[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by redwitch

So, hurrah to the development that is called The Villages, the wonderful people who live here and the people who envisioned this and ultimately created it. And boo to the family that puts profits above all else, regardless if it is the right thing to do or not, and totally forces their opinion (with no opposing arguments basically allowed) on others.

Well said Red! I love Fox Sports, but I can't stand Rupert Murdoch.

[Taj44]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Okay, I'm one of those who isn't a big fan of the developers. I truly admire what has been accomplished in TV. From everything I've heard about Harold Schwartz, he is a man I would love to have met and have gotten to know. I do not have that desire when it comes to Gary or Mark Morse.

It has nothing to do with class envy. It has nothing to do with jealousy -- I've known, admired and loved people who had at least as much money as they did and at least one who had a heck of a lot of more. To say that someone criticizes or does not admire the Morses because of envy or jealousy is inaccurate, at best. Nor are those who see their clay feet necessarily malcontents. They and I do have reasons and they are valid reasons. I have stated my dislikes and reasons therefor in the past. I see no reason to go over them again. Not liking their present business practices takes nothing away from what they have done in the past nor from some of their plans for the future.

To me, TV and the developers do not go hand-in-hand. The Morses built and are building this development. It is the people who live here that make this such a wonderful place. There really is an incredible generosity of spirit here, one that I've never seen anywhere else. People are genuinely happy and willing to help each other. That, to me, is the most beautiful part of TV.

I give the Morses credit for doing things to keep TVers happy, to making sure everything is well-maintained, etc. I do hope this will continue to be the case once there is a final buildout, but we'll have to wait and see on this one (but I do think TV will continue to have music in the squares, be clean and well-maintained, etc.). Even so, some of the practices of the Morses are not to be admired -- think the IRS mess, the bond issues, the "donation" of the Church on the Square (which was recently rejected) and myriad small business decisions. They are out to make a profit regardless of the cost to others and that's just not right. So, hurrah to the development that is called The Villages, the wonderful people who live here and the people who envisioned this and ultimately created it. And boo to the family that puts profits above all else, regardless if it is the right thing to do or not, and totally forces their opinion (with no opposing arguments basically allowed) on others.

I agree.

[barb1191]

Originally Posted by Taj44

I think most people love it here, but there is a certain element that think everything is "perfect", drink the "koolaid", act like the Developers are some kind of benevolent rulers, etc. have this sort of Pollyanna mentality while other people point out areas that need improvement, and offer suggestions. The Pollyanna group gets insulted by this, for some reason, and conflict ensues. Obviously the main goal of the Developer here is to make money. That is a given. And the residents have certain needs that they would like to be met with their amenity fees. The residents filed a lawsuit against the Developer which was settled in 2008 (the residents won to the tune of $40 million) so that kind of gives you an idea of why some people are dissatisfied with the actions of the Developer and don't trust them.

Very well put Taj44; it's exactly the real thing.

[kentucky blue]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

People are as happy as they make of their minds to be. Abraham Lincoln

Nothing or no-one is perfect but TV is close in my opinion.

I would enjoy living in paradise and would tend to ignore the minor irritations.

TOTV is a fountain of information. I for one, enjoy being on this web site as it is a great source of enetrtainment.

Wannabe to a frog, hopefully soon.

The key to happiness in TV is "nothing more than having good health and a bad memory".For me personally,all i've ever asked for in life, is the chance to prove that money can't bring happiness.I'm still working on it

[Ajack]

Originally Posted by cynkr67

We haven't lived in TV long at all...bought preowned in late spring and have been here since mid-September. I've been reading these boards and getting a wealth of information from everyone, for which I am grateful. One thing that puzzles me, though, is the anger(?) I read in some posts towards the developers. Maybe we just haven't encountered any problems yet, but we feel TV is a unique and very special community. It is clean & beautiful, chockful of recreational activities to enable a healthy lifestyle, and has access to tons of shopping and restaurants. Is it perfect? Probably not...nothing is...but I see much more good in the community than anywhere else we've lived. In many cities, additions to lifestyle were pretty much financed by those in community through bonds & fund drives. This includes entertainment or performance complexes, libraries, YMCAs, etc. We were happy to give to these projects as they made our life better and more fulfilled. Some of the posters I've read seem to be angry at being asked to contribute and angry at the fees we pay? I have no problem with the developers making money as long as our lifestyle remains so satisfying...I surely don't expect them to do things out of the goodness of their hearts. Anyway...am I missing something? Is this a community-wide anger or just a few malcontents? Not trying to start a firestorm, just looking for clarification. Thanks, Cynthia

Wow, I just returned from Orlando and this thread went south too.There is no community wide anger, and there is the same percentage of malcontents that you find in most places. (at least here at TOTV) I rarely hear complaints from people in person. I sense many of the complainers might be long time residences. As someone said, TOTV is a great platform for people to "voice" their complaints, as most people would not want to hear it in person.

The Morse people had a vision and everybody has an opportunity to buy into it. They have thought of so many wonderful things and most of it is 1st class. I thank God for the Morses and Murdoch but I'll pass on Hitler.

[cynkr67]

Thanks to all who posted their thoughtful opinions. Glad that most people are happy to be here and happy to share the community with us!!

[Pturner]

Yes, yes! Pollyanna, The Grump and It Depends all live here.

Long live our points of agreements! Long live our differences of opinion! Long live our conversations and connections!

[K9-Lovers]

PTurner, If "Depends" was not intended as a pun, it should have been.

[Ajack]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Yes, yes! Pollyanna, The Grump and It Depends all live here.

Long live our points of agreements! Long live our differences of opinion! Long live our conversations and connections!

Here Here !!! ( or is it hear hear?)

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by K9-Lovers

PTurner, If "Depends" was not intended as a pun, it should have been.

Touche!

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by Barboza

We found the Villages over 20 years ago and were enchanted by all the happy folk and relaxed lifestyle but could not believe that there was not a "catch".

So we continued to visit annually, watched the place grow and although, as time went on we no longer "knew" everyone when we visited the Square, there were many more shops and facilities available. Things were different but in general the people remained friendly and we continued to be amazed by the lifestlye.

After 10 years, still not having found the "catch" but having decided there were no "Stepford Wives", in 1999 we invested in a patio villa and still wake every morning grateful to Mr Schwartz and his family for providing this wonderful place for us to play for 6 months of the year.(We are British and although we would happily stay and invest in your beautiful country have to go back across the "pond".

We look forward to our next visit to "wrinkly heaven" (my grandsons words). He also says no one dies of old age in Florida they die of exhaustion!!!!!!!!! always on the go, he has a hard time keeping up.

There will always be people who are dissatisfied but they are not imprisoned here. If they really don't like it they can always leave.

The "Developer" is after all a business man, in the business of selling houses and astutely builds all the amenities to encourage people to buy houses here.
How many other developers around here do that.

GOD BLESS AMERICA! & GOD BLESS THE MORSE FAMILY

Barboza,

You said it well "There will always be people who are dissatisfied, but they are not imprisoned here. If they really don't like it they can always leave."

On my first visit to TV in July I was so favorably impressed with what I saw. During my drives through the various villages, I didn't see one resident chained to his or her house. I would move to TV tomorrow if I could, but it will probably be closer to the time TV is built out before I can contemplate a move. Do I think it's paradise -- no, I'm sure there are problems as in any community of 80,000 residents. But I don't think TV would have experienced the growth it has in the past decade if it was such a bad place to live. I'm looking forward to visiting TV in 2011 - hopefully I can visit twice.

Laura

[golf2140]

I hope the developers are still here until the put me in the ground !!!