[eweissenbach]

I consider myself pretty pro developer, but I happen to believe in checks and balances, so am a member of the POA. Neither politicians nor corporations should be allowed carte blanc to do anything they want, or serves their interests. BTW the document I shared was written in 1999-2000 covering the first ten years of the POA, while part two was written in 2010.

[Mleeja]

Originally Posted by John41

The POA represents the residents interests. Using your terminology, the POA is the "mouthpiece" for the residents eg. repealing the 25% property tax increase.
Of all the issues The POA has been involved in which ones did not represents the residents interests?

The VHA represents the developer and is his "mouthpiece".

If you think the tax increase is going to be repealed, I have a bridge across Lake Sumter I will sell you real cheap! It will not happen. If the tax increased is rolled back, and the impact fees are increased on The Villages Development, growth in the southern areas will stop!

The POA does not publish membership numbers, but I doubt that they represent all of the residents or even a majority.

Lastly, the VHA has taken more of the roll of a service organization.

When is the last time the POA has held an event to raise money for charity, collected and distributed durable medical equipment for residents, or held golf cart safety classes? In my seven years here the answer is never. All they have done is oppose development and expansion of The Villages.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by John41

The POA represents the residents interests. Using your terminology, the POA is the "mouthpiece" for the residents eg. repealing the 25% property tax increase.
Of all the issues The POA has been involved in which ones did not represents the residents interests?

The VHA represents the developer and is his "mouthpiece".

Yeah. The POA people say all that a lot.

I see all the things that are repaired, fixed, painted, washed, done, prepared, made nice, and I say...I like how this place is run.

I see how this place doesn't spend money foolishly. I see how this place appeals to people who have worked hard all of their lives. This is a good thing here.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by John41

The POA represents the residents interests. Using your terminology, the POA is the "mouthpiece" for the residents eg. repealing the 25% property tax increase.
Of all the issues The POA has been involved in which ones did not represents the residents interests?

The VHA represents the developer and is his "mouthpiece".

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Yeah. The POA people say all that a lot.

I see all the things that are repaired, fixed, painted, washed, done, prepared, made nice, and I say...I like how this place is run.

I see how this place doesn't spend money foolishly. I see how this place appeals to people who have worked hard all of their lives. This is a good thing here.

Interestingly, I see both of you as being spot on.

[PennBF]

When the Developer was expanding on the South end of the Villages he was expanding faster than At&T could cover the growth. The POA collected over 500 complaints regarding this problem and the POA met with the Florida VP of AT&T to see what could be
done. As a result the VP agreed to sell the boosters for cell phone in some cases at half
price and in some cases they donated them until cell towers could be built and the residents who purchase or secured boosters could keep them. This was not advertised but done by the POA to help the residents. This is the kind of quiet support the POA
provides to the residents. To build a Cell Tower first you have to get the land, then get
the government permission to construct and use. It takes about a year and a half from start to finish to get a new Cell Tower.

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Yeah. The POA people say all that a lot.

I see all the things that are repaired, fixed, painted, washed, done, prepared, made nice, and I say...I like how this place is run.

I see how this place doesn't spend money foolishly. I see how this place appeals to people who have worked hard all of their lives. This is a good thing here.

The residents spoke decisively in the last county election and overwhelmingly rejected your point of view that change is not needed.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by John41

Those POA commissioners were overwhelming elected by the residents a few months ago as a check on the developers puppet commissioners who raised our taxes 25% so the developer wouldn't have to pay for his roads in the area South of 44.

A lot of people don't understand that the Developer should not only be paying for roads necessitated by his massive expansion of The Villages. He should be paying for ALL county infrastructure necessitated by that expansion, e.g., fire stations, police stations, equipment like fire engines and police cars, libraries, government buildings. In Florida counties where he doesn't control the County Commissions, impact fees are set high enough to cover those costs.

Here the Developer has had a sweetheart deal for years, at the expense of residents, thanks to his packing the Commission with his puppets. Every time you write a check for your county taxes, you are writing a check to the Developer for more than 25% of that amount.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by Mleeja

Of course the article was written from the POA’s perspective. It sure makes them look good. Maybe when they first started they were a check against the Developer. Today, they are a political organization, pure and simple. Look at how many of your CDD, AAC, PWAC representatives are members or officers (present or past) of the POA. Look how at least three of the Sumter County Commissioners are beholding to the POA. They are slowly taking over The Villages. Before long the most powerful persons in our community will be the board of directors of the POA. This is when I put the “For Sale” sign in the yard.

The POA is the only protection that the residents have against Developer abuse.

An example of that abuse is his packing the County Commission with his puppets so that he could: (a) get rubber-stamp approval of his expansion plans; and (b) offload on to residents (through a 25% county tax increase) county infrastructure costs that he should be paying for (through impact fees). Other examples can be found on the POA website, the most egregious being the deterioration of amenity facilities requiring a class-action lawsuit which resulted in a $40 million settlement. I would much rather have public officials beholding to my volunteer neighbors in the POA than have those officials in the pocket of the Developer.

I am astounded that you would feel differently unless you are somehow affiliated with the Developer or simply do not understand the reality of what has transpired.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Advogado

The POA is the only protection that the residents have against Developer abuse.

An example of that abuse is his packing the County Commission with his puppets so that he could: (a) get rubber-stamp approval of his expansion plans; and (b) offload on to residents (through a 25% county tax increase) county infrastructure costs that he should be paying for (through impact fees). Other examples can be found on the POA website, the most egregious being the deterioration of amenity facilities requiring a class-action lawsuit which resulted in a $40 million settlement. I would much rather have public officials beholding to my volunteer neighbors in the POA than have those officials in the pocket of the Developer.

I am astounded that you would feel differently unless you are somehow affiliated with the Developer or simply do not understand the reality of what has transpired.

I am astounded too. I once went to a party and a person who I had never met said something similar to me. Fortunately a good many people know me personally. I believe that anyone with common sense can see that this place is very well run and that the decisions made by the developer are good for The Villages and good for the residents. I have seen not one drop of evidence that The Developer is acting in any way but conducting a successful business that not only is run well and ethically but supports the economy of the entire three counties it is part of. It is a huge part of Sumter County which was at one time a place with low employment and low income. A rising tide lifts all ships.

I hope someday that I can shake the hand of Jennifer, Mark or Tracy Morse. I would like very much to meet any of them.

They have a half brother who lives in my Village and we have met him once briefly at a party. He is not involved in the business but was once involved in the golf courses I believe.

I wish there was a group that was independent and helpful. I do not like the POA. I think there are other things going on and I don't like to think about them. I hope all the political action folks calm down soon and see that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I am astounded too. I once went to a party and a person who I had never met said something similar to me. Fortunately a good many people know me personally. I believe that anyone with common sense can see that this place is very well run and that the decisions made by the developer are good for The Villages and good for the residents. I have seen not one drop of evidence that The Developer is acting in any way but conducting a successful business that not only is run well and ethical but supports the economy of the entire three counties it is part of. It is a huge part of Sumter County which was at one time a place with low employment and low income. A rising tide lifts all ships.

I hope someday that I can shake the hand of Jennifer, Mark or Tracy Morse. I would like very much to meet any of them.

They have a half brother who lives in my Village and we have met him once briefly at a party. He is not involved in the business but was once involved in the golf courses I believe.

I wish there was a group that was independent and helpful. I do not like the POA. I think there are other things going on and I don't like to think about them. I hope all the political action folks calm down soon and see that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Perhaps it's good to have the ying and the yang. Have memories forgot when the POA came to the rescue at the tune of 40 million dollars. Residents familiar with Paradise Rec Center, Paradise Park, and the narrow concrete bumpy MMP paths remember. Let me refresh some memories - the Developer did not volunteer the $40 million the POA had to sue and won the lawsuit. I personally think the developer does a good job but that doesn't mean 100% of the time they act in our best interest. Fast forward to more recent times. Who is stepping up to pay for the Sumter bridge infrastructure damage ? Like many of you say The Developers are in the business to make a profit. Sometimes their interests and ours won't always coincide.

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I am astounded too. I once went to a party and a person who I had never met said something similar to me. Fortunately a good many people know me personally. I believe that anyone with common sense can see that this place is very well run and that the decisions made by the developer are good for The Villages and good for the residents. I have seen not one drop of evidence that The Developer is acting in any way but conducting a successful business that not only is run well and ethical but supports the economy of the entire three counties it is part of. It is a huge part of Sumter County which was at one time a place with low employment and low income. A rising tide lifts all ships.

I hope someday that I can shake the hand of Jennifer, Mark or Tracy Morse. I would like very much to meet any of them.

They have a half brother who lives in my Village and we have met him once briefly at a party. He is not involved in the business but was once involved in the golf courses I believe.

I wish there was a group that was independent and helpful. I do not like the POA. I think there are other things going on and I don't like to think about them. I hope all the political action folks calm down soon and see that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

You have been given ample evidence of the developers misdeeds but choose to ignore it. Ignore the facts if you will, but fortunately, the overwhelming majority of residents in this last election rejected your point of view.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by John41

You have been given ample evidence of the developers misdeeds but choose to ignore it. Stick your head in the sand if you will, but fortunately, the overwhelming majority of residents in this last election rejected your point of view.

Here. Read this thread from a few years back;

What Does The "Settlement" Mean With Regard To Recreation Facilities Management?

[rustyp]

Another interesting thread from TOTV on this subject from the past:

Property Owners' Association

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Here. Read this thread from a few years back;

What Does The "Settlement" Mean With Regard To Recreation Facilities Management?

I read it. It's from a poster who is relying on the Daily Sun which the developer owns. Do you really believe its objective? Why would there be a lawsuit needed if the developer was doing his job? Did you read the POA newsletter to get another side?

Most of the time, as you say correctly, The Villages is well maintained. But that comes out of the amenity fees we pay not out of the goodness of the developers heart.

The Villages is what it is today, a desirable retirement community, because of the foresight of the original developers. This generation of Morses is trying to change that vision. And ironically , that past vision you cherish so much, you yourself are destroying with uncritical support for them.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I am astounded too. [snip] I have seen not one drop of evidence that The Developer is acting in any way but conducting a successful business that not only is run well and ethically but supports the economy of the entire three counties it is part of. [snip]

That is because you have chosen not to look. Should you choose otherwise in the future, you might catch a glimpse or two of what most other people notice (whether they support what they notice or are against it are two different things).

It is a huge part of Sumter County which was at one time a place with low employment and low income. A rising tide lifts all ships.

A huge part of Sumter County was farmland, and wild hogs. Low employment because most people worked on their family's farm and were therefore not considered employees. Low income, because - family farm - no pay. The Villages bought out the farms, displaced the families, and razed all that farmland to develop homes for seniors - most of whom don't get a paycheck either because they're retired.

They have a half brother who lives in my Village and we have met him once briefly at a party. He is not involved in the business but was once involved in the golf courses I believe.

Yes, and I like chocolate ice cream, which I know for a fact that at least one member of the Morse Family also likes. It has nothing to do with the topic but hey - if it's good for you, it's good for me.

I do not like the POA. I think there are other things going on and I don't like to think about them. I hope all the political action folks calm down soon and see that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Yes, because in your world (as seen in the first paragraph of your post) - if you don't see it or think about it, it can't possibly exist.

I get that you don't like unpleasant things Gracie. I get that. I appreciate it. But not liking unpleasant things doesn't mean unpleasant things can't possibly exist if you choose to not pay attention to them.