[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Advogado

In the posts on this subject, I don't think anybody has criticized the Developer's success. However, the Developer's actions regarding the sale of amenity facilities raise legitimate concerns for residents.

While I thank Lauren Ritchie for publicizing the issue, which has been buried and distorted by the Daily Sun, her columns have not been a reliable source of information or analysis. For those members who really want to understand the matter, I would recommend the POA website: poa4us.org. Click on Current Issues and then IRS Investigation.

OR read the original filings by the IRS and ongoing public filings

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by dillywho

I don't understand all the animosity toward the Developer(s). My son lived in a condo in Jacksonville for several years (just finished building a new house) and his HOA fee was right at $200 a month with no rec centers and all they offer, one outdoor pool, no golf courses at all, and one "party room". They were saddled with many more restrictions than we have here, as well....no grills, no pets, etc. Seems like we have it pretty good here. By the way, don't know if his community is controlled by an HOA or not now. I will have to ask about that.

As for the bond, when we came here in 2004, the bond structure WAS explained thoroughly to us. No problem.

The reason for the title? Given their own troubles and shenanigans, WHY would you trust the IRS more than the Developer(s)? Or Ritchie, for that matter? She seems to have her own agenda and it is definitely anything but favorable to us. Seems Orlando has enough problems of its own without worrying about us. Why is she not writing about the truly "gated" communities there with all their crime occurring? What are they getting for their monies?

No one said they trust the IRS more than the Developer. But the IRS enforces the laws. In fact, their missions to serve the American public investigating potential criminal violations of the Internal Revenue Code and related financial crimes. The issuance of the tax free bonds by the districts is in violation of the law. Sorry if you don't the like IRS and the criminal code, but they certainly have the upper hand here.

[iaudit]

Originally Posted by dillywho

I don't understand all the animosity toward the Developer(s). My son lived in a condo in Jacksonville for several years (just finished building a new house) and his HOA fee was right at $200 a month with no rec centers and all they offer, one outdoor pool, no golf courses at all, and one "party room". They were saddled with many more restrictions than we have here, as well....no grills, no pets, etc. Seems like we have it pretty good here. By the way, don't know if his community is controlled by an HOA or not now. I will have to ask about that.

As for the bond, when we came here in 2004, the bond structure WAS explained thoroughly to us. No problem.

The reason for the title? Given their own troubles and shenanigans, WHY would you trust the IRS more than the Developer(s)? Or Ritchie, for that matter? She seems to have her own agenda and it is definitely anything but favorable to us. Seems Orlando has enough problems of its own without worrying about us. Why is she not writing about the truly "gated" communities there with all their crime occurring? What are they getting for their monies?

Probably not a fair comparison. Condo fees usually cover outside landscaping, maintaining driveways, roof repair and replacement. All of these expenses in the villages are the responsibility of the homeowner

[eweissenbach]

Ritchie "is definitely anything but favorable to US"? The Us presumably is the residents of the Villages unless you are a Morse. How can you come to that conclusion. She does seem unfavorably inclined toward the Developer, whether fairly or not, but I can't see any bias against Villagers.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by dillywho

I don't understand all the animosity toward the Developer(s). My son lived in a condo in Jacksonville for several years (just finished building a new house) and his HOA fee was right at $200 a month with no rec centers and all they offer, one outdoor pool, no golf courses at all, and one "party room". They were saddled with many more restrictions than we have here, as well....no grills, no pets, etc. Seems like we have it pretty good here. By the way, don't know if his community is controlled by an HOA or not now. I will have to ask about that.

As for the bond, when we came here in 2004, the bond structure WAS explained thoroughly to us. No problem.

The reason for the title? Given their own troubles and shenanigans, WHY would you trust the IRS more than the Developer(s)? Or Ritchie, for that matter? She seems to have her own agenda and it is definitely anything but favorable to us. Seems Orlando has enough problems of its own without worrying about us. Why is she not writing about the truly "gated" communities there with all their crime occurring? What are they getting for their monies?

There are many expensive and probable expenses which you didn't recognize and/or mention, for which your son's condo may be responsible, according to their documents, which you have not read. Things which may be covered by his association could be the roofs, all landscaping and grass cutting, painting of all the buildings, maintaining the roads, insurances, a reserve and more. All of these expenses are covered in an owner's monthly fee and although some is put into a reserve, these amounts are still charged on a monthly basis. I can almost guarantee that there are more restrictions here than your son had in his condo.

Unless you subscribe to the Orlando Sentinel, you don't know what other topics Lauren Ritchie writes about. There are only a few examples, in total, of her writing about The Villages. Judging from some of the items of hers which I have read, she really has no agenda, does her homework and simply tells it like it is.