[NottaVillager]

Originally Posted by Cedwards38

At the "Evening with the Developer" meeting of the VHA last night (5/14/14), Mark Morse was very candid and open, as well as all the other family members who accompanied him. I was very impressed with the directness and sincerity. He stated (paraphrased but closeJ):

1. We (the family) will be here in perpetuity.
2. We will have jobs here for our grandchildren (most of whom came on stage and were very small children.)

I'm happy about this. It's obvious that this family loves what they do and is proud of what they have done. Your thoughts?

While there seems to be no reason to doubt what Morse had to say about them staying directly connected to TV, there is no doubt that he would say that even if at the same time they were planning to sell off their interests. I would think that many who live in TV have had experiences with major companies who tell the story that they are "here to stay" and then 6 months later close or sell off their operations to someone else. While I think it quite likely that they would indeed stay, in this day and age "we're here to stay" has often been a reason to cast a wary eye.

[Bogie Shooter]

Are you really "Notavillager"?

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by NottaVillager

While there seems to be no reason to doubt what Morse had to say about them staying directly connected to TV, there is no doubt that he would say that even if at the same time they were planning to sell off their interests. I would think that many who live in TV have had experiences with major companies who tell the story that they are "here to stay" and then 6 months later close or sell off their operations to someone else. While I think it quite likely that they would indeed stay, in this day and age "we're here to stay" has often been a reason to cast a wary eye.

Of course, Mark Morse is not going to stand up in front of a packed audience of residents and say 'the family and I can't wait to get the heck out of here'. As 'deep throat' told Woodward and Bernstein "follow the money".

[Leisurelady25]

I agree !! Very nice family

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Of course, Mark Morse is not going to stand up in front of a packed audience of residents and say 'the family and I can't wait to get the heck out of here'. As 'deep throat' told Woodward and Bernstein "follow the money".

Follow the work ethic!

[NottaVillager]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Of course, Mark Morse is not going to stand up in front of a packed audience of residents and say 'the family and I can't wait to get the heck out of here'. As 'deep throat' told Woodward and Bernstein "follow the money".

They are business people and they will do what is in their best interests. If it's in their best interests to stay that's what they will do. But if it's not in their best interests, someday there might just be a "new sheriff in town".

I think Gary Morse is a genius..I admire him greatly. I also think that Mark Morse doesn't head off to the bathroom without the old man knowing it.

Plus..there is a lot of history in American business where the first generation starts something, the second generation builds on it, and the following generations either live off the fat of the land or sell it off.

I'm not trying to start any trouble here, but as the poster pointed out Mark Morse would not stand up and tell a packed house that they are selling out. (or even THINKING of selling out) Even if they were to sign the papers the next day. That's just not the way business happens.

And again, there's no reason to think that they might sell off. But if they were it wouldn't be announced until it was a done deal and the ink on the contracts was dry.

[2-crazy]

I love America but I also look at her with critical thinking an analyze her actions in my name around the world and at home. The Morse family should be proud of what they accomplished and will do whatever they feel is right and moves them in the future. Given that fact we should remain active in the communities for we are part of the success of The Villages.

[Duckfinger2]

We can all play arm chair quarterback, but only the Morse family knows what they are going to do or not do.
Why worry about something you can not change, go with the flow or make a change.
I for one will ride this horse until it drops we love it here !!

[NottaVillager]

Originally Posted by Duckfinger2

We can all play arm chair quarterback, but only the Morse family knows what they are going to do or not do.
Why worry about something you can not change, go with the flow or make a change.
I for one will ride this horse until it drops we love it here !!

If you are happy here there's no reason NOT to look at it that way.

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by NottaVillager

They are business people and they will do what is in their best interests. If it's in their best interests to stay that's what they will do. But if it's not in their best interests, someday there might just be a "new sheriff in town".

I think Gary Morse is a genius..I admire him greatly. I also think that Mark Morse doesn't head off to the bathroom without the old man knowing it.

Plus..there is a lot of history in American business where the first generation starts something, the second generation builds on it, and the following generations either live off the fat of the land or sell it off.

I'm not trying to start any trouble here, but as the poster pointed out Mark Morse would not stand up and tell a packed house that they are selling out. (or even THINKING of selling out) Even if they were to sign the papers the next day. That's just not the way business happens.

And again, there's no reason to think that they might sell off. But if they were it wouldn't be announced until it was a done deal and the ink on the contracts was dry.

I agree completely. They are business people and they have houses to sell. If there are any announcements to be made, it will be after buildout. Of course they may stay involved after buildout, that remains to be seen. Things happen, and as with all things, there are no guarantees.

[Garden guru]

Originally Posted by Cedwards38

At the "Evening with the Developer" meeting of the VHA last night (5/14/14), Mark Morse was very candid and open, as well as all the other family members who accompanied him. I was very impressed with the directness and sincerity. He stated (paraphrased but closeJ):

1. We (the family) will be here in perpetuity.
2. We will have jobs here for our grandchildren (most of whom came on stage and were very small children.)

I'm happy about this. It's obvious that this family loves what they do and is proud of what they have done. Your thoughts?

So what makes anyone so certain that "very small children" are going to want anything to do with this place decades from now when they become adults? Seems to me that kids have a funny way of making up their own minds about their own lives, as well they should. Get real, folks. The guy is a businessman, pure and simple. Anything he says should be taken with the grain of salt.

[NottaVillager]

Originally Posted by Garden guru

So what makes anyone so certain that "very small children" are going to want anything to do with this place decades from now when they become adults? Seems to me that kids have a funny way of making up their own minds about their own lives, as well they should. Get real, folks. The guy is a businessman, pure and simple. Anything he says should be taken with the grain of salt.

This is true. Many times younger generations do not want to do what the earlier generations set in motion. This is most evident on today's family farms. And many times once Grandpa & Dad are gone..the offer to sell out and enjoy is too great to resist.

While this story does not involve a "family" business it does speak to the "we're here forever" statement....

I grew up in a small town in upstate NY called Owego. Owego is about 10 miles west of another small town called Endicott. Because of the way the school lines were drawn, while I lived in Owego, I went to school in Endicott.

Endicott, NY just happens to be the birthplace of a little company called IBM. In 1980 the population of Endicott was about 20,000 people. Owego's population was about 6,000. In 1980 IBM-Endicott and IBM Federal Systems Division in Owego employed 25,000 people. (Talk about FULL employment!) This number did not take into account the hundreds or thousands of people who were in the employ of a number of ancillary businesses located around IBM who were side suppliers or sub-contractors.

IBM was the local corporate "Santa Claus" to the local school districts, fire departments, police departments and charitable organizations. They operated a FREE country club for IBM employees and their families. At Christmas time each employee's children received an age-appropriate wrapped quality Christmas gift.

Many people my age walked out of the high school on graduation day, crossed the street, walked to the northern end of Washington Avenue and in the door at IBM's HR department and walked right into what they THOUGHT was a lifetime job. It always had been and there was never any reason to think differently.

My father was a R&D engineer for IBM. My wife's dad was a chemical engineer at IBM. Most people we knew worked at IBM. When the infamous words "Houston..we have a problem" were uttered from Apollo-13 there were a whole lot of lights that snapped on in Owego since many of the rocket's systems had been built in Owego.

IBM had started in Endicott and would be there forever. The company had expanded it's buildings and campuses..The words from IBM couldn't have been more positive.

But...In the late 90's it all came to a screeching stop. IBM essentially left town. They went from a workforce of 25,000 down to about 400 today. Building after building is empty with no hope of it ever being reused. They shuttered their newly-expanded R&D lab and either transferred or discharged the engineers employed there. The Owego plant was sold to several different companies, although it has now once again found some footing under Lockheed, and the new Marine-One helicopter will be produced there in part.

Virtually all of the guys I knew who had graduated from high school and walked right into what they thought were lifetime jobs are now unemployed or employed in jobs that don't even come close to the pay and benefits they had under IBM.

This story has happened in many places..but IBM was/is a "tech" company and we keep getting told that the future is tech. There was never the slightest whiff that IBM would ever leave it's birthplace. And then one day they were..GONE. The corporate announcement was that it was a BUSINESS decision.

So while the Morse family says that they are "here to stay"..and they very well may be. However the day may come when the BUSINESS decision for the family might very well be a fat payday and a farewell to TV.

[Bogie Shooter]

It really does not pay to worry about something you have no control over. Or for that matter to speculate about the dire outcome.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by NottaVillager

This is true. Many times younger generations do not want to do what the earlier generations set in motion. This is most evident on today's family farms. And many times once Grandpa & Dad are gone..the offer to sell out and enjoy is too great to resist.

While this story does not involve a "family" business it does speak to the "we're here forever" statement....

I grew up in a small town in upstate NY called Owego. Owego is about 10 miles west of another small town called Endicott. Because of the way the school lines were drawn, while I lived in Owego, I went to school in Endicott.

Endicott, NY just happens to be the birthplace of a little company called IBM. In 1980 the population of Endicott was about 20,000 people. Owego's population was about 6,000. In 1980 IBM-Endicott and IBM Federal Systems Division in Owego employed 25,000 people. (Talk about FULL employment!) This number did not take into account the hundreds or thousands of people who were in the employ of a number of ancillary businesses located around IBM who were side suppliers or sub-contractors.

IBM was the local corporate "Santa Claus" to the local school districts, fire departments, police departments and charitable organizations. They operated a FREE country club for IBM employees and their families. At Christmas time each employee's children received an age-appropriate wrapped quality Christmas gift.

Many people my age walked out of the high school on graduation day, crossed the street, walked to the northern end of Washington Avenue and in the door at IBM's HR department and walked right into what they THOUGHT was a lifetime job. It always had been and there was never any reason to think differently.

My father was a R&D engineer for IBM. My wife's dad was a chemical engineer at IBM. Most people we knew worked at IBM. When the infamous words "Houston..we have a problem" were uttered from Apollo-13 there were a whole lot of lights that snapped on in Owego since many of the rocket's systems had been built in Owego.

IBM had started in Endicott and would be there forever. The company had expanded it's buildings and campuses..The words from IBM couldn't have been more positive.

But...In the late 90's it all came to a screeching stop. IBM essentially left town. They went from a workforce of 25,000 down to about 400 today. Building after building is empty with no hope of it ever being reused. They shuttered their newly-expanded R&D lab and either transferred or discharged the engineers employed there. The Owego plant was sold to several different companies, although it has now once again found some footing under Lockheed, and the new Marine-One helicopter will be produced there in part.

Virtually all of the guys I knew who had graduated from high school and walked right into what they thought were lifetime jobs are now unemployed or employed in jobs that don't even come close to the pay and benefits they had under IBM.

This story has happened in many places..but IBM was/is a "tech" company and we keep getting told that the future is tech. There was never the slightest whiff that IBM would ever leave it's birthplace. And then one day they were..GONE. The corporate announcement was that it was a BUSINESS decision.

So while the Morse family says that they are "here to stay"..and they very well may be. However the day may come when the BUSINESS decision for the family might very well be a fat payday and a farewell to TV.

Could be....and then it could be they are telling the truth. Most of us love it here, why shouldn't "they" love it here too?

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by NottaVillager

This is true. Many times younger generations do not want to do what the earlier generations set in motion. This is most evident on today's family farms. And many times once Grandpa & Dad are gone..the offer to sell out and enjoy is too great to resist.

While this story does not involve a "family" business it does speak to the "we're here forever" statement....

I grew up in a small town in upstate NY called Owego. Owego is about 10 miles west of another small town called Endicott. Because of the way the school lines were drawn, while I lived in Owego, I went to school in Endicott.

Endicott, NY just happens to be the birthplace of a little company called IBM. In 1980 the population of Endicott was about 20,000 people. Owego's population was about 6,000. In 1980 IBM-Endicott and IBM Federal Systems Division in Owego employed 25,000 people. (Talk about FULL employment!) This number did not take into account the hundreds or thousands of people who were in the employ of a number of ancillary businesses located around IBM who were side suppliers or sub-contractors.

IBM was the local corporate "Santa Claus" to the local school districts, fire departments, police departments and charitable organizations. They operated a FREE country club for IBM employees and their families. At Christmas time each employee's children received an age-appropriate wrapped quality Christmas gift.

Many people my age walked out of the high school on graduation day, crossed the street, walked to the northern end of Washington Avenue and in the door at IBM's HR department and walked right into what they THOUGHT was a lifetime job. It always had been and there was never any reason to think differently.

My father was a R&D engineer for IBM. My wife's dad was a chemical engineer at IBM. Most people we knew worked at IBM. When the infamous words "Houston..we have a problem" were uttered from Apollo-13 there were a whole lot of lights that snapped on in Owego since many of the rocket's systems had been built in Owego.

IBM had started in Endicott and would be there forever. The company had expanded it's buildings and campuses..The words from IBM couldn't have been more positive.

But...In the late 90's it all came to a screeching stop. IBM essentially left town. They went from a workforce of 25,000 down to about 400 today. Building after building is empty with no hope of it ever being reused. They shuttered their newly-expanded R&D lab and either transferred or discharged the engineers employed there. The Owego plant was sold to several different companies, although it has now once again found some footing under Lockheed, and the new Marine-One helicopter will be produced there in part.

Virtually all of the guys I knew who had graduated from high school and walked right into what they thought were lifetime jobs are now unemployed or employed in jobs that don't even come close to the pay and benefits they had under IBM.

This story has happened in many places..but IBM was/is a "tech" company and we keep getting told that the future is tech. There was never the slightest whiff that IBM would ever leave it's birthplace. And then one day they were..GONE. The corporate announcement was that it was a BUSINESS decision.

So while the Morse family says that they are "here to stay"..and they very well may be. However the day may come when the BUSINESS decision for the family might very well be a fat payday and a farewell to TV.

While I think we all understand the point made above, as Villages homeowners we do not depend on the developers for our livelihood nor a 40-year career and pension.

We 50,000+ homeowners also do not depend on the developer for our housing, commercial nor recreational needs. We all own our own single-family homes on which half have no mortgage, and our community development districts own or will eventually own all the recreational facilities and venues.

The developers own the millions of square feet of commercial leasing properties, and they wisely built this place with a smart consumer base that does not want to go farther than a golf-cart ride to shop, much less go out of town. They, or somebody they know, will probably continue that huge revenue generator. If they don't, somebody will.

If we don't like it in the future, we can move.