Originally Posted by JCMSr (Post 1089823)

Gracie I am with you on this subject. Deed restrictions are there to protect everyone's investment as well as to attempt to provide a way to determine what is acceptable vs. unacceptable without bringing tastes, personalities, or just plain old common sense (or lack thereof) into the equation. These restrictions were there when each of us purchased our homes and like it or not we agreed to abide by them. Those who now wish to pick and choose which parts of the restrictions they will comply with and ignore the rest are the one's creating the problems, not the person who turns them in. I would be willing to bet that the majority of the rules infractions are simply due to oversight or, in my case at least, a failing memory when it comes to understanding and remembering the specifics of the restrictive covenants. A simple reminder or better yet a question properly phrased by a neighbor would go a long way toward eliminating any embarrassment or ill feelings on the part of the violator. If that does not work or if they choose to continue to ignore their responsibilities as a property owner after being told of a possible infraction they cannot shoot the messenger just because they do not like the message.

Some folks prefer to avoid confrontation at all costs and reporting an infraction anonymously gives them a voice. On the other hand, some people do not know how to address these types of situations in a non confrontational way and using a third party in these instances is probably a win win for both sides. Making action by the Villages Compliance Officers dependent upon a complaint being filed also keeps matters in check for those who wish to complain about the big, bad developer taking advantage of us poor old folks just wanting to live in peace and harmony.

The bottom line is this. The deed restrictions exist and ignorance does not give anyone the green light to ignore them and do as they please. Want to get along with your neighbors? Follow the rules! Simple but effective.

Originally Posted by patricia Wilder (Post 1089969)

I am one the "Buttonwood Islanders" reported! I am not trying to evade compliance! I have been struggling with my lawn for over 4 years since I moved in. Most of the sod has never taken.I have talked to the Villages 3 times in 4 years. The first 2 years they said "water more" amd my water bills were high. I have used 3 lawn treatment companies in 4 years. The second one "fired me" last Aug. because he didn't want to put his sign on my lousy lawn. He said I didn't water enough but my water bills were high and I kept getting those letters from the water authority about overuse. I wrote the Villages Warranty Office again in Nov. 2014 outlining my 4 year struggle. A man came and agreed my lawn was bad. I asked that the Villages pay for a re-sod but all he could offer was getting a good price from one of their companies. The company came but the "good price" and what that provided me was not acceptable. Since Dec, I am working with my 3rd lawn care company. I have had the sprinkler system checked - it is ok. They have checked the soil - there is minimal to no soil on the areas where the weeds have taken over the lawn. I am embarrassed - at my wits end.

Originally Posted by naneiben (Post 1089999)

Doesn't this prove there are always 2 sides to a conflict? So sorry for all the trouble you've been having. Sounds like you've bent over backwards to improve that lawn. Have you tried calling the Sumter County Extension Service? 352-569-6864. They're very helpful and experts in turf management.

Originally Posted by PattyPan1 (Post 1088380)

Received a visit from someone from the deed compliance office. It seems someone complained that I had some grass that was dying...

If someone has a complaint, they should have to put there name down, especially when there are over 30 complaints.

Some people must have nothing better to do then drive around neighborhoods and report just about anything.

If my lawn was bad, I would just shrug it off, but having sneaky, vicious people just doesn't fit into the "Friendly Neighborhood" motto.

Force people to give there names and I bet the complaints drop down considerably.

Originally Posted by Walt. (Post 1090033)

Originally Posted by Barefoot (Post 1090141)

Originally Posted by CFrance (Post 1090191)

Well, I might take my plastic pink flamingo and sneak it onto their lawn after dark and then call compliance to lodge a complaint.

Originally Posted by DonH57 (Post 1090014)

That's who I would recommend you call. I'm in no way a gardner but I think you have a soil problem. Maybe a chemical imbalance?

Originally Posted by MDLNB (Post 1090789)

"..chemical imbalance?" After reading some of the posts on here, I could see a bit of "chemical imbalance." :loco::loco::loco::pepper2:

Originally Posted by MDLNB (Post 1091038)

Thank goodness for my neighborhood. I observe a lot of violations, but nothing that I would see that I would call offensive. Of course, it appears that we have more TOLERANCE than some of the posters above and residents in other neighborhoods. I had thought of buying a larger place with a larger garage, but now I see how nice our neighborhood is. Gotta love it when folks say "well, rules are rules" and then break traffic laws every day. Oh, that must be different, right? I don't cast labels of hypocrite because I have glass windows too. Gotta love this American "tolerance" that only seems to exist when it conveniently works for you. Like I said before and I reiterate, in this instance if the complainant has gone around the area making over 30 complaints, then that person most likely is not doing it to better her neighborhood, but to further an agenda or is being vindictive. So much for The Villages being "the friendliest hometown in America." But, this is just my opinion, and I do respect other opinions, even if I don't totally agree. Like the saying goes "good fences make good neighbors" or something like that. I like to modify that to say "high fences make good neighbors. That's why I live in a courtyard villa.
I'll close with two words: Tolerate and condone. There are things that many of us don't condone, but yet we tolerate. Some folks can't condone something and they refuse/won't tolerate it.

Originally Posted by looneycat (Post 1091056)

all you intolerant unfriendly people out there, you weren't just labeled, you just live in the 'wrong' neighborhood. in my neighborhood we don't need to feel better by putting other areas down....just saying.
One thing I don't tolerate is people who don't follow deed restrictions turning the beautiful place I bought into a crap hole...