[jammaiora]

Originally Posted by Romad

I made a point of listening to every candidate for commissioner. I learned quite a bit about what is happening in the county that we do not hear in the paper or Village News…or from anyone on NextDoor.

It was a good thing, because I almost didn’t support the District 2 candidate because of the POA recommendation. He was the one that had to move because he was re-districted after he filed. But the other POA candidates were not good choices. It was the POA that gave us Search and Miller. I’m still trying to find the campaign filings to see where the money behind the POA candidates came from.

I am assuming you are also looking for who financed the two temporary appointments, right? Oh, you already know, the DEVELOPER!

[sallyg]

I have always felt the POA was a resident support organization. If you have ever had a problem and not gotten results, or even a helpful suggestion from the Villages, the POA is usually a great resource. Sorry you feel that way.

[quietpine]

The tax increase actually resulted in something you can see (development south of SR 44 and something you can take to the bank, increased property values north of SR 44. Without new development this place would begin to die on the vine and our property values would go flat then fall. Even if the infrastructure cost burden was shifted to the multiple commercial enterprises in Sumter County the long term effect of growth would be more cost for government. Growth doesn’t pay for itself.

[jjombrello]

Been here 24 years and have read/observed the POA position relative to the Developer and the VHA regularly. Despite claiming to be on the side of the people, the POA positions have generally been anti-developer. Have they produced anything productive? Yes, they have sued the Developer and gained some good things for residents, but generally they take an anti-developer stance when endorsing political candidates and certain actions taken by the Developer, even though those actions were positives for the residents in general. I do not support their positions, nor would I join their organization. I only read their paper because it gets deposited in my driveway and it is properly disposed of after scanning their columns.

[JSR22]

I like the POA. I think they support the residents, and I will continue to be a member.

[rogerk]

So many misstatements! We have the ELECTED CDD Supervisors. They have significant power and authority. The center district works closely and cooperatively with the numbered residential districts AND the commercial districts.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by quietpine

The tax increase actually resulted in something you can see (development south of SR 44 and something you can take to the bank, increased property values north of SR 44. Without new development this place would begin to die on the vine and our property values would go flat then fall. Even if the infrastructure cost burden was shifted to the multiple commercial enterprises in Sumter County the long term effect of growth would be more cost for government. Growth doesn’t pay for itself.

Speculation at best. Home prices were rising when I purchased even though the development South of 44 was drawing buyers away from pre-owned sales.

Without new development we would live in a roughly 20 square mile retirement community with dozens of golf course, pools, and recreation centers and three town squares with shopping and dining options. The Villages was the place to buy even when it was understood that development would stop at 44. Far from dying on the vine.

I'm not sure anyone understands what the tax increase went towards. $25M per year seems like a lot of money to purchase one-time improvements to county roads made necessary by the new development.

[jebartle]

Originally Posted by charlie1

Now that the election is over, I have to say that I am done supporting or being a member of the POA with its current leadership. I am done with them endorsing candidates with only one platform – “Blame the developer”. I am done with them accusing people of being “paid off” by the developer. The POA has become a political organization that is taking an adversarial role with the developer. They are in a war with the developer! Really not sure what else they do at this point! I do not agree with this approach. I believe that the POA should be working in conjunction and together with ANY organization regarding improvements wanted by the majority of the residents. They are not my voice anymore! I have found conversations gets results. I have found willingness to compromise and agreeing to smaller steps will open doors to continued discussions. This is how you help both parties feel good about change and get to mutual agreement. I also have found that demanding never works. It slams the door shut and nothing constructive ever gets accomplished!

Charlie, would you consider running for congress, we need you!!!!

[Romad]

Originally Posted by rogerk

So many misstatements! We have the ELECTED CDD Supervisors. They have significant power and authority. The center district works closely and cooperatively with the numbered residential districts AND the commercial districts.

You are asking the real question. Why did all of the CDD supervisors run unopposed? Who are they really? Why didn’t the POA run candidates for the CDDs if they are really for the residents?

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by rogerk

So many misstatements! We have the ELECTED CDD Supervisors. They have significant power and authority. The center district works closely and cooperatively with the numbered residential districts AND the commercial districts.

Really, they why is the PWAC going to be forced to recommend replacing the windmill/water tower according to the Sumter Landing CDD's lawyer. The contract to decide how the money is spent is heavily weighted in the developers favor and the Sumter Landing Commercial District has the last say in it.

[dwoodley1975]

Charlie, you run.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

Really, they why is the PWAC going to be forced to recommend replacing the windmill/water tower according to the Sumter Landing CDD's lawyer. The contract to decide how the money is spent is heavily weighted in the developers favor and the Sumter Landing Commercial District has the last say in it.

The PWAC can't be forced to recommend anything but it would be in their best interest not to recommend against honoring existing contracts. The windmill and water tower are part of the list of things to be maintained by the PWAC. The current PWAC members may not have signed that contract but they have to honor it.

[jrandall]

Originally Posted by charlie1

Now that the election is over, I have to say that I am done supporting or being a member of the POA with its current leadership. I am done with them endorsing candidates with only one platform – “Blame the developer”. I am done with them accusing people of being “paid off” by the developer. The POA has become a political organization that is taking an adversarial role with the developer. They are in a war with the developer! Really not sure what else they do at this point! I do not agree with this approach. I believe that the POA should be working in conjunction and together with ANY organization regarding improvements wanted by the majority of the residents. They are not my voice anymore! I have found conversations gets results. I have found willingness to compromise and agreeing to smaller steps will open doors to continued discussions. This is how you help both parties feel good about change and get to mutual agreement. I also have found that demanding never works. It slams the door shut and nothing constructive ever gets accomplished!

I agree with you and was also not pleased to get bombarded by the POA emails pushing their candidates.

[Happydaz]

I don’t think anyone should be allowed to campaign for whom they think should be elected. Freedom of choice is over rated. Newspapers like the New York Times or the Villages Daily Sun should not recommend or support particular candidates. That goes for the POA too. Too much campaigning as far as I see it. I agree with the OP that there is far too much polarization in The Villages.

[tophcfa]

I’m not anti-developer. That being said, no for profit entity should have anything close to absolute power and the developers almost iron clad grip on Sumter County is like nothing else I have ever seen before anywhere in the USA. A system of checks and balances is absolutely a good thing.