What is there to know about the "Developers?" Haven't heard much good.
 

There name is/ are Schwartz. I know that. I heard they were from Cincinnati. That is usually good. Are they? There is a statue of one on a lily pad somewhere. Is he a frog or a prince?

How about his sisters, cousins, aunts, heirs and assigns who own and run The Villages? Are they real? Do they live there? Does anyone have a real live developer siting or experience? Does anyone know THEM????? ;D

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers? Haven't heard much good.
 

You're kidding ...right?? ;D

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers? Haven't heard much good.
 

Schwartz was Daddy who founded TV. He died. There is a statue on SS square with his ashes in it. His son, grandchildren and maybe great grand children head up most things in TV. Most live here. They have created the closest thing I have seen to a paradise. They are now rich and I am glad because that means they have been successful in creating The Villages. There are jealous people who seem to think making money is bad. I may be wrong but think they are from Chicago.
I LOVE THE VILLAGES!!!!

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers? Haven't heard much good.
 

Allow me to add that I have only heard good about the villages, what I have heard about the developers is/are.....sort of what the peasants might hear about the lord of the castle.

I am not kidding. I asked sister in school about the saints and asked if they were all good. She didn't say "You're kidding, right?". I always wanted to know everything, and occasionally it got me in dutch. I didn't mean to insult you dear sweet always helpful villagers at TOTV! You have been more than patient with me so far.

Oh dear. >:(

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers? Haven't heard much good.
 

I'm with you on this. I greatly admire the Morse's. Why is being rich a negative????
They earned it. They didn't force anyone to buy into Paradise. Thank goodness they had the foresight to build this place. It could have just as easily gone bust, though. It took enormous intestinal fortitude to do what they have done.

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers? Haven't heard much good.
 

IMHO, the Developers put their brains, creativity and money on the line when they created this Paradise which we are all enjoying. I hope they're rich as sin .. they deserve it.

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers?" Haven't heard much good.
 

To me, the developers are what they are -- a family that had the foresight to come up with a good concept and the ability to implement it. No question that I would not deal with TV for purchasing a piece of property unless I truly had no choice (I have a thing about not being able to negotiate the price, closing costs, etc. when purchasing a home). I don't like their politics since I seem (???) to be diametrically opposed to their conservatism. There's the negatives in my mind.

The positives are the creation of TV. The ability to keep the majority of residents happy most of the time. We are relatively safe here. Our streets are clean. There is enough open space to make TV a beautiful place no matter direction is taken. We are well entertained for incredibly reasonable prices. The Schwartzes gave us all of that.

They've earned their money and power. They certainly have a right to keep as much of both as they wish and have the ability to do so. We may rail against them at times, but we'd be fools to not realize we owe them a huge thanks.

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers?" Haven't heard much good.
 

I think they are brilliant! The Villages was founded by Harold Schwartz who made his fortune in the hospitality business in Traverse City, Mich., before taking his village-style concept to Central Florida about 4 decades ago. Designing the massive project was the same architectural firm that created Universal Studios at Walt Disney World, explaining the community's Southwestern theme. This is Paradise! Whether rich or poor we are all very much enjoying "The Villages Lifestyle" and I for one will always respect Mr. Schwartz's vision. I don't think constructive criticism hurts the developers. There is always room for improvement, as Mr. Schwartz and family have proven!!

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers?" Haven't heard much good.
 

Hope2forever, I'm from Chicago, so I don't quite get your comment there. I love the Villages and greatly admire Mr. Schwartz for his foresight and creativity and his family the Morses for taking his idea and probably making it 100 times better than even he imagined. I believe they deserve every penny they get. My hubby and I have also worked hard all of our lives and it has paid off by allowing us to live in The Villages and the wonderful lifestyle that comes with it. When we moved here 5 months ago, we found a couple of old friends that were envious. So one day I said to this "old friend??" who seemed to want to find negatives because of jealousy, I said "well, if your hubby had gone to gone to college for 8 years, took a chance at a very young age and opened a clinic, worked long long hours, and turned it into a successful practice for 35 years, and if you had gone to college (had to work your way through it) worked in a cut throat field for 25 years, while taking care of a ailing parent, maybe you too could enjoy The Villages. I feel that every person here deserves to live in this paradise. I know we do! And, I thank the Morses and Mr. Schwartz for providing it.

Graciegirl, you'll love it here! :welcome:

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers?" Haven't heard much good.
 

Gracie, I'm glad you asked the question. I never knew either and it developed a thread of good information about the family (whether it be positive or negative.)

Good question as usual, Graciegirl. Thanks for being inquisitive.

Kath :redface:

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers?" Haven't heard much good.
 

:agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree:

They worked hard for their money and I hope they live a very long life to enjoy every penny...God Bless them for giving us The Villages! :#1:

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers?" Haven't heard much good.
 

Graciegirl,

Very curious to know who you have heard the not much good from?????

My guess its from jealous non TV people who have no idea what a wonderful place TV is, or mabe they have! Hence the jealousy!

I think it all goes back to , you have to live here to understand how incredible a place TV is, its just too difficult to explain! ;D

In my estimation, Mr. Schwartz is a Prince among men!

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers?" Haven't heard much good.
 

A little perspective from a 3-year resident.

I'm told that Harold Schwartz (who died not long before I came) was not only a genius in creating The Villages, but was also the epitome of a Villager, in that he wandered around the neighborhood (for the most part, that portion some now call the "prehistoric" section, on the east side of US27/441), calling out to all he saw, knowing their names, where they were from and all that sort of intimate knowledge.

In my three years, I have never knowingly seen Gary Morse. Mark Morse makes an annual appearance at a VHA event (always at the filled-to-overflowing Savannah Center), comes across well in his discussion of Villages philosophies, policies, progress, etc. But, he seldom stays around for questions, slips out the side door immediately.

I hear periodic tales of rude and snobbish treatment by other members of the family, but, never having met, let alone even seen, any of them, I cannot say one way or the other.

Suffice to say, I guess, that the Morses have earned my appreciation for their overall adherence to Harold's vision, but they seem not to have picked up on his "public relations" concepts. Too bad!

SWR

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers?" Haven't heard much good.
 

What I had heard negative and it was not from residents but people who live in Florida but not TV;

The homes are not built too well and there is not a wide variety of finish choices. I.e, the developers are making a huge margin. (I don't agree, but I have only been inside one, a new one in Poinciana where my friends live)

There is some problem with Taxation without representations, the residents have no say about the development at all. ??

The area centers are not decorated by professionals, and look a bit tacky, because the owners don't like to spend extra money.
(I don't know. Never saw them. How tacky? I don't have to worry about showing Aunt Mildred, she's gone!)

The developers are not very available and are aloof and snooty.. This from a friend who lives in Orlando and is a snob. I don't know how she would know this but she is Society with a capital S, and I wouldn't dare challenge her. She went to school with me and well, I shouldn't listen to her at all.

This is all not important at all. I just loved hearing the tale from Swrinfla about Mr. Schwartz the original, knowing everyone and being friendly. I certainly have no problem with anyone making honest money on an excellent idea. I just wondered about their personalities. I know now they are Morses, from Michigan originally and rich. Good for them.

Re: What is there to know about the "Developers?" Haven't heard much good.
 

They took the risk with buying the land and marketing the idea of the Villages, so they deserve the money they have received from what they have developed here in the Villages. I can think of many other people who have done far less for others' dreams coming true but who have probably done far better in finances than the developers of TV.

I doubt if all of the members of the Villages' developers share the same political views as Mr. Gary Morse.

It seems they are many people who have tried or will try to develop something along the same idea as the Villages.

Many of the recreational centers I have been in are rather tastefully decorated. :bigthumbsup: