[Walter123]

Originally Posted by maybe

Although the official reason for the gates is "traffic control", I think the main reason is to give the impression of a gated community. It helps higher house sale prices and volume. If TV ever is built out, I wonder if enough people will see that the gates are not worth keeping. I suspect equal "security" could be maintained by low maintainance speed bumps and cameras.

Just imagine how dangerous it would be and what the traffic would be like without the gates. Anyone that buys here and didn't know that this was not a gated community didn't do their homework or was misled by a realtor.

[Walter123]

Originally Posted by Loudoll

Didn't realize this. I thought we were special and protected. From now on I shall use the visitor's gate and not wear out my window motor.

It's fine to use the visitor gate especially when it rains. I don't think you will wear out your window motor though.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by neilbcox

Issue: do we have gate openers or gate security at Pinellas Place and Morris?...

The road is called 'Morse', just like the developer's name.

[Uberschaf]

The gates are for golf cart safety.They use the gates because no one stops at a stop sign.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by NoMoSno

They are gate greeters.

I i think that officially they are called gate attendants. But they are not there to stop anyone from entering.

There are cameras on many gates that photograph the license plate of every car that enters.

The gate attendants perform the same same function as the greeters at Wal-Mart. Some people believe that they are there to make you feel welcome. The truth is that they are part of their passive security system. Research has shown that if a potential thief knows that someone has seen him enter the store he is less likely to steal.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

You are so correct on all points!

Even as a non-gated community,
we're paying over a million dollars a year for our "keystone cops" to man the gates,
in addition to the gates' maintenance, the electricity, etc.

I can think of better ways to spend a million bucks!

I know that $17 per year is breaking me!

[BobnBev]

You better have your flame suit on.
Some people here just LOVE Community Watch.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by BobnBev

You better have your flame suit on.
Some people here just LOVE Community Watch.

Community Watch notified me the other night when they noticed that I had left one of my car windows partly open. They DO have some value and are a part of the character of The Villages.

The Community Watch Naysayers apparently were unconcerned at the time they moved here.

[graciegirl]

Oh STOP. I am tired of the Morse Bashers. TIRED of it.

This gated stuff comes up every three months like it is some conspiracy that was not on some piece of paper that realtors are always talking about..

NO ONE FORCED anyone to buy here.

We all KNOW that the gates slow down traffic so golf carts can cross. AND I would hate to be a greeter at our gates forced to decide who was "worthy" to enter these public roads.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

You are so correct on all points!

Even as a non-gated community,
we're paying over a million dollars a year for our "keystone cops" to man the gates,
in addition to the gates' maintenance, the electricity, etc.

I can think of better ways to spend a million bucks!

IMO, whether or not one agrees with the system, these folks are our neighbors just doing their jobs. No room for disrespect or condescending name calling.

[The20Percent]

I would bet these greeters look out for potential "suspicious" looking occupants of cars and make a special note of it, just in case a crime is committed on that particular day in that particular village.

So really to sum up this gate issue the facts of the matter are: The person at the gate provides an added piece of mind for residents by potentially deterring crime while the cameras record the automobile license plate numbers, they slow down traffic so the golf cars can cross safely, they create a look of exclusivity for our community which I feel adds to the value of our homes, they create jobs for resident villagers and in addition I think its always nice to see a smiling face with a wave welcoming me home. Why would anyone bash the gates and their greeters, be thankful we have them.

[iluvmopars]

graciegirl once again you are sooooooo right!

[Walter123]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Oh STOP. I am tired of the Morse Bashers. TIRED of it.

This gated stuff comes up every three months like it is some conspiracy that was not on some piece of paper that realtors are always talking about..

NO ONE FORCED anyone to buy here.

We all KNOW that the gates slow down traffic so golf carts can cross. AND I would hate to be a greeter at our gates forced to decide who was "worthy" to enter these public roads.

I may have missed it but I don't see where someone bashed the Morse family in this thread and even if they did, is that not their right?

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by The20Percent

I would bet these greeters look out for potential "suspicious" looking occupants of cars and make a special note of it, just in case a crime is committed on that particular day in that particular village.

So really to sum up this gate issue the facts of the matter are: The person at the gate provides an added piece of mind for residents by potentially deterring crime while the cameras record the automobile license plate numbers, they slow down traffic so the golf cars can cross safely, they create a look of exclusivity for our community which I feel adds to the value of our homes, they create jobs for resident villagers and in addition I think its always nice to see a smiling face with a wave welcoming me home. Why would anyone bash the gates and their greeters, be thankful we have them.

Amen!

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Walter123

I may have missed it but I don't see where someone bashed the Morse family in this thread and even if they did, is that not their right?

Yes, you are right that they have every right to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in a community without performing their due diligence.

They then have every right to complain about those rules and budget requirements with which they agreed to comply with when they signed all of those documents at their closings.

However, you would think that, after exercising all of these rights, they would then also exercise their rights to shield their lack of foresight from the general public.