[graciegirl]

According to the online news;


With droves of snowbirds on the verge of returning to The Villages, the squares soon will be even more crowded.
But even with the snowbirds away, the age-old controversy of saving seats at the squares, has hardly been dormant this sizzling summer.
Residents frequently mark their seats prior to the first cocktail being served at 5 p.m. Colorful ropes, ribbons, string and cushions have long been the resident-recognized way for Villagers to “reserve” their seats, particularly at Spanish Springs Town Square. The “reservations” can sprout up on chairs hours before the first song of the evening is performed.
Officially, “saving” seats at the squares is prohibited in The Villages.
[IMG]http://www.**************.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/A-row-of-seats-is-marked-off-with-rope-and-cushions-at-Spanish-Springs-Town-Square-600x463.jpg[/IMG]A row of seats is marked off with rope and cushions at Spanish Springs Town Square

Saving seats at the square twice ended in arrest this summer.
Most recently, a 65-year-old Water Oak resident is alleged on Sept. 9 to have pushed a 77-year-old Villager who dared to sit in a seat “saved” by the Water Oaker at Spanish Springs Town Square.
When the Villager attempted to sit in one of the “saved” seats, (Name of person) informed the Villager that the chair was “taken.” When the Villager ignored him, (name of person) “jumped up and pushed (the man) back and jammed his fingers into the upper chest area,” of the Villager, according to an incident report from the Lady Lake Police Department.
(name of person) told police that the “chairs were taken,” but denied pushing or poking The Villager.
(Name of person) was issued a notice to appear Sept. 29 in Lake County Court to answer to a charge of misdemeanor battery.
This week, a 70-year-old Village of Santo Domingo man paid a nearly $300 fine in Lake County Court after pleading no contest to charges of disorderly conduct and resisting a police officer.

[Taltarzac725]

...always a bully.

Guess their mothers and/or fathers never taught these people good manners.

Originally Posted by graciegirl

According to the online news;


With droves of snowbirds on the verge of returning to The Villages, the squares soon will be even more crowded.
But even with the snowbirds away, the age-old controversy of saving seats at the squares, has hardly been dormant this sizzling summer.
Residents frequently mark their seats prior to the first cocktail being served at 5 p.m. Colorful ropes, ribbons, string and cushions have long been the resident-recognized way for Villagers to “reserve” their seats, particularly at Spanish Springs Town Square. The “reservations” can sprout up on chairs hours before the first song of the evening is performed.
Officially, “saving” seats at the squares is prohibited in The Villages.
[IMG]http://www.**************.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/A-row-of-seats-is-marked-off-with-rope-and-cushions-at-Spanish-Springs-Town-Square-600x463.jpg[/IMG]A row of seats is marked off with rope and cushions at Spanish Springs Town Square

Saving seats at the square twice ended in arrest this summer.
Most recently, a 65-year-old Water Oak resident is alleged on Sept. 9 to have pushed a 77-year-old Villager who dared to sit in a seat “saved” by the Water Oaker at Spanish Springs Town Square.
When the Villager attempted to sit in one of the “saved” seats, (Name of person) informed the Villager that the chair was “taken.” When the Villager ignored him, (name of person) “jumped up and pushed (the man) back and jammed his fingers into the upper chest area,” of the Villager, according to an incident report from the Lady Lake Police Department.
(name of person) told police that the “chairs were taken,” but denied pushing or poking The Villager.
(Name of person) was issued a notice to appear Sept. 29 in Lake County Court to answer to a charge of misdemeanor battery.
This week, a 70-year-old Village of Santo Domingo man paid a nearly $300 fine in Lake County Court after pleading no contest to charges of disorderly conduct and resisting a police officer.

[rubicon]

Unless the people responsible for maintaining and supplying the village squares take affirmative action this sort of thing will continue. if there is a policy of not saving seats then it should be enforced; otherwise it is not a policy

[golfing eagles]

and so it begins......

"Officially, “saving” seats at the squares is prohibited in The Villages."
My personal opinion is that if you make a rule, enforce the rule. That way there is no question as to what is permitted and what is expected, and conflict is less likely to ensue

[BS Beef]

I'm not a fan of the seat saving. That being said it's a shame it would come to that in any case. Maybe I'm just too passive but I just find my own space and/or enjoy something else around the square(s).

I am going to join those saying if that's the policy then the policy needs to be enforced. What's wrong with having a section where you can save seats and the rest is open?

[Jima64]

Makes me wonder if people understand that rules are there to be followed for everyone. I too would sit in a unoccupied seat. If I were physically attacked in any way I would let the police deal with it.

[Topspinmo]

IMO just remove them so you have to bring your own. Problem solved.

[fred53]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

IMO just remove them so you have to bring your own. Problem solved.

as they'll set up their own seat and put "reserved" on that...no just have Sgt.of Arms/usher that enforces it. People who don't like it can leave.

[twoas1@comcast.net]

knew it would happen sooner or later. The people who run the square are waiting for a murder before they make sure no one saves chairs.

[Villager Joyce]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

IMO just remove them so you have to bring your own. Problem solved.

There are many legitimate reasons why this isn't a good solution. It is hard to carry a chair and a drink. Seriously, people with difficulties walking might not be able to manage and could no longer enjoy the squares. In the good old days, young men would jump up and help but those may well be the folks that now need help.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by twoas1@comcast.net

knew it would happen sooner or later. The people who run the square are waiting for a murder before they make sure no one saves chairs.

Murder by chair?

[Greg Nelson]

How about pew rent? Enforce the rules..please

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by Villager Joyce

There are many legitimate reasons why this isn't a good solution. It is hard to carry a chair and a drink. Seriously, people with difficulties walking might not be able to manage and could no longer enjoy the squares. In the good old days, young men would jump up and help but those may well be the folks that now need help.

In the good old days, I'd be holding 2 drinks.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by fred53

as they'll set up their own seat and put "reserved" on that...no just have Sgt.of Arms/usher that enforces it. People who don't like it can leave.

If they don't have seats then they have to stand cause they didn't bring seats. Read my lips" there will never be seat inforcer at the squares. nobody wants that stress

[tomwed]

I think whenever the music starts everyone has to dance. And whenever it stops everyone has to run to a chair. Whoever is left standing, has to go home.