[schwarz]

I agree that the gates should open automatically and perhaps add a few speed bumps.
I complain to Community Watch frequently about the Boone gate attendants who just open the gate for all approaching vehicles and wave them through without slowing them down at all. They are supposed to stop every vehicle. Sadly, it hardly ever happens.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Disagree! I think if any thing we need more Community Watch. Too many unauthorized people taking liberties with TV property. Using swimming pools, using recreation areas, golf courses, trying to get around deed restrictions etc etc. And there is a sense of comfort knowing they drive by my home each day and night. They help keep our place safe and civilized.

Originally Posted by trevorhewick

I totally agree with you Velvet.

None of those involve Community Watch responsibilities.

Community Watch drives around looking for open garage doors. Their responsibility ends with "observe and report" (their words). Gate "Attendants" are a large part of Community Watch.

[Thetwisted2]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Since we have owned a home off Morse, north of 466 for 10 years, I am as familiar with that gate as just about anyone. There is a good distance between the gate and 466, and I have never seen automobile traffic back up anywhere even close the 466. On the other, I have witnessed many dangerous encounters between automobiles and golf carts trying to cross over to the MMP because of the gate attendants not staggering automobile traffic enough to let carts through. The picture below occasionally happens when the gate attendant never bothers to turn around and check out how many golf carts are backed up behind them. In my opinion, that area would be much better served by not having a gate attendant.

I have seen back up numerous times on Morse Blvd when trying to turn from 466, I live in De La Vista, this section of Morse is a very Dangerous road with many golf cart/auto accidents and have almost Ben hit several times when people pass in the golf cart lane

[Mazjaz]

Maybe try leaving most gates either on automatic opening as a car gets closer or push the red button/swipe. We have our gate is on automatic and it still gives carts a quick chance to cross if needed.

[Sweatman]

Keep the gate attendants but focus only at the busy gates like Morse/466. Belvedere has an attendant off Buena Vista where traffic NEVER backs up as there are 2 entry gates. However, Belvedere rivals the Morse/466 gate for congestion as there is only 1 gate and it often backs up 20 plus vehicles! Another consideration at this gate is the fire/EMS is located just outside this very busy gate with traffic backup slowing entry during an emergency response. This busy entry should manned to relieve congestion. Community watch used to man the gate during busy times like when school lets out, but have not seen that for a few years now. The gate is also used as a shortcut for non-residents between south of Rainey Trail and 466 to avoid going around via 301. With Costco coming I dread the increase in traffic that will come through that gate. Hope the powers that be read this post!!!

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

I have never seen automobile traffic back up anywhere even close the 466.

Exactly my point.

Because the attendant keeps the gate open, the traffic keeps flowing and does not back up to 466.

If you get rid of the attendant, then every car has to stop to wait for the gate to lift, and you would then see the traffic backed up to 466.

Having the attendant prevents that from happening, which is why you have never seen it.

[SaucyJim]

Originally Posted by Mrs S

I suggest keeping all of the gates, however, have the gates open as our vehicles approach them. This way we don’t get soaking wet when it’s pouring rain and we have to open our window to wave our card in front of it.

Then replace the gates with highly-aggressive speed bumps if you’re not providing a security disincentive by having gates. Are they an illusion? Sure. But outsiders do not necessarily know that.

[goneil2024]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

I would vote to get rid of them. The golf carts don’t pay attention with the gate anyhow. I noticed when the fire department came the other night going by Sawgrass they had to completely stop and push the button on the (non attendant) gate. I wonder if my home insurance takes that into account and my rate is higher based on a slower response, LOL. Like another said we will be gone before any change ever happens.

With regard to how gates may impact insurance pricing for homeowners I don’t believe there is a direct one to one correlation. However in aggregate cities and towns receive a Public Protection Classification (PPC) ranging from 1-10 and this value is normally used by actuaries/insurers to determine fire insurance rates.

The PPC is used by insurance companies and national insurance rating organizations such as the Insurance Services Office (ISO) to determine fire insurance rates for properties within the city. There are a number of elements that go into the PPC rating including water supply, fire department equipment and training, and fire alarm systems.

A higher PPC (closer to 10) generally means higher insurance premiums, while a lower PPC means lower premiums. ISO's PPC system also provides a benchmark for cities to improve their fire protection capabilities.

As a former insurance underwriter I recall that FD response time was among the factors that went into the PPC and I was surprised to see some major cities with lower ratings than some suburban cities. When I questioned the difference I was told at the time that the traffic/congestion was a factor. Also, as a volunteer fire fighter for several years I learned that our town in CT had a lower rating than surrounding towns due to the RR that ran through the center of town which created the possibility of delayed FD response due to separation and access in the event a train was passing.

However, given the many FD’s in TV, personally doubt that community watch gates and guards are an issue. For more detail about the current Villages PPC see this Public Safety reference:

what is the ISO PPC for The Villages Florida? - Google Search

[SaucyJim]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

If history is any indicator, most of us will be dead before they change anything. I am happy leaving the gates the way they are.

Most? So everyone in TV is the same age and they’re going to close the entire thing after we’re all dead? lol!!

I’m new here. Based on my dad still being alive, I’ve got thirty years left. People are still having children, too. Today’s thirty-year-olds will be moving here when I’m on my deathbed.

My two cents.

[bfarrelljr]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Apparently some of the CDD’s are considering possible changes to the current gate system utilized in the Villages.

From what I understand, there are three options being discussed.

1) Keep as is
2) Eliminate gates
3) Keep the gates, but get rid of the attendants

Perhaps there are other options being considered that I’m not aware of?

Based on the three options listed I’m curious what option others favor?

Personally, I would favor keeping the gates, but getting rid of the gate attendants. I feel the gates are necessary to slow automobile traffic so golf carts can safely get through gated intersections. However, I don’t really see any benefit of having the attendants. In fact, I think having a gate attendant at the 466/Morse gate is a detriment. The attendant typically just holds the gates open waving cars through as fast as possible, alternating between the two gates, leaving no openings for golf carts. Without the attendant, automobiles would have to stop and either waive their gate card or push the little red button, leaving openings for golf carts to cross. I suppose the only time I could see the gate attendant as being helpful would be if the gate was temporarily broken, so they could hold up a stop sign to slow down automobiles not being constrained by a gate.

Get rid of them all. I never saw any value. They slow traffic, confuse drivers both auto and golf carts.

[Andyb]

I beg the difference, I have seen cars backed up to CR466 before.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Apparently some of the CDD’s are considering possible changes to the current gate system utilized in the Villages.

From what I understand, there are three options being discussed.

1) Keep as is
2) Eliminate gates
3) Keep the gates, but get rid of the attendants

Perhaps there are other options being considered that I’m not aware of?

Based on the three options listed I’m curious what option others favor?

Personally, I would favor keeping the gates, but getting rid of the gate attendants. I feel the gates are necessary to slow automobile traffic so golf carts can safely get through gated intersections. However, I don’t really see any benefit of having the attendants. In fact, I think having a gate attendant at the 466/Morse gate is a detriment. The attendant typically just holds the gates open waving cars through as fast as possible, alternating between the two gates, leaving no openings for golf carts. Without the attendant, automobiles would have to stop and either waive their gate card or push the little red button, leaving openings for golf carts to cross. I suppose the only time I could see the gate attendant as being helpful would be if the gate was temporarily broken, so they could hold up a stop sign to slow down automobiles not being constrained by a gate.

FWIW (not much), I agree on all points, particularly the negative effect on cart traffic from the attendant at the Morse/466 gate. My only concern there would be if indeed, as suggested, the traffic did back up dangerously on 466, the state or county would demand the gate be removed altogether. That would make it really dangerous to get across going south, during peak traffic times.

[MikeVillages]

I vote to keep the gates. They are also needed to help protect the golf carts.

[TalkTalk]

RE: "Since 2007 your paper by the second delivery is picked up by CW taken to front door which in 99% of home is out of sight from road. The second consecutive day a phone call is placed that the paper has been delivered and not retrieved.

It’s just as much a helpful notification for short vacation than snowbirds."

*********************************

New snowbirder here - we had a paper delivered that we could see on our Ring camera. It was there for at least THREE WEEKS. (This is the first time I've heard they are supposed to be picked up by CW if not grabbed by the property owners. We also did not get a phone call from anyone about it ever, so if no CW is making calls for papers sitting on driveways in our area, at least.) We finally got a hold of our neighbor about it, and they grabbed it for us.

Another one was delivered again maybe a week later. We noticed our neighbor picked it up that same day. Such great neighbors! :-)

I obviously don't want to advertise to thieves that we're gone, and we never asked for a paper to be delivered. Not a fan of the delivery just due to snowbirding and thieves. Maybe there should be an OPTION to order a paper delivered when you buy a house there.

HOW do you unsubscribe from that monthly (or however often) paper that's delivered? WeI would like to unsubscribe.

Thanks, everyone!

[airstreamingypsy]

Originally Posted by bfarrelljr

Get rid of them all. I never saw any value. They slow traffic, confuse drivers both auto and golf carts.

They don't confuse anyone who understands that stop signs mean stop and wait for vehicles that don't have a stop sign.