VHA (Villages Homeowners Association)
 

As a new resident in TV should we become members? What benefits do they provide?

Neither of the two Home Owners Associations are traditional HOA's in that they have no enforcement capabilities, do not establish rules or can not penalize home owners. They do provide a conduit to the Developer and the District and their voice is listened to because they do have significant numbers of members. I suggest you join both organizations since some will tell you that one is more Developer leaning and the other is more District leaning. The costs are more than fair and both bring value.

Thanks.

The POA should be your only choice. The POA has in fact done more to benefit the residents than the VHA ever has. We can thank the POA for the Rec Centers being constructed in areas already built out. The POA was 100% responsible for winning the lawsuit that is providing the funds.

Both, if one to stay informed and get involved in their community. They sometimes have different views. The POA is an organization that fights for homeowners rights.

The VHA is the developers point of view of what is happening, in TV.

Only you, can decide if this something you want, to do.

The advise by JoMar and 2BNTV is very reasonable. The poa may be a very reasonable organization, but thier posters on this site sure makes me question this. Anyone who says " the poa should be your only choice." raises red flags of lack of objectivity for me! Just sayin....

Excellent explanation, JoMar.

You get discounts at certain merchants if you have a VHA membership card. Same with the POA. I belong to both.

Z

Read the monthly papers that are tossed onto our driveways. The differences will quickly become very clear. We owe the POA a great deal for their efforts. I cannot come up with a single thing the VHA has done that protected the rights of the residents. I would be interested if someone can provide a benefit that we can thank the VHA for doing.

Warren, you made your point earlier. I suspect that most on here are intelligent people and will do their research. Some of us suggested belonging to both to obtain more than one perspective. If you chose to not want to hear anything other than the POA, good for you...that's your choice. Just please accept that it might not be everyone's choice....both organizations have significant memberships and many of us belong to both.

For those who said belong to both because of the coupons and discounts is about the only reason to do so in my mind

I have been a member of both associations.

amen!!!

you can certainly support one or both organizations .... but would someone answer Warren's question??? I've been here 13 years and I cannot come up with anything that the VHA has done to help any homeowners that have had problems with the developer

I don't belong to either and don't care to.

Once again the POA backers attack the VHA (Warren, ureout) I have never heard the VHA attack the POA. Tell me why the POA is better, don't expect me to support you because you attack the other organization.

As a general observation, it is certainly unusual, if not bizarre, to have two home owners' associations in a community. One might ask, why does this situation exist here?

In any event, facts are facts about the VHA and POA. Some members of this forum don't like those facts, and personally attack ("if you don't like it here, leave", etc.) anyone who points them out. The facts regarding the VHA and POA are the following:

The purpose of a homeowners' association is to protect and advance the interests of the homeowners. The VHA does not do this, and to my knowledge, never has. If anybody can point out an instance where the VHA has taken a position in support of the homeowners where those interests conflict with those of the Developer, I would be interested in knowing about it. On the other hand, the POA has consistently done so. The best example of this is the POA's support of the class-action lawsuit against the Developer, which won something like $43 million for the Villagers' amenity system.

The VHA was started and is maintained with the support of the Developer and now essentially serves as his front organization. Note that the VHA Bulletin gets delivered (and I imagine printed) by the Daily Sun. Read any article in the VHA Bulletin on any subject involving the Developer and you will get the Developer's spin on it.

This being said, I do credit the VHA for its golf-cart-driver education classes, which are of real value to the community. Beyond that, I cannot see a reason for its existence.

Disclosure to head off the usual responses to a critical post like this one by the usual small group of people: I am not now and never have been an officer or director of the POA and did not have any involvement in the class-action lawsuit. Furthermore, I have no intention of selling my house and leaving The Villages. Therefore, I would respectfully request that any responses to this post address the facts and not me.

[QUOTE=Thnonne;1081927]Once again the POA backers attack the VHA (Warren, ureout) I have never heard the VHA attack the POA. Tell me why the POA is better, don't expect me to support you because you attack the other organi

How about the fact that the POA provided the only leadership in the lawsuit that recouped millions of our dollars that have now provided funding for the beautiful Paradise Park, the Tierra Del Sol rec center and the soon to be Santiago rec center. Other important battles were won by the POA regarding the defective roofing and poor vinyl siding installation. The VHA was silent on all three of these issues. We truly owe the POA a great debt for looking out for our interests. Everyone should read the two publications that are left monthly on your driveway (POA and VHA) . It is an easy determination which organization work constantly for we residents. Another interesting observation is the fact that most VHA former presidents do well politically in Sumter County.

[quote=Warren Kiefer;1082120]
I had a suspicion that the vitriol towards the VHA and developer was political.

[quote=Big O;1082121] I have seen no vitriol, just plain simple facts. Why not stick to a discussion of them?

explain to me how I am attacking the VHA ....I stated a FACT and agreed with Warren..... I have yet to see the VHA follow thru on any program that was not instituted by the developer, now honestly think about it is that what a true HOMEOWNERS ASSOC. does ....those that choose to stick up for the VHA that's OK ....but again I will ask can ANYONE answer Warrens original question....

Both delivered their bulletins this week. Reading both should leave no question as to which really represents residents.

We are fortunate to have so many able people (POA) watching our backs.

Agreed.

Again, why can't POA supporters just tell us about the good things they have done and not attack the VHA? What are they afraid of? They tell us about what they have done and then have to add a negative comment about what the VHA has not done. Let people decide on your organization's merits not what you feel are other organizations faults.

Thnonne....below is gpirate's original post read it again and you might understand why we answer the way we do....if you feel the VHA has benefited you...then by all means give them reasons to joinVHA (Villages Homeowners Association)As a new resident in TV should we become members? What benefits do they provide?

And why don't the supporters of the VHA present any facts to demonstrate that it is really a true homeowners' association and not merely a front organization of the Developer?

In any event, in response to your request, here is just a partial list of the POA's accomplishments (copied verbatim from the poa4us.org website):

The Lawsuit Settlement - Villagers achieved a friendly class action lawsuit settlement with the developer in 2008 valued at $43 million. The key points of the settlement were: Provision for Reserve funds for eventual repair and replacement of our facilities north of Hwy. 466; provision for renovation of the recreation trails north of Hwy 446; creation of the AAC (Amenity Authority Committee) which allows residents elected by residents to make decisions about the expenditure of amenity funds north of Hwy. 466; and payoff of the Paradise Recreation Center renovation debt.

Defeat of the Sumter County Hospital Tax - We opposed the creation of this taxing district which would have taxed Sumter County residents about $200-$300 per home for use by our hospital and also given 20% of the tax off the top to the developer's foundation.

Expansion of the Hospital - After the defeat of the Sumter Hospital Tax, the owner of our hospital, the Leesburg Regional Medical Center, said it would delay construction of the expansion. We called this morally wrong to delay expansion of our life-saving hospital. After a series of hard-hitting stories in the Bulletin, LRMC finally relented and proceeded with the expansion.

Hospital Emergency Room - We noticed continuing poor service and performance in our hospital's ER over the years. We documented over 125 instances of serious problems in the ER. We publicized the problems. In response, LRMC brought in a new CEO of the hospital, a new director of the ER, dedicated more resources and staff to the ER, hired more nurses, established better training programs, and brought in three Villagers to sit on the Board of the hospital's parent organization.

Moffitt Cancer Center - We advocated bringing this cancer center to The Villages for what we believed would be one of the crown jewels in the medical facilities of The Villages. We organized a letter-writing program, researched the demographics, argued for bringing the center here, and voiced our hopes to the appropriate decision-makers.

Vinyl Siding - Sloppy work and installation procedures characterized the building effort of the contractors for homes in The Villages south of Hwy 466 in the 2005-2008 time period. Credit has to go to Ray Micucci and his wife Lori for spearheading the inspection of over 1,500 homes and prodding the work of the warranty department and various contractors to repair the problems.

Activity Policy Reversal - The Center Districts voted to restrict residents from gathering to protest anything. A liability insurance policy for $1 million was also required 30 days in advance of any protest gathering. The POA opposed this action, calling it a violation of our Constitutional Rights of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly, and argued against it in the Bulletin. The Center Districts backed down and rescinded the rule.

Paradise Center - The original recreation center on the east side of Hwy 441/27 was deteriorating and an absolute disgrace. We did a survey, organized residents, pleaded with the VCCDD to renovate the center, advocated renovation in the Bulletin, and were eventually successful in getting this $5 million project off the ground.

IRS/Bonds - We are waiting on this one. But, what we did do was caution restraint rather than wild speculation, and we identified the developer as the only one to benefit financially from the issuance of the bonds as tax exempt. If we get the negative outcome, we trust that the developer will do what is necessary to protect residents from any adverse impact.

Performing Arts Center - We began advocating for this center early in 2010 and gave this idea the publicity it needed which helped secure the support of many Villagers. We presented the facts on the undesirability of the Church on the Square as a performing arts center. We will continue our support until the dream becomes a reality.

Conflict of Interests by District Employees - We documented the fact that some Center District employees were in line to benefit financially from certain dealings with the developer. We viewed this as a conflict of interests. As a result, one Center District employee was re-assigned, and any dealing like this in the future will be scrutinized for any potential conflict of interests problems.

Forgotten $200,000 Billing - Somehow or another, a VCCDD bill to the developer for about $200,000 for expenses related to his use of the Savannah Center was never issued. A POA director, Irving Yedwab, noticed the problem and we publicized the situation in the Bulletin. The developer did pay up once the bill was issued.

Sexual Offended Database - We published the State of Florida Sexual Offender Database for our area in the Bulletin and brought it to our meetings for review. Some opposed this move; but, we felt it appropriate to publicize names and addresses so that residents could judge for themselves how best to react to any nearby offenders.

Purchase of Common Property - The then District Manager also thought it unnecessary to publish details explaining the various common property purchases by the Center Districts from the developer. We analyzed many of these deals and published detailed explanations in the Bulletin. Unfortunately, the District Manager's reluctance to publish details has caused huge misunderstandings on the part of residents which continue to confuse to this day.

Center District Financial Statements - We were the first organization to publish the financial statements of the two Center Districts. Prior to that the District Manager said that it was not important to provide that information for residents. Thankfully, the Center Districts now routinely publish this information and includes it on their website (Village Community Development Districts)..

Bob Evans Restaurant - The developer wanted to build a Bob Evans restaurant on the east side of Hwy. 441/27. He used a heavy-handed approach with near-by residents to try to force them to approve a zoning change from residential to commercial. We publicized the issue in the Bulletin and the local opposition to this plan. The developer finally relented and the restaurant was located on Hwy. 466.

Violence on the Squares - We reported in the Bulletin on several instances of violence on the Squares. As a result, Center District administration worked with local law enforcement to provide a heightened law enforcement presence on the Squares.

POA Surveys - We conducted five Surveys through the Bulletin over the years detailing attitudes about life in The Villages. Some of the actions were later addressed by the developer and the Center Districts.

Wind Mitigation - We publicized the details of this state program to save residents literally hundreds of dollars annually on their home insurance for older homes.

Advogado.....EXCELLENT POST now we'll see if there are any replies

What is really accomplished from all this bickering???

Thank you.

I was amazed enough that anybody is defending the VHA to do a little more digging. Frankly, I don't have "inside" information on the subject, and my conclusion that the VHA is clearly in the pocket of the Developer has been based on facts available to anybody who pays the least bit of attention to the subject.

Here is what twenty minutes of research on the cozy relationship between presidents of the VHA and the Developer turned up. I don't know if it is merely the tip of the iceberg or the whole berg (I've included links to substantiating information where the information is not general knowledge):

Incredibly, one VHA president, while purportedly safeguarding the interests of the homeowners, was actually on the payroll of the Developer. MONTHLY POA BULLETIN and Roger Kass | The Villages Homeowners Association | ZoomInfo.com

Furthermore, a more-recent VHA president, shortly after leaving office was elected a Sumter County Commissioner with the backing of the Republican Party, something one would think would be very difficult without Developer backing. One of his campaign contributors was Developer executive, Pete Wahl. Search Candidate Reports DISCLOSURE: I am a registered Republican, and this is not a criticism of that Party. It is a criticism of the lack of independence of the VHA.

Perhaps the best history (although somewhat outdated) of the unsavory relationship between the VHA and the Developer is found here:
MONTHLY POA BULLETIN

The Developer has done many things to be proud of in making The Villages what it is today, but his relationship with the VHA is not one of them.

thank you my friend. I see it as black and white, others see it in rosy colors. I usually don't get an answer. I have been a resident for 19 years and follow the villages government closely and to the best of my knowledge the vha has never taken a position opposing anything the developer has done. The poa is very much the opposite.

excellent and absolutely correct. You did leave out another person, don burgess.

I am not a supporter of the VHA. I don't know what they do. However, I am definitely against the POA. They seem to me to be nothing but whiners and obstructionists. If The Developer says up they say down. If there is an anti Developer view they take it. As I said before, I beleive it is political and I haven't seen anything to change my mind.

this is a wonderful job of presenting absolute facts and not providing a single personal opinion.

What is the story there? As I said, I don't claim any special knowledge of the intricacies of the relationship between the VHA and the Developer. I just know that it smells.

Thank you, but personal opinions are the only ones I have.

As Daniel Moynihan said, "You are entitled to your own opinion. You are not entitled to your own facts."

Would you please point out at least one specific instance in which POA opposition to an action by the Developer has been wrong.

There do not seem to be many absolute right and wrong issues for anything anymore, but degrees of right and wrong. I can sue anyone for anything and maybe get something out of it. Does that make me absolutely right? No it doesn't. It means my lawyer was a pain in the as* and someone paid him to go away. I beleive that because of political differences the POA has taken the obstructionist road. Was I here when most of this happened? No. I can only make my decision based on the monthly POA publication and the antagonistic rhetoric on this thread. I'm out.

Advogado, thank you for posting the accomplishments of the POA for people to see the good things they have done. But again why did you feel it necessary to belittle the VHA in your next post? The POA should feel they can stand on their merits which you listed, not by belittling their "rival" organization.

I do not think that setting forth the facts regarding the relationship between the Developer and the VHA is "belittling" the VHA. Many Villagers are not aware of that relationship. And judging from the tone of some of the posts in this thread, some Villagers do not want to be aware of it.

In fact, I do not purport to know all the details about the relationship between the VHA and the Developer. But since my last post, I have done some more research on the subject and have learned, by checking Sumter County Board of Elections records, that a second VHA president, upon leaving office, has been supported financially and politically by the Developer in the ex-president's election as County Commissioner. (Refer to my earlier post regarding financial and political ties between the Developer and two other VHA presidents.)

I take it that you are not offended by an organization, in our community, representing itself as a "homeowners' association" despite such a relationship with the Developer. I am.

I would also add CELL PHONE COVERAGE. When AT&T's coverage was very poor just north of 466A, the POA worked with them to secure low cost units that would provide coverage within your house until AT&T was able to add additional towers. They are now acting as a conduit to Verizon for similar problems south of 466A