[Talk Host]

I am so sad. I am sad on several levels.

Six years ago, my wife and I built our dream home here in the Villages. Now, because of, in part, a medical condition (Amity has Multiple Sclerosis) we are attempting to sell our home and move even farther south to a warmer climate.

As many of you know, I’ve publicly discussed the fact that unbeknownst to us; we built in the near proximity of the CSX rail line. With the new “train horn rules” and the lower decibel output of the horns, it is much less of a complication than it would have been even two years ago. Our real estate agent assures us the house will sell.

When my partners and I put Talk of The Villages on line we knew it would be a wonderful community of people and we also knew that there would be a certain number of malcontents. Over the past two years, we have had to issue warnings to only a dozen or so of our 8,000 members and we have had to ban only about six people. Sadly the very same “train issue” is at the root of some of the banning.

A healthy discussion of the CSX rail line and its impact on the Villages is perfectly acceptable because it affects so many people. However, a handful of our former and current members have apparently undertaken a mission to use the train issue as a means of deliberately “derailing” or sabotaging the sale of my home. As recently as yesterday (Tuesday February 24th) one of these people posted a direct message on TOTV saying that nobody should buy my house. (The post was removed) This matter has led directly to the banning of at least two members who clearly wished to add continued hardship on me.

Now, a small group of present and former TOTV members has exercised their absolute right to start their own forum. However, they are using Talk of The Villages sponsored events and our membership roster to recruit new members of their choosing. Their stated purpose is to keep the “creepy people” out and “let our friends in.” Sadly, they are using the “train” issue as a running joke on this new forum in a misguided effort to further damage me and my home sale.

I can’t image hating somebody so much that I would deliberately attempt to cause economic damage to them and their family. I guess it kind of tells what you might expect on a forum that they operate.

I do want them to know that they can take comfort in the knowledge that their efforts to upset me have worked. I do have occasional sleepless nights, not because of the house sale, but wondering how humans can develop such a profound hatred. What upsets me even more is that it has caused my wife a great deal of anxiety, and she doesn’t deserve that kind of treatment. She’s not even a member of the Talk of The Villages.

So, when you are approached to join any other forum here in The Villages, be alert to what type of individuals you will be joining.

I fully understand that I initiated the original issue of the train noise and opened the door for further discussion. I didn't realize that it would be used to get even with my wife and me for trying to help run Talk of The Villages as a friendly place for everybody, not a select few.

[starflyte1]

I am so very sorry that this is happening.

Something similar happened to us several years ago. We fought it for a while, then just moved out and finally sold our home at quite a loss. BUT, we , to this day, still feel that it is the best money we have ever lost.

I hope that this will soon be behind you.

Sincerely,
Pat

[dillywho]

that some people feel the need to undermine others. My sympathies (and I'm sure many others) are with you. It is sad, but understandable, that you must leave here. I haven't been on here very long, but you have done a remarkable job both in the creation and maintenance of this site. This site will be much better off if those malcontents leave; so to them, please hurry up. Just don't let them get you down.

Good luck in the sale of your home and your relocation.

[JUREK]

TALK HOST:

So very sorry to hear about your problems, My wife also has MS and I know what you are dealing with. I hope that the scoundrels that are trying to undermine you and the sale of your house are not successful.
Best of luck to you.

[rshoffer]

Your home is stunningly beautiful. Your listed price seems amazingly fair. Having bought and sold a number of homes, the disclosure statement allows interested buyers (I'm sure you have had many) to addresss and review all issues, including the train whistle, associated with the home. The prospective buyer has the opportunity to come and assess the train whistle, talk with neighbors, look at recent home sales in your neighborhood etc and make an informed decision. Your home is so beautiful and unique I would be shocked if a potential buyer would be dissuaded from purchasing it by a group of people who are angry with you. Keep the faith!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by rshoffer

Your home is stunningly beautiful. Your listed price seems amazingly fair. Having bought and sold a number of homes, the disclosure statement allows interested buyers (I'm sure you have had many) to addresss and review all issues, including the train whistle, associated with the home. The prospective buyer has the opportunity to come and assess the train whistle, talk with neighbors, look at recent home sales in your neighborhood etc and make an informed decision. Your home is so beautiful and unique I would be shocked if a potential buyer would be dissuaded from purchasing it by a group of people who are angry with you. Keep the faith!

AH Jan, I agree with Rshoffer. When you hear hoofbeats in the park..............

[l2ridehd]

Very sorry to hear what is happening. If people are causing malicious harm to you financially or personally, there should be some definitive action that could be taken.

A few weeks ago I got an invite to another "villages" forum. And this new forum appears to be one set up by current and former members of TOTV. I went and looked at it, checked a few posts, and didn't see any value over TOTV so had not been back. Your post prompted me to go look again. And I searched the entire forum using keywords train, home, for sale, and a few others and found nothing. Even tried to look at all posts that might apply as I was going to dress them down a little if I found it. And the forum is still small enough to look through most of it fairly easy. Honestly. search as I might, and I spent at least an hour or more looking, I found nothing that even looked like it talked about any home, much less yours. Maybe I am looking at the wrong forum. I saw one comment about additional train traffic due to a new passenger service and a reference to Belleverde as being the East most side of the Villages, but nothing about you, your home, your location or anything that came any closer then what I said above. I am sure you have, but if not, I would verify what you may have heard vs seeing it first hand.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

Very sorry to hear what is happening. If people are causing malicious harm to you financially or personally, there should be some definitive action that could be taken.

A few weeks ago I got an invite to another "villages" forum. And this new forum appears to be one set up by current and former members of TOTV. I went and looked at it, checked a few posts, and didn't see any value over TOTV so had not been back. Your post prompted me to go look again. And I searched the entire forum using keywords train, home, for sale, and a few others and found nothing. Even tried to look at all posts that might apply as I was going to dress them down a little if I found it. And the forum is still small enough to look through most of it fairly easy. Honestly. search as I might, and I spent at least an hour or more looking, I found nothing that even looked like it talked about any home, much less yours. Maybe I am looking at the wrong forum. I saw one comment about additional train traffic due to a new passenger service and a reference to Belleverde as being the East most side of the Villages, but nothing about you, your home, your location or anything that came any closer then what I said above. I am sure you have, but if not, I would verify what you may have heard vs seeing it first hand.

I have seen it first hand. There is even an open discussion and some cyber "high fiving" about how cleverly it is being done.

[swrinfla]

Jan:

How very, very sad all this is.

First, of course, because of Amity's illness. But, that you and she will learn to deal with, whereever you may end up.

Second, of course, because you'll be leaving The Villages, with undoubtedly a somewhat sour taste. That too shall pass, but, as my Dad used to say, "T'ain't fair, McGee!"

Third, what's to become of our favorite place to find out who's doing what here in TV!

My personal best wishes to you both.

SWR

[VEEMAN]

In the neighborhood where I was raised, perhaps someone would have been instructed to "visit" the home(s) of your antagonist to resolve any apparent misbehavior directed towards you and your family. Today, believing we have become a more rational society, we are persuaded to engage in civil litigation.
Please accept my apologies for the crude and malicious behavior of those who are causing Mr & Mrs TH sleepless nights and anxiety.

[billethkid]

cruise their site?
It certainly, it true and exists, is known.
Didn't Hitler have a similar problem with wanting a more closed, specific society.
I for one feel badly for the narrowness of those who can not stand the heat of the kitchen.

What's the url so we can go play.

I also feel bad I haven't been invited...one thousand one, one thousand two...OK I am over it

BTK

[Boomer]

What!!!!

Well, I think I just got myself a little case of indignation.

TH,

I see your sadness and I raise you an appalled.

You have a good board here, for the most part.

There is fun to find. (like that Captions thread) And there is great information here.

I like seeing the back and forth that goes on in the political forum where people do not agree. And never will. But that’s OK. A little discussion. A little exchange of ideas. All good. All on a topic. A subject. Not personal attacks at all.

And, TH, you seem fair enough. There was that time I did not like that picture you posted, and so I posted my disagreement in the thread. Backing my argument up with well thought out reasons – of course. I was reeeeeaaallllllll classy about disagreeing with you. And you did not bounce me for it. But you could have. With the stroke of a key. But you did not. And I had disagreed with you. We just had a little back and forth. What I expected. Which I respected. But we sure did not attack each other personally. It was a discussion of the picture posted. I thought that was a really good thread. Others were in it, too. Agreeing. Disagreeing. On an idea. As it should be.

But TH, this one you address here is absolutely over the top. For someone to come in with the agenda of making someone else’s personal life more difficult is just plain nasty stuff. I know well that there are people who try to make themselves feel better by trying to make others feel worse. I know it, but I do not understand it. I avoid those people in real life. There is so much difficulty and sadness around. And anybody who is of the age to find this board interesting most certainly knows this and has experienced a share of difficulty and sadness in life on a personal level. But I guess mean is mean, no matter what.

Targeting you and yours, huh. Nasty stuff. Usually the stuff you find in a junior high school hallway. Ugly there. Ugly here. Just plain ugly all around. And oh so sad. And why in the world??? For someone to start out the day with an insidious agenda of making somebody else’s life harder -- I just do not get it.……….

Oh, and btw, when we rented in TV we were in Chatham. I thought Chatham was pretty. It struck me as being so green. Lush landscaping. And the best dinner we had while there was at Lopez. And the train was not an issue. Mr. Boomer thinks it would be fun to live near an airport. Really. One man’s noise is another man’s music. You will find your buyer, TH.

Boomer

[KayakerNC]

I'm sure the move has been well thought out, and made in your best interests....but.....I will sure hate to see you go. This board is your baby, and it won't be the same without you.

Trains. Not just for freight.
Jump on the Amtrak train in Orlando and go to DC, stay at one of the nice hotels near Union Station and use the Metro to explore our nation's capital. Return from Union Station to Orlando.
It is one of the best ways to see the country as you travel. And afterward, you will never hear a train whistle without some great memories.

[Cassie325]

I will refrain from writing what I really want to say...other than it is just disgusting and pathetic! I personally will never understand this type of behavior. Especially from those people that claim to be wiser for the years they have lived.

I will say that your home is GORGEOUS. I had the opportunity to visit once and could not believe how beautiful it was! The train is heard all over TV's in my opinion....at least by those that are West of Morse Blvd. One gets used to sounds around them....whether it is cars,trains, planes or music from the town square.

Your pool and view from the lanai are priceless! Your landscaping is well maintained and one can tell it is cared for...

Personally the office is my favorite!! LOVED IT!!! Professional, yet cozy!

My last thought is that you should be commended for up rooting your life here to make sure your wife is happy and cared for... She is a beautiful woman and seems to be very kind hearted.

Our prayers are with you and Amity. I do hope TOTV continues as it is such a blessing to so many.

[Talk Host]

I do want to add here that Talk of The Villages will continue as it always has. It is made up of wonderful people who get along very well and that is the primary engine of this forum. It is not ruled by just a small click or inner circle of people, so it will get along just fine. Our 8,000 members are the backbone of Talk of The Villages.

JLK