[Responsible Dog Owners]

We need you to send e-mails to all of our AAC members and our District 4 Supervisors indicating the desire FOR a dog park in Marion County. It seems that the only e-mails our AAC members and District 4 Supervisors are receiving are from those folks who DO NOT WANT A DOG PARK in Marion County. We'd also like to see support for a dog park in
Sumter County. Instructions are at the bottom of this notice.

I was under the misinformed assumption that a "spokesperson", that being me, for dog owners would be the voice to be heard. Apparently these two Boards require endless e-mails to be written, to voice our collective request. Please send this request to your e-mail address book so that we can be heard!

Most importantly your presence at the next AAC meeting, July 8th, 1:30, at Savannah Center and the District 4 meeting, July 10th, 1:30 at the District Offices, under the water tower near Laurel Manor Rec Center, would be very helpful.

We will also be scheduling an Open Forum at the Mulberry Grove Rec Center sometime in July, to discuss with all residents, the interest in having a dog park in Marion County. You don't have to be a resident of Marion County to attend. We'd also like to see support for a dog park in Sumter County.

Plans are for the dog park to be built to, well above, the standards that we are all accustomed to in The Villages. Your presence at the Open Forum will educate you as to our plan.

Thank you.

Your Friend & Neighbor
Karen
750-1627
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Please copy and paste the following addresses in the "To:" portion of your e-mail program.

Carl.Bell@districtgov.org; Eldon.Sheldon@districtgov.org; Gary.moyer@districtgov.org; Janet.Tutt@districtgov.org; John.Rohan@districtgov.org; John.Wilcox@districtgov.org; Marty.Rothbard@districtgov.org; jim.murphy@districtgov.org; paul.kelly@districtgov.org; rich.lambrecht@districtgov.org; chuck.kazlo@districtgov.org; don.deakin@districtgov.org

Then cut and paste the following message in the body of your e-mail and send.

I am in favor of more dog parks in The Villages. At least one in Marion County and one in Sumter County.

[zcaveman]

But what if we are not in favor of a dog park in Marion county? I have heard about the noise problems with barking dogs at some of the dog parks in other areas. I am not in favor of barking dogs when I am playing golf at Briarwood, Walnut Grove or Nancy/Lopez/Errin Glenn. I am not in favor of barking dogs and cart problems when walking the Springdale walking path. We already have a problem with noise from the new electrical transformer in the SECO area.

My dog passed away last year but I would have had no desire to take him over to a dog park and let him run loose. What about aggressive dogs and fleas and other diseases that dogs might carry? Why would you want your animals to catch them?

This is not only me. I know lots of others that feel this way.

I would really hate to see your note generate bunches of bogus letters to the AAC and District four representatives and Tutt and Moyer from people that don't even have dogs and want to support your stance.

[duffysmom]

I for one support a dog park in Sumpter as well as Marion. zcaveman, what would make you think that there would be bogus emails? If someone does not wish to have a dog park they too can send emails expressing their objection.

[zcaveman]

There are people that would vote yes to a dog park just to support the cause whether they have a dog or not.

[iaudit]

No mention is made where the funding for this dog park will come from. Are you expecting the developer to donate land or to have our amenity fees used to purchase property? Who is going to maintain the property and clean up afterwards? Again, who will be responsible for paying the bills?

[Barefoot]

Karen, I will certainly send an e-mail to these people in support of dog parks.

We cheerfully pay our monthly amenities supporting golf, pickle ball, tennis, rec centre activities, etc., etc. Even though we don't do any of these activities; I have no problem at all with The Developer funding things that many people enjoy.

And hopefully most residents will support the minimal funding necessary for fencing off dog parks. (Which will be much, much less than even one golf course!!)

Someone asked who will clean up the dog parks. In most dog parks, the owners clean up after their dogs. A positive aspect for non-dog owners ... the provision of dog parks will hopefully keep dogs off people's lawns and away from postal areas.

[katezbox]

... but I understand where Zcave is coming from.

I hope that those of you that support a dog park, write or email as requested. I think it is important to not be silent on an issue that affects you personally.

Conversely, if you are opposed, I hope you will exercise your freedom to communicate the opposite.

One "ask" I have on both sides, is to be aware of what you are/aren't supporting. The rumor mill in TV is alive and well. Get the facts, bot the rumors. (enough soap box from me)

k

[Responsible Dog Owners]

Thank you all for the very healthy dialogue regardiing dog parks. To answer a few questions:

Funding of Property: The properties in question are already owned by VCCDD. The properties in question do not impact residents' peace, quiet, tranquility, lifestyle or value of their property.

Maintenance: The properties will be monitored by the residents using the property. Hence, the name Responsible Dog Owners. Each resident will be issued an "Ambassador Guidelines" package guiding them as to what to look for, what to suggest to participants as it relates to caring for the park, and obiding by the leash laws of Marion and Sumter Counties. Trash will be picked up from trash recepticles as they are picked up at amenity areas.

Hours of Operation: The parks will be open in the morning and then again in the evening, to be closed at dusk. Closed during the mid-day. The parks will be irrigated to maintain heathly ground base.

Gate Lockage: The parks will be locked by the Recreational Center employees as they make their rounds to lock other amenity areas, i.e. pools.

If you have more questions, I would be happy to answer them.

Karen

[F16 1UB]

Thank you for providing your input on this issue. It is important that AAC members also hear from those who support proposals rather than just those who are against.

Thanks,
Rich Lambrecht

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

... the provision of dog parks will hopefully keep dogs off people's lawns and away from postal areas.

Does this mean that everytime a dog has to do his business he would be taken to the dog park? I doubt that.

[texasfal]

This is all fine and good unless your house that you paid big bucks for to be on the golf course is now going to look out on the dog park.

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by texasfal

This is all fine and good unless your house that you paid big bucks for to be on the golf course is now going to look out on the dog park.

I would prefer to NOT have Train Tracks, Sewer Plants, and/or Dog Parks in my back yard. (NIMBY)

[zcaveman]

I am not sure if you are aware of the Talk Of The Villages (TOTV) site, but it is a wealth of information and views of those that are members. I do realize it is only a small contingent of the Villages but these members here are sometimes vocal and have interesting input for the various subjects that we discuss.

This topic is a plea to support the dog park in Springdale.

Here is the site: We need your support

I for one am against it as you will see in my post if you visit the site.

I am just sending this to you to let you see what some of us are feeling.

Besides the barking and the noise factor, I am not sure that people will actually clean up after the dogs. also, where will everyone park? The traffic on the Springdale walking trail will increase and those that bring their dogs over in cars will use the parking places for the Springdale pool and mail stop.

Also, who will be out there to verify the shot records of the dogs? If I remember from the various articles in the Daily Sun, the dogs need all of their shots including the bordello cough shot. What happens when a dog gets sick? Can the owner sue the Villages for a lack of control?

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by texasfal

This is all fine and good unless your house that you paid big bucks for to be on the golf course is now going to look out on the dog park.

Like I said about the rumors... how could a home on a golf course now be looking at the dog park? Please explain how this is not mutually exclusive.

Zcave,

Thank you for honest, open dialogue on this. While I agree with Bare and F16, I think hearing viewpoints that we don't agree with is important to be sure we find a fair solution.

Kate

[beartrack]

I am a dog lover and a dog owner. I am currently in the process of buying a home in the Springdale area. The last thing that I want to see is a dog park near my home. I really think that dog parks are more for the entertainment of the owners, not the dogs. All my dog ever got out of going to a dog park, is a bath. If I asked my dog if she would like to go to a dog park and then have a bath, she would say, no thanks, I'll just stay at home and play with you.