[jannd228]

Originally Posted by barb1191

Chill, Russ. Where did I write about being "forced" to donate? With all due respect, you're entitled to your opinion and I as well am entitled to express my opinion, even if it may not please you.

I happen to be a cancer patient and have contributed much to the cause. You're missing the point.....completely.

the Morse family seem to have their fingers in many profitable pies

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by jannd228

the Morse family seem to have their fingers in many profitable pies

You are right. It is delicious to see that they can run things with all of the adverbs that make it profitable. Free enterprise is the backbone of this country. They are doing it without grants, government assistance and have done it for a long while. (Three generations)

I get annoyed when their success is questioned for no good reason. Sometimes, many times, hard work, smart risks, careful planning, and did I say hard work is rewarded with financial success. But, they could have done all this a lot less nicely and made a lot more money.

They fly beneath the radar and none of us truly know them. They fall into a place where they are undoubtably not Mother Teresa nor Attilla the Hun.

Even if I didn't buy here, I would have to say they know damn well how to run a business.

I don't know why they would want to bring a cancer center here other than to just make more money.. Naw.... They could still sell those houses without it, they have sold those houses without it for years. Maybe they have a vision of a wonderful life for older adults that no one on this planet has ever created before.

God save the king.

[dillywho]

Once again, your wisdom is right on. I, too, just cannot understand the obsession with the Morse family and their money. I am just grateful that they are willing to share. As you pointed out, they sure don't have to do it.

[zcaveman]

I think the cancer center is a good addition to TV and I will donate to the cause through the various clubs.

For the naysayers, think of the good it will bring to the cancer patients in TV. No more long trips to Tampa or Jacksonville for treatments.

I used to have to drive someone 30 miles a day for treatment.

Isn't this better?

[bimmertl]

The florida CDD statute was written by devlopers, for developers. To say Morse et al are profitable without government assistance is absurd. Without the Florida CDD statute, Morse could not have made his fortune. So all the CDD's in Florida rely on the statute they wrote, to rake in their profits.

Here's an old article lending some insight into the issue.

http://www.jimleusner.com/Stories/IT..._A_VILLAGE.htm

If you think Morse has nothing to hide, when they recently settled the lawsuit against them for close to $50 million, they insisted on a confidentially agreement which prevented the plaintiffs from discussing just what they discovered that led to the settlement.

The old adage "ignorance is bliss" certainly rings true for a lot of Villagers.

[same]

For the folks that choose not to support the world class cancer center. ...Instead of a check, just send in a card saying that if you get cancer, you would rather drive to Tampa for treatment.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by bimmertl

The florida CDD statute was written by devlopers, for developers. To say Morse et al are profitable without government assistance is absurd. Without the Florida CDD statute, Morse could not have made his fortune. So all the CDD's in Florida rely on the statute they wrote, to rake in their profits.

Here's an old article lending some insight into the issue.

http://www.jimleusner.com/Stories/IT..._A_VILLAGE.htm

If you think Morse has nothing to hide, when they recently settled the lawsuit against them for close to $50 million, they insisted on a confidentially agreement which prevented the plaintiffs from discussing just what they discovered that led to the settlement.

The old adage "ignorance is bliss" certainly rings true for a lot of Villagers.

I'll ask again, maybe a little more politely:

What does this statement you made have to do with the Moffitt cancer center coming to town?

I'd like you to state whether you are for it or against it. And if you are against it then why?

At least we can debate the issue intelligently if you state your case and not just rail against Morse.

[SALYBOW]

I am a registered radiation therapist. I worked for 28 Years in Cancer Therapy. When a treatment center was built the entity that owned it also furnished it. Of course, they may have gotten help to do it. I am not sure.
I do know that the Treatment centers generated a lot of income for the owner. The radiation department particularly does.
I was thrilled to hear of the Moffet Center moving here. It is a name I am not familiar with, but they say it is quite big in the South. I would imagine the Moffet Center might be wondering what's up with this approach to funding as well. Might they lose confidence with their decision to come here?
As far as "chipping in" to equip the center I have a few questions. If the Villagers provide money for equiptment, do we also get money from the profits. If so. this may be a pretty good deal for us. I would be interested in increasing my meager living allowance for sure.
When you ask the question should we expect the Morses to fund everything. my answer would be a resounding NO. We should expect thsoe who will reap the profits from the center to equip it. It is as simple as that.

[Russ_Boston]

Sally - I would guess that being not for profit the idea is to basically break even for tax reasons. Yes the employees get paid well and they put profits back into the business but the bottom line is limited and there is no pay out to shareholders or the like (re:TV'ers). I work for two not for profit companies right now.

At least that is my understanding.

On the web:

Ownership is the quantitative difference between for- and not-for-profit organizations. For-profit organizations can be privately owned and may re-distribute taxable wealth to employees and shareholders. By contrast, not-for-profit organizations do not have owners. They have controlling members or boards, but these people cannot sell their shares to others or personally benefit in any taxable way.
While they are able to earn a profit, more accurately called a surplus, such earnings must be retained by the organization for its self-preservation, expansion and future plans. Earnings may not benefit individuals or stake-holders.

[Chi-Town]

First of all, it is great that we are going to have a cancer center affilliated with Moffitt. Originally, there was only going to be a facility adjacent to the Leesburg Regional Medical Center. Gary Morse stepped up to get a facility here. So it's a win-win for LRMC and The Villages Health System. Per the Central Florida Health Alliance both facilities will be leased and they will be tenants in the buildings.

So it would be interesting to see the plan of the developer for the Leesburg center. A large hospital that I called on with Cardinal Health opened a heart hospital on their grounds, and I don't remember community donations being necessary to equip it. BTW, the hospital is enjoying a nice return on its investment. As Russ mentioned since this hospital is also not for profit the monies are used to further the charter of the hospital.

[beartrack]

I had made up my mind that I was not going to comment on this thread even though I am greatly disturbed by many of the comments that have been made here, especially the ones concerning profit and loss. Frankly, I don't care who, or what makes whatever. Good luck to them. After I read the post from Kathiel about the Passing of Steve from NY. And knowing what many of my friends and family members have gone through, I felt that I needed to make a comment.

If any of the folks that are concerned over profits, ever find themselves lying on a table under a radiation machine or sitting in a chemo chair once a week for six months while the staff there is pumping your body full of poison that they describe as a cocktail, I promise you that the last thing you will be thinking about how much money some people may or may not be making. I also promise you that you will say a special prayer for the outstanding treatment that you will be recieving at The Moffit center, and for the people that brought to your doorstep one of the most respected world class cancer centers in The USA.

I do not pretend to be as articulate as others that post here but, this one is from the heart. So please, go easy on me.

Thank you to the Morse family and anyone else that had the forsight to bring The Moffit center to us. Many, Many thanks.

[pauld315]

I have also refrained from commenting on this since I do not yet live there but I am in a family that has experienced cancer multiple times. My wife has had breast cancer twice and I know just how hard it is for the patient and the families. We are very fortunate because we live within 20 miles of 3 fantastic world renowned cancer centers. However, over the years I met many people not so fortunate and they had to travel hundreds of miles to get the same level of care my wife could get. It is very hard going through cancer treatments and the travel can not only be a hardship but also very expensive. So, to get a world class cancer not for profit center to settle near the Villages is a blessing for the residents and those who live nearby.

6.4 million dollars for approximately 100,000 residents translates to about 64 dollars per resident. I know there are a lot of very skilled people who reside in TV who could figure out how to raise that amount of money pretty easily. It might take a few golf tournaments or other events but it seems like it could be done with all the facilities available in TV. It would cost more for a hotel room and gas to drive to Tampa one time than 64 dollars per person. To give those of you who may not be familiar with some of the treatments, my wife once spent 21 days in the hospital for a stem cell transplant. Amazing science which is done by harvesting your own stem cells before treatment begins, high dosage chemotherapy which kills your bone marrow and then reintrducing your own stem cells to bring you back to life. Imagine the expense or burden that would put on a family that lived 80 miles away. I have seen the burden firsthand and you are very lucky that Mofffit will operating a center near TV.

[pauld315]

Originally Posted by SALYBOW

As far as "chipping in" to equip the center I have a few questions. If the Villagers provide money for equiptment, do we also get money from the profits. If so. this may be a pretty good deal for us. I would be interested in increasing my meager living allowance for sure.
When you ask the question should we expect the Morses to fund everything. my answer would be a resounding NO. We should expect thsoe who will reap the profits from the center to equip it. It is as simple as that.

To be crystal clear, Moffitt is a non profit organization.

http://www.moffitt.org/about

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by beartrack

I had made up my mind that I was not going to comment on this thread even though I am greatly disturbed by many of the comments that have been made here, especially the ones concerning profit and loss. Frankly, I don't care who, or what makes whatever. Good luck to them. After I read the post from Kathiel about the Passing of Steve from NY. And knowing what many of my friends and family members have gone through, I felt that I needed to make a comment.

If any of the folks that are concerned over profits, ever find themselves lying on a table under a radiation machine or sitting in a chemo chair once a week for six months while the staff there is pumping your body full of poison that they describe as a cocktail, I promise you that the last thing you will be thinking about how much money some people may or may not be making. I also promise you that you will say a special prayer for the outstanding treatment that you will be recieving at The Moffit center, and for the people that brought to your doorstep one of the most respected world class cancer centers in The USA.

I do not pretend to be as articulate as others that post here but, this one is from the heart. So please, go easy on me.

Thank you to the Morse family and anyone else that had the forsight to bring The Moffit center to us. Many, Many thanks.

Beautifully, articulately and sincerely said, Beartrack. Thank you. I have been there myself but watching our daughter undergo cancer treatment was far worse. I would do anything to help bring an excellent cancer hospital to this place.

[skip0358]

I applaud the previous posts for being honest and sharing their own dealings with this dreaded illness. I to had family that went thru this. To think that approx. 100,000 people will be living here before long lets face it theres a good chance many of our own neighbors will need these facilities. If donations or fundraisers are needed so what. We can ban together and get the job done. We will benefit from this center being in our community. And I to say thanks to the Morse Family for getting this center here.