[pooh]

Originally Posted by The Villager II

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.

A question...where you lived prior to here, could you drink in any location in town? Could you take alcohol from a restaurant? Really has nothing to do with whether you're a responsible drinker or gun owner...right now it's the law and laws can indeed be changed. If you feel the law is unfair here, what about working to have it repealed.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by The Villager II

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.

before we can do that we will all have to agree on the definitions for enforcement, right, wrong and silly...good luck with that!

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by 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

You will not find your answer on this board.
About every 6 months somebody posts a thread regarding drinking in a golf cart. There usually are 75-100 posts where everbody gives their opinion and or lecture.
The real answer is seldem posted. Yes, sometimes the laws are copied and pasted but nobody ever agrees that what is posted is really the law.
If you want the straight answer, here is the Sumter County Villages office number 352-689-4600.
I hope your move to The Villges is an easy one.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by asianthree

We do know how to get a good post going.....welcome to the fall season can't wait till January with more new people here...be carefull to all

Great wisdom here!

[2BNTV]

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.

That's funny stuff... Definitely the post of the day.

[2BNTV]

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.

Richie:

Very thoughtful post.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

Originally Posted by pooh

In my life, three families that I know were impacted as the result of drunk drivers. One was the family of a classmate while in grammar school. Her father lost his life in an accident caused by a drunk driver. The second person was my father's boss...again an accident caused by a drunk driver and a life lost. The third was the newly engaged daughter of a family friend. She and her fiancee had just returned from a date, they were sitting on her car, which was parked in the street. A drunk driver hit the car and she was killed right in front of her home. I have this thing for ANYONE who might be driving while under the influence.

My brother in law was a police officer...he was good and believe me it wasn't an easy job. Of course there are bad officers, but there are more good than not and each and every day they risk their lives to help keep us safe.

The law states no alcoholic beverages while sitting in golf carts...it's Florida law and probably the law in a number of other states. People, you're adults, stop responding like spoiled children who can't have their way. As sad as it seems, ignorance of the law is not excuse so now that those who didn't know, know, behave accordingly.

[rubicon]

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.

richielion: another one who believes you have it right. I reviewed this thread and the word that most often comes to mind is "oxymoron"

The town squares were designed to have residents eat drink be merry and dance. The villages advertises itself as a golf cart community and encourages residents to use their golf carts to save on parking space, etc. The town squares have a number of establishments that offer the sale alcohol. It is a natural to sit in your cart and with a drink.

Unless the OP left ignored some facts it seems illogical to issue a ticket just because two people have open containers in a parked golf cart. If those are the facts then the police must be issuing a lot of tickets.

Personally I have no dog in this fight because my wife and I normally will not buy alcohol when we are out preferring to waste calories on food.

If what the OP stated is factual Village officials need to have a sit down with police and then make the necessay adjustments on the squares. I am not excusing people who can't hold their liquor that is another story

[RichieLion]

Someone mentioned that this happens in Spanish Springs and not in Lake Sumter Landing. Does Lake County have different open container laws than Sumter County?

That is what we need to find out.

[Harry Gilbert]

One thing that has been overlooked so far.

How was the initial contact handled and how was it perceived by the OP? It is entirely possible that the outcome could have been different.

Just as sometimes you can talk yourself out of a ticket you can also talk yourself into a ticket. But the only ones who know what really happened were the ones involved.

[LivingLarge]

After lurking for a few months I see this same thread or something similar all the time. On one side we have those that say "A law is a law and thank god for the police and all they do for us". On the other side with have those that say "Could someone please tell me the difference between sitting in front of you cart (and not getting a ticket) and sitting in your parked cart and getting a ticket? Either way the person may or may not end up drunk driving".

By now anyone who reads TOTV should know enough to bring a lawn chair and sit in front of the cart. Keep you money where it belongs - in your pocket not Sumter County coffers. I guess you can see what side I'm on

[skip0358]

If your within the curb lines of the square there is no problem.
If the streets are closed because of an affair this is considered an exstension of the square no problem.
If your in your parked golf cart with an alcholoic beverage you can be ticketed.
If you leave a resteraunt or bar with an alcoholic beverage you can be ticketed
If your walking on the street or sidewalk ( other then the squares sidewalk ) with an alcoholic beverageyou can be ticketed

Originally Posted by Sundance

My husband and I were enjoying a few beers Saturday when two police officers shinned flashlights into our golf cart and gave us tickets for open containers. Very bad experience and will not go back. So beware, you can get ticketed even walking around with drinks from the outside bars if you are not in the square. Villages is not fun anymore.

trying to figure this one out. First you say that you got tickets in your cart. Next you say that you can tickets while walking with drinks if not on the square. Did you get ticketed twice?

Almost 6000 views of this post and 86 replies to it....you were logged on to
TOTV at 3:29 p.m. yesterday and had NOTHING TO SAY. I wonder....

[The Villager II]

Originally Posted by skip0358

If your within the curb lines of the square there is no problem.
If the streets are closed because of an affair this is considered an exstension of the square no problem.
If your in your parked golf cart with an alcholoic beverage you can be ticketed.
If you leave a resteraunt or bar with an alcoholic beverage you can be ticketed
If your walking on the street or sidewalk ( other then the squares sidewalk ) with an alcoholic beverageyou can be ticketed

Thanks Skip.

[paulandjean]

So in the words of the Police Officer, If you buy a drink at the Hut and walk across the street to the picnic tables you get a ticket.All you people that have little parties there look out ticket time. Sunset pointe ticket time.