Sinkholes displace two Villages homeowners

[graciegirl]

Quoted from The Village Sun, 6/30/2012 pg.C4

"Sinkholes displace two villages homeowners.

Two homeowners on Manor Downs in The Villages are currently displaced from their homes because of sinkhole activity, according to District Public Safety Department officials.

The two homes, in the 2800 block of Manor Downs, had extensive sinkhole damage underneath the homes , according to Lt. Gina Lambert.

The homes are in the Village of Belvedere.

Lambert said property insurance carriers for both homeowners were "responsive" in addressing the situation.

Two more lots in The Villages had sinkholes but Lambert said Friday those homes were not immediately threatened. One was on Plain Ridge Loop in the Village of Belvedere and other was on Edenville Path in the Village of St. Charles, Lambert said.

Smaller sinkholes were reported in other areas of The Villages, she said.

Sumter County Emergency Management Director David Casto said Friday he had verified information on 13 sinkholes of various sizes in northern Sumter county, including The Villages, Royal and Lake Panasoffkee.

Of the 13, 11 are confirmed in The Villages, Casto said.

Meanwhile, Sumter County's Public Works Department is working to repair sinkhole damage on Fenwick Loop in the Village of Sanibel and additional sinkholes were reported on Village Community Development Districts' property, such as golf courses and in retention ponds.

Sinkhole activity in Florida is common, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Affairs, and significant rainfall, such as the recent rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby can increase their likelihood."
end of quote.

[Taltarzac725]

Sad to hear Graciegirl. Some of these Manor Downs homes do seem close to water, others not so close.

[jimbo2012]

That is still a very low risk factor in terms of 50,000+ homes.

[njbchbum]

thanx for posting, gracie! also woke up this morning to a continuing 'boil water alert' here in jersey - due to a major, major water main break. gotta get dressed and go pick up some free bottled water! this one is gonna take a while to repair! glad i already bought some bottled wated last week before we really NEEDED it! ;) mother nature is really pi**ed at someone! maybe we should just head for maine - temps are lower there by min 10 degrees!

[Cynbod]

It is a very sad thing to hear, I can only imagine what the homeowners are going through. Thank you for posting the article. I'll be down to my home in Buttonwood on Tuesday, hope to find the neighborhood intact.

[Posh 08]

thanx for posting, gracie! also woke up this morning to a continuing 'boil water alert' here in jersey - due to a major, major water main break. gotta get dressed and go pick up some free bottled water! this one is gonna take a while to repair! glad i already bought some bottled wated last week before we really NEEDED it! ;) mother nature is really pi**ed at someone! maybe we should just head for maine - temps are lower there by min 10 degrees!

Mother Nature popped round here last night with a violent storm. My garage roof needs repair now. :sad:

She is TOed for sure.

Eastern US storms leave 2 dead, 2M without power *| ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/eastern-us-storms-leave-1467639.html)

Sorry for the hijack GG but wanted to reinforce that no matter where you live.......

[njbchbum]

Mother Nature popped round here last night with a violent storm. My garage roof needs repair now. :sad:

She is TOed for sure.

Eastern US storms leave 2 dead, 2M without power *| ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/eastern-us-storms-leave-1467639.html)

Sorry for the hijack GG but wanted to reinforce that no matter where you live.......

sorry for your trouble! same storm tore up south jersey BAD! hospital in atlantic city has no power, ergo - no air conditioning; operating on generator back-up and shuffling patients to cooled areas on an as needed basis!

storm just missed us last nite - a good thing. and yet, despite the local emergencies, the traffic is bumper to bumper on the pkwy and tpk with folks from north jersey tryin' to get here! ;)

[Opulence]

Quoted from The Village Sun, 6/30/2012 pg.C4

"Sinkholes displace two villages homeowners.

Two homeowners on Manor Downs in The Villages are currently displaced from their homes because of sinkhole activity, according to District Public Safety Department officials.

The two homes, in the 2800 block of Manor Downs, had extensive sinkhole damage underneath the homes , according to Lt. Gina Lambert.

The homes are in the Village of Belvedere.

Lambert said property insurance carriers for both homeowners were "responsive" in addressing the situation.

Two more lots in The Villages had sinkholes but Lambert said Friday those homes were not immediately threatened. One was on Plain Ridge Loop in the Village of Belvedere and other was on Edenville Path in the Village of St. Charles, Lambert said.

Smaller sinkholes were reported in other areas of The Villages, she said.

Sumter County Emergency Management Director David Casto said Friday he had verified information on 13 sinkholes of various sizes in northern Sumter county, including The Villages, Royal and Lake Panasoffkee.

Of the 13, 11 are confirmed in The Villages, Casto said.

Meanwhile, Sumter County's Public Works Department is working to repair sinkhole damage on Fenwick Loop in the Village of Sanibel and additional sinkholes were reported on Village Community Development Districts' property, such as golf courses and in retention ponds.

Sinkhole activity in Florida is common, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Affairs, and significant rainfall, such as the recent rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby can increase their likelihood."
end of quote.

I hope I am wrong, but I believe that when sinkholes affect homes in a certain area, then homes in the immediate area surrounding the sinkhole activity will be red flagged & home owners insurance can be increased or become a problem. Also, any resale homes in that same area must disclose sinkhole activity close by. What I don't know is the radius this incompasses.
Perhaps someone on this forum has that answer and is willing to share the information.

Please correct me if I am worng.

Betty

[jimbo2012]

Betty in short not correct according to this lawyers site (http://sinkholedamageblog.com/2010/03/sinkhole-claim-disclose-or-not/).

This question crosses two separate categories, one involving the sinkhole laws, and one associated with the sale of residential real estate. Under the sinkhole law, specifically, Section 627.7073(2)(b), Florida Statutes, ”[t]he seller of real property upon which a sinkhole claim has been made by the seller and paid by the insurer shall disclose to the buyer of such property that a claim has been paid and whether or not the full amount of the proceeds were used to repair the sinkhole damage.”� Make sure to note a couple of things in this statute. The statute says the seller or property who both “makes”� a claim and had the claim “paid by the insurer”� shall disclose it the buyer. If you made a claim and it was not paid, you would not fall within this statute, and would not be required to disclose it.

Having said that, you must then turn to the laws associated with the sale of residential real estate. There is a Florida Supreme Court case called Johnson v. Davis directly on this issue. Under the Johnson case, where the seller knows of facts materially affecting the value or desirability of the property which are known or accessible only to him and also knows that such facts are not known to or within the reach of the diligent attention and observation of the buyer, the seller is under a duty to disclose them to the buyer. I assume you filed the insurance claim due to the fact you had discovered damage, at a minimum, you associated with a condition near or beneath the home. As such, depending on the nature of the resolution of that problem, you could be under a separate requirement to disclose the problem, while not necessarily having to tell them about having filed an insurance claim. If you received positive information in the engineering report , you could consider disclosing that to them, which could resolve much of your duty. I would urge you to consult directly with counsel or with a professional realtor about the specific facts of your home before you make this decision.

[Bogie Shooter]

I hope I am wrong, but I believe that when sinkholes affect homes in a certain area, then homes in the immediate area surrounding the sinkhole activity will be red flagged & home owners insurance can be increased or become a problem. Also, any resale homes in that same area must disclose sinkhole activity close by. What I don't know is the radius this incompasses.
Perhaps someone on this forum has that answer and is willing to share the information.

Please correct me if I am worng.

Betty

So if you believe, you must have a source for your belief. Or is this just speculation??

[Bogie Shooter]

Quoted from The Village Sun, 6/30/2012 pg.C4

"Sinkholes displace two villages homeowners.

Two homeowners on Manor Downs in The Villages are currently displaced from their homes because of sinkhole activity, according to District Public Safety Department officials.

The two homes, in the 2800 block of Manor Downs, had extensive sinkhole damage underneath the homes , according to Lt. Gina Lambert.

The homes are in the Village of Belvedere.

Lambert said property insurance carriers for both homeowners were "responsive" in addressing the situation.

Two more lots in The Villages had sinkholes but Lambert said Friday those homes were not immediately threatened. One was on Plain Ridge Loop in the Village of Belvedere and other was on Edenville Path in the Village of St. Charles, Lambert said.

Smaller sinkholes were reported in other areas of The Villages, she said.

Sumter County Emergency Management Director David Casto said Friday he had verified information on 13 sinkholes of various sizes in northern Sumter county, including The Villages, Royal and Lake Panasoffkee.

Of the 13, 11 are confirmed in The Villages, Casto said.

Meanwhile, Sumter County's Public Works Department is working to repair sinkhole damage on Fenwick Loop in the Village of Sanibel and additional sinkholes were reported on Village Community Development Districts' property, such as golf courses and in retention ponds.

Sinkhole activity in Florida is common, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Affairs, and significant rainfall, such as the recent rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby can increase their likelihood."
end of quote.

Amazing isn't it. This article published in the Daily Sun. Same paper that is critized so many times as the mouthpiece of "the developer" and never would have anything to hinder home sales. Them folks just like to hear themselves talk!

[Posh 08]

Amazing isn't it. This article published in the Daily Sun. Same paper that is critized so many times as the mouthpiece of "the developer" and never would have anything to hinder home sales. Them folks just like to hear themselves talk!

New owner does a great job. :pepper2:

[Opulence]

New owner does a great job. :pepper2:

Pat on the back for Posh!

This article was in fact, informative. It did give the who, what, when and where of it!! So, if the "new owner" is responsible for this indepth coverage, then hats off to him.

Betty

[graciegirl]

Pat on the back for Posh!

This article was in fact, informative. It did give the who, what, when and where of it!! So, if the "new owner" is responsible for this indepth coverage, then hats off to him.

Betty

Betty.

As far as any on us know, there is NO new owner. Posh still owes the bet he made. He has left town. I wouldn't call him a welsher, but.............;)

Posh is incorrect. The Sun has not changed ownership.

See Posh...You have misled a sweet person. Don't you feel bad?

[Posh 08]

Betty.

As far as any on us know, there is NO new owner. Posh still owes the bet he made. He has left town. I wouldn't call him a welsher, but.............;)

Posh is incorrect. The Sun has not changed ownership.

See Posh...You have misled a sweet person. Don't you feel bad?

You are now in denial of the truth. The Sun was sold to it's publisher. I let you off the hook for the $50.00 you owed the fire and rescue. No good deed goes unpunished. Be happy, the new owner tells all. You will no longer have to make excuses for the lack of reporting. You may be out of work as an agent for The Company but that should give you more time to enjoy TV.

[graciegirl]

You are now in denial of the truth. The Sun was sold to it's publisher. I let you off the hook for the $50.00 you owed the fire and rescue. No good deed goes unpunished. Be happy, the new owner tells all. You will no longer have to make excuses for the lack of reporting. You may be out of work as an agent for The Company but that should give you more time to enjoy TV.

The best defense is a good offense? This time you are wrong, Mary Jane.

Drop 'em and run.

[CaptJohn]

Oh boy, catfight! :a040: :boxing2: Bill, bring the popcorn!

[Posh 08]

The best defense is a good offense? This time you are wrong, Mary Jane.

Drop 'em and run.

:icon_wink::):thumbup::wave:

[getdul981]

Gracie - I don't doubt your quote from the paper, but I believe that Edenville Path is in St. James and not St. Charles. Not that it makes any difference.

[janmcn]

The only way we will ever know the truth about the ownership of The Daily Sun is when someone files a request under the Freedom of Information Act. Even then The Villages will probably plead immunity.

[Posh 08]

The only way we will ever know the truth about the ownership of The Daily Sun is when someone files a request under the Freedom of Information Act. Even then The Villages will probably plead immunity.

I'd rather streak than do paperwork :pepper2::pepper2::pepper2:

[mulligan]

Who really cares. Its an advertising vehicle for the developer. Nothing more, nothing less. It is not even pretending to be a major news outlet.

[Posh 08]

Who really cares. Its an advertising vehicle for the developer. Nothing more, nothing less. It is not even pretending to be a major news outlet.

Not any more. Under new ownership.

[graciegirl]

Who really cares. Its an advertising vehicle for the developer. Nothing more, nothing less. It is not even pretending to be a major news outlet.

I care. The Sun is MY newpaper in MY hometown and it just keeps getting better under the auspices of the same bunch of folks. :):):)

[Posh 08]

I care. The Sun is MY newpaper in MY hometown and it just keeps getting better under the auspices of the same bunch of folks. :):):)

I gotta give you Ohio folks credit, you keep getting up when knocked down. My dear old Grandmother was born in Ohio. She had spunk too.

[2BNTV]

Thoughts and prayers to those who had the damaged homes. :pray:

[Opulence]

So if you believe, you must have a source for your belief. Or is this just speculation??

My belief is not based on speculation or conjecture. This issue is of major concern to me. I have no axe to grind.

How Much Will a Sinkhole Affect My Home's Value? | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/info_8525675_much-sinkhole-affect-homes-value.html)

Please take note of the information provided under the heading "Considerations" in the above link.


Considerations
Even when insurance companies extend coverage to properties prone to sinkholes; they have the option to deny coverage to a property owner purchasing a home within a one-mile radius of a sinkhole. Before buying a home, inspect the neighborhood and surrounding areas for signs of sinkholes, and inquire about the current presence of sinkholes with your real estate professional. Always get a homeowner's insurance quote and an additional sink hole coverage quote in areas prone to sinkholes before making an offer to purchase, in order to factor this additional cost into your monthly payment.

Betty

[Bogie Shooter]

My belief is not based on speculation or conjecture. This issue is of major concern to me. I have no axe to grind.

How Much Will a Sinkhole Affect My Home's Value? | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/info_8525675_much-sinkhole-affect-homes-value.html)

Please take note of the information provided under the heading "Considerations" in the above link.


Considerations
Even when insurance companies extend coverage to properties prone to sinkholes; they have the option to deny coverage to a property owner purchasing a home within a one-mile radius of a sinkhole. Before buying a home, inspect the neighborhood and surrounding areas for signs of sinkholes, and inquire about the current presence of sinkholes with your real estate professional. Always get a homeowner's insurance quote and an additional sink hole coverage quote in areas prone to sinkholes before making an offer to purchase, in order to factor this additional cost into your monthly payment.

Betty

Thanks, your "i believe" was based on an internet article.

[SALYBOW]

I played Yankee Clipper yesterday and the first hole has a sinkhole that goes under the cart path. They have a bench across the path that forces you to drive off the past and avoid danger.

[asianthree]

thanks for letting all of us know that can not be there

[Opulence]

Thanks, your "i believe" was based on an internet article.

My beliefs are based on a conversation with a Village Realtor. After our discussion, I did research on my own. I feel this issue is of major concern, not only to perspective buyers but also to home owners who want to sell.

Here is another internet link - this one is from the State of Florida, Department of Environmental Protection. You may find this one more credible, as you seem to infer the first article was not, because it was on the Internet. There is a great deal of information on this STATE link.

FGS - Frequently Asked Questions (http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/feedback/faq.htm#22)

21.I was denied homeowners insurance because there is a sinkhole within one-half mile of my home. What can I do?

Currently, an insurance company has the right to not issue an insurance policy on the basis of sinkholes in the �area.� The definition of �area� remains subjective, and the issue will likely only be resolved through specific legislation, or by the general adoption of a standard by the insurance industry. Some companies utilize private sinkhole data to assign relative sinkhole risk (see question #12). Other companies may have more liberal policies, and you may wish to shop around for other insurance that may be available.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation provides a listing of insurance companies writing policies in the different Florida counties at: http://www.shopandcomparerates.com/HOCompareRates300.htm


1.Our insurance company has informed us that the area where we are going to purchase property is listed as a sinkhole area. What does this mean? What can we do about it? Should we buy in that area? back to top
See question

#21. Certainly the availability of insurance is a major factor to most homebuyers. Current Florida law requires that insurance companies provide catastrophic ground collapse coverage, but unless specific criteria are met, this would not include sinkhole damage. Specific sinkhole coverage is now an option. Insurance companies may vary on their individual requirements and you should shop around for the best insurance policy that may be available to you. Unfortunately there is no ready reference on sinkhole prediction or risk assessment. This has made accurate risk determinations difficult and has hampered the formulation of either legislation or an industry standard on this issue. As a result many insurance companies have relied heavily upon the regional maps showing zones of sinkhole occurrences based on the local geology and historical sinkhole activity, or on private sinkhole data. Any decision to purchase a particular property is of course a highly individual one, involving not only insurance availability, but also your own personal tolerance for risk and your desire to live in a particular area.

[shalomuall]

Where in VA? We are in Northern VA and the storms were terrible.

[Barefoot]

Quoted from The Village Sun, 6/30/2012 pg.C4

"Sinkholes displace two villages homeowners.

Two homeowners on Manor Downs in The Villages are currently displaced from their homes because of sinkhole activity, according to District Public Safety Department officials.

The two homes, in the 2800 block of Manor Downs, had extensive sinkhole damage underneath the homes , according to Lt. Gina Lambert.

The homes are in the Village of Belvedere.

Lambert said property insurance carriers for both homeowners were "responsive" in addressing the situation.

Two more lots in The Villages had sinkholes but Lambert said Friday those homes were not immediately threatened. One was on Plain Ridge Loop in the Village of Belvedere and other was on Edenville Path in the Village of St. Charles, Lambert said.

Smaller sinkholes were reported in other areas of The Villages, she said.

Sumter County Emergency Management Director David Casto said Friday he had verified information on 13 sinkholes of various sizes in northern Sumter county, including The Villages, Royal and Lake Panasoffkee.

Of the 13, 11 are confirmed in The Villages, Casto said.

Meanwhile, Sumter County's Public Works Department is working to repair sinkhole damage on Fenwick Loop in the Village of Sanibel and additional sinkholes were reported on Village Community Development Districts' property, such as golf courses and in retention ponds.

Sinkhole activity in Florida is common, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Affairs, and significant rainfall, such as the recent rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby can increase their likelihood."
end of quote.

For the first few years after we purchased in TV (2007), there was no talk of sink holes. Or worrying about sink hole insurance. It wasn't an insurance issue, it was a non issue. We bought a weather radio so we would know if a hurricane or tornado was approaching. With a weather radio, at least you know when to hide under the bed.

Now, in the past few years, sink holes seem to be a state-wide Florida concern, with sink holes being reported in many different areas. What has changed?

[lovesports]

The Villages Having a Problem with Sinkholes. That was the story on Bright House television. The story was seen by my brother who lives in Ocoee (near Orlando).
People at the pool were also talking about this story.
Guess we will have to see what happens after our next big rain.

[CarGuys]

The Villages Having a Problem with Sinkholes. That was the story on Bright House television. The story was seen by my brother who lives in Ocoee (near Orlando).
People at the pool were also talking about this story.
Guess we will have to see what happens after our next big rain.

Sinkholes are just "Depressing"

[rubicon]

Sink hole coverage has become an issue because a few years back homeowners in and around the Tampa area were filing a slew of them. some of their claims for sink hole were nothing more than the usual ground shift that created settling cracks. Homeowners argue sink hole got paid and refused to do the repairs. Some claims of sink hole were obviously valid. My sister in law was concerned about sink holes because the golf course she bought on in Spring Hill was experiencing movement. Sure enough her house sank, she just had all the work finished and it was in the thousands. Several of her neighbors also experienced damage.

Most states require disclosure in real estate deals. Before that became law I had always made it my obligation to correct any defects found beforeI sold. So I had always stayed on top of situations keeping the builder in the loop. It is morally wrong not to do so. In fact my home in Minnesota had a defective roof and I chased the mfg for two years until I was paid and put on a new roof. I had water penetration on my stucco house and had the builder strip it down and redo it right this time. I had hardwood floors and had them sanded and sealed. My clever wife found a contractor who would work side jobs and we replaced all our carpet with very expensive carpet for half the price. We also updated lights in the bathrooms and kitchen and pulls on our kitchen cabinets. The end result was that this 12 year old house was in fact new and the realtor made clear that point. I sold this house in 2006 just when there was talk of the marketing diving. I sold the house in the same week it went on the market. The buyer was aware of the water intrusion problem in the area because he and his father use to build homes. And so he scooped the home up quickly knowing that we had righted the problem
For a final touch my wife purchased 4 new toliet seats and placed them unwrapped in each bathroom. At the closing Mrs Buyer acknowledged this gesture and the fact that we left a bottle of champagne and two glasses on the counter.

I just paid my Homeowner premium and I elected to buy full sink hole coverage. Insurance premiums are problematic but the fact of the matter is one should hope that they pay insurance premiums their entire lives and never have to have a need to exercise the conditions of a policy.

[Cynbod]

Does Florida have a sinkhole disclosure law?

[jimbo2012]

See post #9

[senior citizen]

I care. The Sun is MY newpaper in MY hometown and it just keeps getting better under the auspices of the same bunch of folks. :):):)

We actually enjoyed the paper brought early to our front door the entire five weeks we were in TV.

Up here, small town newspapers have very little after you read the obituaries and "letters to the editor".....plus the daily editorial.
The national news is delayed by many days. The local news is so so.

We get our own daily newspaper out of "habit" but THE SUN is superior.

On weekends we get the papers from major cities in the northeast, filled with crime incidents....and for the most part, depressing "news".

Actually, we were quite impressed with the Village SUN.

Every possible activity one could wish for was listed, along with the location, time, etc.

All of the open houses were listed daily..........plus quite a number of very nice "human interest articles".....re residents and their "stories"....in addition to many other informative pages.........

p.s. The Florida local t.v. news stations had plenty about the accidents , crime and other news..........both morning and evening.

[2BNTV]

We actually enjoyed the paper brought early to our front door the entire five weeks we were in TV.

Up here, small town newspapers have very little after you read the obituaries and "letters to the editor".....plus the daily editorial.
The national news is delayed by many days. The local news is so so.

We get our own daily newspaper out of "habit" but THE SUN is superior.

On weekends we get the papers from major cities in the northeast, filled with crime incidents....and for the most part, depressing "news".

Actually, we were quite impressed with the Village SUN.

Every possible activity one could wish for was listed, along with the location, time, etc.

All of the open houses were listed daily..........plus quite a number of very nice "human interest articles".....re residents and their "stories"....in addition to many other informative pages.........

p.s. The Florida local t.v. news stations had plenty about the accidents , crime and other news..........both morning and evening.

:agree:

[Bogie Shooter]

Sink hole coverage has become an issue because a few years back homeowners in and around the Tampa area were filing a slew of them. some of their claims for sink hole were nothing more than the usual ground shift that created settling cracks. Homeowners argue sink hole got paid and refused to do the repairs. Some claims of sink hole were obviously valid. My sister in law was concerned about sink holes because the golf course she bought on in Spring Hill was experiencing movement. Sure enough her house sank, she just had all the work finished and it was in the thousands. Several of her neighbors also experienced damage.

Most states require disclosure in real estate deals. Before that became law I had always made it my obligation to correct any defects found beforeI sold. So I had always stayed on top of situations keeping the builder in the loop. It is morally wrong not to do so. In fact my home in Minnesota had a defective roof and I chased the mfg for two years until I was paid and put on a new roof. I had water penetration on my stucco house and had the builder strip it down and redo it right this time. I had hardwood floors and had them sanded and sealed. My clever wife found a contractor who would work side jobs and we replaced all our carpet with very expensive carpet for half the price. We also updated lights in the bathrooms and kitchen and pulls on our kitchen cabinets. The end result was that this 12 year old house was in fact new and the realtor made clear that point. I sold this house in 2006 just when there was talk of the marketing diving. I sold the house in the same week it went on the market. The buyer was aware of the water intrusion problem in the area because he and his father use to build homes. And so he scooped the home up quickly knowing that we had righted the problem
For a final touch my wife purchased 4 new toliet seats and placed them unwrapped in each bathroom. At the closing Mrs Buyer acknowledged this gesture and the fact that we left a bottle of champagne and two glasses on the counter.

I just paid my Homeowner premium and I elected to buy full sink hole coverage. Insurance premiums are problematic but the fact of the matter is one should hope that they pay insurance premiums their entire lives and never have to have a need to exercise the conditions of a policy.

I can only add that the scam was very big in all of Pasco county.
County, state seeks solution to sinkhole scam | Hernando Today (http://www2.hernandotoday.com/news/hernando-news/2011/mar/02/county-state-seeks-solution-to-sinkhole-scam-ar-283762/)

[Bogie Shooter]

My beliefs are based on a conversation with a Village Realtor. After our discussion, I did research on my own. I feel this issue is of major concern, not only to perspective buyers but also to home owners who want to sell.

Here is another internet link - this one is from the State of Florida, Department of Environmental Protection. You may find this one more credible, as you seem to infer the first article was not, because it was on the Internet. There is a great deal of information on this STATE link.

FGS - Frequently Asked Questions (http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/feedback/faq.htm#22)

21.I was denied homeowners insurance because there is a sinkhole within one-half mile of my home. What can I do?

Currently, an insurance company has the right to not issue an insurance policy on the basis of sinkholes in the �area.� The definition of �area� remains subjective, and the issue will likely only be resolved through specific legislation, or by the general adoption of a standard by the insurance industry. Some companies utilize private sinkhole data to assign relative sinkhole risk (see question #12). Other companies may have more liberal policies, and you may wish to shop around for other insurance that may be available.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation provides a listing of insurance companies writing policies in the different Florida counties at: http://www.shopandcomparerates.com/HOCompareRates300.htm


1.Our insurance company has informed us that the area where we are going to purchase property is listed as a sinkhole area. What does this mean? What can we do about it? Should we buy in that area? back to top
See question

#21. Certainly the availability of insurance is a major factor to most homebuyers. Current Florida law requires that insurance companies provide catastrophic ground collapse coverage, but unless specific criteria are met, this would not include sinkhole damage. Specific sinkhole coverage is now an option. Insurance companies may vary on their individual requirements and you should shop around for the best insurance policy that may be available to you. Unfortunately there is no ready reference on sinkhole prediction or risk assessment. This has made accurate risk determinations difficult and has hampered the formulation of either legislation or an industry standard on this issue. As a result many insurance companies have relied heavily upon the regional maps showing zones of sinkhole occurrences based on the local geology and historical sinkhole activity, or on private sinkhole data. Any decision to purchase a particular property is of course a highly individual one, involving not only insurance availability, but also your own personal tolerance for risk and your desire to live in a particular area.

No inference intended.

[Advogado]

You are now in denial of the truth. The Sun was sold to it's publisher. I let you off the hook for the $50.00 you owed the fire and rescue. No good deed goes unpunished. Be happy, the new owner tells all. You will no longer have to make excuses for the lack of reporting. You may be out of work as an agent for The Company but that should give you more time to enjoy TV.

What is the source of your information about the new ownership?

The Florida Secretary of State's records show that the "The Villages Daily Sun" is a fictitious name registered to The Villages Operating Company (which is one of the Morse-family companies). The fictitious-name certificate was signed by Mark G. Morse in 2009.

[asianthree]

What is the source of your information about the new ownership?

The Florida Secretary of State's records show that the "The Villages Daily Sun" is a fictitious name registered to The Villages Operating Company (which is one of the Morse-family companies). The fictitious-name certificate was signed by Mark G. Morse in 2009.

didn't someone win and or lose a bet over this