Point
 

The point is much of the Villages south of 44 are taxed by a city that doesn’t even support them. Not just a small amount, but by more than a hundred dollars per month. Then they spend it on fireworks (This isn’t just the 4th which we all expect).

I so appreciate the rhetorical question. Thanks! I’ll try and spell it out for you:

We are taxed for the sole benefit of Wildwood,

Money raked in is used for things like 50,000 dollar parking spaces next to city hall and fireworks for additional holidays like New Years.

I hope this helps?

If you live South of 44, this should be of no surprise to you.......Wildwood Taxes, Most Cities have fireworks, Sometimes it's difficult to see the benefit of taxation, etc.

If you don't live South of 44, why post??

Pretty Flowers
 

Those pretty Flowers compliment our surroundings!

Yes They Do
 

Great point!

Absolutely, one of the things I like about where we live. Those amenities are well worth it and have a lot more permanency than a quick fireworks show. We live in a beautiful place

Don't see your point. You bought in the City of Wildwood with your eyes wide open. We bought in the unincorporated area for a reason, lower taxes. If that additional tax money matters, then don't buy there. Simple as that.

get a sponsor
 

If you really want to know how much such a display is worth, get a sponsor.

It's worth only what a sponsor would pay.

Why spend everyone's tax money for a display that will be seen only by a small fraction of Wildwood's citizens.

Guess the money is burning a hole in city leader's pockets!

Unless if the purpose is to try to stir-the-pot.

Fireworks
 

We are looking forward to this event as a long time resident
of Wildwood at Brownwood. Cudos To Wildwood Parks & Recreation.
:smiley:

That's a very selfish mindset. I want Wildwood to succeed during and after I'm gone.

Labelling everything as "tax and spend" shows a lack of knowledge in municipal finances.

Do you expect Villagers within the boundaries of Wildwood to pay nothing? The Wildwood police patrol our streets, Wildwood maintains our roads.

If you can't afford $15000 over a span of 10 years, then you probably can't afford to live in the Villages in the first place as you're at the mercy of the the CDD for amenity fee rates and county taxes that will inevitably go up.

Mr. Chip,, that’s your vision and good for you. We all have a responsibility to our community for sure. We enjoy volunteering and giving back to our community. Those tax revenue boundaries were drawn up and can change. Many sections of The Villages that were swallowed up for tax revenues, don’t need to be part of Wildwood. As you can tell from my posts AND others in the past, not everyone is on board to just write a check to Wildwood every year.

Disillusionment is likely the best answer. Through suit, petition or government or all the above it will happen. You can be a part of it or not, join the POA if you wish. Fortunately voting numbers are on the side of The Villages now and will only increase. Here’s an excellent link on the subject http://floridaleagueofcities.com/doc...s.pdf?sfvrsn=4

We are a CDD and I’m a proud member of ours. We do our part and love the POA group. As for county roads and maintenance, they will always be taken care of. The sherif’s department has done a magnificent job with law enforcement in non incorporated sections and another tax bill we pay ensures that. Let Wildwood take care of Wildwood.and let the CDD take care of itself.

There isn’t any selfish greed here, what I and many others see is a greed from the City of Wildwood wanting more residents and tax dollars for “their” great ideas and dreams. Just spending our money on loony projects isn’t what everyone wants. Fireworks isn’t the point at all. No one wishes and harm or has ill will towards Wildwood. Let Wildwood support Wildwood and let The Villages support The Villages. After all, the US mailing address for most of us is The Villages, not Wildwood.

Your first post:
"138,000 dollar Fireworks Displays
Come on out and see your Wildwood tax money blown up on New Years!

A $138,000 contract with Zambelli Fireworks to provide a 20-minute display on July 3 this year and a seven-minute display for New Year’s, possibly at midnight.
That’s about 5 thousand dollars a minute!"

Without support of your first post, is it changing now??

Satire
 

Satire

The parking garage for the thrift store downtown is just the beginning of the millions being spent to save a downtown that doesn't really exist.

I was living in Boston in 1980. They were celebrating their 350th year as a city that July 4th. The Boston Pops played at the Hatch Shell, I was roller skating at the park through the crowds. Stopped near a fishing boat anchored near my college's sail/crew club building (mostly 3-passenger sail boats) to catch my breath after an hour. They invited me on board, so of course I went on. I spent that July 4th watching the fireworks off the barge in the same water I was in, while the Pops played the 1812 Overture. They had a lobster bake on the boat so I ate very well. The explosions were synced to the music, and people all over the city were watching it on TV at bars and at home. It was amazing, I'll never forget it.

It was one of the last times I actually enjoyed fireworks.

Get it
 

We are not even apart of the scheme in Lake County but have heard of the parking debacle. I once lived in a town that thought it was all that with grand ideas, and it all fizzled as I think this will.

I don’t think fireworks are a waste of money though. Then again, I’m sure many don’t agree with me on this too. I really don’t care.