You are displaying a lack of knowledge about the residents in other villages that could buy and sell many there.

In addition it is very predjuicial.

And finally because I missed it the first time around......BS!:)

There is something that those of us who care can do. Contact youur CDD commissioners and urge them to kepp the case alive . Up the reward to at least $10,000. We have been "robbed" of $100,00 or more by an arrogant resident. If this were another type of robbery from a public entity , it would rise to the level of a serious felony and public officials and police would be pressing hard to apprehend the theif.

Has someone been threatened or coerced to maintain silence? IMO there is some really bad stuff happening here.

challenger well stated. It took awhile for this thread to load and for good cause. The suggestion to inundate the district with requests for results on this issue is sound and I would begin with "No justice, no peace:D

I wonder if when those trees dropped they made noise? I wonder if the saws used had silencers? I wonder if the people cutting down these trees had the ability the same as stealth fighter planes? I wonder if the transaction conducted to remove the trees was all verbal or written in invisible ink? I wonder if when becoming aware of the new vista those advantaged by it said quite fortuitous? I wonder if when the district reported it to the sheriff the sheriff said well do you want us to patrol Morse Blvd for speeders or catch crooks? And the District said sheriff, "you know our methods"?

I wonder and wonder? where is Colombo when you need him?

Why does the district not just post a $10,000 reward for the necessary information and pay the money in complete secrecy. Would be cheaper than paying $50,000 as I understand it will cost. Oh, and also charge the culprits for the cost of the reward.

Because $50K is nothing to the developer, especially when he can pass that cost on to you. While the developer is not having the individual person that cut the trees down pay the fine, he is having the group of people (that the person belongs to= residents) pay the fine.

I agree Challenger. It's time to demand some action. This crime should not be that difficult to solve, and the resolution should be swift and punitive.

My guess is that both the developer and the Sheriff have a pretty good idea who ordered the trees to be cut down but finding the necessary proof is another thing. My guess is it will come about from a disgruntled employee of XYZ Company reporting the owner, who will, in turn, name the homeowner, if anyone ever comes forward. Not the best evidentiary flow for a court. Sadly, I think we're stuck paying the fine and nothing further will occur.

Agree. We initially wondered why it all happened so quickly. Start with lowball estimate of damages, pay it quickly, move on...we've been had, folks. Any bad publicity has been minimized. Sad.

How does one know that "the developer" and/or the District don't have property insurance with coverage for tree theft to which they have or will submit a claim?

Obviously the trees are valuable, so wouldn't there be insurance for theft of them?

Most entities as big as the "Developer" are self insured for trivial matters.

I feel sure that you are correct.

Increase the reward. If it leads to the perp, then we can sue. If they live in one of the benefitted homes, they are obviously not judgement proof.

This is one case , at least for me , that recovery of the money is not the most important obective. Exposing to public scorn will be much greater punishment.

Kind of like The Scarlett Letter. Best to build the scaffold from the tainted timber.

I like the scaffold idea!!:rant-rave:b

Hi sunnyatlast: as a career insurance guy I doubt the trees were covered under an insurance policy. the district/Developers insurance coverage for these tree were us

Personal Best Regards:

The Developer is not passing any cost. The trees were on property under the control of The Southwest Water District. The $50,000 is not a fine. It is the cost of replacement. Under the terms of agreement it is the VCDD who is responsible for the replacement.

Why is the Developer always at fault?

Because he has all the voting rights and has great influence with Southwest Water District and our loss is his gain because the publicity problem goes awayas quickly as our money:laugh:

The Developer has nothing to do with this.

There was a $30,000 fine imposed on the VCDD by the Southwest Water District before it was determined that the cost to replace the trees would be $50,000.

I am not sure the publicity went away. It certainly didn't here. It really wasn't an earth shattering event. Had it been it would have attracted the attention of a story hungry an investigative reporter.

I did not infer the developer was at fault, well at least that was not my intention. I was trying to explain a reason for lack of concern. Weather it is the VCDD or the Developer (same people different names?) either party will pass the costs on.

In what way?

I suspect there are some Villagers who are very nervous that we simply won't let this thread go. Good! If this crimes doesn't get solved it's a travesty.

My experience with ballsy people who do something they shouldn't is that they don't CARE that everyone is mad and upset and righteously indignant. They had the money to have the trees removed from property which was NOT theirs so that they could have a clear view OR advertise a clear view to sell it at a greater profit. Maybe they didn't know it was not allowed to remove trees from a preserve so you can see the lake. Maybe. I betcha that people living there in that community have a pretty good idea who is behind this, but without proof there is NOTHING they can do. All that amounts to is gossip at this point.

I think sooner or later some kid who worked for the tree cutter will have too many beers and tell about that night.......

Every village has this one or that who thinks they are the king of the world. How did they get so nasty and think they are so superior?

You may be right! Too bad this issue can't get a higher profile. Did you hear me Daily Sun, Orlando Sentinel, or any other entity that buys it's ink by the barrel?

How many days has it been without this crime being solved? I really admire the Sumter County Sheriff, but it's time for his office to step up and apply some pressure to get to the bottom of this. Sheriff, we're your loyal constituents and we need you to come through for us here or tell us why you haven't.

So true. The right combination of beer, reward, and immunity might blow the lid off this caper! :boom:

With all due respect, how would that help? And cutting trees down isn't a story. Even fifty thousand dollar tree replacement isn't a story. In Orlando along the pay road they paid millions and millions and millions and millions for those dumb looking palm trees. That is a story.


You could shine the light of the New York times on it and it still wouldn't cause anyone to 'fess up. I bet it was CASH. We have so many loud buzzing sounds with blowers and edgers and cutters...and those houses back to privacy.

All due respect Gracie - this story is not about trees. It is about a serious crime that is obviously being covered up. There is either a conspiracy of silence(another crime) or people are being coerced or threatened not to come forward(another crime). This is NOT small potatoes. IMHO

You know that I respect you mightily. I have never disagreed with anything you have written here, but I don't get that at all.


But I could be wrong. I often am.

I also have been wrong once or twice-- We shall see!!!
Keep posting- you keep us all on our toes.:MOJE_whot:

I'm not dismissing this issue at all, but the specifics are not as obvious as you make it sound.

A serious crime? Conspiracies, coverups, coercion, and threats? FBI time.

50 k is serious....to some of you it may be chump change but to most of us it is not

Cost of trees+fine+annual inspections = $100,000 or more

Why not call and give them you advice?

Sheriff's Office Main Number

(352) 569-1600

Sheriff's Office Main (Villages Toll-Free)

(352) 728-6909

Villages District Office

(352) 689-4600

Might be better if you gave Cedwards the number of the Orlando paper. the sheriff and TV district office have sort of put this to bed.

An opinion? Or a fact?

Definitely an opinion.

Or the number of the Northwest Mounties, Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade, Sergeant Friday, Charlie Chan Boston Blackie, and Bulldog Drummond. Thanks to Searchin' by the Coasters for these suggestions.

Speaking of who should be calling the Sheriff, if I were Ms. Tutt I'd be outraged! Maybe she is, but she should be calling the Sheriff regularly and monitoring the progress on this investigation, and reporting that progress to her citizens. I really don't understand the Daily Sun's apparent apathy on this issue as well.

Your simply not going to get them because they are too busy issuing tickets to motorist and cart drivers on Morse Blvd because that's were the revenue is:D And yes, I understand the safety aspect.

Perhaps an email to Lauren Ritchie?

Ahh I'm just feeding the thread

Actually this is a dead issue and actually it was an injustice to residents, most of whom are really nice people, but no one out there is listening and no one cares and the sad thing about it all is that the people responsible probably calculated that fact when they decided to do their dirty deed. People that brazen I have found double dare you to prove it. So the best you can do is not make it any easier for them and that at least is the benefit of this thread continuing.

I will say I am enjoying all of the comments

Personal Best Regards: