Suggestion Box for TV Developer

[PJ]

I started to put this in the "Re: EVERYBODY SEEMS TO LOVE THE VILLAGES, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT YOU HATE BESIDES" but that one is too long already, IMHO.

And besides I love it here!! I don't hate anything - this is paradise....
Well ok we do have lotsa bad drivers!! And a less-than-efficient "security gate system".

My suggestions for the "Suggestion Box":

1. Instead of using those cards to get through the gates, I'd like to have some small sticker on my windshield that could be "read" by an electronic reader at the gates. My driver's side window opener/closer (not sure what to call it) is starting to go bad! This can be very expensive to get repaired! (Been there!!)

2. I'd love to have a real Farmers' Market especially in the Summer months, at both squares, (or even one square on alternating days or weeks) at least once a week, EARLY in the mornings before it gets hot or starts raining!

Anyone else have ideas?

[renielarson]

PJ

I also thought about a windshield sticker but then I thought about the times I'm here with a rental car. A sticker is not the answer.

[tkret]

I suggest that I get my house sold so that I can move to The Villages .... but I guess you weren't referring to that kind of suggestion. ??? :'(

[Barefoot]

I suggest that the United States Government allow Canadians who own houses in The Villages to stay more than 183 days a year in the US. Oh, sorry, this thread is about suggestions for the Developer. Well, he has a lot of power, some think he is Omnipotent; perhaps he can talk to someone higher up. :dontknow:

[PJ]

"I also thought about a windshield sticker but then I thought about the times I'm here with a rental car. A sticker is not the answer."

Brightspot, yes I understand the problem if we're using rental cars, or if we haven't moved in yet, and don't have a gate pass. But there must be a better way besides constantly rolling our windows up & down. Maybe they could have a sticker that is removeable? There must be a better way.

[JohnN]

something like the florida toll road pass , just a card like the key but where it can be read

I'd like to have a nice WALKING path or park (I know there's an exercise path on the north end)

[cabo35]

Bring a minor league baseball franchise to The Villages. Fumar can pitch, Muncle can catch, any shortstops out there?

[Muncle]

No comment one way or another about any of the suggestions, but remember that the cost of anything put in will come out of your pocket. For instance, if we went the automatic reader/scanner method, you would need to buy, install, and maintain 1 or 2 of them for each of the many, many gates, plus the cost of the devices for each vehicle.

Re Barefoot's suggestion, just imagine if the 183 day rule were rescinded. We'd be overrun with Canadians in no time (notice, no pejorative nickname for Canadians!!), eh. And we'd have to install a Tim Hortons.

And Cabo, I've been catching enough :edit: lately. Though I would love to see the college football quasi-all star game return to the polo field. I wasn't here for the 2 years they had it, but on television it looked great. In the same vein, I wouldn't mind seeing them play a Nationwide, Duramed Futures, or Hooter golf tournament here.

[Villages Kahuna]

Here I am in southwest Michigan. I go to the Post Offices in Sawyer (population 2,661), or Three Oaks (population 1,742), or Bridgman (population 2,428), or Harbert (population 1,619), or Lakeside (population 196), or New Buffalo (population 2,085), or Union Pier (population 881). All have post offices.

We live in The Villages, population 75,000 and growing at the rate of 6,000 or so each year, and we don't have our own Post Office! We have to go to Lady Lake (population 13,854) where they have three post offices! Or Fruitland Park (population 3,186), or Oxford (population 2,904), or Belleview (population 3,478), or Wildwood (population 3,924). They all have nice post offices, open 5-1/2 days a week, fully staffed, etc.

What have we done to get crapped on so badly by the Postmaster General? Geez, The Morse family gave George Bush close to a million dollars so he could get elected for two terms. What'd they get for the community they built? Zippo!

Just another reason why we need a new administration in Washington...as if we needed more reasons.

I got so honked writing this that I'm going to post it as it's own thread. Maybe folks will get mad enough to write their Senators or Congressmen. But be careful,many of them may not be there when the 111th Congress convenes in January, 2009. I hope they actually have to get a job and try to make an honest living.

[samhass]

How about a transponder like my Sunpass or eazypass?






PJ

I also thought about a windshield sticker but then I thought about the times I'm here with a rental car. A sticker is not the answer.

[llaran]

RE: the farmers market

There used to be one where Toojay's is now or maybe where Big City Grill is. Then there used to be a guy at Sumter landing until Sweetbay came and they closed him down. :(

[chelsea24]

I agree with Kahuna, the post office situation is deplorable. I live far south so I just go to Wildwood. But, I really shouldn't have to. I'm kind of amazed that this problem exists at all. Everything else is so well planned out. :dontknow:

[The Gray Hog]

Just a note of thanks to Dev. about the wonderful flowers and plantings around TV.
On 466A entrance by C/C the flowers just pop with color as well as other areas.
What a joy to see as we scoot and hoot around.

[Ooper]

If I recall, a few months ago, there was an article in the paper about how they were going to try a device like Sunpass that you could buy for about $60 +/- that would open the gate for you. They had to upgrade the electronics at the gates first but I haven't heard anything since. Don't know if the idea was squashed or not. Maybe somebody knows more. :dontknow:

[ouma1938]

I am not a TV resident yet-still trying to sell the house-but I do agree with two suggestions so far. Barefoot, I think its awful that you can only stay 183 days in the States. I mean, its not like you taking jobs away from anyone..............instead you are supporting the economy. Makes little sense to me. And I agree that TV really should have its own Post Office.

[ConeyIsBabe]

I'm already sold on the TV Lifestyle but it would be the icing on the cake if I knew that there were community swimming pools with SHADE......... umbrellas ? trees ? canopies ? partial roof ? some place to hang out at the pool without baking & roasting my skin ::)

[pwdasher]

The pools do have shade under the arbors, and ceiling fans too, all that I have used anyway.

I would love to see a concession stand/snack bar, at the family pools, and a bartender at the adult pools. :) I know, that brings us back to the rat issue.. ???

[NYVette]

I don't care how the gates open...as long as they don't open for my brother-in-law. But that's another story.

Seriously. The type pass now used would probably be OK with most people if the machine that reads the card could read through a closed window. However, as mentioned already, any change will come with a price. How much will it cost vs how important is the convenience?

[Best Mom]

Shade over some of the water in the pools. The shade is in the corners of the decks. I want to use the pools and exercise without full sun beating down on me.
Also, build some more wellness centers with indoor pools.
Or just build some indoor pools. :)

[carlent]

Maybe it's just me....but i don't get it!! We visited last Sept for 3 weeks and we found nothing wrong with the gate system. so you get your pass out and flash it if you are in a cart or roll down your window. So what!! What's the big deal. If there are not any other more serious issue's than that.....we all are in pretty good shape. don't you think?

The pools....again...we loved them...the one we went to on a regular basis...Chula Vista is clean, well kept...some shade and nice chairs. It is true that we did not visit any others except we did try to get into Orange Blossom Hills....and that looked great and even had a TIKI Bar. It seemed really nice to us!! Out guest pass would not allow us to go in but we understand how that works now.

Minor league baseball in TV? A great, great idea....and probably enough population within TV and the other town nearby to support it well. What a feather in the cap that would be!

The Post Office thing.......well sure it would be nice to have a real one, but i do not see that as a major issue. I don't think i have mailed a letter in years....everything is now electronic! So a few times a year you go over to one of the Post Offices that someone else mentioned in an earlier post if you have a package. Not a big deal!

What we found to be lacking in the time we spent in TV , was lack of dedicated walking paths. We thought we would see more folks out walking, jogging, walking dogs etc., and we did not see that. We were staying on the Spanish side so maybe there are paths over by LSL? Does anyone know? That would be a great improvement and maybe not to expensive to create some great nature walking trails...just for people...no carts. What do you all think about that?

Carlent

[jojo]

I vote for walking/jogging/biking paths south of 466 and for better fitness facilities.

[Barefoot]

Before we moved to TV, I asked the Village realtors about walking paths. I was told "They're not needed, everyone golfs here". :dontknow:

I believe the Springdale Walking Trail in the North/west corner is the only path that is "dedicated" to walkers. I would love to see more, as I don't golf!

[renielarson]

Bare

Where is the Springdale walking path? North of 466?

[judylou]

There is a full service post office in the old part of The Villages. It is small but whenever I have used it they had just as many people working there as at some of the bigger post office. It is behind Rio Ranchero Restaraunt off of 441. It is golf cart accessible for anyone on the old side.

[renielarson]

There is a newer post office behind the town hall around the corner from the police and fire stations off 27/441 and south of Home Depot. There is never a wait and the postal workers are the friendliest you will ever find! One of them even sings while he works...lol.

[Barefoot]

Bare Where is the Springdale walking path? North of 466?

Bright, it is way, way north of 466. You can see it on the large Villages map. Have you ever been to Brusters in the Mulberry Center for ice cream? If you take Buena Vista North from 466, the Springdale walking path is located just before you get to 42 .. the most northerly edge of TV. The path runs south east .. I think mostly under the hydro wires.

[SABRMnLgs]

I was going to write a letter to the Editor but someone stoled my thunder regarding sizes of nearby towns that have post offices. How about Weirsdale and UGGGGGH Altoona!? I have no idea what their populations are but the're both very small and yet both have a full service PO.
What I would like to see built and I'd pay some bucks to help is a Performing Arts Center
but NOT on village property. Maybe in one of those cow pastures near where the new VA Hospital is going up on 42 or someplace on 301. Close enough to TV that we could all attend yet not be under their thumb.

Jerry Jackson

[PJ]

Maybe it's just me....but i don't get it!! We visited last Sept for 3 weeks and we found nothing wrong with the gate system. so you get your pass out and flash it if you are in a cart or roll down your window. So what!! What's the big deal. If there are not any other more serious issue's than that.....we all are in pretty good shape. don't you think?

The pools....again...we loved them...the one we went to on a regular basis...Chula Vista is clean, well kept...some shade and nice chairs. It is true that we did not visit any others except we did try to get into Orange Blossom Hills....and that looked great and even had a TIKI Bar. It seemed really nice to us!! Out guest pass would not allow us to go in but we understand how that works now.

Minor league baseball in TV? A great, great idea....and probably enough population within TV and the other town nearby to support it well. What a feather in the cap that would be!

The Post Office thing.......well sure it would be nice to have a real one, but i do not see that as a major issue. I don't think i have mailed a letter in years....everything is now electronic! So a few times a year you go over to one of the Post Offices that someone else mentioned in an earlier post if you have a package. Not a big deal!

What we found to be lacking in the time we spent in TV , was lack of dedicated walking paths. We thought we would see more folks out walking, jogging, walking dogs etc., and we did not see that. We were staying on the Spanish side so maybe there are paths over by LSL? Does anyone know? That would be a great improvement and maybe not to expensive to create some great nature walking trails...just for people...no carts. What do you all think about that?

Carlent



Carlent,
Sorry I guess I wasn't clear. I certainly don't mind pushing my window button to open it. That is not the problem. After about a bazillion times going through the gates, it stops working, and the window refuses to close, and getting it repaired is expensive. The mechanics have to take your door assembly completely apart to repair it. I had to get this done on my previous car, and now it's starting to happen with my current car. Maybe this doesn't bother you, but most of us would find this an inconvenience at least.

Also the hot (unprotected) pools issue that has been discussed sounds real to me. I can't imagine how uncomfortable that must be. And dangerous for those of us who are light-skinned and sun-sensitive. I just don't go to pools because of that.

We do need our own Post Office. I've stood in line in the Lady Lake P.O. many times when there were 2 lines with 10-12 people in each line.

Re-read Kahuna's examples above, comparing the population of many small towns that have their own PO --- very disturbing, considering the population here in TV, and to quote part of his post:

"What have we done to get crapped on so badly by the Postmaster General? Geez, The Morse family gave George Bush close to a million dollars so he could get elected for two terms. What'd they get for the community they built? Zippo!"
:agree: :agree: :agree:

I like the idea about more and longer walking paths where there would be no golf carts.
PJ

[Muncle]

I was going to write a letter to the Editor but someone stoled my thunder regarding sizes of nearby towns that have post offices. How about Weirsdale and UGGGGGH Altoona!? I have no idea what their populations are but the're both very small and yet both have a full service PO.
What I would like to see built and I'd pay some bucks to help is a Performing Arts Center
but NOT on village property. Maybe in one of those cow pastures near where the new VA Hospital is going up on 42 or someplace on 301. Close enough to TV that we could all attend yet not be under their thumb.

Jerry Jackson

You've cited a couple locations of post offices and others in this thread have named many more. If you'll notice a couple similarities about those sites, it is that they are all municipalities of some sort and they've all been there for a long time, especially relative to TV. Until recently (in gov't time), TV was mostly located in and around Lady Lake and was served by that office. As we know, the USPS is a semi-independent government agency. It reports neither to Congress nor the president. It is supposed to be revenue neutral, but it does rely somewhat on our tax dollars. The USPS retains the power to build, operate, lease and maintain buildings and facilities. It's not done by Congress or the president. And they do operate on gov't time. They don't build like the Morses. They have a long range schedule for construction and hopefully with actions like the massive petition and pressure from the local Reps, TV can get on that schedule. But keep in mind -- it's still gov't time.

And these are the folks to whom so many want to turn all heath care.

Re your Performing Arts Center, see http://www.vpaa.org/

[chuckinca]

Maybe it's just me....but i don't get it!! We visited last Sept for 3 weeks and we found nothing wrong with the gate system. so you get your pass out and flash it if you are in a cart or roll down your window. So what!! What's the big deal. If there are not any other more serious issue's than that.....we all are in pretty good shape. don't you think?

The pools....again...we loved them...the one we went to on a regular basis...Chula Vista is clean, well kept...some shade and nice chairs. It is true that we did not visit any others except we did try to get into Orange Blossom Hills....and that looked great and even had a TIKI Bar. It seemed really nice to us!! Out guest pass would not allow us to go in but we understand how that works now.

Minor league baseball in TV? A great, great idea....and probably enough population within TV and the other town nearby to support it well. What a feather in the cap that would be!

The Post Office thing.......well sure it would be nice to have a real one, but i do not see that as a major issue. I don't think i have mailed a letter in years....everything is now electronic! So a few times a year you go over to one of the Post Offices that someone else mentioned in an earlier post if you have a package. Not a big deal!

What we found to be lacking in the time we spent in TV , was lack of dedicated walking paths. We thought we would see more folks out walking, jogging, walking dogs etc., and we did not see that. We were staying on the Spanish side so maybe there are paths over by LSL? Does anyone know? That would be a great improvement and maybe not to expensive to create some great nature walking trails...just for people...no carts. What do you all think about that?

Carlent




Why wouldn't they let you in Orange Blossom Pool with a guest pass? I have been in there with guests many, many times.

Also, the Tiki Bar and Orange Blossom Restaurant and Bar are open to the general public.

[renielarson]

Chuck

My hubs and I went to the Orange Blossom pool about a month ago and were told that yes, we could sit at the Tiki Bar and have a drink while watching the swimmers. However, we could not use the pool without purchasing some kind of membership or something or other.

I asked what would happen if I just "accidently" fell in while walking to or from the bar. He laughed and told me he would probably overlook that. lol

Anyway, we looked around and left.

[carlent]

Chuck
We could not get in Chuck because we did not have a upgraded membership card. The people we were renting from had a regular card and with a standard card you can not get into Orange Blossom CC Pool. Yes, you can use the restaurant and depending on who is on the gate, some will let you sit at the Tiki Bar. This is also true for the other CC pools. It costs $200 a year for a single to upgrade your card

Carlent

[carlent]

PJ
I feel your pain! LOL
I understand it is probably a big deal for you and the repairs etc., I once had a 1952 Frazer with about 300K miles and it had electric windows. Maybe the first one's ever made on cars. They worked just fine and never stopped. maybe you should buy a different brand of car! LOL
On the serious side though.....the shade in the pools are a much bigger issue as it involves a health hazzard and i am with you on this one. However I have a very easy and low cost solution. Just buy a chair umbrella for $10 and clip it to the back of your chair. Problem solved!

Carlent

[sschuler1]

My suggestion would be to remove the gates completely. It seems more like a nuisance than anything else. We all know that anyone can get into the gate, so it's not like they are there for security purposes. You can always put speed bumps in the road to slow down the auto traffic. That way if you are in a golf cart you wouldn't have to stop or slow down.

[PJ]

But the speed bumps can't take your picture as you enter! (as the cameras can)

And the speed bumps don't smile and say "Hi, have a good day!" (as the guard person does)

I'd vote to keep the gates & cameras for whatever feeling of safety they add, just wish it was truly gated.

[chuckinca]

Bright & Carlent:

Thanks for the info.

Forgot that my mother was paying extra so that her guests could use that Pool.

[Russ_Boston]

RE: OBH pool - Guest pass NO - Preview plan guest YES

The only pool off reach for preview program are the Sport Pools.

RE: Dedicated walking paths - Great idea but - I was there in April which admittedly has fewer people than Jan-Mar and I had no trouble taking a nice walk every day 2 miles from Largo to LSL. Most of that is on sidewalks up Canal St. with no carts since they are on the street. So in a sense there are dedicated walk/run paths south of 466. Canal street has sidewalks for its entire length from just south of LSL at Stillwater to Bonita (just shy of 2 miles in my guesstimate) and I imagine this may continue all the way down Canal to and into the new section south of 466A which would be about 5 miles.

[Muncle]

My suggestion would be to remove the gates completely. It seems more like a nuisance than anything else. We all know that anyone can get into the gate, so it's not like they are there for security purposes. You can always put speed bumps in the road to slow down the auto traffic. That way if you are in a golf cart you wouldn't have to stop or slow down.


Sam comments occasionally about the dangerous situation at the Bridgeport at Lake Sumter gate. This is caused primarily by the location of the cart path in relation to the gate. If gates were removed at other locations as you suggest, I would expect chaos to ensue in situations like Tall Trees, Sunset Point, Liberty Park, St. Charles Village, and others similarly laid out. Each entrance/exit would soon be replete with memorial crosses dedicated to the golf cart drivers who didn't slow down killed by motorists who weren't intimidated by speed bumps.

[NYVette]

Speed bumps..... my car often scrapes the chassis or the front spoiler scrapes some speed bumps. After replacing a few Corvette parts you would rather not have speedbumps. True, most cars have more ground clearance but speed bumps are a pain in the butt (literally) if you have a motorcycle too. I vote against speed bumps. I would rather take my chances with the power window life than give up the camera security.

[chelsea24]

Call me a Pollyanna, but, except for the Post Office situation, I love The Villages just the way they are -- gators and all! :#1:

[mac9]

I agree with you Chelsea. We all moved here because we thought that it was Utopia. With some people, when a few things don't go their way, they immediately want to make all of these changes to what they thought was Utopia. Guess what? It's an over-55 community that has its problems, but the good far outweighs the bad. I, for one, am still enamoured with the place after 2 years. If we know that certain gates are "dangerous" to golf cart drivers, then BE CAREFUL! We golf cart drivers have just as much of a responsibility as auto drivers as we are the ones who are fighting 2000 pounds of metal and will definitely lose.

[ConeyIsBabe]

Carlent has a good idea for the lack of shade at the community pools....... bring a clip-on umbrella ::) Ummmmmmmm........ it is an idea I didn't think of, but if I were a resident I'd sure resent having to carry another object, along with my lounge towel, my tote with change of clothes, water, snacks, sunscreen, ETC.

To me, this issue is important because hanging out at the pool would be one of my favorite outdoor activities at TV (I don't play golf or participate in outdoor sports).

[chelsea24]

I'm sure the developer didn't know that it was one of YOUR favorite outdoor activities or they would have changed things.

C'mon it's Florida for pete's sake! Wow.

[zcaveman]

Chuck
We could not get in Chuck because we did not have a upgraded membership card. The people we were renting from had a regular card and with a standard card you can not get into Orange Blossom CC Pool. Yes, you can use the restaurant and depending on who is on the gate, some will let you sit at the Tiki Bar. This is also true for the other CC pools. It costs $200 a year for a single to upgrade your card

Carlent


That pool requires a priority pass. There is a priority pass for pools only. Same at Hacienda Hills.

[renielarson]

CIB

I have never seen anyone bring a change of clothes to the pool. The pools are located close to our homes and all we do is put on our suits, bring a towel, and toodle to the pool in our golf carts. When we're done swimming, we toodle back. No need for a change of clothes.

As for toting an umbrella...Each pool I've been to has had a portion with a covered area. And, if there is a pool without a covered area that I haven't been to, then you can choose not to go to that one. Umbrellas really aren't needed.

[samhass]

Pollyanna, Pollyanna ;) ;) ;) ;) 1rnfl 1rnfl
I agree with you , Chels




Call me a Pollyanna, but, except for the Post Office situation, I love The Villages just the way they are -- gators and all! :#1:

[Muncle]

My doctor recently told me that whenever I felt up to it, I could play golf (which would surprise the heck out of the guys I've been hacking with the last couple years.). Her only caveat was that I was to avoid the sun. Since that time, I've been looking all over TV for a course with night lights or one with a roof. It's obvious the developer is not doing enough to satisfy people with needs like mine. Maybe he could sell a couple of his yachts and put a shaded dome over Bogart & Bacall? Is that too much to ask after he's made all his money sticking it to people like me.

Warning: opinions expressed above are not necessarily those of the author and are included for the sake of cynicism. The bit about avoiding the sun while playing golf is true, however.

[chelsea24]

I doubt if any developer will address the special needs of any one individual. As I said, I would like captioning on VNN for my hubby. But, sorry and with all due respect, I still feel the developer is doing one heck of a job. I'm so sick of people beating down the developer because the family has the brains and gumption to make money! I don't know anyone here that's being deprived of anything. (oops - Mark Morse didn't serve me breakfast today!) C'mon, get a grip. Honestly, he shouldn't have to sell "his yachts" as you say, for anyone or anything.

To the Morse Family: For all you do, this one's for you! :clap2:

[Russ_Boston]

In my 51 years I don't think I've ever encountered a pool that purposely had shade included. Sometimes it happens if a tree grows up too big near a pool but let's get realistic here please. We sat in the shade for the most part while at the pool (skin protection etc.) but when it was time to take a dip we really enjoyed the sun.

CIB - Respectfully, after reviewing your posts I do think that TV might not be your cup of tea. I'd suggest a month long rental to get a feel for TV life and then go from there.

[graciegirl]

The Odell pool which is the one closest to our house has lovely shade with five tables in the alcove under the extended roof of the rec :dontknow: center. It is similar to all other rec center pools. What's the beef?

Muncle. Take care of yourself and slather up on sun screen. Another side effect of that "KickaPooJoyJuice" you must be taking is that it makes you tired. I hate to see you miss golf but we are all looking for the day you will be our Tiger Woods again.

I am not sure but I suspect that you are wrestling with the big "C". Both our daughter Helene and I are survivors.

I will personally call Mark Morse and tell him to cover the Hemingway golf course.

It's the least I can do.

Take care. :) :)

GG

[Muncle]

I will personally call Mark Morse and tell him to cover the Hemingway golf course.

It's the least I can do.

Take care. :) :)

GG



Gracie, I really appreciate that. I hadn't even considered a Championship Course, which is why I stuck with B&B. But I do love Hemingway. I shot my best ever 9 hole adult course score there, albeit from the Whites. You might suggest to Mark that he may have to sell on the planes as well to cover the cost.

Cynicism and sarcasm are dangerous things that some folks don't pick up on, even when you label them as such. One of the previous posters evidently didn't really read the original note before responding. I'm glad you caught it.

And on the other thing, I almost 62 and fat. I'm always tired anyway. No big whoop there --- he says naively.

An aside -- if you ever unsure of how to spell naive (or naively), just think of Evian bottled water and go backwards.

[chelsea24]

Muncle, In all honestly, I did see your previous posts, but am too forgetful to remember them! :dontknow: My post wasn't specifically geared just toward you though. (Well, maybe the yacht line :o) It's just annoying and quite baffling to me to read some people constantly jumping on the developer. No, no one or nothing is perfect, but dang, The Villages is the closest I've ever seen.

Wishing you well, chels

[Muncle]

Chels --- I apologize.
I have attempted three different replies which were witty, charming, a bit edgy, and completely explained my points. I spoke highly of you --yes -- and agreed heavily with your disdain for the financial ***** envy folks who blame the Morse family for everything. I explained the purpose and composition of my post. In each case, I was well into the 3rd para when I hit the magic keys and deleted the whole :edit: thing. So I quit.

[chelsea24]

:yikes: Uncle Muncle! I never though I'd hear those words. You know I love your snarly old butt! Please take care of yourself. We have many mixed words ahead. big hug, chels

[jime]

Ok - *rant mode on* The developer is just that - a property developer. They have provided more amenities for the residents here than you will find anywhere else, yet some people always seem to think that if they decide they want something more, "the developer" should build it or make it or install it or change it or whatever for them. I'm sometimes amazed that the Morse family doesn't just say that they've done all they are going to do and to stop the constant whining about what YOU want. *rant mode off*

The developer has no control regarding where the USPS decides to put or not put another post office; if you want one more convenient to where you live, petition the USPS. But - don't complain later when there's more traffic coming down your street to get there.

Here comes an opinion - I like the gates. No, they don't stop anyone from getting in, but they at least slow people down and (again, IMHO) offer some deterrant to those who might otherwise drive in the neighorhoods with malice aforethought.

Okay - I felt compelled to comment. I can usually recognize (and appreciate) sarcasm; I've even been known to use it myself on occasion! ;)

[NJblue]

My suggestion is that for the current program that allows you to "personalize" your house by selecting from various packages that they provide some pricing information to go along with the packages. While our agent said that the costs fluctuate on a daily basis and hence they could not do that, I wonder how every other developer that we have ever visited manages to do just that. Even if they couldn't give precise price information, having a plus/minus range would go a long way to ease the purchasing process.

In our case, the developer missed out on selling some additional options because, not knowing how much the price tag was going up, we opted to leave out certain options and upgrades that we wanted. As it turned out, the final price was within our comfort zone but then, to get the items added in, we would have had to resubmit the quote with no assurance that the prices for the options already included wouldn't have changed in the meantime. Because of this and the fact that other clocks were ticking in terms of developer-imposed deadlines, we opted to just stick with the original quote and not get the extras. A simple sheet listing the options/packages and their approximate price would have made the buying process a lot easier and would have made for happier customers.

[kofficer]

At my office building in Tampa, we have a "card" that is in a plastic case on your windshield to get in our gates. Gave up on the plastic case a couple years ago, just keep it in one of the compartments by the gear shift, and wave it at the machine. So, a card system with a good electric eye would work.

[Parker]

Oh how I'd love to play some miniature golf on a beautiful evening! Knowing The Villages, it would be unique and fun. A great place to add to this lovely community, and a great place to take the grandkids.

[PaPaLarry]

"I also thought about a windshield sticker but then I thought about the times I'm here with a rental car. A sticker is not the answer."

Brightspot, yes I understand the problem if we're using rental cars, or if we haven't moved in yet, and don't have a gate pass. But there must be a better way besides constantly rolling our windows up & down. Maybe they could have a sticker that is removeable? There must be a better way.
Actually, whats the problem of rolling down your window with the rental car? It's not like your going to have the rental car, for a long time? I like the idea of a sticker ( or something like E Z Pass) for our cars in The Villages. BUT??? Whats the cost factor?? Anything to have to roll down our windows. Actually I like rolling down window when there is a person at the gate, so I can tell them "Have a nice day"

[Madelaine Amee]

I'll second that. I'm getting tired of having to jump up onto people's lawns to avoid traffic early in the morning.

[rjn5656]

Lot of good ideas here. But is there a formal way to provide suggestions to the developer.

[rubicon]

How about an Arts theater, an indoor pool, wider cartpaths and separate paths for walkers and bicylist, and gates at every viilage and an expansion of acreage in TV without adding more people and free golf all the time on the championship courses and free lawn service and free utiities and cable and free drinks at every tavern and free health care and 50% discount on all food items and.............

[graciegirl]

How about an Arts theater, an indoor pool, wider cartpaths and separate paths for walkers and bicylist, and gates at every viilage and an expansion of acreage in TV without adding more people and free golf all the time on the championship courses and free lawn service and free utiities and cable and free drinks at every tavern and free health care and 50% discount on all food items and.............


It is apparent to me that those of us who care about you will have to soon have an intervention. Please do not drink any more of that kool refreshing drink.

Hugs.

[Bogie Shooter]

Lot of good ideas here. But is there a formal way to provide suggestions to the developer.

Annual resident survey.

[Bogie Shooter]

Oh how I'd love to play some miniature golf on a beautiful evening! Knowing The Villages, it would be unique and fun. A great place to add to this lovely community, and a great place to take the grandkids.

Minature golf at Rolling Acres Driving Range.

[jblum315]

[QUOTE=PJ;137930]I started to put this in the "Re: EVERYBODY SEEMS TO LOVE THE VILLAGES, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT YOU HATE BESIDES" but that one is too long already, IMHO.

And besides I love it here!! I don't hate anything - this is paradise....
Well ok we do have lotsa bad drivers!! And a less-than-efficient "security gate system".

My suggestions for the "Suggestion Box":

1. Instead of using those cards to get through the gates, I'd like to have some small sticker on my windshield that could be "read" by an electronic reader at the gates. My driver's side window opener/closer (not sure what to call it) is starting to go bad! This can be very expensive to get repaired! (Been there!!)

We just had a survey that all Villages residents could participate in. You still can put your suggestions in - go to TheVillages.net.

[Golf View]

I started to put this in the "Re: EVERYBODY SEEMS TO LOVE THE VILLAGES, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT YOU HATE BESIDES" but that one is too long already, IMHO.

And besides I love it here!! I don't hate anything - this is paradise....
Well ok we do have lotsa bad drivers!! And a less-than-efficient "security gate system".

My suggestions for the "Suggestion Box":

1. Instead of using those cards to get through the gates, I'd like to have some small sticker on my windshield that could be "read" by an electronic reader at the gates. My driver's side window opener/closer (not sure what to call it) is starting to go bad! This can be very expensive to get repaired! (Been there!!)

2. I'd love to have a real Farmers' Market especially in the Summer months, at both squares, (or even one square on alternating days or weeks) at least once a week, EARLY in the mornings before it gets hot or starts raining!

Anyone else have ideas?


I live in Glenbrook & can open my gate without lowering the window. Drive a little closer to the reader & flash your card through the closed window. This doesn't work at all gates but It seems reasonable to assume that the readers could be relocated (like at Glenbrook) so that cards could be read through a closed window.

[applesoffh]

I started to put this in the "Re: EVERYBODY SEEMS TO LOVE THE VILLAGES, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT YOU HATE BESIDES" but that one is too long already, IMHO.

And besides I love it here!! I don't hate anything - this is paradise....
Well ok we do have lotsa bad drivers!! And a less-than-efficient "security gate system".

My suggestions for the "Suggestion Box":

1. Instead of using those cards to get through the gates, I'd like to have some small sticker on my windshield that could be "read" by an electronic reader at the gates. My driver's side window opener/closer (not sure what to call it) is starting to go bad! This can be very expensive to get repaired! (Been there!!)

2. I'd love to have a real Farmers' Market especially in the Summer months, at both squares, (or even one square on alternating days or weeks) at least once a week, EARLY in the mornings before it gets hot or starts raining!

Anyone else have ideas?

There's a wonderful Farmer's Market in Wildwood, Route 301 (Main Street) in front of the Town Hall every Saturday...baked goods, plants, fruits and veggies of all kinds. There's also a truck selling fresh fish that seems to do quite well. The hours, I believe, are 8am to 2pm year-round. There's also the Market at Marion, down on 441 in Marion County open Fri - Sun. It's a farmers market/flea market and absolutely huge. We go to the Wildwood market every weekend. Easy parking and small enough to walk around.

[Bogie Shooter]

There's a wonderful Farmer's Market in Wildwood, Route 301 (Main Street) in front of the Town Hall every Saturday...baked goods, plants, fruits and veggies of all kinds. There's also a truck selling fresh fish that seems to do quite well. The hours, I believe, are 8am to 2pm year-round. There's also the Market at Marion, down on 441 in Marion County open Fri - Sun. It's a farmers market/flea market and absolutely huge. We go to the Wildwood market every weekend. Easy parking and small enough to walk around.

There is a farmers market in Lady Lake on Tuesdays. Also, one in Leesburg on Saturdays.

[OpusX1]

I play pickle ball 5-6 days a week 2-3 hours at a time. My tan is getting so dark I really wish on some of the newer courts they would put a high screen so I don't get so much sun. I know we can't put lights on the courts because of the noise but a nice high screen would be great.

[jblum315]

Lot of good ideas here. But is there a formal way to provide suggestions to the developer.

Yes. It's called the Resident Survey. Go to TheVillages.net.