Agree very strongly on this issue. I've always been very wary about opening the window during a thunder storm when the rain is pouring down. Not good for the electronics of the car that are susceptible to moisture.

And as stated before, pull close to the reader and it will read through your window if you hold it inline with the reader or, go through the visitors side at a manned gate. Never a reason to drop your window and get water inside.

If you want to gripe about outdated technology, that is all well and good but at least get the technology correct. We do not have any "magnetic strip" gate cards in The Villages. Our gate cards are all RFID cards (Radio Frequency Identification) - no magnetism involved.

I have no problem pulling close to the reader so I do not have to open my car window. However, there are many folks who have a difficult time positioning the car close enough to the reader. We are a community of seniors and I understand why so many people are afraid to try to get so close to the reader. Opening the car window during a heavy rain may be a problem for those folks who are unable to pull close enough to the reader.

always use the visitor gate, two reasons--want to keep the wear & tear on my window mechanism--always keep it up, also in the visitor side I'm going straight & not merging from the right

Another reason I get a friendly wave thru most of the time

Trying to think in real time how often this awful water onslaught happens.

In the summer, rains occur almost always between three and five in the afternoon.

In the winter, we have very little rain.

I think how it is set up is fine. Changing any procedures like this may sound simple, but in fact they entail a huge outlay of cash and ultimately WE pay for it.

An economics course should be required for everyone.

Good morning. It's going to be another beautiful day in The Villages.

GATE PASS ABUSE
This has me bugged! We went to Stonecrest to look at a house for sale
The agent told us that driving our golf cart into The Villages and using the
Cart path was easy.
She said just get a Villages friend to get an extra pass and let you keep it.
Seriously! Who is paying for this?
Additionally this agent spent a good deal of time telling us everything that
(In her view) is wrong with THE VILLAGES.
SO WHY is she telling folks in Stonecrest to get gate passes from Village residents?

Because TV access helps sell homes in Stonecrest.

Because we/you/they can and it's included in the price of admission??

I don't have a golf cart, but can't you go just about anywhere in The Villages without a gate pass, except the residential areas? Access to the rec centers requires a resident ID.

I believe you are correct. We are living in the dark ages with a plastic card. My parents moved in to The Plantations in Leesburg in 2002 with a bar code on their window. Especially in the rain, what a disaster. I've seen people not able to reach the card scanner, open their car door, and watch items tumbling out of their car, (purses, including people!!)
Letting everyone in by pressing a button is just not "Safe!"
All legitimate businesses should file for a sticker to be scanned, and all guests should have to talk to someone as they press the button to see a resident in that community by speaking with a Village employee, like most communities do outside of The Villages.

Like it or not all of us live on public streets!
The Villages is not and never was a gated community!!!!

Use the visitors gate or just press the red button on the right side access. All villages are accessible.

If you feel unsafe in your home, maybe you should consider a community that is truly gated.

Now THAT is a super idea. :a040: I have gotten truly drenched three times so far because at the time, the rain was coming down sideways. Holding up your gate card makes so much sense. It's not a question of ignoring the rain; it's a question of moving ahead with newer electronics and, as a result, better results.