[chuckster]

Good reply dilly.........and I agree with your tips for looking out for neighbors.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

Wow, senior citizen. What an articulate summation of this thread. B.K.

I don't know about articulate , however, I try to look at the bigger picture and what I see is that free speech is not too easily accepted by the powers that be. Maybe we've been yankees too long but are used to free speech.

I stopped posting last year sometime when one of my posts was removed because I used the word gay or lesbian, referring to some other post which I don't even recall right now.

Lately on the evening national news they have been referring to Vermont as the "gay state" simply because the powers that be up in Montpelier, our state capital, have allowed gay marriage. We take that with a grain of salt and don't go bashing the news media.

Although it is often considered a very liberal state, for the most part it is conservative people that reside here; people who are seeking a simple honest lifestyle. Everyone does have varying opinions but they are allowed to express themselves, ask questions and receive an honest response without being told it is negative or someone jumping in to paint a fantasy land picture. Every state and every community has very good things about it and also some negatives.

If there was a utopian community, no doubt we would have found it by now.
Another poster was correct about "marketing" with which we are familiar.
Just watch MAD MEN on AMC to see what good marketing can achieve.

No place is absolutely perfect, even if it does appear idyllic while on vacation.
New Englanders often dream of balmy Florida while mushing through another long frozen northern winter. However, it pays to know some truths before spending a small fortune in moving expenses. Been there, done that.

I'm more worried about the citrus fruit rats and snakes than I am about people cutting through my screened sliders or entering locked doors, but I know this post will be erased since I used the gay word or the critter word.

We just do not want to relocate without doing our research. Many things can be adjusted to if the desire to live there is strong enough, but I do value truth over fantasy. Not to mention freedom of speech over flowery words.

I do enjoy reading the differing opinions as this is exactly what our country was founded on. We've contemplated all winter long the merits of buying a house in TV with other retired folks; a place where the grandchildren can visit Disney World a short distance to the south of TV.....and freedom from ice and snow; lovely homes and a seemingly perfectly planned senior lifestyle which does have much going for it. Nuff said. Research still ongoing.
Thank you to everyone who responded to the posting re Harston Trail as well.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

I stopped posting last year sometime when one of my posts was removed because I used the word gay or lesbian, referring to some other post which I don't even recall right now.
.

Not one time since the inception of this forum have the administrators ever deleted a post simply because somebody used the words "gay" or "lesbian." It takes a real breech of ethics in order to have a post removed. I don't know why or if your post was removed, but it was not because of those two words. If (IF) your post was removed, it was for some other far more serious reason.

Don't shift the blame for your actions back to the administrators.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

Not one time since the inception of this forum have the administrators ever deleted a post simply because somebody used the words "gay" or "lesbian." It takes a real breech of ethics in order to have a post removed. I don't know why or if your post was removed, but it was not because of those two words. If (IF) your post was removed, it was for some other far more serious reason.

Don't shift the blame for your actions back to the administrators.

In my humble opinion, I was not shifting blame as you state.

I was simply stating a fact.

It's water under the bridge right now as I cannot even recall what I was replying to, however, I'm sure I committed no serious deed.

I think it might have been Tony. At the time I was reading about the various pet runs or something or other.

I know I posed NO DEROGATORY COMMENT. I'm certain of that.

Whoever was the talk host at the time privately emailed me and said the words might cause controversy. I can assure you I did not say anything at all that was bad. Nuff said. I can read between the lines.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

In my humble opinion, I was not shifting blame as you state.

I was simply stating a fact.

It's water under the bridge right now as I cannot even recall what I was replying to, however, I'm sure I committed no serious deed.

I think it might have been Tony. At the time I was reading about the various pet runs or something or other.

I know I posed NO DEROGATORY COMMENT. I'm certain of that.

Whoever was the talk host at the time privately emailed me and said the words might cause controversy. I can assure you I did not say anything at all that was bad. Nuff said. I can read between the lines.

I was the Talk Host then and I am the Talk Host now. It is not water under the bridge. We take our responsibility very seriously and do not act lightly. I didn't send you a message saying those "words could cause controversy."

Any assertion that we remove posts for reasons other than egregious violations is untrue and unfair to the administrators who work hard every day to be fair to all our members. I don't know which lines you are ready between, but there are no hidden messages.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I was the Talk Host then and I am the Talk Host now. It is not water under the bridge. We take our responsibility very seriously and do not act lightly. I didn't send you a message saying those "words could cause controversy."

Any assertion that we remove posts for reasons other than egregious violations is untrue and unfair to the administrators who work hard every day to be fair to all our members. I don't know which lines you are ready between, but there are no hidden messages.

I admit I cannot exactly remember the exact words. I might have been commenting on something I was reading in "Leisureville" and I know I was asking a question, pertaining to what I had just read. I didn't save the post.

Someone who was the host did email me and said it might cause a problem. I do not remember the exact words. Problem, controversy. Sensitivity.
You get the drift.

I no longer have the book Leisureville as I passed it on to others who were interested in reading it. I'm sure you are doing a conscientious job at whatever your duties are. However, I know I said nothing bad. It's not me.
So, live and let live.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

I'm glad that most on this forum are not afraid to speak forthrightly. You, plus many others, have heeded the warning by the original poster, not out of naivety but out of intelligent awareness that the world we live in today is not always safe and trustworthy. Living in a perceived bubble can have consequences.

To me the original post automatically made me think it was a scam in operation...........if no one was home, they would have burglarized the place. If someone was home, they became a cleaning crew. It's so obvious. Ditto for the "landscapers".

I do not believe it is an urban legend. I think honesty would be the best policy by TV instead of glossing over various issues or problems....and blaming the original poster for creating a stir via an urban legend.

Even safe places are no longer safe........due to drugs and just the crazies out there. No doubt these "crews" mistakenly think all retirees are weak, docile, senile or unaware of their scams. There is crime in Florida as well as rampant drug problems.......which could conceivably spread to even safe communities or "bubbles" like TV. Just read the daily Orlando Sentinel online.

Several years ago, even in Vermont, a low density relatively safe state where everyone knows each other in town........a band of "gypsies" (true gypsies as reported by our police) would try the same trick of entering via screen doors and roaming around the house in the early evening , searching for valuables such as jewelry, cash..........in the 1970's and before that, everyone kept their doors unlocked, their cars unlocked, etc...........however, in the recent past we all keep our doors locked, ditto for cars.

So many people come up from the cities and need money to support their drug habits; Vermonters, like Villagers, are perceived as an easy mark. Our detectives in town are aware of this influx and try to scoot them out of town and warn the merchants of this element coming up from N.Y.C. to rural towns.
They try to infiltrate the local youth and get them hooked on drugs. Times are changing.........even in ultra safe places. I'm sure TV is no exception with those who think they can prey on senior citizens. I think it was a timely post for the times we are living in.

We also have always lived in an ultra safe place, however, it is foolhardy to trust everyone nowadays. Better safe than sorry. An interrupted burglary could have dire conseuquences. The landscaping story made me think they were very suspicious characters. One thing about living in a smaller community is that your landscapers or lawn mowing maintenance guys are children of people you know, not strangers. Ditto for cleaning crews or whatever.

Up here we no longer open the door at all for solicitors, religious pamphlet people, insurance pedlers, tree surgeons or you name it...if we do not recognize them or have not invited them. And we do not live in a crime ridden state.

Murder is rare, but it does happen and when it does, it strikes home. Back in the 1980's while my husband was away for a weekend at deer hunting camp, my mailman warned me to keep all my doors and windows locked tight as there had been a murder at a gas station on the edge of town whereby a teen was shot dead during a robbery. They have never found the murderer.........probably someone passing through........however, at the time, it never crossed my mind to think our mailman was passing on an urban legend. I believed him and called all my neighbors as well. Better safe than sorry.

What I don't understand is why no one believes anyone? Most people are smart enough not to spread urban legends..........or I would hope so. Maybe I live in a bubble of trusting people "at their word".

Senior Citizen. In all due respect to you and this excellent post...I think I remember that you don't live here and you have never been here.

[bkcunningham1]

Gracie, if senior citizen will allow me, from a previous post responding to me, "We've contemplated all winter long the merits of buying a house in TV with other retired folks; a place where the grandchildren can visit Disney World a short distance to the south of TV.....and freedom from ice and snow; lovely homes and a seemingly perfectly planned senior lifestyle which does have much going for it. Nuff said. Research still ongoing.
Thank you to everyone who responded to the posting re Harston Trail as well."

[BobKat1]

Anyone think this topic is worthy of a poll?

Maybe something like, "when you are home, do you keep your doors and/or sliders locked?".

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

Gracie, if senior citizen will allow me, from a previous post responding to me, "We've contemplated all winter long the merits of buying a house in TV with other retired folks; a place where the grandchildren can visit Disney World a short distance to the south of TV.....and freedom from ice and snow; lovely homes and a seemingly perfectly planned senior lifestyle which does have much going for it. Nuff said. Research still ongoing.
Thank you to everyone who responded to the posting re Harston Trail as well."

BK.

I just don't want folks to misunderstand and to read a post that people are talking about life somewhere else and think that the writer is talking about life and about anecdotes here in TV.

Whether you are afraid or not, whether you have a permit to carry a gun or not, whether you feel very safe as I do.....we are all different people with different attitudes and different opinions, but. OH BUT, I don't want people who have never been here or may be thinking of coming here to get the idea that this is a dangerous place. I believe that it is one of the safest places in the country and in Florida to be sure.

The thought that these posts would deter someone from coming here and enjoying this wonderful place and all these wonderful.....very opinionated people (including me) just makes me so sad. I have not felt this kind of happiness since I was a carefree child.

[bkcunningham1]

BobKat1, it would mean more if you said, very basically without disclosing an address of course, where "home" is located. I have a home in a real gated community in North Carolina and in TV. In my home in NC, you don't get into our community without a pass or permission from a homeowner. The guards at the gate, even then, record license plates and vehicle types. Criminals have found ways around it. I keep my doors locked in both places. Even my screen door. I keep the doors in my automobile locked. If I'm waiting in the vehicle while my hubbie is pumping gas, much to his dismay, I lock the doors. Sorry, I'm a scarty cat. I don't watch horror movies. I think it is more of people's personalities. I have absolutely no examples or reasons to be afraid in either place. To me, it is like putting on my seatbelt. Reflex and habit. I don't plan on having an accident, but, just in case.

Gracie, I edited my post here because we ran into each other posting. LOL. I know you love it in TV. Trust me, we do too. I'm proud that you are an advocate and standup for your beliefs and the wonderful place we call home. Sometimes it is easy when just typing from the privacy of your home (office, or whereever) to get emotional and "type" things that seem out of context or offensive. Your very opinionated friend and lover of TV, B.K.

[dp000]

The paper towel gang was caught by police in Tall Trees this week. This is a fact !

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by dp000

The paper towel gang was caught by police in Tall Trees this week. This is a fact !

Please tell us more. Tell us how you heard it or saw it.

[Walt.]

In Miami every now and then you would read about a serial rapist in some neighborhood. The story would go on about his 6 (pick a number) victims and indicate there were probably many more unreported. Eventually they would get to the part where the rapist entered through an unlocked sliding door. Do people leave doors unlocked just so they can say they do?

Do you avoid annual check-ups because you're not sick? No seatbelts because you're a good driver? How about letting the grandkids play around the pool unattended with no life vests... because "Nah... they won't fall in."

I'm guessing the Clutter Family didn't lock their doors. That didn't work out too well.

Just some random thoughts...

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by dp000

The paper towel gang was caught by police in Tall Trees this week. This is a fact !