[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

The problem is my apparent failed attempt at sarcasm.

To me it would be preferable to have a gate at the 470 end of Chandler for consistency, and that may still happen. But if it doesn’t it won’t be the end of the Villages as we know it.

Oh, and "The end of the Villages as we know it..." sounds like a new hit for R.E.M.

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by Maker

The gated areas have large obstructions preventing a clear view of cars by carts, and of carts by cars. That is dangerous and prohibited at normal intersections. Landscaping, mechanicals, and huge signs often make crossing traffic hard to see.
When gate arms are missing, traffic needs to negotiate this crossing under these lousy safety conditions, yet, no collisions happen.

I am 100% for the removal of gates, obstructive landscaping, and huge signs that block sight lines.

& I am completely against uglifying the Villages. The gates, landscaping, & signs stay.

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I bought a new house from The Villages. They gave me 2 gate cards and didn't charge me anything.

Update: Note that I called the administration office today and they told me that every new house comes with 2 free gate cards. There is no $100 fee. So, it sounds like the woman who was charged $100 was buying a resale and the seller or the agent was charging her for the cards.

I bought a resale (last year) & was given two gate cards for free. They also took a very nice photo, also for free, which they then used for my ID. Ooh, & they gave me a key chain, a telephone book, a reusable shopping bag, some brochures, golf info, & probably other things which I have now forgotten, all for a smile.


But I do have a very charming smile

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by JohnN

gate cards are essential to slow auto traffic down so the golf carts can run their stop signs and get across faster

Don’t forget about biker’s

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

The gates are all about pretending and giving an ILLUSION of security to new and potentially new TV Land residents. The Villages do NOT own the roads, they are public. Other Florida developments DO own the roads and can, therefore, give their residents real TRUE security. TV Land residents have greater activities and other advantages that make up for the imaginary gate security.

And you would probably be the first to complain about the cost to maintain all of the hundreds of miles of roads if TV owned them LOL.

[Red Rose]

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star

I would like to see the gate attendants slow down the incoming guest traffic. On a gate entrance I use frequently they open the gate as soon as they see a truck or car heading their way. The end result is the entering guest traffic has no slow down what so ever & they frequently just speed through the entrance.

Like the Morse gate? Some of those attendants forget it’s also a golf cart crossing. They open that visitors gate and the cars just zip thru like the start of the Kentucky Derby. It’s unbelievable. Can’t someone train them better to close the visitors gate after every car? That will slow them down and give the carts a chance to get across. That is a real pet peeve of mine. The attendants don’t seem to ever consider the golf carts trying to cross.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star

I bought a resale (last year) & was given two gate cards for free. They also took a very nice photo, also for free, which they then used for my ID. Ooh, & they gave me a key chain, a telephone book, a reusable shopping bag, some brochures, golf info, & probably other things which I have now forgotten, all for a smile.


But I do have a very charming smile

What’s a telephone book?!

[MrChip72]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

The purpose of the gates is to slow traffic down to allow safe crossing of golf carts, nothing more.

What about the entrances that do not have golf cart crossings anywhere nearby? The entrance to DeLuna off of 301 for example? Or the entrance from Pinellas Plaza?

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by mrf0151

Why do we really need Gate Cards when all we need to do is hit the red button for entrance to all the gates? Seems like a waste of money.

Every aspect regarding the gates are a waste of money to the tune of well over a million dollars a year.
The gates were not created to permit a safe thoroughfare for golf carts.
That's what the Morse family would like you to believe.
They were created as part of the mental "eye candy" for buyers and it has worked!

[Normal]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

Every aspect regarding the gates are a waste of money to the tune of well over a million dollars a year.
The gates were not created to permit a safe thoroughfare for golf carts.
That's what the Morse family would like you to believe.
They were created as part of the mental "eye candy" for buyers and it has worked!

Yes, by happenstance they CAN be useful, at other times they are of no value what so ever. Case and point, the exit from Ezel Recreation near Meggison that goes onto St. Catherine which has a gate.

[Maker]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

There was a collision reported on this forum. I believe it was earlier this year. I personally have had two near misses with cars that chose not to stop at missing gates. I am 100% for keeping gates.

One collision is a blip on the long list of all other accidents that happen. Statistically insignificant. And if one considers to significant, what are the details? Why did that happen? Did it have anything to do with blocked sight lines? Anything to do with those ground level temp stop signs - that are not DOT legal?

The only "near misses" I have witnessed have been caused by golf cart drivers who are too impatient to wait for cars to pass by on the road. Carts dart out in front of the cars to enter the road (to cross it or turn onto it) when they should be yielding. Hoping cars will stop for carts is dangerous and stupid.

[Papa_lecki]

I am confused - do we need the cards or not.
You did not need a card at the Citrus Grove gate on Meggison Road near Sawgrass, the gate opened automatically - BUT the neighbors complained that traffic went too fast, the gates didn’t control traffic, so they are re activating the requirement for a card or button push.

So let’s disable the cards, so we can get more TOTV posts about how fast cars are going through the intersections with golf carts.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Maker

One collision is a blip on the long list of all other accidents that happen. Statistically insignificant. And if one considers to significant, what are the details? Why did that happen? Did it have anything to do with blocked sight lines? Anything to do with those ground level temp stop signs - that are not DOT legal?

The only "near misses" I have witnessed have been caused by golf cart drivers who are too impatient to wait for cars to pass by on the road. Carts dart out in front of the cars to enter the road (to cross it or turn onto it) when they should be yielding. Hoping cars will stop for carts is dangerous and stupid.

Your experiences are different than mine. Your opinions seem to be somewhat biased against carts, almost as if you don't drive one. Any intersection is hazardous but what I and several others have pointed out is the gates make them less hazardous.

[markfrat]

Maybe TV should build Tunnels at every Cart crossing. Then we would not need gates. That would be expensive but solve the issue.
Gates do discourage outsiders from entering until they learn that you just have to push the "Magic" button....

[Normal]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

I am confused - do we need the cards or not.
You did not need a card at the Citrus Grove gate on Meggison Road near Sawgrass, the gate opened automatically - BUT the neighbors complained that traffic went too fast, the gates didn’t control traffic, so they are re activating the requirement for a card or button push.

So let’s disable the cards, so we can get more TOTV posts about how fast cars are going through the intersections with golf carts.

That gate is in “construction mode” which makes it open automatically by passing in front of a sensor. it was card activated, but the builder fought to have it placed back in “construction mode” till he was done. It’s been that way on and off for a little over 2 years.

We enjoyed the gate when it was card activated and cars slowed down. There was a promise it would return to card after they were done. It’s a very dangerous place for carts. It probably is time to turn that gate back into card activated.