Meet "The Walker"
 

I have been early "walking" for 6 years. I do a number of things including pick up litter and replace people's light post bulbs if they are out of town or can't do it themselves. The bulbs are purchased by me and are given free to the people. I keep an eye on any suspicious cars or people and have notified the police when I have seen such. I also put printed slips of paper under newspapers of homeowners whose post light bulb is out, saying your bulb has burned out. I have been thanked numerous times by people for the note because either they didn't realize it or they used the note as a reminder to get a bulb or change the bulb.

Does this sound like a bully, or communist informer? The Daily Sun has done 4 articles on me, using me as an example of community service and giving to others. I am sad that people would look at someone trying to help as the negative descriptions that were made of me. My faith has taught me to help others and that is all I am doing.

You should be commended for your attention to what goes on in the neighborhood. I too always enjoyed my walks but I never would trespass on private property without prior approval.

Trespass on private property?? Leaving a note under the paper in the driveway is trespassing??? Get a grip

I would say that WiserBud is an example of the friendliness and helpfulness that The Villages has become famous. Thanks, WiserBud!

I would assume that some of the posters on the other thread are feeling a little shamed for some of their comments. Trail cameras, sarcastic notes, just wanting to feel important, etc.

I luv this. It is kind of like that Paul Harvey "The Rest of the Story" thing.

Random Acts of Kindness :)

I agree The Walker should be commended. He's doing a good thing.

But I thought the trespassing remark might be referring to changing the light bulbs without being asked. I'm not sure I'd want that. Just sayin'. :)

I would not change anyone's light bulb without asking them first. I also wouldn't leave a note telling them where they can and cannot park their car.

We used to live in Largo and witnessed Bud picking up litter in Largo and the surrounding villages. We always loved to see him and miss him very much. Bud walks at least five miles a day. He's a great guy.

On the negative side in this day and age you could get shot. Sorry but that is a fact.If you were hurt when changing a light bulb the home could be responsible. Any time you enter a persons property without being invited you are trespassing.

My mouth is still hanging open...:undecided:

I think if someone is taking a walk, regardless of the time of day and picks up trash, great. If someone is taking a walk, leaving notes with newspapers and cars, and maybe even changing post lamp bulbs, not so great.
Let me say this to Mr. Walker... I am a good neighbor, and a good Villager. I take care of my property as well if not better than most. If I have a light out, I usually see it within a day or two. Should there be a car in front of my house, it belongs to a friend or family member. What goes on at my house and on my property is of no concern to you. Mind your own business and take care of your house.
Let me add an aside... a neighbor of mine under the guise of bringing my newspaper up to the door, was snooping through my recycle bag for whatever reason on the way back across the street. I'm a good neighbor BUT stay off my property unless invited.

We will be moving to the Villages nxt month. Thank goodness for what you do! We brag about the Villages because of people like you. Thanks again

Mine too, Jaggy. Glad that I mostly know folks like YOU.

:bigbow:

This guy sounds like a nice guy, but, when you go on someone property to change a light bulb, I think he's gone to far. A note under someone's paper near the road I guess is ok.

Trespassing, sure. But I would not want to be the defendant in a case where I was accused of shooting or otherwise harming someone standing next to my light post. If the trespasser was otherwise injured I do not believe a jury would find the homeowner at fault.

First, let me say that I commend WiserBud for being a considerate neighbor and wish we had more neighbors like him. For those of you who have accused him of trespassing or having other than good intentions perhaps you should go back and reread his post. He clearly states that he has replaced lightbulbs when the owners are "out of town or unable to do so themselves".

With regards to those that feel he should mind his own business with regards to someone parking on the street in front of their house you may not like the message but the fact is, depending on where you live, it is in fact a violation of the restrictive covenants to do so in some areas. We live in a courtyard villa and the roads in our neighborhood are considered private roads. Parking in the road is strictly prohibited except in the designated visitor parking spaces. If I remember correctly the individual who received the note about the parking infraction was having mechanical issues and felt it necessary to violate this rule on a temporary basis. Under the circumstances I would have probably done the same thing but I doubt that I would have given a second thought to receiving a note politely advising me of the infraction. As my kids used to say when I would get on their case, "Somebody needs to take a chill pill!".

I have complemented the OP on his actions, and continue to believe he is a very good representative of TV. But I fail to see how the quoted portion of his post shows that he has permission to replace the bulbs or be on the property.

He says "replace people's light post bulbs if they are out of town or can't do it themselves."

Sounds like he isn't doing it to random strangers. How would he know the resident was out of town, or unable to change the bulb without knowing them?

Kudos to the OP for picking up trash and keeping watch, but I understand how leaving notes might rub some the wrong way.

Maybe it's all in the wording on the note, though.
If the note just said "your lamp post light is out" some might think you are complaining, especially if it's typed up.

A handwritten note saying "I was passing by early this morning and noticed your lamp is out, thought you'd might want to know. Have a great day!" Then maybe they'd better understand what you are trying to accomplish.

Obviously I have no idea what he's writing, though.

Meet "The Walker"
 

With all due respect (sounds like we both admire the OP), I didn't say that he didn't know them, I said that it didn't sound like he had permission. Big difference.

Understandable, but I guess we won't know unless he replies again. I would hope he's not just assuming people are away, or unable to do things.

Meet "The Walker"
 

Agree.

This must be about the other post, about the walker leaving notes. The op from post was upset that notes were being left at her home. Have to admit a random stranger leaving a note under my paper would give me pause during a time when we have been warned about break ins from people from other countries.
One could wonder was this person casing my house? And about a note on the car, if one was concerned that the car didn't belong there I would call community watch, not leave a note, after all we have been warned to look out for strange cars parked in our neighborhoods.

Yes I think it's nice that a walker is picking up trash. But you would scare the CRAP out of my parents if you left a note telling them something was wrong with the house. They would think you are trying to sell them something or worse try to get into their house. Again we have been put on alert for odd thing in our community.

That being said your note would cause my mother to call me upset and worried, I would then have to call my home watch to figure out if this note is someone being nice or that person we are being warned about.

Sorry mr walker if you don't know the people you are leaving notes for I am not in agreement that notes are for the good of everyone.

"the road to ruin is paved with good intentions"

Good intentions. But into today's world, there is way too much downside to these actions. I would not think anything of it if I found a note that informed me that my post light was out. I would just fix it. But, I can see many others reading into that note all kinds of nefarious things. Some people just look for hidden meanings and ulterior motives. Others just accept things at face value, or assume good intentions.

I think it is part of a person's born with them personality. There is no changing some folks and I am so glad I don't have to live with them, as I am certain some folks are glad they don't have to live with me.


I tend to be a busy body and a try to fix it person or at least try to explain it person. I think it is my teacher mode that I was born with.


So glad there is a person who understands me, likes me and gives me a Valentine that makes my eyes water. I wish everyone had someone to love them a lot.

Points well taken. My issue is with the anonymity. Why not sign your name to the notes that you leave so that nobody has to worry that they are being stalked or cased? Obviously remaining anonymous isn't an issue since he's gotten himself in the newspaper 4 times and is on this board telling us all about his deeds.
It's great to want to be kind, but in this day and time, anonymity can be creepy, too.

Busy body's are just that. Poking their noses where they don't belong because they have an overwhelming need to control situations they have no business being part of. Pick up all the trash you want on PUBLIC property. Stay off mine until invited.

Ditto
 

:bigbow:

We had a walker for a while, very friendly lady. I met her a few times. She enjoyed moving the papers to the front door. I had no objection to this, and actually missed it when she moved.
As pointed out above, there is probably a fine line between being friendly and intrusive.
I had a lamp post light go out, and did not notice it until the neighbor mentioned it. I thanked him, and took care of it later that day.
I like neighbors looking out for neighbors, and for that reason, I give out our contact cards, so one of them can contact us if needed.
The bottom line is that what one person finds acceptable another may find intrusive, no solution, just an observation.

All situations are different. You met this lady, spoke with her, you had a good vibe and experience.
Skulking around in the dark and leaving anonymous notes is downright creepy. Me I'd be ****ed, another might be afraid. Either way it's just plain wrong. When I say to myself, I wouldn't think of doing such a thing, that in and of itself is reason for me to doubt the soundness of judgement of such a person.

Many of us will be glad to.

Nefarious. Great word. You don't hear that one very often!

I agree with you. And I tend to think the OP's note leaver is more of a nosy busybody than someone trying to help his neighbors.

You can call community watch about the lamp post light as well as the car in the street. No need to be intrusive. And a note under the newspaper is just downright creepy.

Ah, the happy posts regarding a man helping out his neighbors in "Florida's Friendliest Hometown": "nosy busybody", "stay off mine untill invited", or "you might get shot".

Harold Schwartz's ashes must be spinning around at Spanish Springs over comments like those.

I think your comments are a little off. Remember, "if you see something, say something." Just read the online news to understand the background. This is a wonderful place, but being aware of your surroundings and what is going on is a good thing.

I agree with you completely. I used to come on this site TOTV quite a bit....not so much lately.

It's difficult reading the nasty comments.

The Villages is changing. It's not so friendly anymore.

Here's someone who is trying to be neighborly, and all he gets is....stay off my property. How sad.

I'm on the fence. I think it is great that the walker is picking up trash. I think it is nice if he's looking out for his nearby neighbors as far as anything suspicious. I'm on the fence about the notes under the paper.

I can see where if someone didn't know who was doing it, it might be a bit creepy, especially if you were a single woman. They could be wondering who is watching my house this closely and why?

Someone mentioned that a walker or someone would bring their paper up to the door. I have a glass door and I would freak out if I looked up and saw someone standing at my door. Or if it was early in the morning and we were still sleeping, it would make my dog bark and that would wake me up and that would make me cranky. Now, if I am out of town or away and one of my neighbors that I know, throws the paper up to the door, I think that's fabulous.

I am also mystified that someone would take the time, have the desire, as well as a paper supply, writing instruments and light bulbs during these treks to enable them to do all of this. Mind-boggling.

Maybe just a nice guy?? Trying to be neighborly?

I noticed the number of conversations and posts in TOTV seems to be way down. People may be tired of this kind of complaining (seems like he is a good Samaritan to me.) Nothing upbeat to discuss... or everything has already been said.

Anyways it seems like there is a lot of suspicions and fear even in the "bubble." Not quite the perfect utopia.

... from the few visits to my house it seems like I will have nice neighbors..doesn't get any better than that!

Not to worry. Things will back to full speed ahead in no time.