[jerseyvillager]

Keep up the good work Ms. Tutt.

[mickey100]

She seems capable, but there are many capable managers available in this world. Frankly I would feel more comfortable with a manager who reported to the residents and has our best interests rather than the developer's, at heart.

[bike42]

It is your government. If you want to understand it better, start with the VCDD Resident Academy You can participate, or you can sit on the sidelines and criticize.

[mickey100]

In most cases, the interests of the Developer and the residents coincide. From time to time, however, the Developer has acted in his own interests in a way that is detrimental to Villagers. To get a balanced view of the Villages, I'd suggest that one go to the POA website and look at past history. http://www.poa4us.org

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by mickey100

She seems capable, but there are many capable managers available in this world. Frankly I would feel more comfortable with a manager who reported to the residents and has our best interests rather than the developer's, at heart.

The POA on many occasions has said that very thing, "she works for the residents best interest".

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by mickey100

In most cases, the interests of the Developer and the residents coincide. From time to time, however, the Developer has acted in his own interests in a way that is detrimental to Villagers. To get a balanced view of the Villages, I'd suggest that one go to the POA website and look at past history. Property Owners, Association of Florida

Of course the Developer has acted in his own interests. Yes, Mr. Swartz started this place, but I am sure he intended for his kids to someday take over the same way other business owners/developers do. They are business people who have taken chance after chance that what they were doing would work. What if they had bought all this land, built, and then no one came or everyone left? They would be called fools and not envied.

I, for one, am glad this is not run like HOA communities. My son just left one in Jacksonville where their HOA fees were just under $200 a month, one pool, one party room, no yard (just a strip of grass between their entry and around the garage with a few little bushes the fees maintained), lanai large enough for a small table and chairs, no grills permitted, trash/recycle pickup once a week, no golf courses or golf carts, no age restrictions, etc.

With some of the suggestions that I have seen on here, if everyone got what they think about how things should be, within a few years it would resemble some teenagers' rooms...shambles.

We 'chose' to live here because of what it offered and it is far and above Hot Springs, AR's idea of a retirement community. We owned there first and then found this. WE have been thankful ever since.

[jblum315]

I think Janet Tutt is remarkable for her knowledge,her calm demeanor in a crisis, and fo r the sheer amount of time and work she puts into her job. I can't imagine doing her job for any amount of money. I hope she never retires

[jdsl1998]

I love the work she does...
I am not so sure that the use of "queen" was meant in a bad way...lots of queens are loved!

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

The POA on many occasions has said that very thing, "she works for the residents best interest".

Non one is saying she is not acting in our interests, but we need to look at the whole picture here. Who pays her salary? The VCDD i.e. The Developer? If she answers directly to the Developer then she may try to act in our interests, but when push comes to shove, she'll always side with the Developer. And I'm not saying the Developer doesn't act in our interests, before the Developer lovers jump all over me. But, as others have stated, he is an astute businessman, and his interests are always going to come before ours. Hopefully our joint interests will be the same, but that doesn't always happen, to wit the $40 million lawsuit. My point wasn't that Janet Tutt doesn't do a good job, it was that I would feel better if the person in Tutt's position , i.e. Tutt or any other person, answered to the residents. I just don't like a setup where the Developer is omnipotent. A system of checks and balances would make me more comfortable. Obviously, those that are supporters of k the Developer and have complete trust, feel differently.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Elected officials can be voted out of office. Janet Tutt has a lifetime appointment, at the discretion of the developer. You could think of her as "Queen Tutt".

City Managers are usually not voted into office. They are usually hired by a city council.

But, yes, we do not vote for those who control the Villages and as much as I am in favor of a representative republic, this seems to work out very well.

Sometimes people who know what they're doing, appointing people who know what they are doing works better than the unknowing, impressionable masses voting for people who make a good impression on them.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by mickey100

Non one is saying she is not acting in our interests, but we need to look at the whole picture here. Who pays her salary? The VCDD i.e. The Developer? If she answers directly to the Developer then she may try to act in our interests, but when push comes to shove, she'll always side with the Developer. And I'm not saying the Developer doesn't act in our interests, before the Developer lovers jump all over me. But, as others have stated, he is an astute businessman, and his interests are always going to come before ours. Hopefully our joint interests will be the same, but that doesn't always happen, to wit the $40 million lawsuit. My point wasn't that Janet Tutt doesn't do a good job, it was that I would feel better if the person in Tutt's position , i.e. Tutt or any other person, answered to the residents. I just don't like a setup where the Developer is omnipotent. A system of checks and balances would make me more comfortable. Obviously, those that worship the Developer and have complete trust, feel differently.

Since you quoted my post, I take exception to your last one sentence shot. I do not worship the developer, however, I am not going to sit on the sidlines and not respond to people attacking Mrs. Tutt.

[cquick]

when The Villages is "built out" the developer will probably hand over the governing of the development to a board. The board will probably be elected by the residents. but we will still need a "city manager" who is in charge of the staff at the office.

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Since you quoted my post, I take exception to your last one sentence shot. I do not worship the developer, however, I am not going to sit on the sidlines and not respond to people attacking Mrs. Tutt.

Sorry, but didn't see anyone "attacking" Ms. Tutt. And I apologize if I implied you worship the developer. After reading your previous posts it was clear you are a big supporter of the morses. I've amended my previous post accordingly.

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by cquick

when The Villages is "built out" the developer will probably hand over the governing of the development to a board. The board will probably be elected by the residents. but we will still need a "city manager" who is in charge of the staff at the office.

Yes, hopefully that will happen. Or we the residents may choose to hire a Board or group of some sort that will act in OUR interests.

[Abby10]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

Sometimes people who know what they're doing, appointing people who know what they are doing works better than the unknowing, impressionable masses voting for people who make a good impression on them.

Amen to that! One of the reasons we are looking forward to making TV our future home is how things are run there. We are often tired and frustrated by how our local and state representatives operate. And if you think they are looking out for your best interests, I would respond "think again"! Yes we can throw them out of office in the next election, but mine is just one vote. Most people say they are too busy or just not interested enough in politics to really know what they are voting for, therefore, IMHO, elections tend to end up like a crapshoot anyway. I have seen issues discussed and resolved in TV quicker than most governments can even read the supporting documentation! I know TV may not exist in this form of government forever, but I'd be happy to live in a slice of heaven on earth even for a short period of time.