[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by billethkid

I know of no developer who would go to the masses to test for reaction....see what they want next....can you imagine the multiple inputs....multiple interests...

With all due respect BTK, I think the developer HAS gone to the masses and asked for what they want. I think you can see the results of that in the changes made over the course of the 40 years. The changes made have been driven by the folks buying the homes. Things like wider golf cart trails and tunnels are a great example of ways TV has become even more attractive than it was. Perhaps there was no survey taken, but folks have put their money where their mouths are and bought into the improvements made.

Personally, I can't wait to see what improvements are made below 466A. I think it will be even better.

[`willy]

OXFORD -- The most hated man in Sumter County lives on a country road in a concrete-block house that he built himself. On his 55 acres he grows hay for sale.

He also raises Cain.

http://www.sptimes.com/2002/07/07/St..._crusade.shtml

[Peachie]

Willy, is the article, "Nudist condo nettles some neighbors, ;D :redface:

Seriously, I think I missed the article in the link, would you advise me...

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by Peachie

Willy, is the article, "Nudist condo nettles some neighbors, ;D :redface:

Seriously, I think I missed the article in the link, would you advise me...

Scroll down - it's at the bottom of the link.

Seems to be some very ill-informed quotes in the article. Farnsworth "wishes he could eat in the restaurants but they're all members only" - a crock of :edit:

[iaudit]

Page down. The article is at the bottom of the headlines.

[Peachie]

I found it, thank you.

[graciegirl]

I have been speed reading and probably didn't get this right.

I know that when we moved into a newly built housing area in West Chester, Ohio 35 years ago, I had hoped for but couldn't dream of the wonderful area it has become. Wonderful houses, people, schools, restaurants, library. JUST dazzling. All along there was a low chant. no change, no change no change. But not from us. Now I see all the folks who didn't want change eating at the restaurants, seeing their grandchildren do well at the schools etc.

I am older and I think I have learned a few things. One is if it ain't broke, why fix it. What in heavens name is so wrong with more people moving to TV except for the mild inconvenience of traffic and waiting to be seated at restaurants. I do believe that with the water all around this peninsula that someone will figure out how to desalinate it and restore the water table.

It could be I simplify. But I really don't think the sky is falling. YET.

[swrinfla]

A modest observation:

Ever since Harold Schwartz passed away, there have been small rumblings that his family ("The Morses," "The Developer," "Those Guys") cared nothing about the residents, only about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

To some extent, I think that money does, indeed, drive their lifestyle. They certainly do NOT have the reputation that HS did. However, I agree wholeheartedly that they have the right to do what they want with their property.

It's just too bad, on t'other hand, that they don't have a better "bed-side manner." The sudden destruction of the buffalo ground near Lake Sumter gives many a bad taste in the mouth. I note that there is still no mention in the Daily Sun's Construction Update about this project. Nor, about whatever is happening east of the Homewood Assisted Living Center, where many old and beautiful live oaks are being cut down!

It's too bad that there are many obvious flys in the ointment!

SWR

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by swrinfla

The sudden destruction of the buffalo ground near Lake Sumter gives many a bad taste in the mouth.

As I recall, the buffalo were gone for quite some time and had been replaced by cows, no?

Since the day I asked my R/E agent about the buffalo - and he told me about the whole tax-dodge concept - I knew they were nothing more than a place holder until the developer decided to do what he does best - develop.

If you liked looking at the tree in my lawn, or the car in my driveway, or my statue on the lawn (heaven forbid), would I be in any way obliged to discuss the trimming of the tree or moving the car or painting the statue with you before I did?

Maybe it's me, but it was undeveloped land sitting in the middle of a huge sprawling development holding a few cows while it waited its turn. It belongs to the developer, and he didn't masquerade anything about it, it was going to be developed, either into a commercial or residential complex. Now you think he owed you the courtesy of telling you what he was developing there? I truly don't get it.

What do you think is going to happen to the land between CVS and WalMart along 466 where a few cows graze? Do you seriously think it's going to remain a cow pasture? Did anyone feel offended that some of it became the Bone Fish Grill, or CVS, or Beall's without letting all of us know? I don't get it!

[Russ_Boston]

Welcome back Muncle - Nice to read you again!

To what point in time would some of you people like the Morse family to roll things back to?

Let's look at this from a business POV. If the new houses that they are building are still selling in this economy THEY must be doing something correct. Yes? If you now have major retail centers (the Wal-Marts, Target etc.) and hundreds of restaurants that you never had THEY must be doing something correct. Yes? If the house that you bought in 1998 is now worth 2 or 3 times what it was worth then THEY must be doing something right. Yes?

From an environmental standpoint when I look at the TV map I see numerous Krestel, Owl etc. preserves etc. I assume that this are permanent preserves and will not be built on. If that is the case then THEY must be doing something correct. Yes?

TV is more desirable today than it was 4 years ago, or 10 years ago or 20+ years ago when HS started this thing. THEY must be doing something correct. Yes?

Just my 4 cents worth from an outsiders perspective.
Russ

[amgoldho]

We moved to West Boca Raton in July 1992 (yep just before Andrew) with our two daughters who were still in high school. We moved to Boca because of the school system. We lived in a subdivision of 7000 homes called Loggers Run.

Ok, During the first few years during the rainy season, there would be rain like clockwork and the thunderstorms would line up along I-95 and move inland. Water and rain was plenty. Then the building increased where we lived out towards the Everglades and between the turnpike and 441. Each year the rainy season seemed shorter and each year the starting point for the thunderstorms was further west until by the time we moved most of the rain was falling west of the turnpike. Water became and still is an issue. I talked to a person well versed in climate and he said if they keep building over the "open" land, water will become a serious problem. South Florida's water issue is greater than ours yet we with our own water system are on a form of rationing. To desalinate is a costly endeavor and guess who pays for it, the taxpayer.

Now we have a community that at buildout (2011??) we will have a population of 101,000+. With smart growth one takes into consideration the infrastructure, land use, etc. This developer is one of the best in this country. To plan out a community like this, is truly amazing and I truly thank him for that. At the same time one must consider the ramifications and the future quality of life.

If you have not been to South Florida, go there and see if you would like to live there.

Also this is a rural society not urban or suburban which makes this area almost unique. There are some beautiful horse farms, ranches which I hope never go.

I am more concerned about the quality of life for the future, not property values. Maybe I am an idealist, well so be it. Go take a ride in your golf cart and look at the open land and picture houses or whatever in those areas, could get a little suffocating.

Progress comes at what price?

[captain1202]

All the offers of input from the posters are the very reason that the developer should do what he wants. It's worked so far! With home sales in TV 17% ahead of last year, who are we to argue?

Personally, I love coming home for my 10 days off work and just enjoying the surroundings, whatever they may be.

[Peachie]

Alan, I have the distinct feeling you were unaware of the size and scope of planned Villages development. I can't believe you thought you would be able to control the development after you moved in to your home. And as for the water issue, surely you have heard about the individual down the road in Sumter County, I believe, who is selling the water and able to ship it out of the area. How desperate can water conditions be if the powers that be see fit to let that happen? Maybe that is the first place to start to control the water problem, stop shipping it out of central FL.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by brightspot01

Mr. Morse is doing his job of developing the land he owns of which he has every right to do. I don't know of any place that requires a developer to ask for citizen input.

Exactly right. Some people state with surprise that the the developer is selling "our" plazas and "our buffalo fields"!

We should be thankful that the developer had the creativity, energy, financial resources and vision to create this paradise for us to enjoy.

[rshoffer]

Originally Posted by barefoot at last

Exactly right. Some people state with surprise that the the developer is selling "our" plazas and "our buffalo fields"!

We should be thankful that the developer had the creativity, energy, financial resources and vision to create this paradise for us to enjoy.

I concur. Anyone in his position wakes up everyday knowing he's gonna take a lot of shots from a lot of directions. Like they say, "The tall trees take the breeze". Face it, The entire Morse family has all the moola they could ever want. If they didn't have their heart and soul into this venture they could have cashed in their chips long ago and done what most Villigers have done... "retired".