[tony]

Russ_Boston said I should put the acronym POA in a thread topic and see what happens to page views.

Is he right?

[golfnut]

Worth a try but the best way to judge it though would be to make POA one of the first few words in the thread topic so it shows up in the topic name in recent threads

[Russ_Boston]

Yes - Try "POA or VHA - what is best for our future"

Then sit back.

From my reading on this site for the past 2 years it appears that you can't be 'for' both groups. Not sure why that is but I'm not invloved in the day to day politics since I'm not there yet. I know that the POA's position on the hospital seems to be one-sided though.

[Best Mom]

Here comes Dummy.!!!
I should not touch this topic with a 10 foot pole. I could write pages but have just a minute. As I said in other posts, there is a vocal group of people on TOTV who think the developer is always right. There are many silent viewers who are smart enough not to post!

VHA always supports the developer. Can't ask questions at meetings. People we bought our house from are on VHA, also work for the developer, and with tell you secretly that it is just another way to sell this place. They were hand picked to be on VHA by the developer and then a rubber stamp election.

POA is a small group that has no where near the money, members or good public relations -because they don't have the developer's money and means. As a matter of fact, the developer actively does everything he can to shut the POA down. Go to a POA meeting and the floor is open.!!!! You can ask any questions.!!!!! They will answer and discuss every question.
The POA won a large lawsuit against the developer (developer spent a fortune on top lawyers) so that tells you something. On the historic side, the developer was really riping off the residents and breaking promises. Many of the POA members are from the historic and old side. POA helped many residents get their home resided. Many rumors and lies are put out about this small group of active residents. I met the POA leadership and can say I was impressed.
Russ-they write about and print good experiences about the hospital too.
Favorite past time here is putting down the POA. Easy to do because they are small in number and don't have anywhere near the resources of the VHA. The longer I see how things are done here, the more I realize we need a POA. I don't always agree with their little bulletin and they really need better writers.
So In the end-we need both.
Don't expect a debate as I am leaving now and I was a complete dummy for sticking up fot the less popular POA.

[swrinfla]

From my perspective,the POA must be given credit for keeping an eye out for "bad stuff." And, I believe they have done some good. The vinyl siding issue may be their most visible tirade, but I'm led to believe that their nag-nag-nag approach got some results.

That's my biggest objection to POA: Their Bulletin is, without a doubt, the most consistently negative publication I've ever seen. They take a reasonably simple issue and beat it to death, not in just one edition but in every edition for a year and more.

The tone, frankly, is one of "There's nothing right about the developer or his organization, even though we admit to living in a near paradise."

Each issue causes me to thrup.

Yes, I could avoid reading it, but why give up my monthly anger session?

SWR

Bestmom, you're not the only one who will stick up for POA. I think they do a great service. Because their job is to deal with problem issues in the community, their publication focuses on negatives, but there are always positives in it as well. Most people come and live here with their heads in the sand, not wanting to deal with the political issues or home owner issues that the POA confronts, and that's their perogative. But I applaud the people in POA who I think do a wonderful job for all of us.

[Barefoot]

We need a Citizens Watchdog or Rate Payer's Group to ensure that residents' best interests are protected.

At present, I guess POA is the only organization we've got to fill that role.
I'm not a member, but I think residents' definitely need a unified voice.

[barb1191]

Yes, I too support the POA in every way. You know what they say about "the squeaky wheel?" Well, the POA is just that...."the squeaky wheel" and how lucky we are to have the advantage of their efforts!

Kudos to the POA and their great job of persevering issues that are obviously overlooked and/or ignored, intentionally or otherwise. They do a remarkable job, under continual duress with little or no cooperation from the deveoper as well as many homeowners here in TV. POA doesn't allow the negative criticism to affect their determination to right the wrong on issues.

POA focuses on democracy in this retirement community. Give them a break; they are looking out for YOUR best interest. No easy task!!

[ijusluvit]

Since the admins are counting I really need to weigh in.

IMHO the POA is on a par with Habitat, Meals of Wheels, etc. Altruistic, caring of their fellow citizens, maybe even heroic.

The fact that they publish their work regularly and communicate openly is one of their strengths, but it opens them up to the cynics who criticize their sometimes unsophisticated style. If their monthly rag looked like the New Yorker or Rolling Stone, they'd be attacked for that. If they were more clandestine, they'd be dismissed for that.

The POA seems to care only about the issues, and honest talk. How refreshing!!!!

[Best Mom]

Boy I am surprised by these responses.!!

I must say again though that the POA is run by very hard working individuals who volunteer their time. It is easy to
criticize but how many of us would give up that much of our time for the good of the residents?

ijusluvit said it best.

[beady]

I just object to the POA's negative approach...I do not like being shouted at and that is how I feel when I read the newsletter. They are screaming at me . Speak to me in a civil tone and I will listen and participate. Found that approach worked when I was raising my kids.

Cudos to the organization for what they have accomplished...and yes..... the squeeky wheel gets the most grease.

[redwitch]

I think both have their good sides and their bad sides. VHA is too pro-developer. POA does use a sledge hammer when a little rap will do the trick. Not everything the devleoper does is a bad thing and it is necessary to have someone vote for things (although I'd be a lot more comfortable if I felt the votes were more democratic than just approving what is wanted). I think both are necessary but I won't accept what either says without doing my own research by talking to others, looking at whatever documents available to the public, trying to get my own perspective. Both organizations bring their own prejudices into their reporting, which is fine so long as it is understood by others that their agenda isn't necessarily the best agenda for the majority of TVers.

Originally Posted by Best Mom

Boy I am surprised by these responses.!!

I must say again though that the POA is run by very hard working individuals who volunteer their time. It is easy to
criticize but how many of us would give up that much of our time for the good of the residents?

ijusluvit said it best.

[golf4me]

Originally Posted by redwitch

I think both have their good sides and their bad sides. VHA is too pro-developer. POA does use a sledge hammer when a little rap will do the trick. Not everything the devleoper does is a bad thing and it is necessary to have someone vote for things (although I'd be a lot more comfortable if I felt the votes were more democratic than just approving what is wanted). I think both are necessary but I won't accept what either says without doing my own research by talking to others, looking at whatever documents available to the public, trying to get my own perspective. Both organizations bring their own prejudices into their reporting, which is fine so long as it is understood by others that their agenda isn't necessarily the best agenda for the majority of TVers.

Very well articulated. POA is a necessary organization that needs a new editor. VHA is the mouth of the developer, who is a benign dictator.

[tonycirocco]

You should , of course attend both for a while and see for yourself the differences.


Just a little aside, IMHO, the POA is NOT always negative.

If you take the time to read the newsletter, they do give kudos when they are deserved.

Tony C