Brother take care of that.

I know it is disappointing. Almost all of us moved here with the understanding that TV was much more "gated" than it really turned out to be. But, I still feel safe and the gates haven't bothered me all that much ( when they are working properly ;D).


Forever_Villager, thank you for your explanation. Yes I'm disappointed but I sure won't let it discourage me from enjoying this wonderful lifestyle. :bigthumbsup: