I'll bet the permit was issued when the original wall was built.

I agree. When we looked at homes we looked at Stonecrest and ended up buying in the Villages (for multiple reasons) and because I thought that some day that might just put that gate up and we would be locked out. I NEVER thought they would put up a wall and block access so the villagers could not use an already constructed entry.

Many on this forum may not understand because it does not directly affect them. If they were to think about a place they currently go to by cart, and then think about if they were no longer allowed to go there (ie - stores by Southern trace, one of the squares) how they would feel. (and yes, I know those are on Villages property so it would never happen)...but what if it did? Put yourself in their shoes and try to understand their point.

Media
 

Media works this way, local (The Villages), regional (the county you live in) state (the state you live in), national (USA)

Here is a suggestion, I know many of you are technology oriented, make a VLOG or a video of what you feel is happening to your community. I see wonderful points here from all perspectives. Write it out first, pro/con, make it into your own 2 minute (try to keep it 90 second) video. We are now in a graphic society, people respond not to print any more but pictures and videos. Make a YouTube (start with a Google gmail first) page and post it. Make sure your slant is the aging community, those who were here in The Villages first, believed, are used to 20 years of utilizing, do not object to change but need to be notified in an appropriate manner.

Here is an example. Two years ago a physician took a 10 minute personal phone call while removing a growth from my skull from his car repairman. He let me leave the hospital and walk through the lobby with blood dripping down the side of my face. I did exactly as I stated above, posted it to YouTube, sent the link to local and national news and the med board in MA. I didn't condemn, I simply asked 10 why/how questions, those that cannot be answered with a factual response. I understand he is now a surgeon in an undisclosed location no longer on Cape Cod. The vlog got 500,000 views before I took it down.

Try it, you will get more response if you think it out first and present the issues.

That be a good idea however Sumter Co sheriff is handing out $250 tickets if your caught doing that. Unreal!

What is the charge?

"There is only one thing worse than over reaction, and that is no reaction"

With apologies to Oscar Wilde

great idea....youtube!

Good for you, Jeff. It's doubtful the developer wants another investigation.

Aren't any of the people contacted this am, ie Janet Tutt etc, who know nothing about the wall, a little bit concerned that some unauthorized person has erected this wall on private property? Shouldn't they be calling the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate, since they know nothing about this being authorized?

without an expiration date?

Jann, excellent ideas! What you've stated is very true in regards to our society now in terms of being visually influenced. That was a horrendous act on the part of the doctor you went to, I'm glad the Ma.Board discliplined him.

You are correct, JohnBoy - this is a great place to live.

And if we want to keep it that way we must ensure that what makes it great is not taken away, little by little.

There has been light criticism of bringing up the buffaloes and cowboy sculpture in this thread, but it is the many small things like these that make The Villages different and pleasant.

Let's keep it that way, and defend what we have here.

Husband and I went to see the wall yesterday---the entry to the golf cart path is definitely closed! The wall looks just like a villa wall. We sat there a couple of minutes and several people came by to voice their opinions -- We are not happy, that is for sure....
We used that path a lot to access Lowes, Aldi's and Walmart plus there are several medical buildings there including The Villages Urgent Care Clinic (I think that is what it is called)
One person was taking pictures and said he was contacting Channel 9 today.
We also saw evidence on down the road where the golf cards had been going around the wall...

My husband just returned from the square...good turnout. Some had signs. The photographer from the Sun was there along with news people from Channel 6.

Thanks for posting Jill !

I'm glad that Channel 6 showed up!! Nothing like negative publicity to get action!

I'm very disappointed that I had to miss the rally at the square. I had to pick up my wife from work.

Question; isn't there any public transportation here thats free or for a small fee?

Maybe if Morse wants this wall to stay, he better invest in some city busses to take people to "the other side" ! Better yet, get that realtor trolley over here and have it pick up at certain spots every half hour.

And you know this for a fact?

People who are not affected by this wall - please, please, please stop minimizing the inconvenience this is causing our fellow Villagers. We are all together in this and should have each other's backs. I live in Hadley if you're wondering.

Does anyone know (or know of) Ronald Brown? If you look at the property map, any route from the wall to Lowe's has to pass over his rather large land holding (including the Ho Chi Minh Trail). He might be able to shed enlightenment. The Villages Medical Center's land holding is actually quite small.

Well its almost noon and does anyone have an official answer as to the who and why the wall was installed?

That is an excellent idea. I don't know how to make a vlog, but I think that it would be great to do it from the location of the wall with video of the close path included.

good point
 

good point

I think a direct quote from a reporter who was told this is what's going on is a fact...

How Many Non-Car Households?
 

I wonder how many Villagers on the Historic Side do not own a car? I know it has been posted on here that there are "lots" but that terminology is a bit lacking.

Someone spoke at the rally in front of Dunkin' Donuts and said the same thing.

There was a big crowd there. The police and community watch blocked the street. The manager of Dunkin' Donuts handed out coupons to everyone on the sidewalk. I thought that was a very smart business move.

There were clipboards circulating and people were signing their names to the blank paper, but there wasn't anything written on the "petition." I found the woman, Judy Reeves, who was circulating the paper for signatures and she said she was doing it for Elaine Dreidame, president of the Property Owners Association. According to Reeves, Dreidame said she may or may not use the signatures. Reeves said Dreidame said it will depend on what happens at the POA meeting.

I also spoke on the phone to Ronald Brown, the owner of the property which abuts TV's property. I told him we were discussing the issue here and gave me permission to quote him and to tell you what he told me. He said he didn't put up the wall and it isn't on his property.

"I was surprised and shocked. I have no control over that area and I'm very disappointed. I have no jurisdiction over that area. For 10 or 12 years, I've allowed everyone to cross my property without any problems," Brown said.

"I know who did it, but I'm not going to say. I think it was wrong and I wish they'd be open and honest and tell the truth. It is disappointing to hear. They must have known it would be a firestorm, so to speak. I'd like to get the facts out that it wasn't me. I had nothing to do with it."

Why just the historic side?

I live near 466 but I don't own a car and my golf cart is the only way I can get there without relying on a neighbor or calling a cab every time I want to go.

BK, was the media there? I heard Channel 6 and Fox out of Orlando were there with cameras?

It isn't just owning..or not owning a car. It's also driving ability and knowing your limitations. Rt441 is tough. Crossing the golf cart bridge is tough. This was a nice safe way to get to Drs and groceries for many residents. Why...why was the wall erected? Without notice. On a weekend.

Put an ad on TOTV. Contact each Village Block Captain and ask them to email their neighbors. They generally have all of their email addresses. Post notices in the grocery stores. Have volunteers pass out notices at the mail centers.

Whenever you you put up a website, it always critical that you find ways to drive traffic to it and gorilla marketing is always the best and cheapest method.

Channel 9 WFTV was there. I didn't see Fox. The photographer for the Daily Sun was there. I asked if they were covering the story and he smiled and said, "Wellll, I don't know." He hung around and took some photos. Their offices are right there in Spanish Springs so they had to know something was going on.

What is a Village Block Captain? I thought I'd go door to door and ask for volunteers from my friends to help.

The chances of this appearing in The Sun are 0%...

I don't know. Don't forget that had the architect for Disney to help design this wonderful place. They may come up with some creative press release for the Sun to print. Sorry. I couldn't resist.

If Mark Morse thinks this is going to blow over in a week or two, he is sadly mistaken. Wait until the snowbirds start returning in a few months...all heck will break loose again.

We now know it wasn't the assisted living facility or Mr Brown that closed that wall. Who is left? When will Mr Morse be holding his press conference?

Another issue is the expense of driving your car there versus the cost of driving your golf cart. I have an electric cart and the cost per mile is very low. My car gets about 20 mpg. The cost of driving my wife to work and going to Lowes, WalMart and the other 30 or so businesses over there just went way up.

If the person that put up the wall is reading these posts, I have a suggestion; this would be a great time to set up a bus line within TV's to provide transportation for those without a car to get to their jobs,doctors, shopping,etc,etc. Think of all the GOOD publicity for you and TV that would bring.

Outrages
 

This is all OUTRAGES. Where is Maureen O'Toole who is to represent the interest of the community. Has anyone seen any comments from her or her office. Has she visited the site to see the alleged terrible outcome of a rather selfish act..:confused:

I will bet my next newborn child there won't be an article in the Daily Sun, but then they could put some spin on it, and say it isn't there doing.