[Muncle]

Originally Posted by PennBF

It is hard to realize there are residents out there that are so negative in nature that they even attack the volunteers (POA) who are working at no cost to make sure residents get a fair shake. I will absoliutely guarantee you they will not offer to return any funds they may gain from the volunteer's efforts or say a "thanks" when they gain from their work. It reminds me of the old story to "Let George do it"..These are the ones who let George do it rather than to pitch in and help with the work. I would venture they do not have any idea of the risk of the IRS prevailing and the impact it would have on them. To demonstrate my point to say something like "that includes a threat from some 2 bit IRS investigator hardly makes them the great oracle." is the type of statement that shows how uninformed the writer is. If the writer believes the IRS investigator is some 2 bit person goes beyond the pale. Does the writer actually think the IRS Investigator has not reviewed his finding and position with his senior management? Does the writer actually think he [IRS investigator] is working in some vacumm? Does the writer actually think there is no possible financial risk to the property owenrs in The Villages? WRONG !!People can bury their heads in the sand but that does not make the problem go away. It is here and the POA is the group that keeps its head above the sand in order to work for those that bury their heads in the sand.

Originally Posted by Taj44

Your comments are right on track. We are so fortunate to have the POA working for us. Many people are burying their heads in the sand over this IRS issue, mistakenly thinking that the "Developer" in his goodness and mercy will be our benefactor. With such huge sums of money at stake, that viewpoint is absolute foolishness in my opinion. I welcome the POA bulletins as a way of keeping up with things. They are available online at: http://www.poa4us.org/

Okay, first of all, you are both brilliant and know everything about the IRS situation and evidently about me. So I ask again, what at all has the POA done to increase actual knowledge of the case -- not rumors, not suppositions, not scaremongering -- actual facts, case histories, precedents, anything of the like? What have they publicized that was not available elsewhere? If I may quote Joe Gorman's post of 3/18/09:

"In closing, it should also be noted that the IRS did investigate the bonds once before in 2003 and found no problem. Also, the CDD financing technique in question is used regularly by many of the over 600 CDDs in the state.

"The IRS investigation is in a preliminary stage and has so far just asked for comment from our Central District on the initial assessment by an IRS investigator. The comment of the Central District is expected in a few weeks (late March) and after that there will be a response from the IRS.

"It is much too early to speculate on any outcome, and many of the speculative postings here, as well as Ms. Ritchie’s columns, are unnecessarily alarmist. It is possible that a more careful consideration by the IRS will result in no significant financial impact on our community.

"We would ask Villagers to stay informed, understand the issues, don’t jump to conclusions, and wait until more definitive information is available.

"And, as the POA Bulletin article pointed out, we expect that the developer of The Villages will act to protect the residents of The Villages however possible. The developer wants to build-out The Villages and sell houses. He doesn’t want a cloud of financial uncertainty hanging over the heads of residents which would impact the selling effort. So, we trust that the developer will do what is right for us."

You question my use of the term "that includes a threat from some 2 bit IRS investigator hardly makes them the great oracle." I will admit that this may appear to be a cheap shot, albeit one that is supported frequently in the various reports. Having worked for the federal government for 30 years, I am well aware that a healthy percentage of employees, for one reason or another, are incompetent -- not all, not even most, but a significant number. I am not saying that Dominick Servadio is incompetent. However his blatant cavalier attitude toward TV, its legal representatives, and its residents demonstrates a definitive "2 bit" identity. And as to whether Servadio and his immediate superior are acting as cowboys or have had their actions endorsed up the chain, read the stories and judge for yourself -- but remember, you do not have facts, just innuendos and opinions.

Now as to whether childish (dare I say asinine) judgment of anyone who dared question the actions, motives, etc. of the "volunteers" applied to me, I would first say that it's absolutely none of your business. Though I have no need to defend myself, I will play your game a little. Firstly, I don't run for club et al offices, but have served when drafted. I've a history of being the guy who actually organizes the events, maybe does the set-up and cleaning afterward, takes responsibility for maintaining the bulletin board and/or mailing list, or actually gets the luncheons going while others just bemoan the fact we don't have them anymore. I've not be overly active in clubs since living in TV -- just a few clubs, a couple chili cook-offs, Village rep stuff. I'm a bit upset that health reasons are causing me to quit what little I am doing, but that's life. But all this BS doesn't matter. I could just as easily be a couch potato who sits and bitches and vegetates. It is none of your business. The POA folks put themselves out there as the be all and end all of Villages salvation, attacking all things Morse, CDD, VHA. And you people come onto this forum spouting their nonsense, preaching that any worthwhile Villager has a moral imperative to join the POA, pay the dues, and go to the meetings. No thanx.

[PennBF]

I was going to disregard the note but felt some response was called for. You are right, your volunteering is none of my business however when you attack others who are volunteering then a response is called for. Your point that the IRS investigated the bonds in 2003 and "found no problems" is factually incorrect. They accepted the results of their investigation but left the door open for future reviews and audits which are going on now.. Your indication that the IRS to date only asked for comments is factually incorrect. In fact they made an offering settlement which was rejected by The Villages and as a result the IRS has expanded their investigation into additional years. Your point that the IRS is in a preliminary stage is correct. But the quesiton is how far into the prelimary stage? You are absolutely right to say it is much to early to speculate as to the outcome. The question is does that mean not to follow the progress but rather wait for an answer without preparation for what it might/could be? Your point that the Villagers should stay informed is without question correct. The question is how do they do that? I believe the POA article ONLY gave the chronology of the history of the IRS actions/responses. It did not suggest being alarmed nor give a projected conclusion. I will not get into addressing volunteering, etc. since that is really non productive and as you say is only the business of the volunteer.

[Muncle]

Originally Posted by PennBF

I was going to disregard the note but felt some response was called for. You are right, your volunteering is none of my business however when you attack others who are volunteering then a response is called for. Your point that the IRS investigated the bonds in 2003 and "found no problems" is factually incorrect. They accepted the results of their investigation but left the door open for future reviews and audits which are going on now.. Your indication that the IRS to date only asked for comments is factually incorrect. In fact they made an offering settlement which was rejected by The Villages and as a result the IRS has expanded their investigation into additional years. Your point that the IRS is in a preliminary stage is correct. But the quesiton is how far into the prelimary stage? You are absolutely right to say it is much to early to speculate as to the outcome. The question is does that mean not to follow the progress but rather wait for an answer without preparation for what it might/could be? Your point that the Villagers should stay informed is without question correct. The question is how do they do that? I believe the POA article ONLY gave the chronology of the history of the IRS actions/responses. It did not suggest being alarmed nor give a projected conclusion. I will not get into addressing volunteering, etc. since that is really non productive and as you say is only the business of the volunteer.

Once again, you're blowing smoke. MY points that you so cleverly rebut are not MY points, but those of Joe Gorman, the president of the POA. Please read before you comment.

But you are oh so correct in that it would be wonderful to "follow the progress" but how, exactly, does one do that. This is a case that is being discussed and negotiated behind closed door, as it should be, not in the newspapers. Are you privy to the plans of the IRS or to those of TV's attorneys?

[PennBF]

Sounds to me like Joe and the POA are on track.

[Bogie Shooter]

Go Muncle!

[The Shadow]

If the plan envisioned by President Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats is enacted, the primary federal bureaucracy responsible for implementing and enforcing national health care will be an old and familiar one: the Internal Revenue Service. Under the Democrats' health care proposals, the already powerful — and already feared — IRS would wield even more power and extend its reach even farther into the lives of ordinary Americans, and the presidentially-appointed head of the new health care bureaucracy would have access to confidential IRS information about millions of individual taxpayers.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/po...-56781377.html

[katezbox]

And this has what to do with VCDD Bonds? Political has moved - you have to look left to see it, but the pain will be hopefully brief...