POA At It Again

[Aloha1]

So the Property Owners Association is once again attempting to influence the Sumter County Board. Now they are promoting the person who bankrolled the failed Commissioners from the last election which wasted countless time, money, and delayed the acquisition of new ambulance service in Sumter. Enough already. Do your homework before voting.

[kansasr]

I'm glad someone is watching out for the residents.

[Stu from NYC]

Amazing how complicated politically this place is. IMHO the developer has built an awesome place but has too much control over local politics.

Hoping we can vote for people who understand this place and be on the side of us villagers but not owned by the developer.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

So the Property Owners Association is once again attempting to influence the Sumter County Board. Now they are promoting the person who bankrolled the failed Commissioners from the last election which wasted countless time, money, and delayed the acquisition of new ambulance service in Sumter. Enough already. Do your homework before voting.

No one should need a warning in advance, to do their homework. That's part of the responsibility of voting. And it goes both ways. A candidate needs to do their homework to know who they'll be representing, before choosing to run.

[njbchbum]

So the Property Owners Association is once again attempting to influence the Sumter County Board. Now they are promoting the person who bankrolled the failed Commissioners from the last election which wasted countless time, money, and delayed the acquisition of new ambulance service in Sumter. Enough already. Do your homework before voting.

Is no one or group "attempting to influence" the opposition?

[wisbad1]

So the Property Owners Association is once again attempting to influence the Sumter County Board. Now they are promoting the person who bankrolled the failed Commissioners from the last election which wasted countless time, money, and delayed the acquisition of new ambulance service in Sumter. Enough already. Do your homework before voting.
Wish they would stop throwing papers all over.

[charlie1]

I agree, do your research on the candidates and validate everything that they tell you. Also make sure they have a complete platform (roads, facilities, police, fire, etc.) that explains what they feel they can do for Sumter County. A single platform against one company (but impacts many more companies) in the county is NOT ENOUGH to get my vote.

[Bill14564]

It is also important to research/confirm what you read here. "I saw it on ToTV" does not make it true. Articles (from multiple papers) can be compared to meeting minutes to help find the truth.

[Topspinmo]

It is also important to research/confirm what you read here. "I saw it on ToTV" does not make it true. Articles (from multiple papers) can be compared to meeting minutes to help find the truth.


Any news source has agenda when they favor one side or the other.

[Bill14564]

Any news source has agenda when they favor one side or the other.

A critical reader can get close to the truth if they look at something from enough angles. You have to go with the best you can find and one-sided posts on ToTV are rarely it.

[Rwirish]

Nice to have another perspective. Thank you POA.

[Sparky25]

So the Property Owners Association is once again attempting to influence the Sumter County Board. Now they are promoting the person who bankrolled the failed Commissioners from the last election which wasted countless time, money, and delayed the acquisition of new ambulance service in Sumter. Enough already. Do your homework before voting.
It is nice to have the POA looking out for us. If you read all the slanted garbage in the villages daily news it is sickening. I will always vote for people who are on the peoples side.

[WindyCityzen]

So the Property Owners Association is once again attempting to influence the Sumter County Board. Now they are promoting the person who bankrolled the failed Commissioners from the last election which wasted countless time, money, and delayed the acquisition of new ambulance service in Sumter. Enough already. Do your homework before voting.

And the Developer doesn’t influence every frickin’ board he can? Give me a break. POA is the ONLY independent organization in The Villages. I wholeheartedly support their work and recommendations.

[Petersweeney]

Who counts the votes ;)

[golfing eagles]

Who counts the votes ;)

The same dead people that cast them????? :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[sallyg]

I believe they can endorse anyone they like. Whether or not you are influenced is up to you. Would you support an endorsement from the Daily Sun? Homework is important in all elections and that means reading opposing points of view, not just those you agree with.

[Stu from NYC]

The same dead people that cast them????? :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Very good

[Sicknotto]

Wish they would stop throwing papers all over.

I too am disgusted with the POA paper littering our streets.
I called their circulation department and had them stop littering my driveway with their trash paper.
You can too, I just wish there was something in place that prevents them from throwing the paper in our driveways without permission

[nancyre]

Wish they would stop throwing papers all over. You can request digital only on the website and they will not drop you a paper.

[justjim]

I too am disgusted with the POA paper littering our streets.
I called their circulation department and had them stop littering my driveway with their trash paper.
You can too, I just wish there was something in place that prevents them from throwing the paper in our driveways without permission

With all due respect, the Daily Sun throws their paper in the driveway - sometimes in the yard. Really, what is the big deal. Just like the Daily Sun you can get the digital paper if you want or notify them you no longer want the paper. We always enjoy the POA paper whether we agree with their perspective or not. If you have good neighbors like we do, they will always pickup when your gone.

[Kenswing]

With all due respect, the Daily Sun throws their paper in the driveway - sometimes in the yard. Really, what is the big deal. Just like the Daily Sun you can get the digital paper if you want or notify them you no longer want the paper. We always enjoy the POA paper whether we agree with their perspective or not. If you have good neighbors like we do, they will always pickup when your gone.

But the Daily Sun doesn’t do it without your permission. You have to subscribe to the paper. The POA delivers whether you subscribe or not.

[crash]

I'm glad someone is watching out for the residents.

Yes and that would be the POA.

[crash]

Amazing how complicated politically this place is. IMHO the developer has built an awesome place but has too much control over local politics.

Hoping we can vote for people who understand this place and be on the side of us villagers but not owned by the developer.

Then stay away from candidates who work for the developer or his subcontractors like Gilpin executive at T&D.

[Number 10 GI]

You can request digital only on the website and they will not drop you a paper.

I don't want their digital litter either.

[Kenswing]

Then stay away from candidates who work for the developer or his subcontractors like Gilpin executive at T&D.

Also stay away from candidates that change party affiliation because they know they’d never get elected representing their previous party. I guess there’s no one left to vote for. lol

[Number 10 GI]

With all due respect, the Daily Sun throws their paper in the driveway - sometimes in the yard. Really, what is the big deal. Just like the Daily Sun you can get the digital paper if you want or notify them you no longer want the paper. We always enjoy the POA paper whether we agree with their perspective or not. If you have good neighbors like we do, they will always pickup when your gone.

I subscribe to the Daily Sun and EXPECT them to throw it onto my driveway, I never requested or subscribed to the POA newsletter, but it gets thrown on my driveway all the time.

Doesn't speak much to the veracity of their articles if they have to give out their newsletter for free. If it had any value people would subscribe to it.

[justjim]

But the Daily Sun doesn’t do it without your permission. You have to subscribe to the paper. The POA delivers whether you subscribe or not.

You have a point.

[Bill14564]

I subscribe to the Daily Sun and EXPECT them to throw it onto my driveway, I never requested or subscribed to the POA newsletter, but it gets thrown on my driveway all the time.

Doesn't speak much to the veracity of their articles if they have to give out their newsletter for free. If it had any value people would subscribe to it.

Not often that a Villager complains about getting something for free :)

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I subscribe to the Daily Sun and EXPECT them to throw it onto my driveway, I never requested or subscribed to the POA newsletter, but it gets thrown on my driveway all the time.

Doesn't speak much to the veracity of their articles if they have to give out their newsletter for free. If it had any value people would subscribe to it.

The POA newsletter is a service provided to every Villages household by the POA. If you don't want that service, you can opt out.

Meanwhile, they have sponsors and advertisements, and a portion of the yearly membership to the POA contributes to the cost of printing and distributing it.

I'd rather have a 3-ounce 8-page newsletter once a month on my driveway, than a 14-ounce "feel good" rag that consists primarily of ads selling properties in a community I already live in, on my driveway every day.

Especially since I have to pay for the privilege of throwing away all that paper, unread since - I'm not looking to buy in a community I already live in.

[justjim]

I subscribe to the Daily Sun and EXPECT them to throw it onto my driveway, I never requested or subscribed to the POA newsletter, but it gets thrown on my driveway all the time.

Doesn't speak much to the veracity of their articles if they have to give out their newsletter for free. If it had any value people would subscribe to it.

Daily Sun is backed by big bucks. POA is just a good bunch of residents of TV operating on a “shoe string”. IMHO. I read them both just to give me an overview of what is going on in The Villages,

[SUENRAN]

POA is one-sided politically biased. Why are they worried about the developer making money. Isn't that what corporations are supposed to do? I stopped their trashing of my driveway after the last election. Was fun to watch their candidates embarrass themselves and be removed from office for cause! My bottom line is whatever the POA says, do the opposite!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

POA is one-sided politically biased. Why are they worried about the developer making money. Isn't that what corporations are supposed to do? I stopped their trashing of my driveway after the last election. Was fun to watch their candidates embarrass themselves and be removed from office for cause! My bottom line is whatever the POA says, do the opposite!

The POA has said not to waste water, and provided tips and hints on how to accomplish that.
The POA has provided tips and resources to help when Seniors are scammed, robbed, or assaulted in addition to the usual 911 for emergencies.
The POA has provided access to the different Villages departments.
The POA has provided schedules and locations for local elections, so people know where and when to vote.

So do the opposite: Go for it. Turn all the spigots on in your house and let them run indefinitely. If you get robbed, just shrug and say "it is what it is." If you need help from one of the Villages departments, don't bother trying to actually get in touch with them. And for the love of all that's good in the world, don't vote.

Because all of those things are the "opposite" of what the POA recommends.

It seems like a very childish suggestion, doesn't it? Like a 7-year-old being told to clean their room and instead, they start throwing stuff all over the floor.

[Mleeja]

The POA endorses candidates that benefit the POA. The POA states they represent the “residents” but the all the “residents” are not as anti-developer as the POA.

Do you homework. Check as many sources as you can find about the candidates. Then vote for the one that best matches your views and interest.

[Stu from NYC]

The POA has said not to waste water, and provided tips and hints on how to accomplish that.
The POA has provided tips and resources to help when Seniors are scammed, robbed, or assaulted in addition to the usual 911 for emergencies.
The POA has provided access to the different Villages departments.
The POA has provided schedules and locations for local elections, so people know where and when to vote.

So do the opposite: Go for it. Turn all the spigots on in your house and let them run indefinitely. If you get robbed, just shrug and say "it is what it is." If you need help from one of the Villages departments, don't bother trying to actually get in touch with them. And for the love of all that's good in the world, don't vote.

Because all of those things are the "opposite" of what the POA recommends.

It seems like a very childish suggestion, doesn't it? Like a 7-year-old being told to clean their room and instead, they start throwing stuff all over the floor.

Wow every once in awhile we do agree.:clap2:

[golfing eagles]

The POA has said not to waste water, and provided tips and hints on how to accomplish that.
The POA has provided tips and resources to help when Seniors are scammed, robbed, or assaulted in addition to the usual 911 for emergencies.
The POA has provided access to the different Villages departments.
The POA has provided schedules and locations for local elections, so people know where and when to vote.

So do the opposite: Go for it. Turn all the spigots on in your house and let them run indefinitely. If you get robbed, just shrug and say "it is what it is." If you need help from one of the Villages departments, don't bother trying to actually get in touch with them. And for the love of all that's good in the world, don't vote.

Because all of those things are the "opposite" of what the POA recommends.

It seems like a very childish suggestion, doesn't it? Like a 7-year-old being told to clean their room and instead, they start throwing stuff all over the floor.

Not bad with a few exceptions:

"The POA has said not to waste water, and provided tips and hints on how to accomplish that."
Irrelevant, since the Florida Aquifer is one of the largest in the world.

"The POA has provided schedules and locations for local elections, so people know where and when to vote."

And whom to vote for as well:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

The rest are pretty good things

[Pete Swanson]

NO POLITICAL REFERENCES ARE ALLOWED ON THE WEBSITE. Surely there's another social media outlet folks can use for political topics, no?

[Moderator]

NO POLITICAL REFERENCES ARE ALLOWED ON THE WEBSITE. Surely there's another social media outlet folks can use for political topics, no?
We allow some latitude for local political discussion. But if it ventures into attacking each other or Right/Left Conservative/Liberal or national politics it will get shut down.

Moderator

[Bonanza]

POA is one-sided politically biased. Why are they worried about the developer making money. Isn't that what corporations are supposed to do? I stopped their trashing of my driveway after the last election. Was fun to watch their candidates embarrass themselves and be removed from office for cause! My bottom line is whatever the POA says, do the opposite!

Too bad you have blinders on, and can't see both sides. That's what your comment indicates.

In order to make an educated decision or have an unbiased opinion about something, one must have an open mind to be able to see both sides of the picture. Clearly, that isn't the case.
.

[toeser]

So the Property Owners Association is once again attempting to influence the Sumter County Board. Now they are promoting the person who bankrolled the failed Commissioners from the last election which wasted countless time, money, and delayed the acquisition of new ambulance service in Sumter. Enough already. Do your homework before voting.

That easily fits within their role of looking out for "the property owners."

It appears you are trying to influence the election. How is that any better?

[jjombrello]

Really???

[Stu from NYC]

That easily fits within their role of looking out for "the property owners."

It appears you are trying to influence the election. How is that any better?

Why would anyone think that an organization that is looking out for us the property owners is bad?

[rogerk]

What exactly does owned by the developer mean? Can you give examples of where commissioners voted to benefit the developer and that negatively impacted Villagers.

Please don’t use the ill-advised tax increase that, one has been reduced and second was the first increase in over 10 years. There must be many other examples.

[rogerk]

In this case, what does it mean to be on the people’s side.

[Bill14564]

What exactly does owned by the developer mean? Can you give examples of where commissioners voted to benefit the developer and that negatively impacted Villagers.

Please don’t use the ill-advised tax increase that, one has been reduced and second was the first increase in over 10 years. There must be many other examples.

The tax increase has NOT been reduced. The millage rate has been reduced but the appraisals have increased to match it. Check your tax bill - the SUMTER COUNTY line (property tax) amount has stayed the same for most of us in the county.

[Luggage]

This whole thread is political and should be taken off

[Bridget Staunton]

The POA are a wonderful organization

[Steve]

Wish they would stop throwing papers all over.

Geez, pick it up and throw it in the trash if you don't want to read it. After all, some people can't handle TOO MUCH information.

[SUENRAN]

[QUOTE=OrangeBlossomBaby;2121213]The POA has said not to waste water, and provided tips and hints on how to accomplish that.
The POA has provided tips and resources to help when Seniors are scammed, robbed, or assaulted in addition to the usual 911 for emergencies.
The POA has provided access to the different Villages departments.
The POA has provided schedules and locations for local elections, so people know where and when to vote.

So do the opposite: Go for it. Turn all the spigots on in your house and let them run indefinitely. If you get robbed, just shrug and say "it is what it is." If you need help from one of the Villages departments, don't bother trying to actually get in touch with them. And for the love of all that's good in the world, don't vote.

Because all of those things are the "opposite" of what the POA recommends.

It seems like a very childish suggestion, doesn't it? Like a 7-year-old being told to clean their room and instead, they start throwing stuff all over the floor.[/QUOTE

What sage advice. Not sure I say turn on all my faucets and let them run. Also I've always had great experience getting questions answered by the Villages. As for getting robbed, I'm prepared to protect myself. I've been in touch with the POA to quit littering my driveway with their political dribble. Oh...I'll definitely vote as I see that the "wonderful recommendations" the POA gave for the last election didn't work out well and resulted in two of their recommendations being removed for cause! Enjoy your self-righteous bubble!

[Stu from NYC]

[QUOTE=OrangeBlossomBaby;2121213]The POA has said not to waste water, and provided tips and hints on how to accomplish that.
The POA has provided tips and resources to help when Seniors are scammed, robbed, or assaulted in addition to the usual 911 for emergencies.
The POA has provided access to the different Villages departments.
The POA has provided schedules and locations for local elections, so people know where and when to vote.

So do the opposite: Go for it. Turn all the spigots on in your house and let them run indefinitely. If you get robbed, just shrug and say "it is what it is." If you need help from one of the Villages departments, don't bother trying to actually get in touch with them. And for the love of all that's good in the world, don't vote.

Because all of those things are the "opposite" of what the POA recommends.

It seems like a very childish suggestion, doesn't it? Like a 7-year-old being told to clean their room and instead, they start throwing stuff all over the floor.[/QUOTE

What sage advice. Not sure I say turn on all my faucets and let them run. Also I've always had great experience getting questions answered by the Villages. As for getting robbed, I'm prepared to protect myself. I've been in touch with the POA to quit littering my driveway with their political dribble. Oh...I'll definitely vote as I see that the "wonderful recommendations" the POA gave for the last election didn't work out well and resulted in two of their recommendations being removed for cause! Enjoy your self-righteous bubble!

Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Offenders have not been tried yet but the "paper" at orders from the developer tried and convinced them and got the governor to remove them from office.

[crash]

So the Property Owners Association is once again attempting to influence the Sumter County Board. Now they are promoting the person who bankrolled the failed Commissioners from the last election which wasted countless time, money, and delayed the acquisition of new ambulance service in Sumter. Enough already. Do your homework before voting.

There were 10 proposals put forth to Fisk the ambulance service 5 of which eliminated the villages fire dept. why do you think they should of just grabbed one with investigating them first. Bradley Arnold the city manager is the one who came up with the 10 options.

The main problem with the ambulance service turned out to be lack of emt’s caused by AMR’s low pay. There were times when they had less than 3 ambulances on the road which was against the contract and Arnold chose not to fine them. If they had been getting fines they might of raised the salary enough to attract employees. The assistant city managers wife was running AMR think that might of had anything to do with it.

[crash]

POA is one-sided politically biased. Why are they worried about the developer making money. Isn't that what corporations are supposed to do? I stopped their trashing of my driveway after the last election. Was fun to watch their candidates embarrass themselves and be removed from office for cause! My bottom line is whatever the POA says, do the opposite!

They are not against the developer making money just the taxpayers footing the bill so that he can.

[Kenswing]

Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Offenders have not been tried yet but the "paper" at orders from the developer tried and convinced them and got the governor to remove them from office.
One of them already admitted he was guilty. He won't be standing trial because he flipped on his partner in crime and will be testifying against him if there's not a plea deal made before the trial. The paper didn't need to convict him, he convicted himself. :1rotfl:

[Bill14564]

One of them already admitted he was guilty. He won't be standing trial because he flipped on his partner in crime and will be testifying against him if there's not a plea deal made before the trial. The paper didn't need to convict him, he convicted himself. :1rotfl:

While I completely understand the logic, you have to admit that, "say this and we won't bankrupt you and throw you in jail," is one heck of a way to help someone's memory.

[Kenswing]

While I completely understand the logic, you have to admit that, "say this and we won't bankrupt you and throw you in jail," is one heck of a way to help someone's memory.

And nobody wants to spend their retirement in prison. Although I'm guessing the only thing they were really facing was a fine and probation with a little community service kicked in.

[Stu from NYC]

One of them already admitted he was guilty. He won't be standing trial because he flipped on his partner in crime and will be testifying against him if there's not a plea deal made before the trial. The paper didn't need to convict him, he convicted himself. :1rotfl:

The paper convicted him before he admitted guilt.

[golfing eagles]

The paper convicted him before he admitted guilt.

Unheard of!!!!!! No politician, ever, in the history of the world has ever, ever been convicted in the media before being found guilty.:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[charlie1]

I really appreciate the Villages POA having the meet your local candidate meetings. To me, this was a great service to get information about the candidates out to the people in the Villages. BUT endorsing candidates, I feel that the POA has crossed the line and become a political group just like the Republican and Democrats club with its own political agenda that is important to the leaders of the POA. The leaders even have a Political Pac that accepts donations for thier candidates. Is this going too far for a POA? The residence of the Villages are smart people that can make their own decisions once they have the facts. You helped give them the facts! POA, please, I am sure there are other opportunities for the organization to pursue that can actually make an impact to the Property owners other than political maneuvering!

[Kenswing]

Already being discussed.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/current-events-news-541/poa-again-334087/

[Mleeja]

May have been discussed, but the OP is 100% correct. Plus, the POA will also tell you which days to water…

[Northwoods]

I want commissioners that want to do the best for Sumter residents. Many times, that is working with or negotiating with the Developer.

Example - Months back the commissioners tried to increase impact fees. (I know I won't get this 100% correct )...The Developer offered 40% impact fees but only The Developer (small businesses would be exempt). I would have liked the commissioners to use this offer to start a negotiation to increase impact fees. But the commissioners rejected it.

So what did we end up with? Something much less than that.

People think that candidates who aren't anti-Developer are pro-Developer. I'm not sure that's true. Maybe they understand that getting the best outcomes for Sumter residents is negotiating with the Developer, not fighting against the Developer.

Because... if you look at it.... what have the "anti Developer" Sumter commissioners accomplished? Not what have they said, or ran on... what have they accomplished?

I want effective commissioners that will negotiate the best outcomes for Sumter residents. In my opinion, I don't believe the POA candidates will do that.

[Aloha1]

I want commissioners that want to do the best for Sumter residents. Many times, that is working with or negotiating with the Developer.

Example - Months back the commissioners tried to increase impact fees. (I know I won't get this 100% correct )...The Developer offered 40% impact fees but only The Developer (small businesses would be exempt). I would have liked the commissioners to use this offer to start a negotiation to increase impact fees. But the commissioners rejected it.

So what did we end up with? Something much less than that.

People think that candidates who aren't anti-Developer are pro-Developer. I'm not sure that's true. Maybe they understand that getting the best outcomes for Sumter residents is negotiating with the Developer, not fighting against the Developer.

Because... if you look at it.... what have the "anti Developer" Sumter commissioners accomplished? Not what have they said, or ran on... what have they accomplished?

I want effective commissioners that will negotiate the best outcomes for Sumter residents. In my opinion, I don't believe the POA candidates will do that.

Excellent response. And it goes right to my point that the POA may very well be "part of the problem" by actively taking political sides and willfully ignoring what chaos their support caused from the last election.

[twoplanekid]

Who determines who is anti Developer or pro-developer? Who places the label on that person? Can a person be neither? Are issues more important the labels? Does a stance on issues determine their label? If I ask a lot of questions, does that place me as being pro or anti?

[ThirdOfFive]

Who determines who is anti Developer or pro-developer? Who places the label on that person? Can a person be neither? Are issues more important the labels? Does a stance on issues determine their label? If I ask a lot of questions, does that place me as being pro or anti?
I don't know a lot of the political particulars, but I do know a couple of things. 1) This mysterious presence lurking in the shadows, AKA "The Developer" seems to have a pretty good handle on what makes The Villages tick and what is needed to keep it ticking; and 2) I for sure don't want a gaggle of cranky old curmudgeons with axes to grind trying to make someone who DOES know what they're doing, to bend to the will of said curmudgeons.

My wife and I knew what we were getting when we moved here. Things were pretty clear and as far as I am concerned, in our best interests. People who move here and then try to change things are working in THEIR interests, not mine.

[kansasr]

So the Property Owners Association is once again attempting to influence the Sumter County Board. Now they are promoting the person who bankrolled the failed Commissioners from the last election which wasted countless time, money, and delayed the acquisition of new ambulance service in Sumter. Enough already. Do your homework before voting.

I'm glad we have someone on the side of the residents!

[Marathon Man]

I don't know a lot of the political particulars, but I do know a couple of things. 1) This mysterious presence lurking in the shadows, AKA "The Developer" seems to have a pretty good handle on what makes The Villages tick and what is needed to keep it ticking; and 2) I for sure don't want a gaggle of cranky old curmudgeons with axes to grind trying to make someone who DOES know what they're doing, to bend to the will of said curmudgeons.

My wife and I knew what we were getting when we moved here. Things were pretty clear and as far as I am concerned, in our best interests. People who move here and then try to change things are working in THEIR interests, not mine.

Well said.

[Marathon Man]

I'm glad we have someone on the side of the residents!

I'm not convince of that. They seem to be anti-developer to me. Not the same thing.

[twoplanekid]

I don't know a lot of the political particulars, but I do know a couple of things. 1) This mysterious presence lurking in the shadows, AKA "The Developer" seems to have a pretty good handle on what makes The Villages tick and what is needed to keep it ticking; and 2) I for sure don't want a gaggle of cranky old curmudgeons with axes to grind trying to make someone who DOES know what they're doing, to bend to the will of said curmudgeons.

My wife and I knew what we were getting when we moved here. Things were pretty clear and as far as I am concerned, in our best interests. People who move here and then try to change things are working in THEIR interests, not mine.

So, you are in favor of a corporation running the Villages instead of CDDs with elected officials other than the three commercial CDDs? Sorry, but that's not my wishes for the Villages and it's not the way things are run. I will disclose that I am an elected board member of NSCUDD who has served 4 years and will serve one more 4 year term before retiring.

[tophcfa]

Who determines who is anti Developer or pro-developer? Who places the label on that person? Can a person be neither? Are issues more important the labels? Does a stance on issues determine their label? If I ask a lot of questions, does that place me as being pro or anti?

Great post, people appear to be very quick to assign the pro or anti developer label based on one’s stance on specific issues. There are some who think everything the developer does is bad and anyone who supports the developer on any issue is pro developer, while others think the developer can’t possible do anything wrong and anyone who questions the developer on specific issues is anti developer. Personally, as both a business person and Villages homeowner I admire the developer and think that at least 95% of what they do is spot on. If I didn’t truly believe that we wouldn’t have made a significant investment in a retirement home in the Villages. That being said, there are a handful of specific issues that I question the developers actions and or methods of doing business. That doesn’t make me anti developer, but having the audacity to question them quickly gets me strongly attacked as anti developer by a few people who I won’t mention. As far as determining who is pro or anti at the elected county official level, the best way to make that determination is to follow both their voting record and the money. If someone’s voting record on issues is consistently one sided, and the side they support by voting on issues is also the source of their funding, connect the dots.

[Pairadocs]

Amazing how complicated politically this place is. IMHO the developer has built an awesome place but has too much control over local politics.

Hoping we can vote for people who understand this place and be on the side of us villagers but not owned by the developer.

Amen to that ! Never expected this... and it gets worse year by year !

[Rainger99]

I don't know a lot of the political particulars . . .

I don’t know ANY of the political aspects so I have no idea what people are talking about. I want to be an informed voter but facts are hard to come by.

What is the POA? Why do people love it or hate it? Why the animosity between the POA and the developer?

Can someone explain it for those that are new to TV or tell us how to find the information? Any books, newspaper articles, or online stories? Thanks.

[ThirdOfFive]

So, you are in favor of a corporation running the Villages instead of CDDs with elected officials other than the three commercial CDDs? Sorry, but that's not my wishes for the Villages and it's not the way things are run. I will disclose that I am an elected board member of NSCUDD who has served 4 years and will serve one more 4 year term before retiring.
My guess is that you knew how TV was run when you moved here, but came anyway.

What made it OK then, and NOT OK now?

[Bill14564]

I don’t know ANY of the political aspects so I have no idea what people are talking about. I want to be an informed voter but facts are hard to come by.

What is the POA? Why do people love it or hate it? Why the animosity between the POA and the developer?

Can someone explain it for those that are new to TV or tell us how to find the information? Any books, newspaper articles, or online stories? Thanks.

What the POA has to say about the POA (https://www.poa4us.org/about-us/) Their bulletin is available from a link on that page as well.

You should also look into the Villages Homeowners Advocates (VHA) (https://www.thevha.net/) for another perspective.

The POA seems to act as a watchdog group that alerts Villagers to what they perceive as efforts by the Developer to take advantage of the residents.

The VHA seems to act as an intermediary between the Villagers and the Developer to work towards a mutually agreeable partnership.

[twoplanekid]

My guess is that you knew how TV was run when you moved here, but came anyway.

What made it OK then, and NOT OK now?


There have been no changes in who governs the Villages since I purchased in 2014. Many people have misconceptions as to the systems (CDDs) that are in place where elected officials govern the Villages along with District Staff. Now, there is a fine line on who owns what, who is responsible for what, and who should pay for things. I would encourage those that are public service minded to run for an elected office to then experience and learn more about the inner workings of the governance of the Villages which I proudly call my home and am proud to serve as an elected official.

[shut the front door]

It is nice to have the POA looking out for us. If you read all the slanted garbage in the villages daily news it is sickening. I will always vote for people who are on the peoples side.

Absolutely. The only reason I've read the Daily Sun the last month is to see which candidates they are bashing. Those are the ones I will vote for.

[Mrs.Guy]

Absolutely. The only reason I've read the Daily Sun the last month is to see which candidates they are bashing. Those are the ones I will vote for.

:confused: Trying to think of an answer for this post that won't get get me kicked off this site on my 1st. post.

Here goes..... Have you considered "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe" ?

My husband CWGuy told me about some of the posters on this site..... boy was he right! :rolleyes:

[mtdjed]

So the Property Owners Association is once again attempting to influence the Sumter County Board. Now they are promoting the person who bankrolled the failed Commissioners from the last election which wasted countless time, money, and delayed the acquisition of new ambulance service in Sumter. Enough already. Do your homework before voting.

The POA does a lot of homework regarding candidates they promote. Helps me to know who to vote for when I see their choices. Fortunately, I have been away and have not had to deal with their unsolicited litter.

[Bogie Shooter]

:confused: Trying to think of an answer for this post that won't get get me kicked off this site on my 1st. post.

Here goes..... Have you considered "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe" ?

My husband CWGuy told me about some of the posters on this site..... boy was he right! :rolleyes:

Hooray, now we know.....there is a Mrs CWGuy.
He has set a high standard for timely, concise posts. Welcome I look forward to your opinion.

[Love2Swim]

I don’t know ANY of the political aspects so I have no idea what people are talking about. I want to be an informed voter but facts are hard to come by.

What is the POA? Why do people love it or hate it? Why the animosity between the POA and the developer?

Can someone explain it for those that are new to TV or tell us how to find the information? Any books, newspaper articles, or online stories? Thanks.

One reason some people, including myself, love the POA, is that they are a watchdog that alerts the residents if the Developer is doing something fishy that may negatively affect residents.

You may have heard about the class action lawsuit against the Developer that was settled in 2008. The lawsuit, which was initiated by members of the POA, contended monthly amenity fees paid by every homeowner in the community had been misused by The Villages of Lake-Sumter Inc., the Village Center Community Development District and developer H. Gary Morse. A portion of the amenity fees is supposed to be set aside to maintain the amenities, but instead, there had been a drop-off in services and in maintenance of recreational facilities.Thanks to the lawsuit, the settlement required the developer to pay about $40 million over 13 years to replenish maintenance accounts.

I see people disparaging the POA, and I can't begin to fathom why. I like the way they look at all sides of an issue, and try to get all the facts, not just rely on the supposed good will of the Developer. That's smart business.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I consider the POA to be a Watchdog organization, with a focus on the general "health" of the Villages properties and residential areas (as opposed to individual residents, which Seniors vs. Crime would cover). Overdevelopment is a potential hazard in ANY development. Not just the overall comfort and personal preferences of its residents, but ecological impact, water sources and usage, economic impact, sharing of services, amenities, and utilities, traffic, road and infrastructure wear and tear, and everything else that goes along with it. In addition, the larger the development, the more likely you are to find security risks. It's impossible for Community Watch to be everywhere all at once, they are a volunteer organization.

So when the developer - or even a neighboring development built by some OTHER developer - starts doing something new, SOMEONE needs to keep a close eye on it. If the town makes deals with the District to pull their police department out of regular presence in the square, SOMEONE needs to report that. In fact, that needs to be reported while it's still a proposal, so that tax-paying residents have the opportunity to agree or object.

The HOA doesn't do that. The POA does. The HOA is more of a mouthpiece of the "administration." They're good at it. The POA is a mouthpiece for the "citizens." And they are good at that. Between the two, you have a somewhat balanced view of what IS - rather than a one-sided view of what they want you to know.

[Kenswing]

I consider the POA to be a Watchdog organization, with a focus on the general "health" of the Villages properties and residential areas (as opposed to individual residents, which Seniors vs. Crime would cover). Overdevelopment is a potential hazard in ANY development. Not just the overall comfort and personal preferences of its residents, but ecological impact, water sources and usage, economic impact, sharing of services, amenities, and utilities, traffic, road and infrastructure wear and tear, and everything else that goes along with it. In addition, the larger the development, the more likely you are to find security risks. It's impossible for Community Watch to be everywhere all at once, they are a volunteer organization.

So when the developer - or even a neighboring development built by some OTHER developer - starts doing something new, SOMEONE needs to keep a close eye on it. If the town makes deals with the District to pull their police department out of regular presence in the square, SOMEONE needs to report that. In fact, that needs to be reported while it's still a proposal, so that tax-paying residents have the opportunity to agree or object.

The HOA doesn't do that. The POA does. The HOA is more of a mouthpiece of the "administration." They're good at it. The POA is a mouthpiece for the "citizens." And they are good at that. Between the two, you have a somewhat balanced view of what IS - rather than a one-sided view of what they want you to know.
Community Watch is not a volunteer organization. Matter of fact they are currently hiring.