Lets band together and cut the ties
 

Tomorrow night Rocky and The Rollers are playing in Brownwood. Lets band together and cut the ties on the chairs. Let the savers stop us. Won't happen.

If it not going to affect you personally, just let it go.

If you get there and there are seats tied together AND there is no place for you to sit - go right ahead and cut a tied chair loose for you and your date.

However, plan ahead! You KNOW Brownwood will be mobbed that night with families here for Easter.

Snowbirds and very crowded conditions will be gone very soon.

WHY GO LOOKING FOR TROUBLE?

Not looking for trouble. There are several threads about this and everyone is complaining but not doing anything about it. Sign petitions, complain all you want but commenting on TOTV is useless.:spoken:

:agree:

No doubt most moved here under the total belief that things like this would be promptly handled. Unfortunately as with most problems the silence from the Villages Management is deafening. Now it has escalated to the point there could possibly be verbal if not physical confrontations as a result of this issue not that there hasn't been already. We and most we know hardly ever go and never go to the squares when there is a popular group there due to this issue.

The silence from the Villages Management that could easily fix this continues. I think we were duped thinking into these type things would not be a problem but are left with the reality that the Villages will do basically nothing.

Peace.

I agree with Sandtrap. I hate the seat-saving as much as the next guy, but we don't need organized groups of "rope-cutters" running amuk. LOL Give it a couple more weeks and all will be forgotten until next year.

(P.S. that is not a slam against seasonal residents...it's just that the "high season" is the only time this seems to be an issue).

Despite the belief things don't matter to some and not all, complaints should be expressed on the villages resident survey on matters. I use the survey to voice my concerns as well as things I'm pleased with. I feel better doing so.

You are missing a lot of enjoyment by not taking part in the evening entertainment.

I have lived full time in The Villages a bit over 5 years and go to Lake Sumter Landing or Spanish Springs at least once a week. We know to arrive about a half hour early and to bring our own chairs. No problem!

We have NEVER seen verbal altercations nor physical altercations.

Well, that seems a little over-dramatic.

You think that "most people" who moved here were under some kind of impression that seat-saving was strictly controlled? The first time I visited here (in January 2009) I was invited to join a group who had roped off a row of seats. I didn't realize there was anything wrong with it then. I have since realized that it is wrong....but neither scenarios influenced my decision to move here.

I stay away from the squares during high season, not because of seat-saving, but because of the crowds and traffic. I figure I have the hazy-lazy days of summer to enjoy the squares and I'll leave the chairs, parking spots and restaurants for those who only have a few months to enjoy TV.

Lets band together and cut the ties
 

No problem to you. Why do you so insist everybody must feel as you do.
Because you have let the seat-savers win and dictate how you visit the squares. Not everybody wishes to do so.

Yeah. What he said.

With all due respect, when popular entertainers are at the Squares, parking is very limited.
There are many people who find it difficult to carry chairs, especially if they are parked blocks away.
So for those people, the lack of chairs is a problem.

I must be totally lost on how to do the squares. Snowbirds will be gone for the most part within the next 2-3 weeks. Would you be willing to meet my husband and I about 30 mins before the show the next time Rocky ATR's are at Spanish Springs, and show us how you work it. Not trying to sound stupid here, but we just haven't had the same experiences that you talk about, and would appreciate your demonstrations. I am sincere in this, not trying to be sarcastic. Thanks.

What is allowed and not allowed has been presented several times in the Daily Sun and the two property owners organizations.

Saving is not allowed. Saving is OK if one is on the dance floor or at one of the drink booths.

If saving chairs becomes a liability issue for TV as so many venues have over the years we can be sure TV will do something about it.

Something like removing the chairs and not allowing the bringing of chairs to the squares.

Or something else residents will dislike even more than "saving chairs".

Remember the buffalo?
Remember when the squares (not Brownwood of course) used to be open to celebrate News Years eve into the morning?

If the rules say you are not allowed to save a chair, then it appears the roping off of chairs is illegal so to speak, and if you need a chair, take one of those. If you're afraid of confrontation, then bring your own if you are able. If you prefer to complain to the management via survey, and "hope" that something might be done, than do that. (people have been doing that for years now, to no avail). If it was me, and I physically couldn't carry a chair to the event, I'd take one of the roped off ones. What can they do? They weren't entitled to rope them off in the first place. There might be some ugly words, but take the chair and move it away from the roped off area. If taking chairs from a roped off area, it would probably be easier to do it as a group rather than as a single person. But at least you'd be teaching the offenders that what they are doing is not kosher.

I don't go to the squares during high season due to the crowds. I figure I have all year to see The popular entertainers. However, I do understand how frustrating it may be when you go down and seats are roped off. I believe if you go to an event at the square and need a seat, then at least one party out of two should be occupying the seat. So, if my husband and I go to the square along with two other couples, then that would make six of us going. Three of us would have to be occupying the seats in order to save them for our significant others. Going to the square and roping off seats with nobody even present to claim them is rude.i also think that if these multi seat savers were confronted just once they would probably not save seats anymore. Most do not like confrontation but they know they can get away with seat saving so why not do it? Unless someone with some authority steps in and enforces the rules nothing is going to change.

I'd be inclined to help, but Sweetie would not be for that kind of thing.

If y'all are gonna do it, please watch out for Bubba with a snootfull. He can be cantankerous and has no bringin's up.

No chairs needed, just dance!

Get rid of the public chairs. Problem fixed, if you want to set bring you own folding chair. That IMO the only way chair saving problem will go away. To many privileged thinking they can do what ever they want. That way when you leave somebody knows it's NOT their seat to take. Course then you will have the chair stealers? With all the cheap 10 dollar folding chairs that look alike O Boy I guess there no end to problems at the Squares.

Seems lots of people want to talk the talk.....but not walk the walk. If I wern't down here in south florida I would be standing beside you, scissors in hand...

Good for you... hope it helps people understand they just can't save seats....

I'm glad that so many think this is a problem, like me. I'm also glad that so many have suggestions and thoughts on how to solve the problem. It seems to me that taking away the chairs, though it would make the problem go away, does not really solve the problem. It simply creates another set of problems. I'm not in favor of punishing the many because of a problem created by a selfish and inconsiderate few who deem themselves privileged.
The way to solve this problem is to enforce the rule that is already in place. (1) Put up "no saving" related signs at each venue. (2) Announce "no saving" at each venue each night. (3) And most importantly, have the applicable sheriff's department there at each venue to enforce the rule.

I'm not opposed to the demonstration against the selfish that is proposed by the OP, and in fact it may ultimately take that to get enough attention to the issue, but I'm pretty sure that somewhere during these confrontations Bubba or Mr. Hothead Villager, whether alcohol fueled or just aggressive by nature, is going to punch, push or otherwise physically assault someone and people will get hurt. Our community will be publicly embarrassed, and the public impression of our community will be tarnished. When they do it is primarily the fault of the SELFISH SAVERS, but it is also a liability for the Villages Entertainment and the sheriff's office. A court will see it that way when a jury awards damages. They can't claim that they didn't know this problem exists.

Seriously, if there are circumstances brewing where there might be some sort of dangerous physical confrontation, isn't it the responsibility of the sheriff's office to anticipate that, recognize it for what it is, and provide law enforcement personnel to see that it doesn't get out of hand? OK, I get it that this isn't exactly a terrorist attack we are talking about here, but it doesn't have to be. Eventually someone is going to get hurt because of this problem, and those who are responsible for controlling it, but are choosing to ignore it, will be held liable. I'm sure trial lawyers will swarm over this like sharks to blood in the water.

The nightly entertainment that we enjoy is a tremendous benefit for many who call this community home, and for that I express my sincere and heartfelt thanks to The Villages Entertainment Division, and to the merchants in the various squares. But it currently has a problem that needs to be fixed, and soon.

Like cut the nightly entertainment out altogether......

Be careful what you complain loudly and vociferously about. It's sometimes best to let sleeping dogs lie and beat them at their own game.

Time to either remove the chairs completely or kill the entertainment. Just like its time to ban the noodles in the pools that enable the manatees to take over

Seriously. Remove the chairs or kill the entertainment? Do you live here? Do you go to the squares? :22yikes:
Who are the manatees?

you are making the mistake of thinking that TOTV really represents the villages, it doesn't. It represents mostly the whiners, Real people handle issues without the crying and whining. Grow up! sheesh!
the villages mgmt expects you to be adults and not constantly complain about every little thing.
The main problem with this 'forum' is that it fosters this moan and groan culture as opposed to a lets do something, the OP at least supported doing something albeit she did it by posting where nothing happens, here!

great display of imagination and assumption, what about the mongol hoards that will attack due to lack of adequate seating at the square. My apologies to any hoard member.
I can hear fine from anywhere around the square and feel no need to beat up people for a better vantage point, why do you feel this need?
:22yikes:

Now what. The rope cutters are forming a little mini gang, to take charge. Remember there were only 11 names on that petition, I hardly call that a majority. Shame on you for going and looking for trouble. Truly, if The Villages finds this entertainment a liability they WILL stop the entertainment. STOP and think before you do anything.

Where we came from, a Liberal Arts College had free concerts seven Fridays in a row in Summer, bring your own chair, food (or buy it) tables. We got there early to sit up close. How did some people reserve spaces? They spread out a blanket on the ground. We used our small table to maintain leg room. Where theirs a will theirs a way.

We gave up on the Squares, no parking place. Make the area no cars allowed. How many of the people are non-villagers?

I have a possible solution to chair saving and roping them off before the start of an entertainment venue at the squares.

Have people pay for the rental of chairs prior to the start of the venue, for the sake of discussion, charge $5.00 for 2 chairs. After the entertainment starts, the chairs are free of charge.

Persons that are physically challenged will not be charged.

Just a thought.

Highlighted sections are so true, and getting worse by the year.

TOTV is really Squawk Of The Villages

I Can't Believe what I Am Reading
 

I noted a number of usernames on this thread who in the past were highly critical of the political forum. Yet here we find them in a political and hotly debate about saving chairs from people whom appear quite heavily invested in the topic and act and speak like their in a scene from West Side Story

First the entertainment at the square isn't all that great. The crowd in the square(s) have been and continually grows larger and larger so that you have hardly room to walk let alone dance. The lines to get food or drink are long. The food on the square is passable. Along with the crowds people have to put up with other people's dogs.

Does that really sound all that inviting to you?chilout

Personal Best Regards:

[QUOTE=rubicon;1039578]

I noted a number of usernames on this thread who in the past were highly critical of the political forum. Yet here we find them in a political and hotly debate about saving chairs from people whom appear quite heavily invested in the topic and act and speak like their in a scene from West Side Story

First the entertainment at the square isn't all that great. The crowd in the square(s) have been and continually grows larger and larger so that you have hardly room to walk let alone dance. The lines to get food or drink are long. The food on the square is passable. Along with the crowds people have to put up with other people's dogs.

Does that really sound all that inviting to you?chilout

Personal Best Regards:[/QUOTE

The squares ARE fun places to go!! Most of the programs are entertaining. There are a few that are not good but most are pretty good and some are excellent.

Usually, there is plenty of room for dancing. When the best entertainment pays in high season, things are very crowded. Live with it.

Not too many people bring dogs. They are no problem.

Yes, the squares ARE inviting!

It's getting pretty bad I heard someone put chains on the chairs at Spanish a week or two ago and special events got out the bolt cutters and threw away the chain. What is wrong with people..

I couldn't agree more. It's only a matter of time before something very bad happens.

Just checked the web cams. Front row is going fast!
A Community Watch person was standing by; maybe making sure seat savers are not really schmucks but just rather entitled.
I'm going to first drive down to get my mail and park across 3 spaces because I can then get me one of them open seats pdq.

You mean like a warning shot?

Many do not want their names on a petition even though they want this problem fixed.

I am not in favor of intentionally seeking out confrontation, but I agree. I do not believe the petition is any indicator of the magnitude (or lack thereof) of the problem. I didn't sign the petition and I'm opposed to seat saving. I think there are plenty others.

Like I said this thread is playing out like a scene from West side Story:D

Not too inviting to me