[paulandjean]

I do not see a problem at the squares. Just leave that area alone.Few months back,drove up north for a few months and left at 2:00 A.M. drove down 466 to 301 and you should have seen the police they where everwhere. Running radar from behind bushes and hiding places, I did the limit but one guy turned in where you have tires choice, cop made u-turn and followed him. You cannot get away from drinking and driving once you leave the village squares.

[r_foye]

So last night I threw on my Michael Vick jersey, grabbed my concealed weapons permit and strapped my trusty .38 Special into my Sans-a-Belt slacks and headed to LSL to see what all this fuss is about. I drove my modified gas cart as fast as I could go up Buena Vista and parked near the center of the square. My trusty Labrador Buddy had to take care of business after the long cart ride so I let him unburden himself near the clocktower. Me and the wife punched down a couple of 40 ouncers while we sat in our cart eating some burgers we got at Johnny Rockets (the service was bad and the food was average). One of the local deputies came over to hassle us but I told him to go arrest some real criminals as this is a drinking community and I have the right to party without consequences. I couldn't stay as late as I wanted because I am getting up early to hunt Caribou with the Morse family so I let the wife drive us home as she was less intoxicated than I was. We took out a few signs on the way home but thats okay because we live in America's friendliest hometown.

[pooh]

Originally Posted by r_foye

So last night I threw on my Michael Vick jersey, grabbed my concealed weapons permit and strapped my trusty .38 Special into my Sans-a-Belt slacks and headed to LSL to see what all this fuss is about. I drove my modified gas cart as fast as I could go up Buena Vista and parked near the center of the square. My trusty Labrador Buddy had to take care of business after the long cart ride so I let him unburden himself near the clocktower. Me and the wife punched down a couple of 40 ouncers while we sat in our cart eating some burgers we got at Johnny Rockets (the service was bad and the food was average). One of the local deputies came over to hassle us but I told him to go arrest some real criminals as this is a drinking community and I have the right to party without consequences. I couldn't stay as late as I wanted because I am getting up early to hunt Caribou with the Morse family so I let the wife drive us home as she was less intoxicated than I was. We took out a few signs on the way home but thats okay because we live in America's friendliest hometown.

..................................

[RichieLion]

All the righteous defenders of the police officers who gave the tickets have a point about it being technically against the law, but then they have to go into their schtick about how they deserved the tickets, and proceed to preach to all of us about drinking and driving. Oh please!!; we're not your children here to be talked down to.

People around the square in their carts are generally just using their carts as comfortable seating to listen to the music and enjoy the evening air. For every person who might be sitting in their cart there are probably 50 people walking around the square with their plastic glass of an adult beverage they purchased at the legal kiosks about 10 to 20 feet from the officers harassing the two Villagers who are shocked they're getting a ticket as drinkers walk all around them.

This is the conundrum. I can stand right next to the police officer with my plastic glass of bourbon in my hand and watch him ticket the two confused Villagers who are doing the same thing, only they're resting their feet by sitting in their cart. That's the scene in a nutshell. Technically against the letter of the law or not, it just seems bogus.

[angiefox10]

Originally Posted by r_foye

So last night I threw on my Michael Vick jersey, grabbed my concealed weapons permit and strapped my trusty .38 Special into my Sans-a-Belt slacks and headed to LSL to see what all this fuss is about. I drove my modified gas cart as fast as I could go up Buena Vista and parked near the center of the square. My trusty Labrador Buddy had to take care of business after the long cart ride so I let him unburden himself near the clocktower. Me and the wife punched down a couple of 40 ouncers while we sat in our cart eating some burgers we got at Johnny Rockets (the service was bad and the food was average). One of the local deputies came over to hassle us but I told him to go arrest some real criminals as this is a drinking community and I have the right to party without consequences. I couldn't stay as late as I wanted because I am getting up early to hunt Caribou with the Morse family so I let the wife drive us home as she was less intoxicated than I was. We took out a few signs on the way home but thats okay because we live in America's friendliest hometown.

You must be new around here.....

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by The Villager II

I think it would be safer to drink a beer or two in your cart than it would to drink a few coffee's. I see more craziness from old codgers hopped up on caffeine than I do on alcohol. I also disagree with the statement "the majority of villages support the tickets". That may be correct at a church service, but not at the Town Squares. Drunk is one thing, enjoying a beer or a mixed drink is a totally different issue. I support the .08 rule, but don't tell me where I can consume up to that point. I believe that The Villages is a drinking friendly community and should stay that way. I also feel that drinking alcohol should not be looked at as a problem unless you abuse it no more than driving a car is a criminal act unless you become reckless. Drinking in public becomes an issue due to the self righteous views of non-drinkers.

Drink sensibly and enjoy.

That attitude will get you in a lot of trouble since laws are on the books that define exactly where you can consume "up to that point". Your point seems to be that you consider it OK to drink while you drive as long as you haven't exceeded .08. Is that true? Probably not. But what are your parameters?

Apparently, the town squares are defined as the area up to the parking spaces around them. Anyone drinking within that area is considered to be consuming within an establishment even though they are outside, just like in the patio area at City Fire, Margarita's, etc. Once you move out of that area, you are in violation. That is why establishments will not allow you to take a beverage outside their limits.

Law enforcement personnel are not authorized to determine which laws to enforce and which to ignore. If an LEO ignores an obvious violation, those involved are likely to engage in the same activity again. We can debate whether a warning could or should have been given in this case, but, not being there and privy to the discussion that occurred, that's all we can do.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by r_foye

So last night I threw on my Michael Vick jersey, grabbed my concealed weapons permit and strapped my trusty .38 Special into my Sans-a-Belt slacks and headed to LSL to see what all this fuss is about. I drove my modified gas cart as fast as I could go up Buena Vista and parked near the center of the square. My trusty Labrador Buddy had to take care of business after the long cart ride so I let him unburden himself near the clocktower. Me and the wife punched down a couple of 40 ouncers while we sat in our cart eating some burgers we got at Johnny Rockets (the service was bad and the food was average). One of the local deputies came over to hassle us but I told him to go arrest some real criminals as this is a drinking community and I have the right to party without consequences. I couldn't stay as late as I wanted because I am getting up early to hunt Caribou with the Morse family so I let the wife drive us home as she was less intoxicated than I was. We took out a few signs on the way home but thats okay because we live in America's friendliest hometown.

You are forgiven for all of your misdeeds because you get the Gracie..Funniest Post of the Day award.

[The Villager II]

Originally Posted by mikeod

That attitude will get you in a lot of trouble since laws are on the books that define exactly where you can consume "up to that point". Your point seems to be that you consider it OK to drink while you drive as long as you haven't exceeded .08. Is that true? Probably not. But what are your parameters?

Apparently, the town squares are defined as the area up to the parking spaces around them. Anyone drinking within that area is considered to be consuming within an establishment even though they are outside, just like in the patio area at City Fire, Margarita's, etc. Once you move out of that area, you are in violation. That is why establishments will not allow you to take a beverage outside their limits.

Law enforcement personnel are not authorized to determine which laws to enforce and which to ignore. If an LEO ignores an obvious violation, those involved are likely to engage in the same activity again. We can debate whether a warning could or should have been given in this case, but, not being there and privy to the discussion that occurred, that's all we can do.

Yes that is what I feel. We should be responsible for ourselves not to become intoxicated. The law is ridiculous and should be changed. I own guns, but I am responsible enough not to shot someone. We need to stop making silly rules and start holding folks responsible if they do the wrong thing and not what someone else feels is wrong. I am a Christian, so should I be fined if I miss Church next Sunday? Wake up America. Let work toward enforcing right vs wrong and quit with the silly rules.

[The Villager II]

Originally Posted by RichieLion

All the righteous defenders of the police officers who gave the tickets have a point about it being technically against the law, but then they have to go into their schtick about how they deserved the tickets, and proceed to preach to all of us about drinking and driving. Oh please!!; we're not your children here to be talked down to.

People around the square in their carts are generally just using their carts as comfortable seating to listen to the music and enjoy the evening air. For every person who might be sitting in their cart there are probably 50 people walking around the square with their plastic glass of an adult beverage they purchased at the legal kiosks about 10 to 20 feet from the officers harassing the two Villagers who are shocked they're getting a ticket as drinkers walk all around them.

This is the conundrum. I can stand right next to the police officer with my plastic glass of bourbon in my hand and watch him ticket the two confused Villagers who are doing the same thing, only they're resting their feet by sitting in their cart. That's the scene in a nutshell. Technically against the letter of the law or not, it just seems bogus.

[Chinook]

I will be moving to the Villages in about the year and want to be compliant with all police and/or Villages regulations about drinking. I will be moving somewhere by Lake Sumter area. I see people strolling about in the Lake Sumter with various drinks in their hands. I am attracted to the relaxed lifestyle here and would like to know what is legal here???

Chinook

[Jhooman]

Originally Posted by r_foye

So last night I threw on my Michael Vick jersey, grabbed my concealed weapons permit and strapped my trusty .38 Special into my Sans-a-Belt slacks and headed to LSL to see what all this fuss is about. I drove my modified gas cart as fast as I could go up Buena Vista and parked near the center of the square. My trusty Labrador Buddy had to take care of business after the long cart ride so I let him unburden himself near the clocktower. Me and the wife punched down a couple of 40 ouncers while we sat in our cart eating some burgers we got at Johnny Rockets (the service was bad and the food was average). One of the local deputies came over to hassle us but I told him to go arrest some real criminals as this is a drinking community and I have the right to party without consequences. I couldn't stay as late as I wanted because I am getting up early to hunt Caribou with the Morse family so I let the wife drive us home as she was less intoxicated than I was. We took out a few signs on the way home but thats okay because we live in America's friendliest hometown.

Dude - You be BAD

[Jim 9922]

Originally Posted by r_foye

So last night I threw on my Michael Vick jersey, grabbed my concealed weapons permit and strapped my trusty .38 Special into my Sans-a-Belt slacks and headed to LSL to see what all this fuss is about. I drove my modified gas cart as fast as I could go up Buena Vista and parked near the center of the square. My trusty Labrador Buddy had to take care of business after the long cart ride so I let him unburden himself near the clocktower. Me and the wife punched down a couple of 40 ouncers while we sat in our cart eating some burgers we got at Johnny Rockets (the service was bad and the food was average). One of the local deputies came over to hassle us but I told him to go arrest some real criminals as this is a drinking community and I have the right to party without consequences. I couldn't stay as late as I wanted because I am getting up early to hunt Caribou with the Morse family so I let the wife drive us home as she was less intoxicated than I was. We took out a few signs on the way home but thats okay because we live in America's friendliest hometown.

Great "editorial", we all need some fun poked at us ocassionally.
But, you forgot to feed the turtles, let your 10 year old grandchild do a cart wheelie around one leg of the square, with under-carriage lights blinking, and bring along a 30-something delinquent live-at-home child.

[Halle]

Originally Posted by r_foye

So last night I threw on my Michael Vick jersey, grabbed my concealed weapons permit and strapped my trusty .38 Special into my Sans-a-Belt slacks and headed to LSL to see what all this fuss is about. I drove my modified gas cart as fast as I could go up Buena Vista and parked near the center of the square. My trusty Labrador Buddy had to take care of business after the long cart ride so I let him unburden himself near the clocktower. Me and the wife punched down a couple of 40 ouncers while we sat in our cart eating some burgers we got at Johnny Rockets (the service was bad and the food was average). One of the local deputies came over to hassle us but I told him to go arrest some real criminals as this is a drinking community and I have the right to party without consequences. I couldn't stay as late as I wanted because I am getting up early to hunt Caribou with the Morse family so I let the wife drive us home as she was less intoxicated than I was. We took out a few signs on the way home but thats okay because we live in America's friendliest hometown.

Gets my vote for post of the Year!!!

[John_W]

Originally Posted by RichieLion

All the righteous defenders of the police officers who gave the tickets have a point about it being technically against the law, but then they have to go into their schtick about how they deserved the tickets, and proceed to preach to all of us about drinking and driving. Oh please!!; we're not your children here to be talked down to.

People around the square in their carts are generally just using their carts as comfortable seating to listen to the music and enjoy the evening air. For every person who might be sitting in their cart there are probably 50 people walking around the square with their plastic glass of an adult beverage they purchased at the legal kiosks about 10 to 20 feet from the officers harassing the two Villagers who are shocked they're getting a ticket as drinkers walk all around them.

This is the conundrum. I can stand right next to the police officer with my plastic glass of bourbon in my hand and watch him ticket the two confused Villagers who are doing the same thing, only they're resting their feet by sitting in their cart. That's the scene in a nutshell. Technically against the letter of the law or not, it just seems bogus.

ditto on 'that's the scene in a nutshell', could not have been stated better!

[Loveithere]

I often wonder what medications some golf cart drivers are taking. They do not look drunk but often I see a look of confusion on their faces. Doctors say that depression is common among the elderly. Many accidents reports no alcohol involved. Because we are seniors, we all assume alcohol is always the culprit ?