Fruitland Park Residents Denied Golf Cart Access

[janmcn]

The developer is so adament that Fruitland Park residents will not be able to access The Villages that he is willing to walk away from the proposed future development if the town council doesn't agree.

This statement sort of confirms the reason for "the wall" that was erected in the historic section.

Any interested resident should plan on attending the meeting in Fruitland Park next week.


Villages to City of Fruitland Park officials: No Golf Cart Access For Your Citizens - **************: The Villages, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Fruitland Park (http://www.**************.com/villages-city-fruitland-park-golf-carts/)

[Bogie Shooter]

Don't see why that is a problem. Why should they have access?

[Golfingnut]

Good. I don't want them nor wildwood in here. I understand the concern of venders wanting to make more money, but I want to see this remain a retirement community. We already have to many that don't want to pay amenity fees yet want to use are paths and squares. Keep em out.

[Bogie Shooter]

Good. I don't want them nor wildwood in here. I understand the concern of venders wanting to make more money, but I want to see this remain a retirement community. We already have to many that don't want to pay amenity fees yet want to use are paths and squares. Keep em out.

No, no, welcome to the squares.....................just not by golf cart.

[Advogado]

Good. I don't want them nor wildwood in here. I understand the concern of venders wanting to make more money, but I want to see this remain a retirement community. We already have to many that don't want to pay amenity fees yet want to use are paths and squares. Keep em out.
The squares are not paid for with our amenity fees, and they ate not "ours". Also, the Developer's financing his projects using tax-exempt bonds, which can only be issued for a public purpose, creates difficulties when we try to exclude outsiders.

[njbchbum]

from the article, '...Fruitland Park golf carts won’t be allowed in the Villages of Fruitland Park.'

does that mean that f.p. golf carts cannot access ALL of the villages property?

[1978tbird]

QUOTE=Golfingnut;742471]Good. I don't want them nor wildwood in here. I understand the concern of venders wanting to make more money, but I want to see this remain a retirement community. We already have to many that don't want to pay amenity fees yet want to use are paths and squares. Keep em out.[/QUOTE]

:bigbow: AGREE!!

[Down Sized]

Don't see why that is a problem. Why should they have access?

:bigbow::thumbup:

[gomoho]

Here we go again...

[mulligan]

Where's that popcorn ??

[Patty55]

I guess it goes both ways, we can't drive our golfcarts into Upper Fruitland Park. I can live with that-LOL.

[mrsyarbie]

I agree with the developer, this is retirement community and I have no interest in going to Fruitland Park to use their facilites, by the way what is there besides the post office?? Sorry bleeding hearts, I want to keep TV as wonderfu as it is now, we have plenty of people and traffic on the pathways with the population that we have now.. we dont need more carts ...

[mrdarcy]

Access to TV from Fruitland Park should be card controlled similar to the agreement made with Lady Lady officials regarding access to Paradise Dr--the resolution reached following the recent Concrete Wall controversy. Yes, I know Lady Lake officials conceded the Paradise controlled access agreement was originally negotiated decades ago in 1998, but they resolved last month to honor that agreement and that entry point will be controlled. I'm glad TV representatives have declared the issue a deal-breaker. If the proposed expansion is denied because of it, it can be left to local historians to decide which party "broke the deal".

[SpicyCajunPugs]

:beer3::beer3::wine::wine:Where's that popcorn ??

I think beer and wine would be more appropriate to deal with this subject again, and again, and again.

[Patty55]

I wouldn't mind going to the boozy ice cream place, maybe they can put the wall after it.

[Ooper]

The developer is so adament that Fruitland Park residents will not be able to access The Villages that he is willing to walk away from the proposed future development if the town council doesn't agree.
Villages to City of Fruitland Park officials: No Golf Cart Access For Your Citizens - **************: The Villages, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Fruitland Park (http://www.**************.com/villages-city-fruitland-park-golf-carts/)

I agree! If they don't pay our amenities, they they shouldn't have access w/golf carts!

[justjim]

Street Legal golf carts can get into TV now---on 35 mph roads. Maybe 466A will be made 35 mph? A lot to do about nothing we have any control of IMHO.

[rubicon]

Well well now we have a broader view of the Berlin Wall situation and what the Developer was attempting was to control golf cart traffic which would inure to the benefit of residents who pay to maintain these trails.

I noticed that there at the Belvedere Gate that gates are installed requiring golf cart drivers to have a card to enter.

I hope the Developer fortifies every entrance to prevent access by non residents entering by golf carts.

[gomoho]

Could someone educate me as to how someone in Fruitland Park would access TV without going on 466A?

[Bogie Shooter]

Access to TV from Fruitland Park should be card controlled similar to the agreement made with Lady Lady officials regarding access to Paradise Dr--the resolution reached following the recent Concrete Wall controversy. Yes, I know Lady Lake officials conceded the Paradise controlled access agreement was originally negotiated decades ago in 1998, but they resolved last month to honor that agreement and that entry point will be controlled. I'm glad TV representatives have declared the issue a deal-breaker. If the proposed expansion is denied because of it, it can be left to local historians to decide which party "broke the deal".

Nope!

[Bogie Shooter]

Could someone educate me as to how someone in Fruitland Park would access TV without going on 466A?

Into the proposed Village of Fruitland Park.

[keithwand]

Gotta side with the developer. Neither Fruitland Park nor Wildwood is a retirement community so no acces by golf cart same as it is now.
What's the problem?

[graciegirl]

There are those that post on here that no matter WHAT would be done by the developer, those posters would be against it. We know who they are, those of us who have been on the forum for awhile. New folks must be confused.

I just don't understand. How can ANYONE be so against someone they don't know, never met, know nothing about personally. The developer has been more than good at creating this absolutely one of a kind place and in so doing risked his own money time and time again, and now he is hugely rich. There is nothing wrong with that. If Sumter Inc. as an entity thinks we need to keep foreign golf carts out, than I'd trust their judgment. The people who run this place are doing a pretty good job if you ask me.

Some folks attitudes are those you would expect from people who are very young.

[buckscounty]

We don't want fruitland park to have cart access. Sorry

[buckscounty]

Hooray to the developer, God Bless him, we love the Villages and he made it possible.

[SpicyCajunPugs]

Too much jealousy again...but you have to pay the piper to play in the Villages. That is a fact. But you get your money's worth

[DianeM]

If you live here you have full access. If you don't you don't have access. Seems as simple as that to me.

[TexaninVA]

I agree with the developer, this is retirement community and I have no interest in going to Fruitland Park to use their facilites, by the way what is there besides the post office?? Sorry bleeding hearts, I want to keep TV as wonderfu as it is now, we have plenty of people and traffic on the pathways with the population that we have now.. we dont need more carts ...

I agree ... this is obviously the right thing to do from the perspective of The Villages, and the residents' collective interests.. It may sound "harsh" etc, and some may not like it ... but it will screw things up if wide open access is granted.

[N44125]

Well well now we have a broader view of the Berlin Wall situation and what the Developer was attempting was to control golf cart traffic which would inure to the benefit of residents who pay to maintain these trails.

I noticed that there at the Belvedere Gate that gates are installed requiring golf cart drivers to have a card to enter.

I hope the Developer fortifies every entrance to prevent access by non residents entering by golf carts.
Belvedere golf cart gate does not require an access card. You can use your card or just push the green button....no voice that says 'Welcome to The Villages'...the gate then just opens.

[gomoho]

Into the proposed Village of Fruitland Park.

But isn't there a big open field between Fruitland Park Residents and where the new Village is proposed?

[sandybill2]

Well well now we have a broader view of the Berlin Wall situation and what the Developer was attempting was to control golf cart traffic which would inure to the benefit of residents who pay to maintain these trails.

I noticed that there at the Belvedere Gate that gates are installed requiring golf cart drivers to have a card to enter.

I hope the Developer fortifies every entrance to prevent access by non residents entering by golf carts.

no card is required--there is a button to push---just like the ones in the car path---I heard it was installed to slow down the golf carts coming through the Belvedere Gate----

[skip0358]

Access to TV from Fruitland Park should be card controlled similar to the agreement made with Lady Lady officials regarding access to Paradise Dr--the resolution reached following the recent Concrete Wall controversy. Yes, I know Lady Lake officials conceded the Paradise controlled access agreement was originally negotiated decades ago in 1998, but they resolved last month to honor that agreement and that entry point will be controlled. I'm glad TV representatives have declared the issue a deal-breaker. If the proposed expansion is denied because of it, it can be left to local historians to decide which party "broke the deal".

How would they get here? 466A doesn't allow Golf Carts past the small shopping center e/o the Horse Farm?

[skip0358]

Could someone educate me as to how someone in Fruitland Park would access TV without going on 466A?

I agree. 466A doesn't allow Golf Carts past the small shopping Center e/o the Horse Farm.

[Indy-Guy]

My guess is that the developer is equally interested in keeping Villagers in as he is in keeping Fruitland Park people out. If Fruitland Park were to build a cart path from their town to The Villages my guess is that there would be several strip malls between The Villages and Fruitland Park thus making them golf cart accessible from The Villages.

The Developer has always and always will do everything in his power to keep Villagers in golf carts shopping at business that are paying him rent. If I were him I would do the same thing! He would be stupid to let us out of The Villages in our golf carts to spend money that he doesn't get a cut of. He is not stupid!

[njbchbum]

My guess is that the developer is equally interested in keeping Villagers in as he is in keeping Fruitland Park people out. If Fruitland Park were to build a cart path from their town to The Villages my guess is that there would be several strip malls between The Villages and Fruitland Park thus making them golf cart accessible from The Villages.

The Developer has always and always will do everything in his power to keep Villagers in golf carts shopping at business that are paying him rent. If I were him I would do the same thing! He would be stupid to let us out of The Villages in our golf carts to spend money that he doesn't get a cut of. He is not stupid!

are you thinking that the fruitland villages will be self-sufficient for necessities beyond the personal amenities? or will everyone there be required to own a car so that they can get to colony for shopping? or will there be an internal golf cart path to morse blvd?

[Bogie Shooter]

are you thinking that the fruitland villages will be self-sufficient for necessities beyond the personal amenities? or will everyone there be required to own a car so that they can get to colony for shopping? or will there be an internal golf cart path to morse blvd?

The lifestyle will not change.

[spk7951]

I agree. 466A doesn't allow Golf Carts past the small shopping Center e/o the Horse Farm.


466A is slated to be widened to four lanes from the Sumter/Lake line to 27/441. Currently that project is on hold due to lack of funding. It would not be surprising to me to see Lake County and Fruitland Park try to pass that cost onto the developer for his proposed project. Which of course could include a multi model path along the new road.

[njbchbum]

The lifestyle will not change.

sorry, bogie - i do not think i understand your response to my query! maybe you are implyng that the developer will fix it so that the f.p. residents can get to colony by golf cart and at the same time prevent f.p. residents from doing same. so sad if that is true.

[Thnonne]

There are those that post on here that no matter WHAT would be done by the developer, those posters would be against it. We know who they are, those of us who have been on the forum for awhile. New folks must be confused.

I just don't understand. How can ANYONE be so against someone they don't know, never met, know nothing about personally. The developer has been more than good at creating this absolutely one of a kind place and in so doing risked his own money time and time again, and now he is hugely rich. There is nothing wrong with that. If Sumter Inc. as an entity thinks we need to keep foreign golf carts out, than I'd trust their judgment. The people who run this place are doing a pretty good job if you ask me.

Some folks attitudes are those you would expect from people who are very young.
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/images/smilies/BigApplause.gif
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/images/smilies/BigApplause.gif

[SoccerCoach]

There are those that post on here that no matter WHAT would be done by the developer, those posters would be against it. We know who they are, those of us who have been on the forum for awhile. New folks must be confused.

I just don't understand. How can ANYONE be so against someone they don't know, never met, know nothing about personally. The developer has been more than good at creating this absolutely one of a kind place and in so doing risked his own money time and time again, and now he is hugely rich. There is nothing wrong with that. If Sumter Inc. as an entity thinks we need to keep foreign golf carts out, than I'd trust their judgment. The people who run this place are doing a pretty good job if you ask me.

Some folks attitudes are those you would expect from people who are very young.

Well stated Gracie. your posts are the Fillet amongst the baloney. The developer will do what is believed best. Period. Besides with less than 4000 people in Fruitland Park, with less than 4% having carts, there are more carts in Sanabelle alone. They will just continue to use their autos to come to and thru TV. So drive your carts where ever you choose, relax, have a nice day and remember your RETIRED. Oh, and be a responsible, cival, villigent driver.

[champion6]

Could someone educate me as to how someone in Fruitland Park would access TV without going on 466A?About 1/2 mile south of 466A is a street (Pine Ridge Dairy Road) that runs parallel to 466A. It runs from Fruitland Park west into the area that will be developed. Fruitland Park golf carts can drive on Pine Ridge Dairy Road now.

[Bogie Shooter]

sorry, bogie - i do not think i understand your response to my query! maybe you are implyng that the developer will fix it so that the f.p. residents can get to colony by golf cart and at the same time prevent f.p. residents from doing same. so sad if that is true.

are you thinking that the fruitland villages will be self-sufficient for necessities beyond the personal amenities?No or will everyone there be required to own a car so that they can get to colony for shopping?No or will there be an internal golf cart path to morse blvd?Access will be provided for Fruitland Village to get to the rest of The Villages. Thus the lifestyle will not change.

////

[jbdlfan]

There are those that post on here that no matter WHAT would be done by the developer, those posters would be against it. We know who they are, those of us who have been on the forum for awhile. New folks must be confused.

I just don't understand. How can ANYONE be so against someone they don't know, never met, know nothing about personally. The developer has been more than good at creating this absolutely one of a kind place and in so doing risked his own money time and time again, and now he is hugely rich. There is nothing wrong with that. If Sumter Inc. as an entity thinks we need to keep foreign golf carts out, than I'd trust their judgment. The people who run this place are doing a pretty good job if you ask me.

Some folks attitudes are those you would expect from people who are very young.

What the heck is that all about? Age, really???? Hahahahaha! 12 or 75 seen them both act the same!

[SpicyCajunPugs]

What the heck is that all about? Age, really???? Hahahahaha! 12 or 75 seen them both act the same!

Gracie is always very thoughtful and considerate in her posts and has a right to her opinion. In fact, I agree with her and I believe she is saying that people of older age normally should have the experience and wisdom to know better than a younger person. Making fun of her opinion is not kind.

[Steve & Deanna]

There are those that post on here that no matter WHAT would be done by the developer, those posters would be against it. We know who they are, those of us who have been on the forum for awhile. New folks must be confused.

I just don't understand. How can ANYONE be so against someone they don't know, never met, know nothing about personally. The developer has been more than good at creating this absolutely one of a kind place and in so doing risked his own money time and time again, and now he is hugely rich. There is nothing wrong with that. If Sumter Inc. as an entity thinks we need to keep foreign golf carts out, than I'd trust their judgment. The people who run this place are doing a pretty good job if you ask me.

Some folks attitudes are those you would expect from people who are very young.

Agree 110%.

[Steve & Deanna]

Fruitland and Wildwood maybe welcome to use the Squares and businesses but to allow their golf carts into TV would give them access to our golf courses too. Is that right? I too feel that the developer has done a great job with The Villages. That's why we're here. Over 100K people can't be wrong.

[SpicyCajunPugs]

Fruitland and Wildwood maybe welcome to use the Squares and businesses but to allow their golf carts into TV would give them access to our golf courses too. Is that right? I too feel that the developer has done a great job with The Villages. That's why we're here. Over 100K people can't be wrong.

120% Agree, but just wait for the one's who feel entitled to use everything Villagers have and pay for get winded up. It is unfortunate that they feel they should have full access to everything the villages has to offer without paying amenity fees, all the while bragging about how they are saving money living just outsde, and Villagers are somehow dumb to invest in a house in the Villages. I have a major problem with that, to say the least.

[mulligan]

Fruitland and Wildwood maybe welcome to use the Squares and businesses but to allow their golf carts into TV would give them access to our golf courses too. Is that right? I too feel that the developer has done a great job with The Villages. That's why we're here. Over 100K people can't be wrong.

The only golf courses available to the public are the championships. They have access anyway. You need a Villages ID or a guest pass to play exec golf. Golf access is not a problem.

[REDCART]

I was also curious about the developer's rationale for excluding outsiders golf-cart access to TV but if you consider that a "golf cart community" is a primary amenity selling point for the TV lifestyle, why would the developer want to give it away? When they survey residents about the desirability of TV, golf cart access to shopping and restaurants is always mentioned right up there with free golf for life! So I see this restriction as nothing personal, "It's strictly business" as Michael Corleone said so well in that movie. You know the one I mean.

George

[rubicon]

no card is required--there is a button to push---just like the ones in the car path---I heard it was installed to slow down the golf carts coming through the Belvedere Gate----

Hi sandybill2...well they ought to change it so that a card is required when it comes to golf carts. there is a method to my madness

[spk7951]

The only golf courses available to the public are the championships. They have access anyway. You need a Villages ID or a guest pass to play exec golf. Golf access is not a problem.

Shortly after we moved here in 2008 there was a problem on the golf courses along 466A. Non residents were showing up on the courses after 6pm because the ambassadors had gone for the day. That quickly changed but if they somehow get golf cart access to TV I do not doubt it might happen again.

[OldManTime]

The developer is so adament that Fruitland Park residents will not be able to access The Villages that he is willing to walk away from the proposed future development if the town council doesn't agree.

This statement sort of confirms the reason for "the wall" that was erected in the historic section.

Any interested resident should plan on attending the meeting in Fruitland Park next week.


Villages to City of Fruitland Park officials: No Golf Cart Access For Your Citizens - **************: The Villages, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Fruitland Park (http://www.**************.com/villages-city-fruitland-park-golf-carts/)

No different than Lady Lake residents outside the villages, can not have golf cart access.
I don't believe that is a deal buster.

[Steve & Deanna]

The only golf courses available to the public are the championships. They have access anyway. You need a Villages ID or a guest pass to play exec golf. Golf access is not a problem.

But a few years ago, my wife and I had a late, late tee time at Heron. We noticed a couple 'walking' towards, I don't remember what hole, and we engaged in a brief conversation with them. I asked what Village they were from and the man and the woman just looked at each other and walked away with their golf bags. We didn't know what to make of it. Perhaps people that were renting??? I also had a conversation with a Wildwood resident bragging that they were using our Executive courses. I don't have the answer except more strict rules may need to be enforced during the busy months.

[GPGuar]

120% Agree, but just wait for the one's who feel entitled to use everything Villagers have and pay for get winded up. It is unfortunate that they feel they should have full access to everything the villages has to offer without paying amenity fees, all the while bragging about how they are saving money living just outsde, and Villagers are somehow dumb to invest in a house in the Villages. I have a major problem with that, to say the least.

:agree:

[graciegirl]

What the heck is that all about? Age, really???? Hahahahaha! 12 or 75 seen them both act the same!


I have been your age, but you have never been mine.

[Teeitup]

What the heck is that all about? Age, really???? Hahahahaha! 12 or 75 seen them both act the same!

I agree 200%.

[perrjojo]

I have been your age, but you have never been mine.
Gracie, I SO agree. I remember when my daughter used to say, "you don't understand ". My reply was always, "I do understand because I have been your age. YOU do not understand because you have not yet been a parent."

[asianthree]

since we pay the fee's as owners, i have to go with the developers thoughts

[Teeitup]

I have been your age, but you have never been mine.

Age does not automatically bestow wisdom.

[asianthree]

Age does not automatically bestow wisdom.

if you read GGs post there is age and wisdom...abound...

[ilovetv]

Assuming we're talking about multi-modal trails, it would be a disaster to allow everyone in from F.P. who's not a resident, because of the non-TV bicyclists that would LOVE to get onto 90+ miles of paved trails in here, adding to the numbers of riders and recumbent bike riders who plod along at 5-10 mph among carts trying to go 19.5 mph .....and then the non-resident walkers who would add to the numbers that WILL NOT walk facing traffic and are even so crazy as to walk with eyes buried in a BOOK while walking on the right side, with back to carts coming up behind them....death waiting to happen.

And allowing non-residents to use the trails would also increase the number of careless people who will NOT turn squarely at a right angle into a tunnel and cut across the lane of people coming out of it (see thread going on about that)......

And then there are the fool grandparents who would allow their grandkids at age 11 to drive a golf cart here with no limiter on the speed......I saw too many instances of THAT danger last winter.....there are 50 reasons why the developer is right.

But it's usually because the developer is "right" that some here will never to their dying day admit he's had incredible vision and management in building this place so that its lifestyle can continue on, far into the future.

[graciegirl]

Assuming we're talking about multi-modal trails, it would be a disaster to allow everyone in from F.P. who's not a resident, because of the non-TV bicyclists that would LOVE to get onto 90+ miles of paved trails in here, adding to the numbers of riders and recumbent bike riders who plod along at 5-10 mph among carts trying to go 19.5 mph .....and then the non-resident walkers who would add to the numbers that WILL NOT walk facing traffic and are even so crazy as to walk with eyes buried in a BOOK while walking on the right side, with back to carts coming up behind them....death waiting to happen.

And allowing non-residents to use the trails would also increase the number of careless people who will NOT turn squarely at a right angle into a tunnel and cut across the lane of people coming out of it (see thread going on about that)......

And then there are the fool grandparents who would allow their grandkids at age 11 to drive a golf cart here with no limiter on the speed......I saw too many instances of THAT danger last winter.....there are 50 reasons why the developer is right.

But it's usually because the developer is "right" that some here will never to their dying day admit he's had incredible vision and management in building this place so that its lifestyle can continue on, far into the future.


All good points as usual Ilovetv, and I just have to point out that Gary Morse is 78. Older than me.

[Bonny]

As with everything else 1/2 say yes and 1/2 say no.
I think the developer and the powers that be are very smart.
My thought is no to the golf carts. They will all still be able to come to the squares and listen to the music, shop and eat at the restaurants just like they always have been doing. But they can drive their car as they have always done.
They certainly don't need a golf cart to do any of that.

[jbdlfan]

if you read GGs post there is age and wisdom...abound...
Age doesn't make you wiser, experience does. Age only makes you older! Sorry, just because you've lived longer, doesn't meen you experienced all that others may have. And.....I've met plenty around here that must have lived a VERY sheltered life!

[dsned]

Can you shed the cloak of entitlement and share the blanket of generosity?
Entitlement?? that is something that someone else pays for and you take.
Generosity? I dare say the folks who live in TV are the most generous people around.
So I am really not understanding your quote, it doesn't make sense .
You want people to stop taking payments from the government and share what they have? What????

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The only golf courses available to the public are the championships. They have access anyway. You need a Villages ID or a guest pass to play exec golf. Golf access is not a problem.

The starters go home at either 6:00 or 7:00 pm and the concern is that people from outside are driving their golf carts over to play nine holes at that time in the summer.
Many say, "no big deal, so what if a few people get a few free round of golf" and that's fine. But what if the problem becomes more widespread. What if the courses down the the Fruitland Park / Brownwood area become inundated with golfers from outside TV? Never mind the additional wear and tear to our golf courses, which would cost us all additional money, but what might end up happening to combat this problem would be that starters would be kept on until 9:00 in the summer. That translates into more hours and more pay which will translate into higher amenity fees. Again, that might not be a problem for some of us, but I would love to see a vote on whether to raise the amenity fee in order to allow non-resident golfers to play free golf.

[graciegirl]

Age doesn't make you wiser, experience does. Age only makes you older! Sorry, just because you've lived longer, doesn't meen you experienced all that others may have. And.....I've met plenty around here that must have lived a VERY sheltered life!


I believe that you posted that you are 48. Would you please get back to me on this subject in about 30 years. Or perhaps in about 30 years you can discuss it with the folks you know that are 48.

Most of the people who live here have worked hard all of their lives. They worked past when hourly wage earners went home, they worked on Saturdays and Sundays. They were available by phone on vacations. In their early years, they cut their own hair and had one car, and did without until they could afford it. Many of us were quite liberal and very idealistic when we were young.

We watched as people got loans for homes they couldn't afford and we watched as our hard earned money went to support surfers in California. We watched as our national debt grew and grew and we are watching as younger folks think they should have at the beginning what we worked all of our lives for.

Many of us still go to church and pay our bills on time and have never been arrested. Many of us tried as hard as we could to save and sacrifice so our children could grow up in good school districts and live in safer places.

Many of us were children of those who lived through the great depression when people had to have their shoes repaired and their socks darned and when people greeted each other on the streets they said.."Is your work steady?" and children were exhorted to save their money. We lived in the time when sugar was rationed and cassaroles had very little protein and large families used one bathroom and our mothers all sewed.

I know a lot of young people who have the intelligence to have read all of these life experiences and to have digested them. I know of many young people with old souls who are as smart as older people. I know many young people who have common sense, and have already learned that they can't have everything and know everything, but will probably gain wisdom and money and compassion as they grow older.

Most of us, by the time we are 55 have experienced the death of a person close to us, we have experienced life threatening illness and financial disaster and heart break in relationships. We have seen many others fail and succeed and have gained from that insight. Many are now facing the real possibility of death. It is happening all around us. If that doesn't give you sober thoughts than nothing will.

I say that taunting someone that is older is not kind, nor is it wisdom. It is acting like you are young.

It is a beautiful day here in The Villages. Let's put our differences aside. I plan to be here in thirty years. We will talk again.

[champion6]

This thread is spinning wildly out of control.

[Baby Boomer]

Excellent post Gracie Girl!!

[Steve & Deanna]

I believe that you posted that you are 48. Would you please get back to me on this subject in about 30 years. Or perhaps in about 30 years you can discuss it with the folks you know that are 48.

Most of the people who live here have worked hard all of their lives. They worked past when hourly wage earners went home, they worked on Saturdays and Sundays. They were available by phone on vacations. In their early years, they cut their own hair and had one car, and did without until they could afford it. Many of us were quite liberal and very idealistic when we were young.

We watched as people got loans for homes they couldn't afford and we watched as our hard earned money went to support surfers in California. We watched as our national debt grew and grew and we are watching as younger folks think they should have at the beginning what we worked all of our lives for.

Many of us still go to church and pay our bills on time and have never been arrested. Many of us tried as hard as we could to save and sacrifice so our children could grow up in good school districts and live in safer places.

Many of us were children of those who lived through the great depression when people had to have their shoes repaired and their socks darned and when people greeted each other on the streets they said.."Is your work steady?" and children were exhorted to save their money. We lived in the time when sugar was rationed and cassaroles had very little protein and large families used one bathroom and our mothers all sewed.

I know a lot of young people who have the intelligence to have read all of these life experiences and to have digested them. I know of many young people with old souls who are as smart as older people. I know many young people who have common sense, and have already learned that they can't have everything and know everything, but will probably gain wisdom and money and compassion as they grow older.

Most of us, by the time we are 55 have experienced the death of a person close to us, we have experienced life threatening illness and financial disaster and heart break in relationships. We have seen many others fail and succeed and have gained from that insight. Many are now facing the real possibility of death. It is happening all around us. If that doesn't give you sober thoughts than nothing will.

I say that taunting someone that is older is not kind, nor is it wisdom. It is acting like you are young.

It is a beautiful day here in The Villages. Let's put our differences aside. I plan to be here in thirty years. We will talk again.

A huge, huge, huge AMEN to that !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Steve & Deanna]

Also, as we are talking of age and to interject a bit of humor, I'm sure everyone has seen John Wayne's best movie, The Searchers, where he walks into a bar about three-fourths into the movie and tells an old friend Mose, "You were born old." Just a great line. Did I stray from what we were originally talking about?

[Moderator]

Please get this thread back on topic.

Moderator

[redwitch]

I love my neighbors -- both in and out of TV. I really don't mind Stonecrest residents cutting through the historic side and over the bridge to get to Spanish Springs and shops. However, 99% of their travels are on public roads or private property with permission (still haven't quite figured out if the bridge across 441 is public or private). That would not be the case for Fruitland Park residents -- their travels would be on the private paths to get to Brownwood; private paths (ours) and public roads to get to LSL. So, my attitude would be if they can get to the squares and shops via golf cart without using the paths that are not part of the road (think Canal and Morse vs. Buena Vista's paths), I would be for it. Otherwise, I'm with those who say no.

[Shimpy]

This sounds like a border control problem......Let them in and give them all our benefits without them paying anything. We pay and they enjoy everything that we do.

[Carl in Tampa]

In my view the golf cart paths are not public roadways. Non-residents have no standing to expect to be able to use them. I find the use of a golf cart to be able to go anywhere in The Villages to be one of the most attractive features of living here.

I am also one of those who have absolutely no problem with the fact that the Morse family has become incredibly wealthy due to the way that they have managed the development of a large tract of what was their private property. Free enterprise, capitalism and an entrepreneurial spirit are traditional American values.

Non-residents are free to come in and shop, go to the movies, eat at the restaurants and enjoy the free nightly entertainment in the Town Squares. They do not have the run of the swimming pools, the recreation centers or the golf cart paths. It is as simple as that.

[buggyone]

This sounds like a border control problem......Let them in and give them all our benefits without them paying anything. We pay and they enjoy everything that we do.

Shrimps does have a valid point. There would nothing wrong with charging a toll for nonresidents to use our multimodal trails. It could be set up in the same manner as Sun Pass and/or toll takers. Charge a toll of maybe $5 to access the trails for a day.

[Bosoxfan]

I was also curious about the developer's rationale for excluding outsiders golf-cart access to TV but if you consider that a "golf cart community" is a primary amenity selling point for the TV lifestyle, why would the developer want to give it away? When they survey residents about the desirability of TV, golf cart access to shopping and restaurants is always mentioned right up there with free golf for life! So I see this restriction as nothing personal, "It's strictly business" as Michael Corleone said so well in that movie. You know the one I mean.

George

Very well stated George.I believe the right to drive our carts everywhere is a privilege we pay for with the cost of our homes.

[buzzy]

Outsiders are more likely to leave their trash here when they go back home.

[chuckinca]

. . . and we watched as our hard earned money went to support surfers in California.


now that's a really low blow!

http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/19-things-you-might-not-know-about-california-213617656.html?page=1

.

[Pepperhead]

Age doesn't make you wiser, experience does. Age only makes you older! Sorry, just because you've lived longer, doesn't meen you experienced all that others may have. And.....I've met plenty around here that must have lived a VERY sheltered life!

One should be skeptical when others offer their experience as a sign of credibility, skill, or knowledge. I have met many folks who claim twenty years of experience when what they really have is one year of experience repeated twenty times.

[e-flyer]

Outsiders are more likely to leave their trash here when they go back home.

:agree: Just look at the construction sites, workers leave their garbage everywhere for someone else to clean up.