[Northwoods]

Originally Posted by ScottFenstermaker

Villages Resident John Kastura just published a well researched opinion piece on the internet-news-site-that-can't-be-mentioned-here setting forth one more reason to vote NO on the pig-in-a-poke proposed fire district.

That opinion piece provides insight into one of the reasons that the Developer is promoting the new fire district through his propaganda machine. That reason is that the new fire district would provide even more protection to the Developer's sweetheart impact fee, which offloads the costs of his new county infrastructure on to us current residents. You will recall that representative Brett Hage got almost a million dollars from the Developer after sponsoring legislation tailored to make it difficult to increase that sweetheart fee.

I do not understand why someone who is so unhappy with the situation in our community continues to live here. Do they love the fight? To me, life is too short to be in a place where you are constantly frustrated.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Thank you.

" Proof by emphatic assertion rarely works.", Hummm ? I'm not so sure about that. There was a time in my life I would have totally agreed, but that time was before "social" media, FB, TT, etc. It was before the time of everyone is an "expert", before the time of "moderators" who make God like decisions on who should be published and whose ideas or opinions should be repressed.

Now as for all the discussion about making changes to the fire department... my major concern when examining such issues is: WHOSE initial "idea" was it to "fix" (totally reconfigure) something that has certainly been outstanding in the 18 plus years since we built our home here ? We've found both the firemen and women, and the paramedics to be THE kindest, most efficient, most effective of any state/location where we've lived. Try moving to, oh, just fill in the name of any similar sized (125-150K) city, and call the fire department and ask them to just come over and help you by changing a battery, or a light bulb, etc. because you can't get on a ladder high enough to do that. The "new" fire department may be just wonderful, but, what if it isn't ? The old, "there is just no way to give exact answers about cost" is an old tactic of all politicians, and I always wonder, from local, to state, to federal, why are "we the people" always in such a hurry that we can't wait for a time when ALL the costs are know, rather in a bill before the congress, or a consideration before a local community council. IF the answer happens to be "well, we will NEVER know for sure until you pass it", then I say, "I pass". Was a chief administrator for many years, would not have lasted long in the position going in with plans and a presentation where the "actual" cost were labeled "unknown"....LOL ! Do I oppose a "new" fire plan and configuration, no, not necessarily, but my support on ANY issue depends on a much more exacting financial analysis ! As they say in Washington, "just pass it, you can find out later what all is in it"...LOL !

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

I do not understand why someone who is so unhappy with the situation in our community continues to live here. Do they love the fight? To me, life is too short to be in a place where you are constantly frustrated.

In no way "arguing" with you, but do you honestly believe that people who ask questions, or analyze an issue at any level, local, state, federal, are wasting their short life ? Isn't it part of our responsibility as citizens, even as human beings, to be concerned, pay attention, guard this great gift of a democratic republic ? I don't see a single word in the above that would make you think the writer (and no, I have no idea who the writer is) "love to fight" ? This is just one small local community, but to consider life "too short" to guard our most precious gift, by doing the home work, the hard work, of NOT just "zoning out" because after all, we're just a bunch of old people so hey, just have fun. No, think there is more that must make you think because a person is cognitively aware of what is going on in their community, that they are "unhappy" and should just "move out". ??? Just what ? at 60, 70, 80 just give up and sell, move, find a new community ? Humm ? Pretty tough emotionally on seniors. Perhaps, it's better to keep an active interest in the world around you, ask questions, DIG for the facts, don't settle for the surface "chatter" ? Just saying..

[TrapX]

What if the measure was to approve a district and THEN hold elections for commissioners?
What if there was a corresponding ballot to place the remaining county fire in its own district too? Now ZERO common budget money is used for either.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

" Proof by emphatic assertion rarely works.", Hummm ? I'm not so sure about that. There was a time in my life I would have totally agreed, but that time was before "social" media, FB, TT, etc. It was before the time of everyone is an "expert", before the time of "moderators" who make God like decisions on who should be published and whose ideas or opinions should be repressed.

Now as for all the discussion about making changes to the fire department... my major concern when examining such issues is: WHOSE initial "idea" was it to "fix" (totally reconfigure) something that has certainly been outstanding in the 18 plus years since we built our home here ? We've found both the firemen and women, and the paramedics to be THE kindest, most efficient, most effective of any state/location where we've lived. Try moving to, oh, just fill in the name of any similar sized (125-150K) city, and call the fire department and ask them to just come over and help you by changing a battery, or a light bulb, etc. because you can't get on a ladder high enough to do that. The "new" fire department may be just wonderful, but, what if it isn't ? The old, "there is just no way to give exact answers about cost" is an old tactic of all politicians, and I always wonder, from local, to state, to federal, why are "we the people" always in such a hurry that we can't wait for a time when ALL the costs are know, rather in a bill before the congress, or a consideration before a local community council. IF the answer happens to be "well, we will NEVER know for sure until you pass it", then I say, "I pass". Was a chief administrator for many years, would not have lasted long in the position going in with plans and a presentation where the "actual" cost were labeled "unknown"....LOL ! Do I oppose a "new" fire plan and configuration, no, not necessarily, but my support on ANY issue depends on a much more exacting financial analysis ! As they say in Washington, "just pass it, you can find out later what all is in it"...LOL !

I hate to disagree, but I must:

***The referendum is NOT to change our emergency personnel or services, it just deals with administration and funding. We should still have the same "kind, efficient and effective" people that we've had for the last 18 years

***Both the 2022 costs and the projected 2023 costs ARE known, there will probably just be some minor adjustments----probably a lot more "minor" than most bills before Congress

***A "more exacting financial analysis" would probably require psychic abilities, since it depends on the future actions of the Sumter County BOC

***I'm more concerned about the news editors for the MSM who make "God-like decisions" about which opinions are shown or suppressed. And the FCC license for a TV station requires them "to act in the best interest of the public". TOTV is a private site that can do as it pleases.

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by TrapX

What if the measure was to approve a district and THEN hold elections for commissioners?
What if there was a corresponding ballot to place the remaining county fire in its own district too? Now ZERO common budget money is used for either.

That would have made to much sense. Also the inter agency agreements should have been spelled out. The TVFD will still cover the whole area, including outside of Sumter County without the same funding mandate as Sumter Co Villagers will pay.

[Jdmiata]

The POA recommends a no vote on this measure .

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Jdmiata

The POA recommends a no vote on this measure .

Which in and of itself is a great reason to vote yes

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

That would have made to much sense. Also the inter agency agreements should have been spelled out. The TVFD will still cover the whole area, including outside of Sumter County without the same funding mandate as Sumter Co Villagers will pay.

Which is exactly the way it is today. The VPSD covers those areas today. Those who live in the areas outside Sumter County don't pay the Sumter County taxes that fund the VPSD today.

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Which in and of itself is a great reason to vote yes

Agreed.

[Byte1]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Which in and of itself is a great reason to vote yes

[Mrs.Guy]

And our FIREFIGHTERS recommend voting YES! We have a GREAT Dept.! They are there for us..... are we going to be there for THEM?

[twoplanekid]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Guy

And our FIREFIGHTERS recommend voting YES! We have a GREAT Dept.! They are there for us..... are we going to be there for THEM?

VHA POA For Against Pro D Anti D

Please use your own good judgement to make the call for all issues that are before you for a vote and everyone calm down to enjoy the time we have left.

[shut the front door]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

In no way "arguing" with you, but do you honestly believe that people who ask questions, or analyze an issue at any level, local, state, federal, are wasting their short life ? Isn't it part of our responsibility as citizens, even as human beings, to be concerned, pay attention, guard this great gift of a democratic republic ? I don't see a single word in the above that would make you think the writer (and no, I have no idea who the writer is) "love to fight" ? This is just one small local community, but to consider life "too short" to guard our most precious gift, by doing the home work, the hard work, of NOT just "zoning out" because after all, we're just a bunch of old people so hey, just have fun. No, think there is more that must make you think because a person is cognitively aware of what is going on in their community, that they are "unhappy" and should just "move out". ??? Just what ? at 60, 70, 80 just give up and sell, move, find a new community ? Humm ? Pretty tough emotionally on seniors. Perhaps, it's better to keep an active interest in the world around you, ask questions, DIG for the facts, don't settle for the surface "chatter" ? Just saying..

There is a certain faction who say this to anyone who dares to turn down the Koolaid and question anything the developer does. Especially the ones who feel like the developer has "given them" this life.

[Byte1]

Wow, went to Laurel Manor to vote yesterday and had no waiting line. Those volunteers are excellent and even helpful to the point of warning me of cover plates on the floor that might be a trip hazard. Great experience from the time I pulled into the parking lot to leaving again.