[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Yes, vote’m . That worked a few years ago when two crooks were voted into the county commissioners.

Did I miss the part where they received a guilty verdict? Wonder how much it cost the developer to investigate the three of them to dig up dirt and than figure out a way to take them out?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Did I miss the part where they received a guilty verdict? Wonder how much it cost the developer to investigate the three of them to dig up dirt and than figure out a way to take them out?

Fall back on the old “ whataboutism”.

BTW, cutting a deal is same as pleading guilty.

[Bogie Shooter]

//////

[jmaccallum]

I’m getting pretty sick and tired of hearing about the supposed woes of Spanish Springs. It’s a great Town Square! Look at what we got - a combination of nice shops and restaurants - so support it! Yeah, it ain’t Sumter and it ain’t Brownwood, but it’s ours! Down south, the average age is younger and they engage. Up here north, y’all are sounding like a bunch of grumpy old people! Katie Belle’s failed and it’s gone. Get over it! Seven apartments don’t amount to diddley-doo! 14 people living above the Square. So what? 7 parking spaces lost, that y’all never used anyway, cos most of you don’t come out and support the establishments we have. You just complain!

Brownwood is packed and over crowded now as the south people have no where else to go until Sawgrass opens. We got a unique situation up here as we’re too far to travel for them. We have a great Town Square in Spanish Springs! You’ve no idea how good we got it. So get your heads out of your butts, support the businesses and events in the Square, and enjoy it!

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Fall back on the old “ whataboutism”.

BTW, cutting a deal is same as pleading guilty.

One guy ok the other has not had his trial.

BTW if one of the developers puppets was caught in a similar criminal act do you think he would have been removed from office before the trial?

[thevillages2013]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Someone asked what we think should happen, to "revitalize" Spanish Springs Town Square.

As the newish resident living in the oldest section of the Villages, who's lived in metropolitan areas, the suburbs of New England, and been to every contiguous state in the country, in urban, rural, suburban, and mountainous regions, who has worked for a town engineer and worked on zoning restrictions and issued zoning permits, this is what I think should be done:

(The same as what I proposed previously but here it is again):

The MVP gym moved to the Rialto theatre, with shops in the front of it dedicated to fresh, healthy food options - salads, simple sandwiches made with home-made breads and organic ingredients, plenty of raw foods that don't require cooking, a few comfort dessert options (such as fresh apple pie, or assorted tortes or strawberry topped shortbread, for example). Another shop within the Rialto-converted-MVP building could cater to exercise clothing and accessories - leggings, gym tops and shorts, yoga mats and yoga shoes, fitbits, etc.

Then take the MVP building and turn it into either condos or apartments, or a mixture of both, with amenities taking up the entire first floor. A small pool can be built where the circular drive currently is, out back, and the pool and first-floor amenities can then be considered a Town Square Rec Center. The parking area behind that building could be gated, so that residents have assigned parking off the street and away from easy access to theft.

Once that building has been renovated and vacancies filled, THEN add that 7 apartments over the old Katie Belle's building. And behind that building, section off an area for assigned resident parking, and build a modest-sized carport for resident golf carts. They can have access to the amenities in the MVP building as well.

Where is the cannabis dispensary going to be located?

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by thevillages2013

Where is the cannabis dispensary going to be located?

NE side of 33rd and 3rd.

[tophcfa]

Dam, it’s just amazing how threads that are controversial can evolve into an absolutely s#i ! show. And just like politics, wack jobs dug in on either side all make absolutely no logical sense.

[michstrito]

Well, this is my first post after living here for almost a year and I suppose probably my last because of what I’m about to say. This whiny commissioner is changing his vote? He got all carried away with the emotional nature of the meeting? Now he realizes the error of his ways and he’s not ashamed? How about he grows a spine and stands his ground? What does falling on the floor and assuming the fetal position because of the threat of a lawsuit say about representative government? The residents, by a clear majority, do not want the apartments. We know it means the end of the square and we’re willing to take on the developer to try and stop it. Do your job Freeman. Vote the way your constituents want you to.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by michstrito

The residents, by a clear majority, do not want the apartments. We know it means the end of the square and we’re willing to take on the developer to try and stop it.

If by clear majority you mean the 50 or 60 out of 130,000 residents who came to the meeting, and maybe 10-15 hardliners on this forum, I think you are overestimating the definition of majority.

How do you "know it means the end" of the square? Seven apartments or some empty commercial spaces on the 2nd floor. Now which one will really "kill the squares"? Answer - Neither.

[michstrito]

The skin is called representative government. I went to the meeting at town hall. It was an overflow crowd. The residents are against the apartments by a clear majority. The commissioners should vote the way their constituents want.

[michstrito]

Seven? Seriously? Think fourty five, with two parking spaces for each resident. Think no music because town ordinances only allow certain decibel levels near residential areas.

[michstrito]

You’re right. Seven apts don’t amount to much. But think foot in the door. It’s just the beginning. All the space above the restaurants and shops are empty. The theatre, which was supposed to be refurbished, has been dormant for some time now. Why do you think that is. One resident at the town meeting said that there are plans for 45 apts which would mean the end of the square. Look, the developer should have been at that meeting to discuss plans and answer questions. They couldn’t be bothered. A real lack of respect to the overflow crowd of residents who showed up.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by michstrito

The residents are against the apartments by a clear majority. The commissioners should vote the way their constituents want.

If this were true, there would have been about 20,000 residents there. Not 60.

[michstrito]

14 spaces probably not a problem. But how about 90? Why is all the space above the shops and restaurants empty? Why has the theatre not been refurbished as they claimed? Why did the developer not send a representative to the town meeting on May 2nd to discuss plans and answer questions from an overflow crowd of residents? Aside from the fact that it was extremely disrespectful, it does seem they have something to hide.