Morse, Moffitt, Ritchie and Villages Bashing

[cabo35]

I opted to give this topic a separate thread because it suggests a broader perspective then current threads concerning the latest Orlando Sentinel and Lauren Ritchie contrived assault on The Villages. While existing thread topics are included I am attempting to define a bigger picture. Apologies to similar thread starters....no hijack intended. Administrators feel free to adjust if you disagree.

Moffitt Center, Relay for Life and the Morse family.

Today's Village Sun pretty much spells out what prompted the Relay for Life decision that Lauren Ritchie and the Orlando Sentinel manufactured into a sinister, evil plot by the Morse family. In simple terms, a disproportionate share of the funds raised were going outside the Villages. The developer exercised leverage to insure a larger share went to medical care for Villagers. To this end, a new charity called Mission for Moffitt will insure that goal. Editorial articles by the founder of Relay for Life, Sonny Resmondo and Evan Richards should expose Ms. Ritchie's pattern of Villages bashing. Speaking of which.....I wonder how Lauren and the Orlando paper will spin this into another assault on Villagers and the Morse family?

Further, it occurred to the me that Ritchie and the critics are selectively painting the developers role with Moffitt and the physical plant in a fashion that perpetuates their bias. It appears to me that the Morse family is contributing the land and construction. The Orlando paper is selectively vague on that point while stressing largely by innuendo, potential lease revenues as a diabolical plot to generate contributions. In any case, that is between Moffitt and the developer. I haven't seen anywhere where the Morse family is the recipient of contributions to the Moffitt Center. Further, no one is being forced to contribute so why are some trying to demonize and intimidate vicariously, those who contribute. It's not your money. I choose to contribute and respect your right not to. Please take care to do no harm to honest fund raising that can help my family, friends and neighbors benefit from what Moffitt and Boissoneault offer.

Litany of Bashing the Villages

In fairness to Ms. Ritchie, she has emphatically disclosed that she is not a reporter. She is a columnist whose work product does not have to be supported by fact or empirical research. Accordingly, in my opinion, she has in the past used her pen to incite angst and distress for many Villagers. Relevant excerpts from my previous posts are included below.

In the August 29 Orlando Sentinel, Ritchie further tweaks Villagers with her recent statement, "Ritchie: It's got to be unsettling and frightening to wonder what's in store. Not to mention expensive. The district already has spent more than $209,000 of residents' money so far, nearly all on high-powered lawyers on both coasts."

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:CYtpwRtRfw0J:articles.orlandosentin el.com/2010-08-29/news/os-lk-lauren-ritchie-bond-dispute-irs20100829_1_villages-bond-community-development-districts-irs+It's+got+to+be+unsettling+and+frightening+to+w onder+what's+in+store.+Not+to+mention+expensive.+T he+district+already+has+spent+more+than+%24209,000 +of+residents'+money+so+far,+nearly+all+on+high-powered+lawyers+on+both+coasts&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com

The most frightening and unsettling circumstance is Lauren Ritchie's selectively alarming language created to further distress those who view them. In my opinion and notwithstanding opinions to the contrary, it is desperate, insidiously sinister and ethically challenged. Ask yourself, do you get the impression Ritchie is rooting for the IRS and would love to be able to say to Villagers....I told you so? .........and that is why balance, or lack thereof is significant.

She lost all credibility with many when in an early article she, with cavalier arrogance and presumptuousness stated, "And it is time for homeowners to worry less about their tee time and marvelous activities and more about their future property values and financial liability."

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:yWZkt0LF8mUJ:andrewblechman.blogspo t.com/2009/03/irs-to-villages-developer-you-bilked_05.html+And+it+is+time+for+homeowners+to+wo rry+less+about+their+tee+time+and+marvelous+activi ties+and+more+about+their+future+property+values+a nd+financial+liability.%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com

Copyright © 2009, Orlando Sentinel

What is her purpose in admonishing Villagers to worry about their "property values and financial liability"?

That calculated statement created angst with many Villagers and potential Villagers. It did what Laura Ritchie wanted.

Here's another Ritchie hatchet headline on the Villages. We Villagers are such a greedy lot....according to our friend Lauren.

Greedy Villages fires first salvo in water war COMMENTARY - LakefrontMarch 11, 2007|By Lauren Ritchie, Sentinel Columnist

Starting to see a pattern?

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2007-03-11/news/LRITCHIE11_1_reclaimed-water-drinking-water-villages

Has the columnist reported on the positive developments that have blossomed and benefited the people of Sumter, Lake and Marion counties as a direct result of the growth of the Villages?

The hospital and copious medical services and resources that came with development would not exist for so many area residents that have availed themselves of its services and care.

The tax revenues from new Village property owners that have improved police, fire, emergency medical, public safety resources, roadways and general municipal service would not exist.

Multiple safe, planned, quality entertainment and shopping venues that are enjoyed by thousands of non-Villagers would be on some one's drawing board.

Not once, to the best of my knowledge, has Lauren Ritchie written about the the evil developer's role in bringing the Charter Schools to the region. Thousands of children benefit from first class facilities and quality educational processes now in place. Not once has Ms. Ritchie written about the scores of Villagers, many with professional education backgrounds, who volunteer and work with kids from the area....who generously donate and raise funds for educational programs. That, from my viewpoint would be a benefit to the area's educational services that would not exist without the development of the Villages....and the "evil" developer's vision.

Has anyone seen an article from Ms. Ritchie about the economic and employment opportunities that result directly from the development of The Villages. Now that would be an interesting series of articles comparing the region's economy and job growth before and after development. It would probably sell papers.....ahhhh.....but wait. It might put the evil developer in a positive light and that would be inconsistent with Ms. Ritchie and the agenda of an assortment of Village bashers. Further, it would require a real journalistic effort accompanied by empirical research and Ms. Ritchie has often reminded us that she is a columnist....not a journalist. She is unencumbered by the journalistic concepts of objectivity and balance. From a personal perspective, I am not a shill for the developer. On balance, I believe he has done more good than bad and I believe that is a net positive.

Notwithstanding those that think her "scare" commentary is beneficial in some abstract way, I believe the dearth of real, in depth reporting on this issue speaks louder than her contrived assaults on the developer and the vicarious, intended or unintended distress it may contribute to Villagers of good will.

For balance, I guess if I was born and raised here, I may have some resentment about what progress has taken away. A quiet, idyllic countryside dotted with watermelon patches, horse farms, cattle grazing peacefully and fishing holes that never heard the whine of an outboard motor. A lifestyle that insulates you from car, truck and traffic noises. A lifestyle that keeps you from the pollution of progress. Damn Walt Disney and Gary Morse.

Moffitt Center Controversy

I have had suspicions that the biased reporting on the Moffitt/ Robert Boissoneault Oncology Center controversy has been used as a circulation booster and/or part of a continuing pattern of contemporary Florida style yellow journalism directed at the The Villages and the developer.

I have heard nothing but positive accolades about the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Center and the Moffitt Cancer Center. I recently lost a family member to this insidious disease and do not understand why having both centers would be anything but positive for Villagers who need treatment options.

Wouldn't the competition offer patients more options?

Wouldn't two outstanding centers facilitate prompter treatment by virtue of more beds or appointment opportunities?

As we grow as a community, would we want to block Sloan-Kettering from opening here and competing with services?

I'm sure you can add to the list.

It's a wonderful country that gives us freedom of the press. It's equally wonderful that you can take exception to the commentary that you disagree with. If you disagree with my assessments, I would welcome divergent opinions.

For the record.....I have no connection to the developer, the Morse family or any of its varied interests. I am a 5 year Villages resident who has never met anyone in the Morse family. On occasion, I have publicly disagreed and questioned some of the developers decisions.

[ajakk]

Very convenient timing for such a long post. Talk about a media blitz!

[dfn8tly]

cabo35;

Extremely well written thread!! You make many excellent points and I hope this will start people thinking about the misconceptions and innuendos that are so blithely being bandied about. I'm not asking anyone to agree with your opinion or mine. Just give it all a thought.

Thank you for your most thoughtful post.

[ljones190]

Cabo35

Very well written and agree with your comments. You pointed out many of life's truths.

No good deed goes unpunished.
OPM (people always are very generous and envious with other peoples money).
Competition and more choices are always better for the people.
We are free to support any charity we like.

I believe someone went to the Orlando Sentinel to squeeze the Morse's and I think they let them do it. Private business people do not roll easily with threats.

I am glad to see other people feel like I do on this subject.

[Bosoxfan]

Today's Village Sun pretty much spells out what prompted the Relay for Life decision that Lauren Ritchie and the Orlando Sentinel manufactured into a sinister, evil plot by the Morse family. .

I just went through today's Sun & can't find the article that you speak of.You sure it's in today's Sun? 2-10 11

[StarbuckSammy]

Interesting...I missed the article also. What date and page please.
And Morse is building the building with his own funds and financing it and leasing it to Moffit....typical business transaction.

[cabo35]

I just went through today's Sun & can't find the article that you speak of.You sure it's in today's Sun? 2-10 11

Both articles appear on today's Daily Sun, February 10, Thursday, page C8, Opinion page.

FOUNDER OF VILLAGES RELAY FOR LIFE SETS RECORD STRAIGHT

THE FACTS ARE SIMPLE, VILLAGERS ARE POSITIVE

Go Red Sox. My wife is a die hard Yankee. Makes for an interesting household especially at playoff time.

[cabo35]

Interesting...I missed the article also. What date and page please.
And Morse is building the building with his own funds and financing it and leasing it to Moffit....typical business transaction.

I haven't seen an investigative report from a real reporter and only suggest what appears to be the deal based on limited input to date. I haven't seen any evidence to the contrary. I doubt the contract between Morse and Moffitt will ever be public info.

[Bosoxfan]

First off let me say thank you to Cabo for alerting me to these well written letters in today's Sun.I have to say this topic has been one that has been bothering me for a while & these two letters in the opinion page are very enlightening.Sonny Resmondo's ,founder of the Relay For life in the villages,really brought to light the facts that I was unaware of .The american cancer society said no to an event organized that could have resulted in more money if it meant they had to share a single dollar with Moffit?
I now believe if "The Mission For Moffitt" organizes a fundraising activity that recognizes survivors the sting of the Relay For Life leaving the villages will be lessened.I wish the two could coexist but it sounds to me that the American Cancer Society has it's guidelines and isn't going to change.Too bad!
So Thank you Mr Resmondo,cabo & Evan Richards for putting me at ease in this debate.I now feel good about The Moffitt center & will be donating to this cause!!

[Bogie Shooter]

I hear Sun City has homes for sale.

[redwitch]

There is no question that Ritchie and the Sentinel have an agenda against the Morses (it's a Democratic paper; the Morses are diehard Republicans). Anything written in the Sentinel should be taken with a grain of salt and investigated.

The "articles" in today's Sun are NOT articles -- they are letters to the editor appearing as articles or columns. They should be taken with the same grain of salt that should be applied to Ms. Ritchie.

As to the Relay for Life incident, I'll happily take the word of F16 and Whalen, both of whom were at the meeting and both of whom are very active in Relay, where it was announced there would be no Relay on Villages' property. ACS has always had the policy that it will not share proceeds with another entity -- it is in their Bylaws. To make them the heavy in this patently unfair.

So, maybe someone can explain how it was that the Morses donated the land and the cost of building to the Moffitt Center on TV property and it is now a lease deal? The Sun did originally say the Morses were donating the land and building and that $6.3 million in contributions were needed for the equipment. Now, the land and building are not donated and the money has decreased because some of the equipment was found to be already available.

I still see no advantage to having a Moffitt on TV property and one in Leesburg. At best, it seems superfluous. Tell me one is a Moffitt center and one is a Shands center and it might make more sense -- there might actually be some difference in treatment plans between the two facilities, but not if both are from the same cancer center.

As to Morse bashing, I'm the first to admit I'm not a fan of the Morses and do feel they are a bit too greedy. I also believe that Harold Schwartz's vision would never have occurred without Gary Morse's hard work. I also believe that the Morses are a great business family and have created something truly remarkable here. That doesn't mean they are perfect. Nor does it mean that everything they do is altruistic or greedy. It means they fall in the middle -- some things are truly done with the best of intentions; some things are done because of personal beliefs; some things are done out of pure, unadulterated greed and the belief they can get away with it because they are the Morses. Regardless, we shouldn't blindly revile them nor praise them without getting all the facts possible. In the case of the Moffitt Center, it will be hard to get the facts -- too much of it is closed off to the public and too much is already lost in rumors, half-truths and lies. Some of us do the best we can with the information we have. We may interpret things incorrectly but we do the best we can with what we have.

[graciegirl]

I recall that the Morses were greedy bums when the Buffalo went away.

It was a huge fiasco. The mother buffalo gave birth and were acting nasty to the grandkids being held over the fence. The buffalo were occupying space as farmland to keep the taxes low. Tch. Tch.

The Morses moved the buffalo just to build houses. They should have kept the buffalo, some said it was promised to them.

We are all still here and the buffalo aren't.

The building will be built and rented to the cancer specialists and when you are diagnosed you will be grateful.

The Relay for Life will return to the high school track and life will go on.

[nitakk]

Couldn't agree with you more, Red. You definitely have to look at the articles in the paper today with skeptical eyes - one written by a Villages exec and one by the VHA VP. Not exactly unbiased or without a conflict of interest, I'd say. And you're absolutely right, Morse is above all a business man and his job is to make money. Good for him - he's made a lot of it. Just tell me the truth when you want mine.

[cabo35]

Redwitch......as usual, your post is articulate, enllightening and contributes to the dialog. I don't share all your views but your insight is always appreciated. I also hold Whalen and F-16 in high regard. I do not dispute the facts that are represented. However, until recently, no one from either side mentioned the controversy over where the bulk of contribution revenues were going was at the root of decision making. If in fact, apparently, the developer used his leverage to insure greater financial advantage for Villagers. If there is fault to be found, I'm not sure finger pointing helps the cause, it is my opinion the developer could have disclosed his decision making rational earlier in the process. I think many, not all, would have agreed with him. I do understand that sensitive negotiations with Moffitt may have been underway and caused certain confidential material information to be held back.

Thanks for offering constructive insights.

Have a good evening.

[Bogie Shooter]

The Daily Sun is what it is. Why spend $.25 for something that doesn't provide you with the information that you desire?

[redwitch]

However, until recently, no one from either side mentioned the controversy over where the bulk of contribution revenues were going was at the root of decision making. If in fact, apparently, the developer used his leverage to insure greater financial advantage for Villagers.

First, thanks for the kind words. It really is nice when someone has differing opinions but doesn't feel the need to bash the other one over the head. You've shown how to do it with grace.

Second, I think it was always clear that the issue with Relay for Life was about where the contributions were going. At least that's how I understood it. I just feel (and, from what I can tell, so do Whalen and F16) that the Relay should have been held on TV grounds regardless of the fact the money would go to ACS.

Where are opinions totally diverge is whether it is a greater financial advantage to Villagers. I think it is a greater financial advantage to the developer (not Moffitt, not Villagers). It's not like we will be getting free medical services -- we or our insurance companies will pay through the nose to be treated at Moffitt. The only true benefit is getting Moffitt onto TV grounds and, to my way of thinking, that is a distinct advantage for advertising for the developer but not much of one for Villagers given that Moffitt is going to be built in Leesburg.

[swrinfla]

I am so very thankful that today's "letter-editorials" appeared.

I am so very tired of being so inundated with bashing messages, blaming everyone from Mr. Obama all the way down to Ms. Ritchie for everything.

My reasonably substantial contribution to Moffitt was made several months ago in Good Faith that there really was a viable reason for it. Today's entries validate my original faith and give me comfort.

Indeed, there may possibly be more money forthcoming!

SWR
:beer3:

[dillywho]

I recall that the Morses were greedy bums when the Buffalo went away.

It was a huge fiasco. The mother buffalo gave birth and were acting nasty to the grandkids being held over the fence. The buffalo were occupying space as farmland to keep the taxes low. Tch. Tch.

The Morses moved the buffalo just to build houses. They should have kept the buffalo, some said it was promised to them.

We are all still here and the buffalo aren't.

The building will be built and rented to the cancer specialists and when you are diagnosed you will be grateful.

The Relay for Life will return to the high school track and life will go on.

Nicely stated. As usual, you are a jewel and a calming voice in the midst of storms.

[Midge538]

The Daily Sun is what it is. Why spend $.25 for something that doesn't provide you with the information that you desire?

That's Creely a choice. Good suggestion?

[ducati1974]

Well stated thread cabo35, thanks!

[beartrack]

Thank you Cabo for your thoughtful and respectful comments. I have long thought to respond to some of the posts on other threads pertaining to this Moffitt debate. Being a cancer victim myself and having lost my sister, my father and now have a daughter fighting breast cancer, from an emotional standpoint I decided not to. Your post is so on the money, that I felt the need to thank you. I wish that I had the ability to articulate my feelings the way that you do.

[Bogie Shooter]

How true! The Pollyannas have all banded together as usual. Circle the wagons. The funny thing is, when you get outside TOTV and listen to the people on the street, as it were, there are many, many residents who are now realizing what the Morse outfit is up to. The pollyannas are only fooling themselves. :clap2:

What is it they are up to?

[Bosoxfan]

How true! The Pollyannas have all banded together as usual. Circle the wagons. The funny thing is, when you get outside TOTV and listen to the people on the street, as it were, there are many, many residents who are now realizing what the Morse outfit is up to. The pollyannas are only fooling themselves. :clap2:

Pollyannas?What makes your opinion the right one?People on the street?How about forming your own opinion ?

[nitakk]

I owe Morse and his family nothing - I just bought a house from him. He means nothing to me and I mean nothing to him, and that's just fine. I am under no false pretenses that he cares one way or the other about my welfare, nor I him. Somehow, I picture The Wizard of Oz with a little man behind the curtain, controlling the newspaper, the radio, the bank and even a TV station (shall we discuss how bad that one is?), trying desperately to control all that is seen and heard in his land. Alas and alack, someone pulls the curtain back but some don't want to look. No one should have the amount of power he has over this community. Cabo, I don't want happy news - I want the truth. You say we are not getting the truth from Lauren Ritchie because she dislikes Morse and because it was on the Opinion page, it has no basis in fact because she's not a real reporter. Well, where were the two "articles" today in the Sun? Oh yeah, on the Opinion page and written by two people who owe either a) their livelihood, or b) their position to Morse. Let's see, who has more credibility...hmmmm.

Bottom line is it's your money and if it makes you "happy" to give it away, go ahead. Personally, I ain't buying what they are selling. They are using stories of people's tragedies with cancer to their advantage, and it makes me sick to see facts twisted and blurred to their advantage.

[JenAjd]

I opted to give this topic a separate thread because it suggests a broader perspective then current threads concerning the latest Orlando Sentinel and Lauren Ritchie contrived assault on The Villages. While existing thread topics are included I am attempting to define a bigger picture. Apologies to similar thread starters....no hijack intended. Administrators feel free to adjust if you disagree.

Moffitt Center, Relay for Life and the Morse family.

Today's Village Sun pretty much spells out what prompted the Relay for Life decision that Lauren Ritchie and the Orlando Sentinel manufactured into a sinister, evil plot by the Morse family. In simple terms, a disproportionate share of the funds raised were going outside the Villages. The developer exercised leverage to insure a larger share went to medical care for Villagers. To this end, a new charity called Mission for Moffitt will insure that goal. Editorial articles by the founder of Relay for Life, Sonny Resmondo and Evan Richards should expose Ms. Ritchie's pattern of Villages bashing. Speaking of which.....I wonder how Lauren and the Orlando paper will spin this into another assault on Villagers and the Morse family?

Further, it occurred to the me that Ritchie and the critics are selectively painting the developers role with Moffitt and the physical plant in a fashion that perpetuates their bias. It appears to me that the Morse family is contributing the land and construction. The Orlando paper is selectively vague on that point while stressing largely by innuendo, potential lease revenues as a diabolical plot to generate contributions. In any case, that is between Moffitt and the developer. I haven't seen anywhere where the Morse family is the recipient of contributions to the Moffitt Center. Further, no one is being forced to contribute so why are some trying to demonize and intimidate vicariously, those who contribute. It's not your money. I choose to contribute and respect your right not to. Please take care to do no harm to honest fund raising that can help my family, friends and neighbors benefit from what Moffitt and Boissoneault offer.

Litany of Bashing the Villages

In fairness to Ms. Ritchie, she has emphatically disclosed that she is not a reporter. She is a columnist whose work product does not have to be supported by fact or empirical research. Accordingly, in my opinion, she has in the past used her pen to incite angst and distress for many Villagers. Relevant excerpts from my previous posts are included below.

In the August 29 Orlando Sentinel, Ritchie further tweaks Villagers with her recent statement, "Ritchie: It's got to be unsettling and frightening to wonder what's in store. Not to mention expensive. The district already has spent more than $209,000 of residents' money so far, nearly all on high-powered lawyers on both coasts."

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:CYtpwRtRfw0J:articles.orlandosentin el.com/2010-08-29/news/os-lk-lauren-ritchie-bond-dispute-irs20100829_1_villages-bond-community-development-districts-irs+It's+got+to+be+unsettling+and+frightening+to+w onder+what's+in+store.+Not+to+mention+expensive.+T he+district+already+has+spent+more+than+%24209,000 +of+residents'+money+so+far,+nearly+all+on+high-powered+lawyers+on+both+coasts&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com

The most frightening and unsettling circumstance is Lauren Ritchie's selectively alarming language created to further distress those who view them. In my opinion and notwithstanding opinions to the contrary, it is desperate, insidiously sinister and ethically challenged. Ask yourself, do you get the impression Ritchie is rooting for the IRS and would love to be able to say to Villagers....I told you so? .........and that is why balance, or lack thereof is significant.

She lost all credibility with many when in an early article she, with cavalier arrogance and presumptuousness stated, "And it is time for homeowners to worry less about their tee time and marvelous activities and more about their future property values and financial liability."

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:yWZkt0LF8mUJ:andrewblechman.blogspo t.com/2009/03/irs-to-villages-developer-you-bilked_05.html+And+it+is+time+for+homeowners+to+wo rry+less+about+their+tee+time+and+marvelous+activi ties+and+more+about+their+future+property+values+a nd+financial+liability.%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com

Copyright © 2009, Orlando Sentinel

What is her purpose in admonishing Villagers to worry about their "property values and financial liability"?

That calculated statement created angst with many Villagers and potential Villagers. It did what Laura Ritchie wanted.

Here's another Ritchie hatchet headline on the Villages. We Villagers are such a greedy lot....according to our friend Lauren.

Greedy Villages fires first salvo in water war COMMENTARY - LakefrontMarch 11, 2007|By Lauren Ritchie, Sentinel Columnist

Starting to see a pattern?

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2007-03-11/news/LRITCHIE11_1_reclaimed-water-drinking-water-villages

Has the columnist reported on the positive developments that have blossomed and benefited the people of Sumter, Lake and Marion counties as a direct result of the growth of the Villages?

The hospital and copious medical services and resources that came with development would not exist for so many area residents that have availed themselves of its services and care.

The tax revenues from new Village property owners that have improved police, fire, emergency medical, public safety resources, roadways and general municipal service would not exist.

Multiple safe, planned, quality entertainment and shopping venues that are enjoyed by thousands of non-Villagers would be on some one's drawing board.

Not once, to the best of my knowledge, has Lauren Ritchie written about the the evil developer's role in bringing the Charter Schools to the region. Thousands of children benefit from first class facilities and quality educational processes now in place. Not once has Ms. Ritchie written about the scores of Villagers, many with professional education backgrounds, who volunteer and work with kids from the area....who generously donate and raise funds for educational programs. That, from my viewpoint would be a benefit to the area's educational services that would not exist without the development of the Villages....and the "evil" developer's vision.

Has anyone seen an article from Ms. Ritchie about the economic and employment opportunities that result directly from the development of The Villages. Now that would be an interesting series of articles comparing the region's economy and job growth before and after development. It would probably sell papers.....ahhhh.....but wait. It might put the evil developer in a positive light and that would be inconsistent with Ms. Ritchie and the agenda of an assortment of Village bashers. Further, it would require a real journalistic effort accompanied by empirical research and Ms. Ritchie has often reminded us that she is a columnist....not a journalist. She is unencumbered by the journalistic concepts of objectivity and balance. From a personal perspective, I am not a shill for the developer. On balance, I believe he has done more good than bad and I believe that is a net positive.

Notwithstanding those that think her "scare" commentary is beneficial in some abstract way, I believe the dearth of real, in depth reporting on this issue speaks louder than her contrived assaults on the developer and the vicarious, intended or unintended distress it may contribute to Villagers of good will.

For balance, I guess if I was born and raised here, I may have some resentment about what progress has taken away. A quiet, idyllic countryside dotted with watermelon patches, horse farms, cattle grazing peacefully and fishing holes that never heard the whine of an outboard motor. A lifestyle that insulates you from car, truck and traffic noises. A lifestyle that keeps you from the pollution of progress. Damn Walt Disney and Gary Morse.

Moffitt Center Controversy

I have had suspicions that the biased reporting on the Moffitt/ Robert Boissoneault Oncology Center controversy has been used as a circulation booster and/or part of a continuing pattern of contemporary Florida style yellow journalism directed at the The Villages and the developer.

I have heard nothing but positive accolades about the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Center and the Moffitt Cancer Center. I recently lost a family member to this insidious disease and do not understand why having both centers would be anything but positive for Villagers who need treatment options.

Wouldn't the competition offer patients more options?

Wouldn't two outstanding centers facilitate prompter treatment by virtue of more beds or appointment opportunities?

As we grow as a community, would we want to block Sloan-Kettering from opening here and competing with services?

I'm sure you can add to the list.

It's a wonderful country that gives us freedom of the press. It's equally wonderful that you can take exception to the commentary that you disagree with. If you disagree with my assessments, I would welcome divergent opinions.

For the record.....I have no connection to the developer, the Morse family or any of its varied interests. I am a 5 year Villages resident who has never met anyone in the Morse family. On occasion, I have publicly disagreed and questioned some of the developers decisions.
***********************************************

WOW!!! Articulate...I couldn't have said this better!!! In reading some of the other threads...one would get the opinion there's a master conspiracy going againest us. I haven't lived here long and if I wasn't an independent thinker...I'd have wondered what we'd gotten ourselves into by moving here. People, this is a free country that has grown with the Free Enterprise System...and kudos to the Morse family for having an idea and a dream and we all get to benefit from it. I say I'm happy that I have options here if the need would arise. Enough said...let's stop and smell the roses and not be looking under every leaf for something bad to pop out at us!!

[bike42]

WOW!!! Articulate...I couldn't have said this better!!! In reading some of the other threads...one would get the opinion there's a master conspiracy going against us. I haven't lived here long and if I wasn't an independent thinker...I'd have wondered what we'd gotten ourselves into by moving here. People, this is a free country that has grown with the Free Enterprise System...and kudos to the Morse family for having an idea and a dream and we all get to benefit from it. I say I'm happy that I have options here if the need would arise. Enough said...let's stop and smell the roses and not be looking under every leaf for something bad to pop out at us!!

Yes! Yes! Yes!:BigApplause:

[Jane52]

Lauren Ritchie ought to be working for National Enquirer or one of the other checkout line tabloids.....maybe write about Elvis appearing amongst alien space creatures on the White House lawn or something "newsworthy" like that.

It is so evident she has a personal axe to grind w. the Republican developers. If anyone could name some non-republican developers/city planners who could or have built a community as beautiful, clean and fiscally solvent as TV, then maybe we could be convinced of the "conspiracy" theories and the "atrocity" of wanting to bring a nationally recognized Comprehensive Cancer to TV.

Especially in a time when healthcare OPTIONS are dwindling for many people w/o insurance or who are underinsured, it is appalling to see people here fighting against more OPTIONS close by for cancer victims. Until you've walked in those shoes, you have no idea as to why you ought to "be careful what you wish for" (no more cancer center options here....limit them to present providers/facilities).

And meanwhile, cancer incidence will increase by leaps and bounds as baby boomers age:

"To date, investing in cancer care has been a good bet. Cancer incidence has increased dramatically since 1975, and though it has leveled off recently, it is expected to rise an estimated 45% over the next 20 years and to nearly double by 2050. Experts point out that cancer risks increase with age and, with 76 million baby boomers entering their 60s and medical advances keeping people alive well into their 80s, demand is expected to skyrocket.
By 2025, 3.2 million New Yorkers will be over age 65, a 40% increase over today's 2.3 million, according to U.S. Census projections. Cancer is already the top killer of Americans under the age of 85...."

"Brooklyn's Maimonides Medical Center expects to record 50,000 cancer patient visits this year, up 66% in just two years. ..."

And then consider how many New Yorkers retire here in TV, much less all who come from the other 49 states.
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100822/SUB/308229982#

[katezbox]

[QUOTE=nitakk;329905]I owe Morse and his family nothing - I just bought a house from him. He means nothing to me and I mean nothing to him, and that's just fine. I am under no false pretenses that he cares one way or the other about my welfare, nor I him.

In past postings I have taken a similar position. The Villages is what it is, the Morses earn their money in a variety of ways, and we have a lovely home surrounded by many friends in a community that their creativity has made special.

Having said that, I think all news sources need to be read/listened to objectively. The Sun is a mouthpiece for the Morse family. The Sentinel is a liberal paper, and Lauren Ritchie - as Cabo pointed out in detail - has a history of bashing The Villages, the Morse family, and occasionally Villagers such as ourselves.

If you held a dance at a rec center the Wildwood Soup Kitchen, how would you feel if you were only allowed use of the center if you turned over 50% of your proceeds to a charity within TV? IMHO, that is the crux of the issue here.

Red, I agree with much of your comments - but as we baby boomers age, we should be happy to have multiple top cancer centers in the area.

I have been a proud supporter of Relay for the 2 years we have lived here and will continue to be. I will likely also contribute to Moffitt - but admit that I find their fund raising no to be my cup of tea.

[Mikeod]

Let's not make this an us against them thing. #1 I don't think most of the people uncomfortable with this thing are really against more choices in cancer care here. #2 I think most of us understand that everything one reads is colored by the bias of the writer, whether from Orlando or from the Sun. As usual, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.

I know, personally, my discomfort is due to the way this was presented at the beginning. I think we (Villages residents) deserved to know that the developer was not donating the building for the center, but was building it with the intent of leasing the spaces. I have no problem with that arrangement. If you recall, when the POA discovered a potential Moffitt/Leesburg association, they wondered out loud why it was not to be located in TV. The reason at that time was there was no spaces adequate for the center. Well, then the developer comes forward with plans to build a facility that can house the center. Why not tell it like it is? To me, they came to the rescue. Why publish the decision as a donation when it is not? If we were told the truth at the time, what would be negative? If we were told at the beginning that Moffitt and/or CFHA usually relied on donations for equipment needs, would there be as much concern? I don't understand the apparent decision to spin the story at the beginning. :shrug:

[Advogado]

Once again, Lauren Ritchie is attacked for reporting news that that our alleged local newspaper, The Daily Sun, either does not report, distorts, or buries on a back page. One may disagree with Ms. Ritchie's tone and/or her interpretation of the facts, but where are the factual inaccuracies?

I find the allegations that the Orlando Sentinel is doing its reporting on The Villages to increase circulation to be particularly absurd. How many additional subscribers do you really think the Sentinel has gotten as a result of Ms. Ritchie's articles? In fact, what the Orlando Sentinel is doing with its articles on The Villages is is what real newspapers are supposed to do-- report the facts of stories that are of importance to their readers.

[chuckinca]

Red:

I really appreciate your comments regarding life in TV, for me they are a breath of fresh air that is just slightly influenced by the usual right wing banter.

GG:

When is your next open house? Your friend -


Chuck

[katezbox]

Once again, Lauren Ritchie is attacked for reporting news that that our alleged local newspaper, The Daily Sun, either does not report, distorts, or buries on a back page. One may disagree with Ms. Ritchie's tone and/or her interpretation of the facts, but where are the factual inaccuracies?

I find the allegations that the Orlando Sentinel is doing its reporting on The Villages to increase circulation to be particularly absurd. How many additional subscribers do you really think the Sentinel has gotten as a result of Ms. Ritchie's articles? In fact, what the Orlando Sentinel is doing with its articles on The Villages is is what real newspapers are supposed to do-- report the facts of stories that are of importance to their readers.

I think if you read many of the recent posts - we are not attacking the messenger, nor praising the Daily Scum - er Sun. BUT had I written any articles in my high school Journalism class, I would have failed as the teacher would refer to what she writes as "yellow journalism."

A few examples from her article... "stunning snag" "there should be ranting about the Morse family, their hired henchmen" (hired henchmen???)

PS - If her reporting is not to increase circulation, then why publish what she writes?

[Bogie Shooter]

I owe Morse and his family nothing - I just bought a house from him. He means nothing to me and I mean nothing to him, and that's just fine. I am under no false pretenses that he cares one way or the other about my welfare, nor I him. Somehow, I picture The Wizard of Oz with a little man behind the curtain, controlling the newspaper, the radio, the bank and even a TV station (shall we discuss how bad that one is?), trying desperately to control all that is seen and heard in his land. Alas and alack, someone pulls the curtain back but some don't want to look. No one should have the amount of power he has over this community. Cabo, I don't want happy news - I want the truth. You say we are not getting the truth from Lauren Ritchie because she dislikes Morse and because it was on the Opinion page, it has no basis in fact because she's not a real reporter. Well, where were the two "articles" today in the Sun? Oh yeah, on the Opinion page and written by two people who owe either a) their livelihood, or b) their position to Morse. Let's see, who has more credibility...hmmmm.

Bottom line is it's your money and if it makes you "happy" to give it away, go ahead. Personally, I ain't buying what they are selling. They are using stories of people's tragedies with cancer to their advantage, and it makes me sick to see facts twisted and blurred to their advantage.

Just one short question. Are you sorry you bought your house?

[ajakk]

There is no question that Ritchie and the Sentinel have an agenda against the Morses (it's a Democratic paper; the Morses are diehard Republicans). Anything written in the Sentinel should be taken with a grain of salt and investigated.

The "articles" in today's Sun are NOT articles -- they are letters to the editor appearing as articles or columns. They should be taken with the same grain of salt that should be applied to Ms. Ritchie.

As to the Relay for Life incident, I'll happily take the word of F16 and Whalen, both of whom were at the meeting and both of whom are very active in Relay, where it was announced there would be no Relay on Villages' property. ACS has always had the policy that it will not share proceeds with another entity -- it is in their Bylaws. To make them the heavy in this patently unfair.

So, maybe someone can explain how it was that the Morses donated the land and the cost of building to the Moffitt Center on TV property and it is now a lease deal? The Sun did originally say the Morses were donating the land and building and that $6.3 million in contributions were needed for the equipment. Now, the land and building are not donated and the money has decreased because some of the equipment was found to be already available.

I still see no advantage to having a Moffitt on TV property and one in Leesburg. At best, it seems superfluous. Tell me one is a Moffitt center and one is a Shands center and it might make more sense -- there might actually be some difference in treatment plans between the two facilities, but not if both are from the same cancer center.

As to Morse bashing, I'm the first to admit I'm not a fan of the Morses and do feel they are a bit too greedy. I also believe that Harold Schwartz's vision would never have occurred without Gary Morse's hard work. I also believe that the Morses are a great business family and have created something truly remarkable here. That doesn't mean they are perfect. Nor does it mean that everything they do is altruistic or greedy. It means they fall in the middle -- some things are truly done with the best of intentions; some things are done because of personal beliefs; some things are done out of pure, unadulterated greed and the belief they can get away with it because they are the Morses. Regardless, we shouldn't blindly revile them nor praise them without getting all the facts possible. In the case of the Moffitt Center, it will be hard to get the facts -- too much of it is closed off to the public and too much is already lost in rumors, half-truths and lies. Some of us do the best we can with the information we have. We may interpret things incorrectly but we do the best we can with what we have.

:BigApplause: Could not have said it better!

[graciegirl]

Cabo and Redwitch, you both are extremely bright, and wonderfully able to articulate your ideas without venom and hype. I respect you both mightily.

In fact, this is one of the best examples of a discussion that I have read on this forum.

Only a couple people vented, ranted, and failed to address the issue.

I had to be sarcastic so I got a D-.

The rest of you. I am so proud to know you.

[Larry Wilson]

I agree Gracie. I have been here 7 years full time and love it. It's an amazing place. That being said, our secret complicated ruler has lost some of my confidence through the years. I'm so glad he or rather they are being watched. So like Red, I love it here but not everything.

[Advogado]

I think if you read many of the recent posts - we are not attacking the messenger, nor praising the Daily Scum - er Sun. BUT had I written any articles in my high school Journalism class, I would have failed as the teacher would refer to what she writes as "yellow journalism."

A few examples from her article... "stunning snag" "there should be ranting about the Morse family, their hired henchmen" (hired henchmen???)

PS - If her reporting is not to increase circulation, then why publish what she writes?

Yellow journalism? Perhaps. Inaccurate reporting? I don't think so. Do I always agree with her tone, her occasional hyperbole, and her interpretation of the facts? No.

Flunking your high-school journalism class because you wrote like Ms. Ritchie? It the assignment was to write an AP-type, just-the-facts-maam, news bulletin, clearly an F. However, if the assignment was to investigate and comment on a major news story being covered up or distorted by the local newspaper because the story involved the owner of that newspaper, I think you would have gotten an "A+" if you dug deep, exposed the truth, and came our swinging the way Ms. Ritchie does.

With respect to the PS: So every article in every newspaper is published to increase circulation and should be ignored even if factually correct? Should we get our news from TV instead?

I repeat what I think is the central question: Has anybody found any material, factual inaccuracies in any of Ms. Ritchie's articles about The Villages? The personal attacks on Ms. Ritchie and on her writing style, and one can certainly disagree with her writing style, seem to have deflected attention from this central question.

[nitakk]

Just one short question. Are you sorry you bought your house?

No, I am glad I bought my house - you can still enjoy living here without agreeing with the developer's way of doing things. I think it is important for people who think we are "Morse-bashing" to understand living here and agreeing with him are not related in any way. I bought this lifestyle but it doesn't mean I have to agree or support whatever he wants. I will say I have been disappointed when it fully hit me how strong the leash is and how some people seem practically devoted to him. Sorry, I just don't get it!

[graciegirl]

No, I am glad I bought my house - you can still enjoy living here without agreeing with the developer's way of doing things. I think it is important for people who think we are "Morse-bashing" to understand living here and agreeing with him are not related in any way. I bought this lifestyle but it doesn't mean I have to agree or support whatever he wants. I will say I have been disappointed when it fully hit me how strong the leash is and how some people seem practically devoted to him. Sorry, I just don't get it!

Fair and reasonable. I don't know that people are devoted to the Morses. A good many people respect them for all they have accomplished. No one knows what they are like personally because they don't "walk among us". and I wouldn't either if I were them, it isn't easy or possible to please everyone.

This is NOT a democracy, it is a different form of government and people need to understand that amenities and restrictions aren't going to be changed and you have no vote in it. The paper is Republican (and the majority of people living here are too)

The Morses have my respect for arranging and building this very well run place. It is impossible to please everyone all of the time, but I think most people most of the time are pleased.

If you are considering moving here it is wise to know that you can't do a lot of things, i.e. park your boat or RV in the drive or even wash your car there. You can't put up "stuff" out in your yard without approval, and you can't do this and that.

But you can still do all of the wonderful things that the Morses have thought out and arranged.

I think we can give them that.

No place is perfect. This place is close.

[billethkid]

As far as them walking among us, most of them do. Many of them shop along side us like Mrs. Morse, Mark Morse, Jennifer Paar and many of the related that have positions of strength in the family in TV.

Like any other corporation or private business entity, their priority is, first and foremost to make a profit for their share holders or owners. By providing a reasonable, quality and competitive product, with reasonable after the sale service. Corporations or privately owned companies are not democratic entities.

Does not mean we the people need to agree with anything they decide/do in the process. And we are so fortunate to still live in a country where we can state our feelings, opinions or preferences in either agreement or disagreement.

btk

[katezbox]

Yellow journalism? Perhaps. Inaccurate reporting? I don't think so. Do I always agree with her tone, her occasional hyperbole, and her interpretation of the facts? No.

Flunking your high-school journalism class because you wrote like Ms. Ritchie? It the assignment was to write an AP-type, just-the-facts-maam, news bulletin, clearly an F. However, if the assignment was to investigate and comment on a major news story being covered up or distorted by the local newspaper because the story involved the owner of that newspaper, I think you would have gotten an "A+" if you dug deep, exposed the truth, and came our swinging the way Ms. Ritchie does.

With respect to the PS: So every article in every newspaper is published to increase circulation and should be ignored even if factually correct? Should we get our news from TV instead?

I repeat what I think is the central question: Has anybody found any material, factual inaccuracies in any of Ms. Ritchie's articles about The Villages? The personal attacks on Ms. Ritchie and on her writing style, and one can certainly disagree with her writing style, seem to have deflected attention from this central question.


Sorry Advogado, I just don't buy it.

No one in their right minds would think the the Daily Scum is actually there to cover news. And the Sentinel should absolutely cover the story - although she is up to Part IV which I think is a bit much. The "major news" isn't that the Sun ignored this - it is the heavy handed techniques used against the folks at Relay. That is deplorable.


Of course newspapers publish stories to increase circulation and therefore sell (more) advertising...but they have a responsibility to report the truth - and to not willingly distort it.

One foundation of yellow journalism is overuse of hyberbole - at which Ms. Ritchie is so effective. Who are Morse's "hench men"? And her expose on the bond issue with the IRS predicted that Villagers would have to pay thousands of dollars of their own money without providing any support for these "facts."

All I am saying is that the developer is not as bad as she paints him, nor as angelic a father figure as others depict. He is a business man (and sometimes a greedy one) looking to make money.

[spk7951]

In fact, what the Orlando Sentinel is doing with its articles on The Villages is is what real newspapers are supposed to do-- report the facts of stories that are of importance to their readers.


True, but where are the opposing viewpoints in any of these articles she has written? We see emails from folks against Moffitt but I have not seen any emails from those in favor of it. Nor have I seen quotes from folks who travel to Tampa for cancer treatment and how they view Moffitt coming to TV. Those additions to the writing would seem to me to offer a more objective viewpoint.

[katezbox]

As far as them walking among us, most of them do. Many of them shop along side us like Mrs. Morse, Mark Morse, Jennifer Paar and many of the related that have positions of strength in the family in TV.

Like any other corporation or private business entity, their priority is, first and foremost to make a profit for their share holders or owners. By providing a reasonable, quality and competitive product, with reasonable after the sale service. Corporations or privately owned companies are not democratic entities.

Does not mean we the people need to agree with anything they decide/do in the process. And we are so fortunate to still live in a country where we can state our feelings, opinions or preferences in either agreement or disagreement.

btk

Exactly right!

[eweissenbach]

I find it hard to justify reviling Lauren Ritchie as an example of "slanted or biased journalism" and then hold up refutations of her opinions published in the Daily Sun (all the news deemed fit to print by the Morris family) on the "opinion page" as factual reporting. Ritchie does seem to revel in news that in her mind is negative to the Villages and the founding family, but without her voice all we would get is the pitiful excuse of "news" eminating from the Villages media. As several have said, it is best to review all the sources and do some digging of one's own, in order to find the truth. None of this makes me less interested in settling in TV, but is, nonetheless, interesting and enlightening.

[downeaster]

A lot has been said about Richie's Village bashing. Has no one noticed the bashing taking place on the editorial page of The Sun?

This thread brings to mind the old adage: "It all depends on whose ox is being gored."

[rubicon]

Its all so confusing as to whom is friend and whom is foe?

[Advogado]

Sorry Advogado, I just don't buy it.

No one in their right minds would think the the Daily Scum is actually there to cover news. And the Sentinel should absolutely cover the story - although she is up to Part IV which I think is a bit much. The "major news" isn't that the Sun ignored this - it is the heavy handed techniques used against the folks at Relay. That is deplorable.


Of course newspapers publish stories to increase circulation and therefore sell (more) advertising...but they have a responsibility to report the truth - and to not willingly distort it.

One foundation of yellow journalism is overuse of hyberbole - at which Ms. Ritchie is so effective. Who are Morse's "hench men"? And her expose on the bond issue with the IRS predicted that Villagers would have to pay thousands of dollars of their own money without providing any support for these "facts."

All I am saying is that the developer is not as bad as she paints him, nor as angelic a father figure as others depict. He is a business man (and sometimes a greedy one) looking to make money.

With respect to your statement about Ms. Ritchie's articles on the IRS investigation: I have read all publicly available documents generated during the investigation. Have you? If you had, you might share some of Ms. Ritchie's outrage. Let me assure you that Ms. Ritchie's facts are correct, as is her concern about the potentially huge adverse impact on Villagers if the IRS sustains its position. (I think, however, that the impact would occur in a different way than her analysis indicates, but that is beside the point here.)

Again: Has anybody found any material factual inaccuracies in her reporting? You don't seem to be able to come up with any, although you clearly don't like the packaging in which she delivers the facts-- and I can accept that. Unfortunately, however, if it were not for Lauren Ritchie and the POA Bulletin, Villagers would have absolutely no way of obtaining news that reflects unfavorably on actions by the Developer or on The Villages, itself.

[katezbox]

With respect to your statement about Ms. Ritchie's articles on the IRS investigation: I have read all publicly available documents generated during the investigation. Have you? If you had, you might share some of Ms. Ritchie's outrage. Let me assure you that Ms. Ritchie's facts are correct, as is her concern about the potentially huge adverse impact on Villagers if the IRS sustains its position. (I think, however, that the impact would occur in a different way than her analysis indicates, but that is beside the point here.)

Again: Has anybody found any material factual inaccuracies in her reporting? You don't seem to be able to come up with any, although you clearly don't like the packaging in which she delivers the facts-- and I can accept that. Unfortunately, however, if it were not for Lauren Ritchie and the POA Bulletin, Villagers would have absolutely no way of obtaining news that reflects unfavorably on actions by the Developer or on The Villages, itself.

I agree wholeheartedly that the Sun is not a source of objective info on TV. It is essentially a marketing newsletter. We do not subscribe. For news we read the Sentinel and other publications on line and in weekly newsmagazines. The New York Times covered the IRS bond issue - in a way that presented the issues and was "fit to print.".

I do not agree that Ms Ritchie deals only in facts. I will ask again. Who are the Morse family's henchmen and what have they done? There are no facts that I can see supporting such a statement.

Henchman is a strong term, with a precise meaning. From dictionary.com:

1. an unscrupulous and ruthless subordinate, especially a criminal: The leader of the gang went everywhere accompanied by his henchmen.
2. an unscrupulous supporter or adherent of a political figure or cause, especially one motivated by the hope of personal gain: Hitler and his henchmen.
3.a trusted attendant, supporter, or follower.

That last of these may be what she intended?

Regarding the bonds. The Sentinel archives do not reach back that far. But Ms Ritchie posted this on TOTV..."this IRS investigation and about the way that the developer has used the community development districts to his benefit -- at terrible expense and liability to Villages residents. "

What expense and what liability? Potential, yes. Actual, no (to date). So again, another case of hyperbole with no support.

I realize that she is a columnist and not a "reporter." But keep in mind that free speech has it's limits - no one has the right to yell "fire" in a crowded theatre. IMHO, that is all Ms. Ritchie is doing.

[Taj44]

[QUOTE=katezbox;330100...Regarding the bonds. The Sentinel archives do not reach back that far. But Ms Ritchie posted this on TOTV..."this IRS investigation and about the way that the developer has used the community development districts to his benefit -- at terrible expense and liability to Villages residents. "

What expense and what liability? Potential, yes. Actual, no (to date). So again, another case of hyperbole with no support.[/QUOTE]

If you will recall, in 1998 it was necessary for Villages residents to sue the developer Morse because of misuse of funds that were supposed to go towards maintence of Villages facilities. The class-action lawsuit 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.

It was considered a long-shot case, but the residents won. Morse and the corporations behind The Villages agreed in a civil court settlement to pay $40 million over 13 years to cover improvements and repairs to recreation centers, swimming pools and other facilities. I would say this was a pretty good example of the developer using the CDD to his benefit. If the residents hadn't sued, he'd still be enjoying the use of the amenity fees.

[redwitch]

Cabo, don't know what happened to your post and link. It was there (obviously) when I went to check the link and gone when I was starting to reply. This is not going to make sense to many, but it will to you:

Read the whole thing -- a lot of vitriole and hyperbole, not much facts given. The author of the blog either assumes we know all of the facts, is afraid to post the facts because they're not accurate or has no clue of the facts himself. One important thing to remember is that this is simply a blog -- it is not a Lady Lake site. It is not a Lake County site. It is a blog by a concerned citizen.

I can't comment on much of what he wrote because I simplly don't know the facts. I live in Sumter County; can't vote in Lake County; have a tendency to only follow local issues that directly affect me (not one of my better traits, I'm afraid).

Given all of that, I'd say the blog has about as much merit as the hyperbole in Ms. Ritchie's columns: some true facts interpreted towards the author's views with a lot of venom tossed out toward the opponent (subject of the column/blog).

[Larry Wilson]

If you will recall, in 1998 it was necessary for Villages residents to sue the developer Morse because of misuse of funds that were supposed to go towards maintence of Villages facilities. The class-action lawsuit 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.

It was considered a long-shot case, but the residents won. Morse and the corporations behind The Villages agreed in a civil court settlement to pay $40 million over 13 years to cover improvements and repairs to recreation centers, swimming pools and other facilities. I would say this was a pretty good example of the developer using the CDD to his benefit. If the residents hadn't sued, he'd still be enjoying the use of the amenity fees.

Good point.:BigApplause:

[graciegirl]

If you will recall, in 1998 it was necessary for Villages residents to sue the developer Morse because of misuse of funds that were supposed to go towards maintence of Villages facilities. The class-action lawsuit 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.

It was considered a long-shot case, but the residents won. Morse and the corporations behind The Villages agreed in a civil court settlement to pay $40 million over 13 years to cover improvements and repairs to recreation centers, swimming pools and other facilities. I would say this was a pretty good example of the developer using the CDD to his benefit. If the residents hadn't sued, he'd still be enjoying the use of the amenity fees.

I thought I remembered another reason and a lesser amount for this lawsuit. Can you tell us where this information can be located? Would it be in the POA archives?

Did you move into your second home in TV thinking this?

[bike42]

If you will recall, in 1998 it was necessary for Villages residents to sue the developer Morse because of misuse of funds that were supposed to go towards maintence of Villages facilities. The class-action lawsuit 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.

It was considered a long-shot case, but the residents won. Morse and the corporations behind The Villages agreed in a civil court settlement to pay $40 million over 13 years to cover improvements and repairs to recreation centers, swimming pools and other facilities. I would say this was a pretty good example of the developer using the CDD to his benefit. If the residents hadn't sued, he'd still be enjoying the use of the amenity fees.

Oh Please. The point of the lawsuit was that the older northern part of TV thought they were not getting a fair share of the amenity fees, that the funds were going disproportionately to facilities for the newer southern villages. The lawsuit never claimed that Morse was using the fees for his personal benefit.

[Mikeod]

If I had to pay $135.00 per month for my amenities and an additional $135.00 per month to the Villages developers for their toys and caviar, I would still be very happy with this place and never complain. We have lived several places overseas and all over the United States for comparison and The Villages, hands down, is the best we have ever seen. We would be more likely to feel guilty that we are taking advantage of the developers than the other way around. No Flames please, just put the cost of living here in perspective for a more positive point of view. Americans are greedy people, so stop looking for things to condemn The Villages for and you will find time to enjoy activities worth far more than your amenity fee.

Please try to differentiate between people who love the community (almost all of us) and those who have misgivings about the way the developer operates at times. It is possible to love what has been created while still expressing concerns about matters that affect us.

[nitehawk]

Please try to differentiate between people who love the community (almost all of us) and those who have misgivings about the way the developer operates at times. It is possible to love what has been created while still expressing concerns about matters that affect us.

Excellent reply :BigApplause:

[JenAjd]

If I had to pay $135.00 per month for my amenities and an additional $135.00 per month to the Villages developers for their toys and caviar, I would still be very happy with this place and never complain. We have lived several places overseas and all over the United States for comparison and The Villages, hands down, is the best we have ever seen. We would be more likely to feel guilty that we are taking advantage of the developers than the other way around. No Flames please, just put the cost of living here in perspective for a more positive point of view. Americans are greedy people, so stop looking for things to condemn The Villages for and you will find time to enjoy activities worth far more than your amenity fee.

GREAT points!!!! It's obvious that there will be the "nay-sayers and the yay-sayers" no matter what.....It's too bad that "some" have to try to find the negative in everything---giving no thoughts on how good they have it!

[Challenger]

Oh Please. The point of the lawsuit was that the older northern part of TV thought they were not getting a fair share of the amenity fees, that the funds were going disproportionately to facilities for the newer southern villages. The lawsuit never claimed that Morse was using the fees for his personal benefit.

Great point. When your mind is made up it is easy to conform the "facts" to your view. What this subject needs is more light( facts ) and less heat.

[Taj44]

Please try to differentiate between people who love the community (almost all of us) and those who have misgivings about the way the developer operates at times. It is possible to love what has been created while still expressing concerns about matters that affect us.

Thank you Mikeod for your courtesy. For those who are interested, and please don't shoot the messenger, the link to the actual class action settlement notice is here: http://www.thevillagesfl.us/classactionsettlement.htm It claimed monthly amenity fees paid by The Villages' 70,000 residents had been misused by The Villages of Lake-Sumter Incorporated, the Village Center Community Development District and developer H. Gary Morse. The claim was upheld in court with a $40 million settlement.


Here's another link to a Tampa newspaper story which gives a few more details. Of course, the settlement was reached with confidentiality clauses and the Morses' not admitting any wrongdoing. The story was carried in all the major news outlets. http://www.sptimes.com/2008/03/10/State/The_Villages_develope.shtml

Gracie, no I did not know of the lawsuit when I purchased here, although I don't see why you would be interested in that or what it even has to do with anything?

I love the lifestyle here in The Villages as much as the next person, but let's face it, the Developer didn't act responsibly when he let those facilities decline and didn't provide for the required maintenance. He had to be forced into it by a lawsuit. It is a matter of public record.

[graciegirl]

Thank you Mikeod for your courtesy. For those who are interested, and please don't shoot the messenger, the link to the actual class action settlement notice is here: http://www.thevillagesfl.us/classactionsettlement.htm It claimed monthly amenity fees paid by The Villages' 70,000 residents had been misused by The Villages of Lake-Sumter Incorporated, the Village Center Community Development District and developer H. Gary Morse. The claim was upheld in court with a $40 million settlement.


Here's another link to a Tampa newspaper story which gives a few more details. Of course, the settlement was reached with confidentiality clauses and the Morses' not admitting any wrongdoing. The story was carried in all the major news outlets. http://www.sptimes.com/2008/03/10/State/The_Villages_develope.shtml

Gracie, no I did not know of the lawsuit when I purchased here, although I don't see why you would be interested in that or what it even has to do with anything?

I love the lifestyle here in The Villages as much as the next person, but let's face it, the Developer didn't act responsibly when he let those facilities decline and didn't provide for the required maintenance. He had to be forced into it by a lawsuit. It is a matter of public record.

Well Taj, those SOB Morses got caught and paid up. I am not going to worry about what they are planning now to hoodwink all of us and take our money because we have a lot of watch dogs who will. I know I can count on the people here who are permanently disenchanted about something to protect me.

[katezbox]

Thank you Mikeod for your courtesy. For those who are interested, and please don't shoot the messenger, the link to the actual class action settlement notice is here: http://www.thevillagesfl.us/classactionsettlement.htm It claimed monthly amenity fees paid by The Villages' 70,000 residents had been misused by The Villages of Lake-Sumter Incorporated, the Village Center Community Development District and developer H. Gary Morse. The claim was upheld in court with a $40 million settlement.


Here's another link to a Tampa newspaper story which gives a few more details. Of course, the settlement was reached with confidentiality clauses and the Morses' not admitting any wrongdoing. The story was carried in all the major news outlets. http://www.sptimes.com/2008/03/10/State/The_Villages_develope.shtml

Gracie, no I did not know of the lawsuit when I purchased here, although I don't see why you would be interested in that or what it even has to do with anything?

I love the lifestyle here in The Villages as much as the next person, but let's face it, the Developer didn't act responsibly when he let those facilities decline and didn't provide for the required maintenance. He had to be forced into it by a lawsuit. It is a matter of public record.

Taj - I agree that this was a long shot - and it worked. I applaud the POA for working for us. As you say, he didn't do right and ws caught out. I don't argue that the Morses are perfect - just that they built a better mousetrap.

I think that many seem expect more from the developer than a good home and wonderful lifestyle and view the Morse family as paternaistic. I see them as businessmen.

Lastly, I applaud Lauren Ritchie for bringing "Relaygate" to a larger community. I just don't think a four part article full of innuendos and hyperbole is necessary or helpful.

[Bosoxfan]

:mademyday::mademyday::mademyday::welcome::welcome ::welcome:If I had to pay $135.00 per month for my amenities and an additional $135.00 per month to the Villages developers for their toys and caviar, I would still be very happy with this place and never complain. We have lived several places overseas and all over the United States for comparison and The Villages, hands down, is the best we have ever seen. We would be more likely to feel guilty that we are taking advantage of the developers than the other way around. No Flames please, just put the cost of living here in perspective for a more positive point of view. Americans are greedy people, so stop looking for things to condemn The Villages for and you will find time to enjoy activities worth far more than your amenity fee.

[Challenger]

Taj - I agree that this was a long shot - and it worked. I applaud the POA for working for us. As you say, he didn't do right and ws caught out. I don't argue that the Morses are perfect - just that they built a better mousetrap.

I think that many seem expect more from the developer than a good home and wonderful lifestyle and view the Morse family as paternaistic. I see them as businessmen.

Lastly, I applaud Lauren Ritchie for bringing "Relaygate" to a larger community. I just don't think a four part article full of innuendos and hyperbole is necessary or helpful.

Well said

[Advogado]

Oh Please. The point of the lawsuit was that the older northern part of TV thought they were not getting a fair share of the amenity fees, that the funds were going disproportionately to facilities for the newer southern villages. The lawsuit never claimed that Morse was using the fees for his personal benefit.

I wish that you were right in your understanding of the basis of the class-action lawsuit. However, I'm afraid that you are totally mistaken on the point. The class-action lawsuit had nothing to do with a north-versus-south allocation of funds. The truth is much more troubling, and it raises major concerns about the past and present actions of the Developer.

In a nutshell: The thrust of the lawsuit (as well as the IRS's allegations in its pending investigation) was that the Developer sold amenities to the Villages Center Community Development District, which the Developer controlled, at an artificially inflated price. This alleged overpricing left the Center District without sufficient funds (from receipt of the amenity fees) to continue to provide amenities at the promised level. I.e., The Villages amenities system, which is the reason that we all bought here, was starting to come unraveled because of the Developer's actions. Another poster to this thread listed a website for the settlement agreement. You can get a basic description of the IRS investigation by checking prior Property Owners' Association Bulletins on the poa4us.org website.

Time will tell whether the $43 million class-action settlement will be adequate to keep the system operating.

[Bogie Shooter]

Please try to differentiate between people who love the community (almost all of us) and those who have misgivings about the way the developer operates at times. It is possible to love what has been created while still expressing concerns about matters that affect us.

Welcome.
I agree espressing concerns is one thing.....but some of these people go on and on and on with the same drivel. Nothing new just bringing up the same "concerns". Where do they get the delight in constantly bashing? And what does it really accomplish?

[Talk Host]

...... some of these people go on and on and on with the same drivel. ?

(Drivel: To talk stupidly or childishly.)

Who decides what is drivel and what is not? When members want to post here, I don't consider their opinions to be drivel. I respect their right to have an opinion and to post it here without fear that their comments will be categorized by the self righteous.

JLK

[barb1191]

(Drivel: To talk stupidly or childishly.)

Who decides what is drivel and what is not? When members want to post here, I don't consider their opinions to be drivel. I respect their right to have an opinion and to post it here without fear that their comments will be categorized by the self righteous.

JLK

Kudos to "The Nice Administrator."

[chuckster]

(Drivel: To talk stupidly or childishly.)

Who decides what is drivel and what is not? When members want to post here, I don't consider their opinions to be drivel. I respect their right to have an opinion and to post it here without fear that their comments will be categorized by the self righteous.JLK

Agree with your statement concerning everyone's freedom to express an opinion here .....................curious about the capped item at the end.

You too seem to have fallen under the dreaded "self righteous" label. We all do at one time or another. Think about it.

[Talk Host]

You too seem to have fallen under the dreaded "self righteous" label. We all do at one time or another. Think about it.


That is the type of response I expected.

[barb1191]

Agree with your statement concerning everyone's freedom to express an opinion here .....................curious about the capped item at the end.

chuckster..... ".......the capped item at the end." of the above quote are the initials of the writer, Jan who co-owns and co-manages (extremely well) this TOTV website.

[rubicon]

Advogado is correct concerning both the class action suit and the IRS's investigation of the bonds issued in 2003. Whether the IRS allegations prove true is a test of time. However, as to the class action suit there was more. To begin with the lawsuit only benefited those north of 466. When the Developer and the POA jointly announced the settlement it was accompanied with an admonition that those who wanted to opt out to proceed on their own needed to submit their decision in writing. However, what the Developer and POA did not disclose, and what was disclosed by the Orlando Sentinel (Lauren Ritchie) was the fact that the POA leadership which filed individually were separately offered and accepted $50,000 each and that the POA attorney was separately paid $6.7 million for 15 months work. This created a need for the POA to conduct a March 18, 2008 meeting to explain the settlement. During that meeting the POA attorney kept repeating that she could not go into detail because a confidentality clause was included in this settlement. Perhaps POA members should have been assembled before the settlement to voice their opinions, concerns and otherwise seek complete understanding of the proposal's details before it was settled? I will leave that discussion for the legal minds???

One member has questioned whether the settlement amount is sufficient. Obviously, it would depend on how wisely the money is spent. For instance the AAC used a portion of it to reconstruct cartpaths. I do not know but would hope that the AAC made an attempt to co-opt the Developer and his sub-contractors to contributing to this project since the cartpaths were poorly designed and posed safety concerns their intended use initially. Again I will leave that discussion to the legal minds because I do not know the legal ramifications? This is my opinion and I could be wrong about some of these details and would welcome and invite member(s) for any editorial comments

[Bogie Shooter]

(Drivel: To talk stupidly or childishly.)

Who decides what is drivel and what is not? When members want to post here, I don't consider their opinions to be drivel. I respect their right to have an opinion and to post it here without fear that their comments will be categorized by the self righteous.

JLK

Yet, when I express my opinion.....I am attacked as being self righteous.

[Talk Host]

Yet, when I express my opinion.....I am attacked as being self righteous.

self-right·eous–adjective
confident of one's own righteousness, especially when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others.

[Russ_Boston]

self-right·eous–adjective
confident of one's own righteousness, especially when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others.

Seriously?

Aren't you the one who said (and I cut and paste to prove) "I'm wondering why it's necessary to assign a demeaning name to people..."

And you just called a member of your own forum 'smug' and 'intolerant'.

Poor form TH.

[2BNTV]

Cabo and redwitch:

I would like to commend you for your articulate and intelligent posts.

If one does not agree with another's point of view, it's nice to "agree that we disagree" respectfully and intelligently.

[Jhooman]

When The Villages are completed, do you think a Home Owners Association will be implemented.

When our development was being built, the developer maintained the amenities and upon completion the homeowners took over.

Thank you

[Taj44]

Advogado and Rubicon - thank you for posting information regarding the $40,000,000 class action lawsuit that Village residents won against The Villages CCDD and Developer Gary Morse. I like to see people posting the facts.

[Talk Host]

Seriously?

Aren't you the one who said (and I cut and paste to prove) "I'm wondering why it's necessary to assign a demeaning name to people..."

And you just called a member of your own forum 'smug' and 'intolerant'.

Poor form TH.


You are quoting a definition from the dictionary, not my words. I posted it merely as a convenience to those who feel that they should put themselves into that category. This would be a "self diagnosis" devoid of me naming anybody specifically. I put myself into that category. Anybody else is welcome to join me. :evil6:

[Russ_Boston]

I posted the definition of self righteous merely as a convenience to those who feel that they should put themselves into that category. This would be a "self diagnosis" devoid of me naming anybody specifically. Only I know if I put myself into that category. I know that there are a few here who think iI belong there. :evil6:

Pretty sure it was directed at Bogie since that is who you quoted. But whatever, it's your show.

[Talk Host]

:angel:

[Larry Wilson]

Let peace and good will prevail on earth. Live in harmony. Respect every person.

:wave:

[rubicon]

As I recollect this thread all began with those pro and con to Ritchie's articles pertaining to the Developers' activities. I am in many respects neither pro or con. I do try and form my conclusions based on the intent of those speaking or writing and on the facts as they are presented. If as an individual you hear the same critic about something you do or fail to do that it an indication that you might want to pay closer attention to what is being said. and if the people advancing that critic have nothing to gain by taking the time and courtesy to assist you then you might want to listen.

Well that is how I view Lauren Ritchie. The concerns regarding the Developer have consistently revolved around his lack of transparcency, his ability to maximize profits and his knack for getting residents to fund his projects. think back and you will see that this is his profile. His business acumen is on spot and from that aspect I can't fault him. It is the egregious manner in which he operates such as the breach of our convenant in order to sell property to Freedom Pointe, to his pulling the rug from under disable residents who relied on an indoor swimming pool that remained with the individuals who purchased the original Fitness Center. Granted attempts were made to correct this issue after the fact but nonetheless not without much protest from affected residents . The IRS bond issue and the Amenities lawsuit have already been addressed. While mimimal, the controversey with the disappearance of the bison from Lake Sumter Landing . What upset people more was not their removal but the reason he gave as lawsuits. The fact remains that he had all the intentions in the world of building homes on that plot of land. In fact he has intentions of building on every single plot he can squeeze something on. It his right and its not personal its business

I challenge any resident to find one note of discord concerning the Developer from the Daily Sun, Villages Television or radio, the Villages Homeowner Association which he monetarily contributes and whose president is anAlliance Hospital Board member. The VHA was started to compete and and hopefully eliminate the POA. All of the foregoing enterprises, save the POA, are part of the mass marketing efforts of the Developer.

The fact is that the Developer is so too big to fail. He doesn't have to ask, imply or hint because so many business people make their living directly or indirectly from him that they don't dare say no. The question I have is does that also apply to the politicians and administrators around here?

So I welcome Lauren Ritchie articles and believe that all she is doing is writing about what she has read from IRS filing, court records, village residents, others such as with Moffitt etc. And if she didn't report it most resident would be left in the dark about what is really going on here. What saddens me are those residents who feel a need to defend The Villages. The Villages doesn't need defending as millions are being spent to relocate people here from around the world.

This is my opinion and I may be wrong and so I welcome editorial comments from fellow members who may information that would alter my view.

[redwitch]

Rubicon, truly beautifully said. Thank you!

[Bogie Shooter]

The fact is that the Developer is so too big to fail. He doesn't have to ask, imply or hint because so many business people make their living directly or indirectly from him that they don't dare say no. The question I have is does that also apply to the politicians and administrators around here?

.
It is worth mentioning what the POA had to say about one of the administrators, in her role during the sale, last summer of the Villages utility.


......."It is clear from reading the meeting minutes
and from the amendments made to the
contract of sale that things have changed in
The Villages. The District manager and her
staff have done a good job representing the
interests of our residents. Another good sign
is that the NSCUDD board, as reported in
their meeting minutes, was very actively engaged
in this process, asking key questions,
insisting on detailed explanations and having
lively discussions over the issues. We extend
our appreciation to the NSCUDD board and
to Ms. Janet Tutt and her staff for a job well
done"......(From the current POA bulletin)

[cabo35]

There is a Lake County Government blog called the Right Side of the Lake. It makes several references to Lauren Ritchie and the Orlando Sun. The blog suggests in strong terms that Ritchie and the Orlando Sentinel are surrogates for the "anti-growth/anti- business movement" in that county. It alleges that no one has done more harm to Lake County then the Sentinel and Ritchie. The blog does cite some specifics. It attributes to Ritchie this comment on a certain amendment. "Amendment #4 would stop companies from swooping down in Lake County just to make a profit and it would encourage only local people to do business here.” Link below.

"......it would encourage only local people to do business here." If true, the comment the blog attributed to Ritchie, brought to mind my tongue in cheek observation in the OP. ]"For balance, I guess if I was born and raised here, I may have some resentment about what progress has taken away. A quiet, idyllic countryside dotted with watermelon patches, horse farms, cattle grazing peacefully and fishing holes that never heard the whine of an outboard motor. A lifestyle that insulates you from car, truck and traffic noises. A lifestyle that keeps you from the pollution of progress. Damn Walt Disney and Gary Morse." [/B] (From Cabo's OP) At best, it suggests a noble motive for being anti-business, anti-growth and anti-Villages. I may not agree, but I do understand those that would hold that view. The counterpoint by Ritchie's opposition is compelling. It states that Lake County doesn't have the revenues to progress without growth and new revenue sources.

Before I comment further, let me say that while professionally presented, this blog is just that, a blog of some one's opinion. It should be viewed through the prism of skepticism. Objectivity needs to be factored into the equation and agendas need to be recognized. However, what is noteworthy to me is the similarity in attack styles by the paper and its columnist. If you suspend belief briefly, replace the Lake County targets with the Villages and Morse, you will realize the attack tactics are eerily similar if not clones. Striking at least. A careful read of the article reveals much.

To peak your interest enough to read the blog in its entirety, one of the sub-heading in bold print defines a certain reporter as a Hypocrite and give copious detailed opinion to support the position. Warning, "this ain't bean bag". It's hardball and interestingly enough, has nothing to do with the Villages or the Morse family. So sit back with smug, detached objectivity and make your own assessments.

I cannot attest to the claims made by the article. What I do see are stunning similarities in attack styles that suggest an anti-business and anti-growth agenda. I respectfully request that before commenting, please read the rather lengthy article in it's entirety.

A much larger concern is the impact such elevated, agenda driven journalism will have on the prosperity of my investment in the Villages. At what point does it have its intended effect......creating second thoughts about investing in the Villages. In my OP, I gave a litany of positive impacts the Villages has had on the people of Lake, Sumter and Marion counties. The positives get no coverage because they don't facilitate the agenda. In fact they counter it. I have acknowledged that the developer is not without fault. On balance, even his detractors seem to acknowledge he has done more right than wrong. The missing component in this equation is, I hate to say this, "fair and balanced" reporting.

In fact, the most fair and balanced information venue to date is TOTV.

http://lakecountygov.info/2010/03/31/lauren-ritchie-hypocrite-4/

We beat the frost and had an enjoyable 18.

P.S. Saw the King's Speech last night. Great movie.

Have a good evening.

[nitakk]

Cabo, you must truly be a renaissance man. To come up with another lenthy post, complete with research - and play 18 holes and a movie. I suspect a little help has come your way, perhaps it's Mrs. Cabo? I only played nine on an executive and had too little time to be so verbose and witty.
Right Side of the Lake, I wonder what political leaning they might have - oh year, it's in their name. Not exactly the fair and balanced reporting I'm looking for, but I found some of their archived material amusing. On the subject of Ms. Ritchie, they said "the Orlando Sentinel is being led down the path of failure by the bankrupt ideas of Lauren Ritchie". Wow, that certainly is a lot of power she wields at the newspaper considering she only does commentary on the local section. Evidently she's powerful enough, or she wouldn't have made it to "Hypocrite #4" on this blog - I can only imagine who the top three are!

Now, fair and balanced would be wonderful but the only thing those of us who think there is a problem with the fund-raising have is Lauren Ritchie's article. It's not going to come from the Sun, nor this so-right-leaning-I-feel-I-may-tip-over blog.

So the only thing Morse can do is attack the credibility of Ritchie and the Sentinel will well-placed and timed articles, which he can have published at his whim.

[graciegirl]

Cabo, you must truly be a renaissance man. To come up with another lenthy post, complete with research - and play 18 holes and a movie. I suspect a little help has come your way, perhaps it's Mrs. Cabo? I only played nine on an executive and had too little time to be so verbose and witty.
Right Side of the Lake, I wonder what political leaning they might have - oh year, it's in their name. Not exactly the fair and balanced reporting I'm looking for, but I found some of their archived material amusing. On the subject of Ms. Ritchie, they said "the Orlando Sentinel is being led down the path of failure by the bankrupt ideas of Lauren Ritchie". Wow, that certainly is a lot of power she wields at the newspaper considering she only does commentary on the local section. Evidently she's powerful enough, or she wouldn't have made it to "Hypocrite #4" on this blog - I can only imagine who the top three are!

Now, fair and balanced would be wonderful but the only thing those of us who think there is a problem with the fund-raising have is Lauren Ritchie's article. It's not going to come from the Sun, nor this so-right-leaning-I-feel-I-may-tip-over blog.

So the only thing Morse can do is attack the credibility of Ritchie and the Sentinel will well-placed and timed articles, which he can have published at his whim.
..

[LeeAndDottie]

You say "It appears to me that the Morse family is contributing the land and construction." I don't think you can call it a contribution when the developer builds a building then rents it out to the future occupant (Moffitt). Sounds like it is one heck of a lucrative business deal. The developer still owns the land and the building.

[ricthemic]

..

shadow where are you?

[nitakk]

shadow where are you?

Several days ago, I saw a posting from The Shadow that was less than flattering to Morse. Within 15 minutes, the posting was deleted by administration of the site and The Shadow has not been seen nor heard from since. Personally, I don't think the remarks Shadow made were any more inflammatory than some I have seen - perhaps it was the target of his remarks that got him deleted.

[Russ_Boston]

Several days ago, I saw a posting from The Shadow that was less than flattering to Morse. Within 15 minutes, the posting was deleted by administration of the site and The Shadow has not been seen nor heard from since. Personally, I don't think the remarks Shadow made were any more inflammatory than some I have seen - perhaps it was the target of his remarks that got him deleted.

The post that got deleted was more personal than about Moffitt et. al.

As you can see from the posts - all sides of the coin are allowed to present their case.

[cabo35]

Cabo, you must truly be a renaissance man. To come up with another lenthy post, complete with research - and play 18 holes and a movie. I suspect a little help has come your way, perhaps it's Mrs. Cabo? I only played nine on an executive and had too little time to be so verbose and witty.


Mrs. Cabo appreciates the honorable mention you gave her, but, she has distinguished herself without need to coat tail my excursions and dalliances into the dynamics of human nature. She has a masters plus thirty in Education Administration with the thirty coming in Learning Disabilities and Exceptional Children. Mrs. Cabo has been a licensed pilot since 1980. She also was two pounds off the Florida State record for blackfin tuna. We both enjoy riding our Harley throughout the Villages and Central Florida. Mrs. Cabo crews with me when we fish the Northeast bluewater canyons from NJ to Hatteras in our sportfisherman. We annually chase tune, marlin and other pelagic species as well as rare denizens of the deep. She's also a 22 handicap golfer but working on her game. She has ridden in a NASCAR race car at 170 mph. She was 64 and a perfect size 4 when she crossed that off her bucket list. She really looked cute in that fireproof suit and helmet. She is a much better writer then I am but doesn't give me the "help" you suspect. Is that enough Renaissance for now?

I digress. Perhaps you can cite the part where Morse attacks "the credibility of Ritchie and the Sentinel with well-placed and timed articles". I missed that. The blog article in my post had nothing to do with Morse or The Villages. You seem to be mixing up Morse with the blog. I believe I cited the fragile suspect integrity of the blog article quite clearly. In that regard we are redundant.

We are in complete agreement about the dearth of balanced, objective reporting available to Villagers.

Thank you for asking about Mrs. Cabo. Have a good evening.

[Larry Wilson]

It's one's own filter that gives meaning to a post. There is always many sides to every story. I sure hope Shadow isn't banned. :sad:

[Taj44]

You say "It appears to me that the Morse family is contributing the land and construction." I don't think you can call it a contribution when the developer builds a building then rents it out to the future occupant (Moffitt). Sounds like it is one heck of a lucrative business deal. The developer still owns the land and the building.

You got that right!:smiley:

[Taj44]

It's one's own filter that gives meaning to a post. There is always many sides to every story. I sure hope Shadow isn't banned. :sad:

Nicely put Larry. I too hope the Shadow continues to post.

[graciegirl]

..

[graciegirl]

Several days ago, I saw a posting from The Shadow that was less than flattering to Morse. Within 15 minutes, the posting was deleted by administration of the site and The Shadow has not been seen nor heard from since. Personally, I don't think the remarks Shadow made were any more inflammatory than some I have seen - perhaps it was the target of his remarks that got him deleted.

This site has no connection to the owners of The Villages. This site is privately owned. The owners of this site make their own determination about the posts here.

If, in their opinion, you go too far, your posts will be removed and if you continue, you will be removed.

I am glad they protect us.

[chocolata]

Well done, Cabo.

[Advogado]

This site has no connection to the owners of The Villages. This site is privately owned. The owners of this site make their own determination about the posts here.

If, in their opinion, you go too far, your posts will be removed and if you continue, you will be removed.

I am glad they protect us.

Despite the temptation to do otherwise, I have tried to refrain from personal criticism. However, just out of curiosity does anybody know what the standards of the administrators are for removal of posts and members are? Do the standards apply only to criticism of the Morse family or do they also apply to criticism of others, like, for example, Lauren Ritchie? Because both are public figures, in the interests of a vigorous debate, I would hope that posters would have a fair amount of latitude in expressing their opinions and that the Morse family would not get special treatment.

[JimJoe]

what happened to shadow?
I liked him.
JJ

[tony]

This is the first time I ever heard of the Morse family getting special treatment here. i certainly don't give the family any.

Nobody is gone for criticizing the Morses here, either, nor for criticizing Lauren Ritchie.

[katezbox]

this is the first time i ever heard of the morse family getting special treatment here. I certainly don't give the family any.

Nobody is gone for criticizing the morses here, either, nor for criticizing lauren ritchie.

yes!!!!!

[Advogado]

You say "It appears to me that the Morse family is contributing the land and construction." I don't think you can call it a contribution when the developer builds a building then rents it out to the future occupant (Moffitt). Sounds like it is one heck of a lucrative business deal. The developer still owns the land and the building.

Yeah. The Daily Sun sure made it appear that the Developer was making a contribution, when in fact, it was an investment.

The question that I still have is what the deal is between Moffitt and the developer regarding the Developer's fund-raising campaign for Moffitt. Maybe everything is above-board and truly arm's length. Maybe not. Certainly the Developer has some skin in the game, at the very least.

I struck out (not to my surprise, I will admit) with my request to the Moffitt Center for the details about its arrangements with the Developer. However, a little transparency would be nice since Moffitt is asking for our donations. Certainly, the misrepresentations in the Daily Sun and the Developer's attempt to shake down the American Cancer Society / Relay for Life certainly should cause one to be a little suspicious about what is going on.

In commenting on the subject, one should keep in mind that the controversy is not about whether Moffitt should come here. The controversy arises as a result of the Developer-backed fund-raising drive and the tactics used to raise those funds. If Moffitt, using its own funds, were simply going to establish an office here, hire one radiologist, and rent from the Developer, we wouldn't have Lauren Ritchie articles and a hundred or so posts in this Forum.

[ajakk]

This is the first time I ever heard of the Morse family getting special treatment here. i certainly don't give the family any.

Nobody is gone for criticizing the Morses here, either, nor for criticizing Lauren Ritchie.

Tony, I read the Shadow's post and saw the red kettle. I immediately tried to post a reply, quoting the Shadow in my post. Not only was my post never put on the board, but the Shadow was deleted by the time I finished. Having seen the post in question, I did not find it offensive or inflammatory. It was just the Shadow's opinion about Morse and his ethics. It was no worse than what has been said about Lauren Ritchie in this thread.

[same]

[QUOTE=Advogado;330860]Yeah. The Daily Sun sure made it appear that the Developer was making a contribution, when in fact, it was an investment.

The question that I still have is what the deal is between Moffitt and the developer regarding the Developer's fund-raising campaign for Moffitt. Maybe everything is above-board and truly arm's length. Maybe not. Certainly the Developer has some skin in the game, at the very least.

I struck out (not to my surprise, I will admit) with my request to the Moffitt Center for the details about its arrangements with the Developer. However, a little transparency would be nice since Moffitt is asking for our donations. Certainly, the misrepresentations in the Daily Sun and the Developer's attempt to shake down the American Cancer Society / Relay for Life certainly should cause one to be a little suspicious about what is going on.

In commenting on the subject, one should keep in mind that the controversy is not about whether Moffitt should come here. The controversy arises as a result of the Developer-backed fund-raising drive and the tactics used to raise those funds. If Moffitt, using its own funds, were simply going to establish an office here, hire one radiologist, and rent from the Developer, we wouldn't have Lauren Ritchie articles and a hundred or so posts in this Forum.[/QUOTE

From Wikipedia: The society’s allocation of funds for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2005 lists 70% of funds for Program Services (Research 14%, Prevention 20%, Patient Support 20%, Detection and Treatment 16%). The remaining 30% are allocated for supporting services (Fundraising 22%, and Management, General administration 8%) meeting the Better Business Bureau's Standards for Charity Accountability (At least 65% to program services and no more than 35% to overhead and fundraising expenses).[7]

Should "relay" pay the ACS 30% of the funds raised in The Villages: with the donations not going here?

[barb1191]

[QUOTE=Advogado;330860].

I struck out (not to my surprise, I will admit) with my request to the Moffitt Center for the details about its arrangements with the Developer. However, a little transparency would be nice since Moffitt is asking for our donations. Certainly, the misrepresentations in the Daily Sun and the Developer's attempt to shake down the American Cancer Society / Relay for Life certainly should cause one to be a little suspicious about what is going on.


Clarification: Moffitt is NOT "asking for our donations" as you mentioned above. It's the developer's health organization who are asking for donations to the fund they own and control, and in turn, the developer will own all of the medical apparatus that you paid for and is housed in the building that the developer will be leasing to Moffitt. Your donations are paying for equipment that the developer will own and profit from it's use. Moffitt will own NOTHING on the Sharon Morse site for Moffitt.

[Advogado]

[QUOTE=Advogado;330860]Yeah. The Daily Sun sure made it appear that the Developer was making a contribution, when in fact, it was an investment.

The question that I still have is what the deal is between Moffitt and the developer regarding the Developer's fund-raising campaign for Moffitt. Maybe everything is above-board and truly arm's length. Maybe not. Certainly the Developer has some skin in the game, at the very least.

I struck out (not to my surprise, I will admit) with my request to the Moffitt Center for the details about its arrangements with the Developer. However, a little transparency would be nice since Moffitt is asking for our donations. Certainly, the misrepresentations in the Daily Sun and the Developer's attempt to shake down the American Cancer Society / Relay for Life certainly should cause one to be a little suspicious about what is going on.

In commenting on the subject, one should keep in mind that the controversy is not about whether Moffitt should come here. The controversy arises as a result of the Developer-backed fund-raising drive and the tactics used to raise those funds. If Moffitt, using its own funds, were simply going to establish an office here, hire one radiologist, and rent from the Developer, we wouldn't have Lauren Ritchie articles and a hundred or so posts in this Forum.[/QUOTE

From Wikipedia: The society’s allocation of funds for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2005 lists 70% of funds for Program Services (Research 14%, Prevention 20%, Patient Support 20%, Detection and Treatment 16%). The remaining 30% are allocated for supporting services (Fundraising 22%, and Management, General administration 8%) meeting the Better Business Bureau's Standards for Charity Accountability (At least 65% to program services and no more than 35% to overhead and fundraising expenses).[7]

Should "relay" pay the ACS 30% of the funds raised in The Villages: with the donations not going here?

Since you quote my post, I guess your question is addressed to me. I'm probably being dense, but I'm afraid I really don't understand what you are driving at.

Could you clarify your point in asking if Relay should pay ACS only 30% of the funds that the Relay specifically raised for ACS? What happens to the other 70% in your hypothesis? I'm not trying to defend ACS, which I know no more about than does the average person, but what is wrong with ACS getting 100% of the funds raised for it in The Villages, New York City, or any place else?

Just so you know where I'm really coming from on this matter: My wife is a breast-cancer survivor and has participated in the Relay. I find the Developer's actions regarding this year's Relay, at very best, disgusting-- and maybe worse, depending on the Developer's deal with the Moffitt Center.

[Advogado]

[quote=same;330864]

Clarification: Moffitt is NOT "asking for our donations" as you mentioned above. It's the developer's health organization who are asking for donations to the fund they own and control, and in turn, the developer will own all of the medical apparatus that you paid for and is housed in the building that the developer will be leasing to Moffitt. Your donations are paying for equipment that the developer will own and profit from it's use. Moffitt will own NOTHING on the Sharon Morse site for Moffitt.

While Moffitt may not directly be asking for our donations, there must exist some arrangements between Moffitt and the Developer regarding the fund drive. Could you post the details on exactly what will happen to the funds being collected? For example: Who specifically is going to own the now-infamous radiation-treatment machine, whatever kind it turns out to be? Thanks.

[graciegirl]

shadow where are you?

BKCunningham, where are you?

[graciegirl]

Bump. The new Moffit Cancer Center

[jblum315]

Bump. Answers please!

[zcaveman]

Ms Richie has been on vacation for the past week. I have seen nothing in the Sentinel about her bashing anyone recently. Usually her columns are pretty interesting and keep me informed of the other side of the story.

Similar to the POA newletter that I get in my driveway.

As far as I am concerned I need to hear from both sides of the problem to
make a clear decision.

[eweissenbach]

Ms Richie has been on vacation for the past week. I have seen nothing in the Sentinel about her bashing anyone recently. Usually her columns are pretty interesting and keep me informed of the other side of the story.

Similar to the POA newletter that I get in my driveway.

As far as I am concerned I need to hear from both sides of the problem to
make a clear decision.

Well said Z!