[LyndaS]

I didn’t want to comment until I finished reading all the posts (which took a while)… I am writing just to show my support to the folks over in the Historic Area. I am pretty surprised at the lack of empathy for our fellow Villagers. I would be very upset if all of a sudden a cart path that I used all the time was just blocked with no warning or explanation. Especially, where it also involves food shopping and doctor appointments! I think whoever is responsible is counting on letting some time go by and quietly sweeping it away. One of the reasons that I chose where I live is continued access to those necessities at a time when I may not be able to drive my car. I’m sure many of the people in the Historic area planned the same way.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by NoMoSno

His well paid attorneys didn't fair to well in this case:
Villages settles lawsuit, will fund $40 million in recreation upgrades

Revenge for the historic side?...

What a stretch!

[BettyCrocked]

I've always had a pretty middle of the road opinion of the developer. He's not the Messiah, but he's also not satan.
The way he is treating this situation with complete and total silence and gag orders on his employees is certainly not helping his case.
If there was a valid, logical reason for the wall, why doesn't he just come out and give it?
His silence is speaking volumes.

[graciegirl]

I hear all kinds of views and many from anonymous posters and many from new posters and many from people that most of us have read over some time and have an idea who they are and what kind of folks they are.

I wish that there was some way to know when people log in with inflammatory posts particularly that the rest of us knew if they lived here, if they had a dog in the fight to defame this whole area and the developer for some reason productive to them and their money or if they opposed the developer because he is rich or because they don't agree with his financial support of certain things we aren't allowed to mention.

It seems that the residents of the historic area have more reason, the most reasons to be upset terribly by the change. I wish that the rest of us knew how many do not own cars or cannot drive cars. Is it more than ten people? Is it more than twenty people? Is there a way that can be changed or helped?

I know that I, like many of my age treasure being independent and getting where I need to go myself, without the rigamarole of waiting for others to come pick me up or asking for charity. I see those as most affected. It isn't insurmountable but it isn't going to be easy shifting doctors or hiring a cab or getting a car to take you to work. There are other restaurants and Lowes isn't someplace most of us need to get to frequently. There is a service that will shop for you, I know, I know we like to shop for ourselves.

I am NOT trying to minimize but only trying to do what I have always done for myself when a roadblock is thrown up to my plans. This time unfortunately it is a real roadblock. Acess the damage and try to make new plans.

It is a big problem for those people but just how many people are involved that only have golf cart transportation that could not change that mode? Is it such an issue that they would feel it necessary to move? Does it affect more home owners than renters? Although I don't think that matters now that I have typed it.

I think that most of the rest of us have watched and hoped that the gate would be reopened and the way that you who live in the three villages affected could go back to the way things were.

Perhaps the town of Lady Lake could be persuaded to pave the area of frontage if it is public property?

We may never know the real reason why the wall was put up. I personally think that trying to change it is futile. We do not VOTE in a CDD.

Frustration breeds anger, but is anger productive? I was hoping to hear some good reason why the wall was put up. I think it well may be that the property owner of the area next door could claim that their place is golf cart accessible to The Villages and that is ****ing off the Morses.

[Peachie]

Originally Posted by Steve9930

I read the post about the individual that will no longer be making purchases because the entrance was closed. A little bit of frustration between the lines. The bottom line is all the cart paths in the Villages are not engineered to only allow Village Residents. Whether the wall is up or down really makes little difference. They are all mostly accessible. From what I read in other post seems to indicate that since this path connects to a public road it is not legal to restrict access. Well most of the paths within the Villages all connect to legal roads so they are all in the same boat so to speak. Since that is the case I'm wondering why the Villagers have to pay for all the cart paths. Seems like it should be the counties responsibility and maintained with tax dollars. As for access into StoneCrest via Golf Cart you can do exactly that if you go to the front gate and enter that way. There is no restriction from going to the restaurant or the Golf course.

I think you just made the case for The Villages, Steve. The cart paths in The Villages are exactly that... just for Village residents. There is a sense out there from surrounding residences outside The Villages that we should all move over, non-Villagers are entitled to use our private paths too. Stonecrest is welcome to come to our restaurants and shops and we're happy they can drive in and do that, the only requirement is that they use the public roads to do so. This may explain why the Morse's enclosed that, "hole in The Villages wall". (Yes, I know it was a fence piece that was placed there.)

[JeffAVEWS]

Gracie I live in the Historic side, in the home that was my mothers. My wife has anoxic encephalopathy (AE), brain damage from lack of oxygen. She is not fully functional, but she was able to go to Wal-Mart in the golf cart by herself. She did this often, some times 3 times a day. It provided some relief for me, and it was beneficial for her to enjoy a little independence. I purchased this home from my brothers (Chuckinca is one) because it allowed some freedom of movement for my wife. This wall my be just a little inconvenience for some people, but for others it's a real hardship.

[linko38]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

thanx chuck/spk - i was aware of the spruce creek authorization but not aware that there is anything in the works for stonecrest residents to have a crossing also.

Yes there is. Stonecrest residents are sent weekly emails regarding this. Also the land currently owned by Duke energy where the walmart path is is up for sale. The new owners (so we are bring told) will add improvements. We are waiting on that also. Its sad that so many post on here are so negative toward Stonecrest. Why can't we all get along? I feel real bad for the residents in Orange Blossom. This must be awefull.

[oot]

Originally Posted by Peachie

I think you just made the case for The Villages, Steve. The cart paths in The Villages are exactly that... just for Village residents. There is a sense out there from surrounding residences outside The Villages that we should all move over, non-Villagers are entitled to use our private paths too. Stonecrest is welcome to come to our restaurants and shops and we're happy they can drive in and do that, the only requirement is that they use the public roads to do so. This may explain why the Morse's enclosed that, "hole in The Villages wall". (Yes, I know it was a fence piece that was placed there.)

I know the Stonecrest issue upsets some residents of the Villages, but I don't think that was the reason the wall went up. If that was the case, it would have gone up long ago.

I never had issue with Mr. Morse. I thought he was a great businessman and some of the things which were done could have been for business reasons (like closing of the country club restaurants - although disappointing). To goal to make money is one of the reasons people get into business. He built a wonderful place to live!

But - the lack of communication from his team regarding the reasons why they placed the wall up to the residents was a poor decision on his part. I understand why people are upset and they have the right to be. My biggest fear is what will be next.....

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by oot

I know the Stonecrest issue upsets some residents of the Villages, but I don't think that was the reason the wall went up. If that was the case, it would have gone up long ago.

I never had issue with Mr. Morse. I thought he was a great businessman and some of the things which were done could have been for business reasons (like closing of the country club restaurants - although disappointing). To goal to make money is one of the reasons people get into business. He built a wonderful place to live!

But - the lack of communication from his team regarding the reasons why they placed the wall up to the residents was a poor decision on his part. I understand why people are upset and they have the right to be. My biggest fear is what will be next.....

Well said. But what are you thinking could be next?

[jebartle]

Sales of LSV's (Street Legals) or they could allow (as so many towns) crossing of roads with speed limits of 45 MPH or less...I've always said if pedestrians, bicycles and handicap scooters can cross, why not golf carts?????

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by jebartle

Sales of LSV's (Street Legals) or they could allow (as so many towns) crossing of roads with speed limits of 45 MPH or less...I've always said if pedestrians, bicycles and handicap scooters can cross, why not golf carts?????

Street legals are NOT legal on roads with a high speed limit like 441/27. I don't think that will solve it. Am I right or wrong on this?

[gomoho]

Would the mean spirited people stop posting PLEASE. You're working just like our government now - divide and conquer. This could affect each and everyone of us in the future and if it was you I'm sure you would want the support of other Villagers not affected. So for heavens sake - stop fighting amongst each other and come together on this.

I believe, as several have posted, the most attention will be brought to the situation by picketing. The last thing TV wants is bad publicity and that is probably the only way to get their attention. It may not resolve the problem, but would hopefully get some answers.

[ttown]

You can cross Rt 441 , but not drive on it in a street legal cart...no help at all.
We have lived here 25 yrs. We have served on the VHA Board, the CIC and volunteered many, many times. We are indirectly responsible for 13 people moving to the Villages. I find the way that this was done, and the treatment since, insulting and offensive.
If nothing else, we deserve an explanation.

[champion6]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I was hoping to hear some good reason why the wall was put up. I think it well may be that the property owner of the area next door could claim that their place is golf cart accessible to The Villages and that is ****ing off the Morses.

I believe this to be true and the sole reason for the wall.

[EdV]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

Hi Ed,

People on here feel that you know your stuff when it comes to these kind of issues and I have no reason to believe that what you say is not correct. But, I have looked up some addresses and I don't understand how the wall could be constructed on the county line. Several of the doc in that medical center are listed at 1501 Hwy 41 LADY LAKE, Lowe's is listed as being in Lady Lake as is Aldi
I supposed that it's possible that the county line takes some kind of weird turn or twist but the first business that is listed as being in Summerfield is Wal_Mart.

Winston, not sure what documents you were looking at but you need to use the Lake and Sumter on-line property appraiser GIS system.

The "Concrete Curtain" is along the border between the two counties. I just can't tell which one and whether it's on Morse's plot or the medical center's plot.