[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by blueash

Brilliant, just brilliant. Love a good pun

Great catch. Went way over my green beer addled head. Lol

[JoeC1947]

Originally Posted by buggyone

...and the posters here who say they would superglue thumbtacks on chairs (that would ruin chairs for future use and we pay for them with amenity fees), spill beer on chairs, cut ribbons, and other acts of childish vandalism are worse than those who got down to the entertainment area early in the morning and took positive action to assure they would have a seat.

There are no "bullies" that would physically do anything to you if you moved into one of their areas. They may grump at you but so what?

Next time, I suggest instead of sleeping until 11 am that you get yourself down to the entertainment area and set up your own chairs for you and a few friends.

Yep, people say "I would do this or I would do that" and they wouldn't do squat! (Pun intended) Cut the ropes and take a seat. No one will beat you up!

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by rustyp

Oh -sounds like a "chairity"

Hahahah! Good one!

[Happinow]

This type of behavior is not unique to TV. For the reasons of..... way too many people in one spot, saving of chairs and tables, trying to get home in a timely manner, pushy people and the me, myself and I mentality, my husband and I don't attend many festivities. We grew tired of this early on as it happens all the time where I live. in TV you are mostly dealing with seniors which may or may not be easier. Where I currently live we are dealing with people of all ages which I actually think is worse. The "kids" would rather tell you "where to go" than to let you have a spot to see a parade. I think if people attend these large events they need to be mentally prepared. They are a lot of fun, but also a lot of aggravation. We tend to go to the beat of our own drum.

[handyman]

Just what I was thinking,Make it 5.00,sell tags there are many worthwhile charities,at least that would put a stop to those who like to SAVE 2&3 seats in different areas.....

[bestmickey]

Originally Posted by Skybo

I think if you want to claim/save a chair, then your butt needs to be in it. If you want to claim/save 6 chairs, then you need all six butts sitting in them. Let your whole party sit there all day long if the location is that important to you. But roping off a whole row of chairs or staking claim to an entire table, and then posting a “guard” is ridiculous. Anyone who thinks this is acceptable behavior is completely self-centered. It should be first butt-in-the-chair gets the chair.

I fully agree Skybo!

Here are my thoughts/suggestions, for what they're worth. I'm sorry it's so wordy. And, if you don't like my suggestions, PLEASE create your own proactive suggestions. After all, it's your community. Criticism is easy. An acceptable approach to resolving the problem(s) is what's needed.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Squares have gotten so overcrowded, tables should NO longer be allowed or offered on the Squares. To provide more seating for the increased crowds, since there will be no more tables, there will be plenty of extra room for extra chairs to be lined up in rows. If you want to bring your own food or drinks, fine. However, whatever you bring will sit under your chair or on your lap.

As an aside, lack of tables may also result in a decrease of drunks at the squares since there will likely be fewer bottles of spirits in the areas.

Roping off of sections of chairs and placing of items to "hold" sections of chairs will NO longer be tolerated. This will be posted on-site and noted in every Recreation News, and in/on every Weekly/Daily Entertainment Schedule.

It will also be posted AND noted in these listings that standing will NO LONGER be tolerated, UNLESS you are in the LAST ROW of chairs.

The lack of tables should also allow the drink kiosk owners (don't know what their official name is) to sell more product, thereby providing them extra income. With this extra income, there should be an increase in the permit fee they are charged to run these kiosks. The extra income generated from these permit fees should be strictly directed to support hired staff to help enforce these rules. IF it's the developer who pockets the money from these drink kiosks, then a permit fee isn't charged. Well, since the developer would then be the one making more money, the anticipated increased profit should still go towards enforcement staff.

To cut down on the temptation of saving chairs, perhaps the line-up of chairs should not be allowed until three hours prior to the scheduled event. (???)

IF you agree with these recommendations, you may want to cut/paste/print these ideas and attach them to your resident survey when submitted.

One last suggestion, in case the developer won't allow or won't enforce these suggestions (or other proactive suggestions you may have). Cut/paste/print the suggestions and en masse, hand them out to shop/restaurant owners on the Squares. Since it's they who reportedly fund the entertainment, inform the owners/managers of these establishments that you will stop visting the Squares and their establishments IF something isn't done to make the Squares/events more appealing and comfortable for you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good luck folks! I'm sure there are many who won't like any of these suggestions. Well, where are your suggestions to resolve the problem? I'm only in TV one or two months a year. I don't even like or go to the parades ... and don't much care for Rocky & The Rollers period of music ... so I don't even run into the problem. You who have the problem should help resolve the issue.

[Bogie Shooter]

bestmickey
Sorry, but I cannot find fault with your proposal. Good Work!

[bestmickey]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

bestmickey
Sorry, but I cannot find fault with your proposal. Good Work!

Don't be sorry Bogie! I'm honored.

[paulandjean]

Or we can have a check in station,Heres you chair ,now you can go.

[macgolfnut]

I'm sorry for those of you that don't think this is a friendly place. I have been here for 3 years and I find that 95% of the people that I meet are very friendly. There are always some bad apples in the bunch and some of the most angry people seem to use TOTV to vent their anger. My feeling is that the powers that be are trying to offer a lot of opportunities for people to enjoy the holidays and other special events. As The Villages have grown, and especially this time of year, there are going to be times when some of these events are very crowded. I would agree that it is bad to save seats in the squares around the bandstand. When it comes to the parade, I'm not sure there is a better way to accommodate the people who want to enjoy the parade with their friends. I was part of a group that got to LSL at 5:45 to reserve a table and had someone at the table throughout the day. We saw tables where people got there early to reserve the table and then left and didn't return until right before the parade. This is definitely wrong and the event officials should open up those tables that are not attended. Perhaps a solution would be to do away with the tables and just leave those spaces open to everyone. However, you are never going to stop people from saving spaces. Go to your hometown 4th of July parade, or, if you've ever gone on a cruise, a seat by the pool.

Come on. Lighten up, people. If you don't want to fight crowds, don't go to the parade or the squares this time of year. I thoroughly enjoyed the parade and the day with some good friends.

[JoeC1947]

Originally Posted by bestmickey

I fully agree Skybo!

Here are my thoughts/suggestions, for what they're worth. I'm sorry it's so wordy. And, if you don't like my suggestions, PLEASE create your own proactive suggestions. After all, it's your community. Criticism is easy. An acceptable approach to resolving the problem(s) is what's needed.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Squares have gotten so overcrowded, tables should NO longer be allowed or offered on the Squares. To provide more seating for the increased crowds, since there will be no more tables, there will be plenty of extra room for extra chairs to be lined up in rows. If you want to bring your own food or drinks, fine. However, whatever you bring will sit under your chair or on your lap.


As an aside, lack of tables may also result in a decrease of drunks at the squares since there will likely be fewer bottles of spirits in the areas.

Roping off of sections of chairs and placing of items to "hold" sections of chairs will NO longer be tolerated. This will be posted on-site and noted in every Recreation News, and in/on every Weekly/Daily Entertainment Schedule.

It will also be posted AND noted in these listings that standing will NO LONGER be tolerated, UNLESS you are in the LAST ROW of chairs.

The lack of tables should also allow the drink kiosk owners (don't know what their official name is) to sell more product, thereby providing them extra income. With this extra income, there should be an increase in the permit fee they are charged to run these kiosks. The extra income generated from these permit fees should be strictly directed to support hired staff to help enforce these rules. IF it's the developer who pockets the money from these drink kiosks, then a permit fee isn't charged. Well, since the developer would then be the one making more money, the anticipated increased profit should still go towards enforcement staff.

To cut down on the temptation of saving chairs, perhaps the line-up of chairs should not be allowed until three hours prior to the scheduled event. (???)

IF you agree with these recommendations, you may want to cut/paste/print these ideas and attach them to your resident survey when submitted.

One last suggestion, in case the developer won't allow or won't enforce these suggestions (or other proactive suggestions you may have). Cut/paste/print the suggestions and en masse, hand them out to shop/restaurant owners on the Squares. Since it's they who reportedly fund the entertainment, inform the owners/managers of these establishments that you will stop visting the Squares and their establishments IF something isn't done to make the Squares/events more appealing and comfortable for you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good luck folks! I'm sure there are many who won't like any of these suggestions. Well, where are your suggestions to resolve the problem? I'm only in TV one or two months a year. I don't even like or go to the parades ... and don't much care for Rocky & The Rollers period of music ... so I don't even run into the problem. You who have the problem should help resolve the issue.

Best solution so far Mickey! I'm in!

[gerryann]

I'm sorry for those of you that don't think this is a friendly place.

I don't believe that anyone feels this way. We all know that this is a friendly place. We simply do not like the "saving situation" that is going on.

[hedoman]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Good topic for the resident survey.

Absolutely!

Was in SS at 8:30 and the Event Staff said folks started setting up at 7 am when HE got there AMAZING!

Thread is full of good ideas, except for thumbtacks and glue, just take the chair if it is not being used. Many outsiders come to use the squares too as we have met some great folks only to find they don't live in TV. That's all fine. All I can do is wait another month and then all will be well as we never have a problem finding a seat im May, June July......

Let'slet'em know in the survey!!!!!

[getdul981]

I thoroughly agree that chairs and/or tables should not be saved. We all need to make this point on our suirveys. Also, why not everyone bring your own chair. That way there would not be a need for the setting up and taking down of the chairs every day at both squares. There could be marked off sections where you could put your chair and sit and watch the entertainment. Also, the candle lighting at Christmas needs to be eliminated. Last Christmas, my wife nearly had her hair catch on fire by someone staggering around with a lighted candle in one hand and a drink in the other.

[nitehawk]

Originally Posted by buggyone

...and the posters here who say they would superglue thumbtacks on chairs (that would ruin chairs for future use and we pay for them with amenity fees), spill beer on chairs, cut ribbons, and other acts of childish vandalism are worse than those who got down to the entertainment area early in the morning and took positive action to assure they would have a seat.

There are no "bullies" that would physically do anything to you if you moved into one of their areas. They may grump at you but so what?

Next time, I suggest instead of sleeping until 11 am that you get yourself down to the entertainment area and set up your own chairs for you and a few friends.

thank you - i now know where you stand and it gives me a incite to you personality. you get up at 5am and set up you chars for you and your friends and i come at 3pm and claim you spot - the early bird does not always get the worm. you play by your rules i play by mine thank you