Fruitland Park to study govt operation

[njbchbum]

I do not mean for this to be a political thread - but rather - one that brings an awareness of how the villages is perceived beyond its boundaries.

I hope the moderator[s] will monitor closely.


Interesting government charter study to be conducted in Fruitland Park!

Fruitland Park to guard against domination by The Villages - Daily Commercial: News (http://www.dailycommercial.com/news/article_a91ccdca-6fcf-5542-bff9-ad5389d60be3.html)

[Indydealmaker]

I do not mean for this to be a political thread - but rather - one that brings an awareness of how the villages is perceived beyond its boundaries.

I hope the moderator[s] will monitor closely.


Interesting government charter study to be conducted in Fruitland Park!

Fruitland Park to guard against domination by The Villages - Daily Commercial: News (http://www.dailycommercial.com/news/article_a91ccdca-6fcf-5542-bff9-ad5389d60be3.html)

Since most Villagers are all about Quality of Life, retail development and law and order, it gives one pause as to what perceptions are fostered by Fruitland Park politicos. These guys are shaking in their boots that they are going to go from Big Fish to Little Fish.

From what I have read about the benefits to Fruitland Park of The Villages expansion into Lake County, even if the Villages wanted to "dominate", they are going to be very handsomely rewarded.

[blueash]

To summarize for those who don't wish to click the link. Presently the 4 commissioners of the Fruitland Park government are elected city wide, not by any district. When the building of the Villages is complete there will be enough voters in the Villages section to control the election if the at large voting continues. So they are considering changing the voting to election by district. Thus voters in the Villages would elect commissioners for their district and the citizens of the rest of the city would have their district representatives. Obviously the concern is that if at large voting continued the interests of the Villagers would potentially overwhelm the interests of those already there. Any change in the city charter would have to be approved by the citizenry.

[redwitch]

Sounds like a wise idea to me. While TVers may be fiscally sound, they are retirees and many would vote against things like school improvements, parks, etc. What we consider necessary for a quality of life may not be what present Fruitland Park residents want. So, I hope they go for it for their own peace of mind if nothing else.

[Indydealmaker]

To summarize for those who don't wish to click the link. Presently the 4 commissioners of the Fruitland Park government are elected city wide, not by any district. When the building of the Villages is complete there will be enough voters in the Villages section to control the election if the at large voting continues. So they are considering changing the voting to election by district. Thus voters in the Villages would elect commissioners for their district and the citizens of the rest of the city would have their district representatives. Obviously the concern is that if at large voting continued the interests of the Villagers would potentially overwhelm the interests of those already there. Any change in the city charter would have to be approved by the citizenry.

However, since less than 45% of the current Fruitland Park residents even bother to vote, I am convinced that most of the "concern" is on the part of the commissioners.

[njbchbum]

Would F.P. electing their reps by district be the same as the way the villages CDDs elect their reps?

[Indydealmaker]

Would F.P. electing their reps by district be the same as the way the villages CDDs elect their reps?

I understand lots of towns are represented that way, but not usually in such a small town of less than 5,000 or even 10,000. I would expect such a small town to have a fairly cohesive populace with common goals. I think that those who expect TVers to be against school expenditures (the only real departure that I can predict) would be very surprised to learn that this is an area we all generally agree upon as a good tax. Most of us have grandchildren and are comfortable projecting the similarities.