Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

I attempted to place a Talk of The Villages ad in the Villages Daily Sun. The ad was to thank all of you for being patient during our server problems and invite others to join the forum. They have flatly refused to accept it.

The advertising deparmtnet responded by saying "we decline to accept your advertising."
I called and talked to several managers. The only thing they would say, in answer to every one of my questions was "we decline to accept your advertising."

I ask why. Same answer. I said it was neither obscene or controversial. Same answer. I said it was unfair to our 3,000 members. Same answer. I asked what I could change in the ad to make it acceptable. Same answer.

What could be the reason? Is it because people on Talk of the Villages are free to voice opinions and that freedom of speech is not part of the master plan? I hope I am wrong.

This is really troubling. If anybody can find out what the reason is, I would love to know. We are all Villages residents and the Villages is located in the USA as far as I know.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Sounds like a lot of insecurity and probably a fear that you might start an uprising with your site. It truly is a sad statement that they would be afraid to accept an innocuous advertisement even if they disagreed with the basic premise of the advertiser.

I have made the comment more than once that the Sun makes any paper I've ever seen in Orange County, California, look extremely liberal! And if you know anything about OC, you'd understand what a strange statement that is. Let's face it, any county that has one of its main airports named "John Wayne Airport" has to be this side of extremely Republican, wouldn't you say?

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

I will recommend to every TV resident to boycot the Sun. That is free enterprise and democracy working at the same time.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

The right of fairness is neither Republican or Democrat.

Let's hope their hesitancy stems from a competitive point of view rather than one of control.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Declining the advertising. Wow! What are they afraid of? The truth. I advertise "talkofthevillages" at every opportunity. None of my neighbors have ever heard of it. In fact, I found out about it through a non-resident (an acquaintance who did the lifestyles visit in May.) I will keep promoting it whenever I can.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

NO NO NO. I don't want to boycott the Sun. It's not fair to the advertisers. I never want to be accused of doing anything that might hurt their business. I just wish they would do the same for us

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

seems to me that there was an ad for totv in the daily sun just prior to our server problems so what has changed about their policy?

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Wow! That is really disturbing. I am as curious as you about the real reason to decline your advertisement.
Thing is I would defend their right to do so, but at the very least give a better answer than "we decline to accept your advertising"
I suspect they are feeling somewhat threatened by the success of the site , and the potential for an even bigger forum ,membership and influence.
I will not boycott the paper that is counterproductive and I like reading it. Boycotting will only lead to more animosity. But I will speak to people about the forum at TOTV and the shortsightedness of the Daily Sun.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Wow, are we living in a town like that in "The Truman Show" or "Stepford" where you read only what the power behind the Sun decides? Scary indeed.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Remember, though, we DO have options, with other hard copy papers, and, thank goodness, the capability do go online. As far as the legalities, they do have the right to do biz with whomever they want, and no, I am DEFINITELY not condoning their responses, just looking at it from all sides.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

I whole heartedly support their right to pick and choose from whom they accept advertising. I just wish they would tell me why they have chosen us to shut out. We like the Daily Sun and the Villages.

A friend of mine in the Villages Media Group called this afternoon and said the order came directly from the top of the Villages managment. I have no way of knowing that for sure. Some time ago, I was approached by a reporter who wanted to do a story about Talk of The Villages, but told me the idea was rejected by the "boss."

I want all of our members to know that we hold absolutely no animosity toward the Daily Sun or anybody else. We think The Villages is big enough, with enough free thinking people that everybody can "just get along." We are not a threat to them, I don't think.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

I read this thread and must admit I had a hard time believing what I was reading. I then went to the Daily Sun and did a search for Lyle Grant Realtor, as I know he has a site on his web page for TOTV.

When I did a search, and then the Archive Search, his name did not come up - no information.

I know the paper is privately owned, and will represent what its view points are, but I can not imagine why they would not accept an ad from TOTV.

If you did a Letter To The Editor thanking everybody, (please excuse my lack of knowledge, we do not live in TV yet, and I am assuming they have this section), would they print a letter?

Hyacinth Bucket

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

I know I saw a TOTV ad in the Daily Sun. So it must be that they are screening the TOTV site and do not like the negative posts that they read.

I sent them a poem a couple of years back that was not Villages happy and they would not publish it. And when I asked why I got no answer.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Yes, we did run two ads several weeks ago. Apparently they came and took a look at us after the ads appeared. I am still at a loss.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

H. Gary likes to control his 'sheep' in TV. You: will support 'retail;' you will hate Hillary; you will love Rom; you will line up for 'openings' at 4:00 A.M; you will behave 'or else.' There is no room for dissent ... just try it!

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

It does appear that TV is concerned about any negative comments that might appear on the forums. Maybe they think it will hurt new sales. They give the impression of trying to control everything. Just look at what happened to the resale’s they sell. No outside realtors allowed. I say we find a way to get the word out about TOTV to the thousands that don’t know it exists yet.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Maybe people who are planning on moving to TV shared the information on this site with the TV sales rep. Just a thought but it seems to me that the Sun or TV management may have issues with this site and it's a control issue with them.

I think it's a wonderful site and i don't interpret anything posted as negative - just helpful.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

I would suggest scheduling an appointment with the owner/publisher of the paper and send a delegation representing the interests of this site to have a sit-down chat to dialogue about the purpose of your site and the basis for their fears and go on from there.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Oh, please....The Daily Sun is like the daily activities sheet at Camp Happiness & Joy. The editorial page is somewhere to the right of Ann Coulter. You have to get The Sun because like all community papers it is the only game in Town. It is nothing more than reflective of the Developer's organization and the predominance of political thought in this area. They shouldn't be restricting advertising but this website does allow for a free exchange of opinions on a variety of subjects including what's good and bad about The Villages. The key word here is "bad" about the Villages (or offering/evaluating other alternatives) so like being in steerage on the Titanic your chances of being allowed to advertise in the Sun are doomed.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Quote from the Home page:
The forum is getting more than 300,000 page views a month, and about 10 new members sign up each day

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

On the same note let me say that I opened up TOTV to voice my personal complaint about the Daily Sun and lo and behold you beat me to the punch!!!

I called yesterday to place an ad for our for sale by owner home and we have it on 2 websites and I wanted (needed) to put those websites in for people to go to to get more information and look at pictures. They said, "...we're sorry we cannot print websites for For Sale By Owner websites..." I said, "WHAT...whatever happened to Freedom of the Press...?" Her reply was, "...this is THE VILLAGES and "they" made the decision not to print those websites..." I was shocked!!! I put the ad in the way "they" wanted it and paid big bucks to do it...but in hindsight I should have told them to "stuff it"!! :edit: We won't be renewing our subscription to "their" paper.

Is this Un-American or what???? Just goes to show that "THEY" (...ie: The Family) are in this for the $$$$ and want to sell only THEIR listings.

I'm really disgusted with both their refusal to print your ad and mine!!! >:(

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

AMEN...and Nuff Said !!! :agree:

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Although I agree with you being upset, I don't agree with your saying this is "un-american". It is actually about as American as you can get, the freedom to do biz with someone or not. Now, I don't agree with their decision, but, I do agree with their right.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Nanci,
I agree with you. I don't feel there are "nagative" comments on this site. I would call them "informed". As a future Villager, I appreciate everyone's honest replies to my (and many others) questions concerning TV. I haven't found any "deal breakers" that would change my mind about wanting to move there. I feel I am better informed when I meet with TV sales rep,and I know what to expect in way of response from them--thanks to ALL of you.

Sounds to me The Daily Sun is feeling alittle threatened. Not a biggie

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Friends- this is THE VILLAGES. It's the way they've operated since Gary Morse and family took over and the way they run this huge retirement city. As THE VILLAGES like to say, "if you don't like it, leave." Pretty nice, huh?

To be happy here, you have to learn to ignore and accept or it'll drive ya nuts.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

EXCUSE ME???? Does our American Constitution NOT give us the right to Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press??? If you don't call not allowing ads that might be "competition" to them a breach of this freedom...A Freedom that our forefathers fought and died for, then I guess I don't know what Un-American is.

Everyone is right in saying people have the RIGHT to do business or not do business with whomever they please, but if you're going to own, run, print and sell a community newspaper then you should let it be just that....Community...and not a dictatorship. "King of the Hill" was fun to play as kids but it's not fun when you're trying to pay good money to place a legitimate ad for your home for sale and you're not the King :joke:

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Is there not some other way to get the message about TOTV out without advertising in the Villages Daily Sun?

Postcards to some of the people in various Villages? Mass mailings to Villagers about TOTV. Do you need permission to use the US mails in the Villages about TOTV? Local TV station ads? Probably way too pricey? Other local newspapers like the ones in Orlando, Leesburg, and Ocala?

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Since we do not live in TV yet, my lack of knowledge will be showing here.

1. If clubs have an email address you can do a mass email mailing, no charge, and ask to speak to that group - this I think on one of the Sticky subjects.

2. The next least expensive thing to get the word out would be mailing an informative postcard to each club and requesting to speak to the club members, at a meeting.

3. More expensive, send a letter to each club, to have them place an insert in there letters to members about TOTV

Question - if there is a large positive response, can the Administrators handle it? They are all volunteering their time.

Mystery - boycott - yes advertisers in the Sun would get hurt, but that is a way of changing things that people are unhappy about. If the advertisers are aware that there may be a boycott, they themselves could say something to the owners.

This has been done on Television, when a program has fallen in disfavor, the advertisers threaten to pull out, if the show is not changed or taken off the air.

Without advertisers many papers, television stations, etc. would not be able to exist.

Hyacinth Bucket

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

The number one priority of any dictatorship is control of the media and to keep the rabble in the dark as to what is really happening. Now let's see? Here in TV the developer owns the newspaper, the tv station, the radio station, and the magazine. The only 'outside' view is in the Star Banner Reporter which is mailed becuase I understand TV will not allow it to be delivered. Given the 100's of views of TOTV, it seems that TV would embrace the opportunity. Instead they reject it and hope no one reads a thread like this one. How stupid is that? ???

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Hyacinth Bucket:

Great reply :agree:

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Along the same lines, Realtors get shafted too.. by ad placements... A lot of realtors have quite advertising in the SUN and started their own retirement community magazine. Now The Villages delivers their inserts to the boxes and puts them on top to try to trump the effort.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Yes, but freedom of the press does NOT mean that you have a right to force an owner of a paper what YOU want them to print. It is their bizness to run. Now, if you would like to start your own paper, then freedom of the press will protect you in the same manner. Remember, I not not agreeing with what their choices might be, but I am defending their right to make them, wether we deem them positive or negative.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Ithink that if, oh nevermind.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

I agree with muscles 59--but take it one crucially important step further. I swear by what has evolved as the good old American tool called BOYCOTT. I understand the point made by an earlier post on this thread about not wanting to step on the toes of the advertisers in The Daily Sun. The way to handle this is to let these advertisers know what the boycott is about, and then the ball is in their side of the court to decide how--and where--they want to spend their advertising dollars knowing that x number of anticipated readers no longer are. Yes, as muscles 59 says, we cannot force a newspaper owner what ads to print, but if he/she will not print a TOTV ad, no matter what the reason, it is that newspaper owner's right to reject the ad--and at the same time it is our right to choose to buy that newspaper or another--or no newspaper at all. IMHO....

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

OK Muscles...I get your point....BUT...I guess we'll just have to agree to disgree. Ok?

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

It's interesting to read the comments on this thread regarding the Sun and it's apparent bias. Now maybe those complaining may realize what a lot of us feel when we read the major newspapers in the majority of the US cities that are left of Dennis Kucinich. And the major networks who cleanse the news and broadcast what THEY want us to hear, not what the actual news is. I for one enjoy the Sun because I'm sick and tired of hearing the biased news in the main stream media. That's the news or lack thereof that can hurt us and the country. Not the nits the Sun is involved in. For me it's a refreshing change.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

[color=purple]Where are those TOTV T-shirts, golf shirts and sweatshirts? I want ORANGE or LIME GREEN and a button down or zip up collar. That's one way to get the word out...and to easily locate each other at gatherings. Don't just use "TOTV", you need to put the entire website address on the items.

Another way to advertise....Talk Host, if you're so inclined, you could paint TOTV's website address all over your golf cart so it's visible for all to see. Or, have Russ (I think it's Russ) create one of those screens for your buggy.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

bestmickey - :bigthumbsup: :agree:

Hyacinth Bucket

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

We are in the process now of getting those shirts ready.
In the event you don't think that we have used other forms of advertising, I can tell you this. I personally have distributed 10,000 printed fliers to individuals in the past six months. We have placed 3 X 5 cards in dozens of business around the area. We have driven 'round and 'round with huge signs on trailers. There have been TOTV signs on my golf cart for nearly a year. We tried visiting with people at some events downtown, but were told by the Villages to leave. We went to the "cruise in" events and talked to people, took pictures and posted them here. We have gone to parades, taken pictures and posted them here. A reporter from Ocala "Style" magazine did an interview with me and took pictures about 4 months ago. They said they were all enthused about the story. I have never heard anyting since then. They said they were all enthused about the story.

I would say that I personally have invested well over 600 hours in personal contact with Villages residents promoting the site.

I really appreciate your suggestions and want you to know that we have been making a major effort for a year.

Re: Well, this is a real mystery. It is really troubling.
 

Jan? My introduction to TOTV was through your showing up at a Villages Computer Club meeting on July 27, 2007. That seemed to go over well. Maybe you should try the VCC again in a few months? The snowbirds are back more or less from the number of people showing up at the VCC meetings I attend.