I don't know if Gary Morse is out sailing on his Cracker Bay yacht.

I do know it has been reported that in 2006, Morse transferred most of the direct ownership in the holding company (Holding Company of the Villages Ltd) to his three children: Mark Morse serves as President of the company; Tracy Mathews oversees Villages design; and Jennifer L. Parr is a director. Gary Morse retained the largest block of voting shares, and is credited with the family’s fortune. Billionaire Morse Behind Curtain at Villages - Bloomberg

It doesn't appear he is retired.

Seems to me she behaves just like a public employee when something goes wrong; bob, weave, officate, duck, deflect, and deny about matters that are suppose to be under your control. Maybe, even, she was the one who made the final authorization. Who knows, she's certainly not telling. She has a better wall around her than the concrete one they actually put up.:jester:

Gracie, the last time Gary called me he was in Barbados on his yacht.

Cracker Bay Yacht (ex. Campbell Bay) Photos - Hakvoort...

He told me to tell you the check is in the mail.:1rotfl::1rotfl:

For those of you folks who haven't met Gary, here's a picture of him.

He is the... - Gary Morse - OrlandoSentinel.com

There are those who believe that Duffy's mom and I know you meant it as a joke.

WOW. I have never seen this picture of Gary Morse and this is dated in 1999. Wow. Am I allowed to copy and print this?. I think he has a nice face. His teeth aren't perfect. I bet he grew up just like I did. Didn't have the money for having teeth straightened either back then.
http://media.trb.com/media/photo/2013-05/75894399.jpg orl-gary-morse-19991014 http://www.orlandosentinel.com/hive/...rating_off.jpghttp://www.orlandosentinel.com/hive/...rating_off.jpghttp://www.orlandosentinel.com/hive/...rating_off.jpghttp://www.orlandosentinel.com/hive/...rating_off.jpghttp://www.orlandosentinel.com/hive/...rating_off.jpg


( STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL / October 14, 1999 )
He is the developer of The Villages, the overwhelmingly Republican retirement community of 100,000 sprawling over Lake, Sumter and Marion counties. Morse, his family and companies donated $2.4 million in 2012 alone to Republican causes. His jets fly high-ranking party members and his yacht the Cracker Bay was the site of a party during the GOP convention for those who put together more than $1 million for GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. He was also a Florida presidential elector for both of George W. Bush's elections. (Morse is rarely photographed in public; the photo here is from 1999.)

For the record, my understanding is that Mr Morse is very much a "HANDS ON MANAGER" . He has a reputation among the district as being the first one in and the last to leave the office every day. He maintains a very low profile but is absolutely tuned in to the goings on in this district. I got that info from a manager within the district and I will respect his confidentiality. I believe that this was very much a decision made by Morse and is tied in to theFruitland Park issue..That is feeling not based on any fact but if it quacks like a duck....

And what is wrong with that? I'm curious as to why you need to know how every decision is made. IMHO, the suppositions on here have beat all of these questions to death and I also had a hand in that. Would knowing change anything, no. Maybe there is something more interesting happening in the world right now.

Life Goes On....
 

Gracie, never for a minute would I believe you are on the Morse payroll.:rant-rave: I enjoy the fact that you love living here as much as I do and feel only gratitude towards the founding family of paradise. All the vitriol towards the developer is sad; I think Gary knows the majority of Villagers are happy and grateful for the lifestyle he's given us. Whatever happens regarding the gate will not interfere one iota in the pleasure I derive from living here.

I luv ya Duffy's mom and always have.

Did I see a post inquiring about a puppy dog on here a week or so ago?

I stand ready to do a shower. Having you as a mom would be a wonderful thing for a furry creature.

Anyone have any idea about the average cost of a home at Bridgeport at Laurel Valley?

I'd suggest you talk with a realtor, if you're looking to buy. You may want to start your own thread regarding real estate in The Villages.

I agree.

Not the brightest bulb on the tree? Or just not very funny?

Are you sure that wasn't Richard Schwartz, Gary's Half Brother and the former Villages Golf Director now in exile?

Think you nailed it, Indy, not the brightest crayon in the box...

There's only one for sale there now. But if you check this page you can get an idea after a while.

The Villages - Florida's premier active adult retirement community. Search Resale Homes

Ok, let's get back on topic and ignore the red herring about real estate listings.

Websters:

[from the practice of drawing a red herring across a trail to confuse hunting dogs] : something that distracts attention from the real issue

.

Thank you, now we know......................

chuckinca - excellent comedic timing. thank you 'cause smoke was starting to blow out of me ears.

Gary Morse gave me this lifestyle ???? THEN; Why did I pay more for my home here than I would have in Stonecrest, Why do I pay monthly Amenity fees, Why do I pay $120 per month just for water when 4/9ths of the water is to keep an easement along the streets green, Why do I pay a lawn care guy to mow this same easement property, Why do I pay a yearly special assessment and Why do residents pay the highest green fees within 20 miles to play Villages Championship courses. I am thinking hard, but just cannot come up with much that Gary has given me.

A lot of things to complain about..........................You do know how to fix all those problems, right?

I am not sure if you have ever heard of a disk jockey named "The Greaseman". He would give you some sage advice on what to do if you are not happy here.

So she pled the FIFTH?:loco:

Beats me..maybe because you thought this was the best place to live
Maybe because you found this more desirable than other places.
Only you can say why you chose to live here. I chose it because after 10 years of visiting, renting and looking all over the country I could not find anything that suited my purpose and lifestyle choices for this price. Don't think Gary gave me anything but value for my investment.

No, you tell me, I am interested in what Mr Morse has "given" me as compared to what I pay to have. I don't think my comments were so much complaints as they were in response to another's posting about what Gary has "given" me. Given, as in free, no cost.

Mr Morse did not give you anything...he made it available to you by his foresight, investments and ingenuity. You chose to buy into what he offered. If you are not happy, perhaps you made bad investment.

I did not say I did not enjoy living here, Why is it so difficult to understand I was responding to another post in which the auther praised Gary Morse for what he had given that poster. The key word was given, I have not been given anything, I pay Mr Morse and others a premium for my lifestyle here. I provide employment, I keep restaurants in business, I keep medical facilities humming, golf courses etc etc etc

Thank you for all you do

Warren,

It makes me feel so good to know that someone has a purpose in life. A ray of sunshine in an otherwise bleak world. You've made my day so much more pleasant. Thanks. :angel:

Xavier

You Agree
 

So you actually agree with me. Didn't say I was unhappy, not at all !!! You said exactly what I stated, I quote you, "Mr. Morse did not give you anything "

He gave you an opportunity to buy in here and enjoy this wonderful lifestyle. If Mr Morse had not given us that opportunity, we would not have so many of the things that we happily pay for.

And I don't understand all of this home prices here being higher than everywhere else. I've look around and I don't see it. But if it is true, it comes down to the most three important things in real estate, location, location and location.

Nor do I understand the complaining about utility bills being higher here. My water and electric are less here than any place I've ever lived.

Mr Morse has made billions by giving people the opportunity to have a wonderful lifestyle for a reasonable price. If the cost of living here was not a good value, 100,000 people would be living elsewhere.

I understand your point but here is where I differ. Yes, we pay for our homes and yes, we pay amenity fees etc. However Mr Morse came up with a unique life style which is unavailable anywhere else that I know of. He has put forth an amazing amount of cash investment, time and inguneity to make
TV what it is today. He might have made a lot of money and he might not have made a lot of money. It was HIS gamble. Because he is a smart business man TV has grown to over 100,000 people and he as made a lot of money. That was no accident. So I say he "gave" us something that we cannot find elsewhere. Yes, we pay for it but without his concept, investment and management, it would not be available to us. Is he infailable or perfect? No, but who is?
Is it the best thing I have found? YES!

Thank you for a voice of reason!

My Last Comment
 

I am going to give it a rest with this last comment. We have been dancing around the word "given" too long. Many went into the attack mode when I said Mr. Morse had not given me anything. I stand by those words. Mr. Morse created a product, I bought into that product and am happy here. So put your weapons away and end the attack. On the other hand, when I think of a developer "giving" to his development residents, Del Webb just up the road, is a good example. Del Webb Residents were GIVEN the streets and all amenities with the exception being the championship golf courses. Good night all !!!!

Its time to pull the plug on this thread.................................

Sounds like Del Webb has given away all of his headaches. Now the community is going to have to have some kind of board made up of residents that have no experience in property management to take care of all the problems and expenses that come with owing streets and rec centers.
He kept the golf courses, of course, because they make a lot of money.

Original point has been discussed fully. Civil discussions regarding other topics can be accomplished via starting new threads.

This thread is now closed.

Moderator