[Bettiboop]

Possession is 9/10 of the law....Wouldn't that apply here?

Butt in chair trumps any rope or Walmart bag.

[downeaster]

The selfish practice of reserving chairs and tables at the squares could lead to conflicts. The conflicts could reach a level requiring intervention by law enforcement. At that point we could see the media (read a certain "investigative" reporter on an out of town newspaper). This could ultimately lead to a "black eye" for The Villages.

I would hope the recreation department will rethink their practice and possibly stop supplying tables at special events. I don't see how they could police the use of tables without causing more conflicts.

The rec dept is in a lose/lose situation. If they stop the practice they make a lot of people unhappy as well as admit we may not be the friendliest hometown. If they continue the practice the events will be dominated by selfish individuals as a lot of people may elect to not attend. Some of those who do attend may choose to occupy seats that have been "reserved". That is when the conflict will rear its ugly head.

It is a shame there are so many people willing to spoil a good thing.

[jsw14]

Originally Posted by Bettiboop

Possession is 9/10 of the law....Wouldn't that apply here?

Butt in chair trumps any rope or Walmart bag.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Sounds like chair hogs on a cruise ship. LOL.

You're right. This practice abounds on cruise ships and at resort pools and beaches. "Go out at 7 AM and put shoes on a chair. Take the day to tour the city, but you know when you return to the resort at 5 PM, your chair will be available and waiting for you".

Originally Posted by rubicon

I admit I am confused. How does tipping a chair secure property rights?

I mean if resident A travels to LSL at 9:00AM and tips all the chairs around table X what prevent Resident B and his party from showing up early and securing (sitting at Table X)? I just asking.....doesn't first come first serve rule apply?

What secures property rights on tipped chairs? Probably people like me, I guess. I am not into confrontation and arguing about chairs. So I leave the chair tippers alone, and avoid the crowded venues. I figure life is too short to get bubbles in my pee.

[CaptJohn]

What if.........someone were to go take pictures of the reserved tables/chairs and then go back when they are occupied and take pictures of the same tables/chairs with the perpetrators and post said pictures in an album labeling them as appropriate.

[angiefox10]

Originally Posted by CaptJohn

What if.........someone were to go take pictures of the reserved tables/chairs and then go back when they are occupied and take pictures of the same tables/chairs with the perpetrators and post said pictures in an album labeling them as appropriate.

I like it!

[jsw14]

I would label it>>>>GOT YA<<<<!!!!!!

[Mickedamouse24]

This practice will never stop and is really out of control during bird season. I admit at times I go to LSL and reserve a spot with my own personal chair/chairs..! Sometimes you have to do what you have to do if you want to enjoy that particular nights entertainment! As far as the tables go, I think the VCDD should have a lottery system going. Put your name in a hat and on the day of the event, draw names!!!

[Skybo]

Originally Posted by downeaster

The selfish practice of reserving chairs and tables at the squares could lead to conflicts. The conflicts could reach a level requiring intervention by law enforcement. At that point we could see the media (read a certain "investigative" reporter on an out of town newspaper). This could ultimately lead to a "black eye" for The Villages.

I would hope the recreation department will rethink their practice and possibly stop supplying tables at special events. I don't see how they could police the use of tables without causing more conflicts.

The rec dept is in a lose/lose situation. If they stop the practice they make a lot of people unhappy as well as admit we may not be the friendliest hometown. If they continue the practice the events will be dominated by selfish individuals as a lot of people may elect to not attend. Some of those who do attend may choose to occupy seats that have been "reserved". That is when the conflict will rear its ugly head.

It is a shame there are so many people willing to spoil a good thing.

I think the simplest solution would be to post signs saying that reserving tables/chairs is not allowed. It wouldn't take long for people to figure out that going down to the square at 7 am and tipping chairs and depositing bags was a waste of time. Confrontations and "reserve" claims could be easily diffused by pointing to the posted signage.

[swimdawg]

......

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by swimdawg

It was my first time to go to Mardi Gras in TV and I thought it was fun. Lots of "interesting people". Lines for food and drinks were very long. Live entertainment not only in the Square but in surrounding areas as well. I thought it was well organized.

However, I was in the area earlier in the day and saw many tables and chairs reserved. I heard someone mention that they had 2-hour 'tour of duty' times to save the tables. I don't know what that was about?

Bottom line, it was a fun and entertaining evening.

It means they had someone sitting at the table all day long to reserve the table for the evening.
I think that is better than going to the square at 7AM and tying a loose rope around a table and plopping a cooler on the table........to me that stuff should just disappear.

[momesu]

I had a wonderful time at LSL tonight. Yes it was very crowded...no I didn't get a seat. I counted my standing and walking as my exercise for the day. I had a wonderful dinner made by The Villages HS Culinary students. Not only was the food fantastic but the price was amazing! Not sure I really ever figured out how to eat the craw-fish they put on top of my Shrimp Creole though I met some wonderful people, danced some and waited to get my Margaritas till after Happy Hour was over so there was no line. The weather was perfect and I loved seeing all the different "costumes".

All that said I am very happy that by next Mardi Gras there should be a third square with celebrations going on.

Suzanne

[John_W]

We just got back and it was GREAT!! Why would you want to sit at a table in the middle of the street anyway and miss the action, the Porch Dogs were Fantastic!!

We got there about 3pm and I got a BBQ plate and my wife got a Chick Filet sandwich and we walked over to a table that had 2 people sitting there and the other 10 or so chairs were all tipped up, and I said to the guy in the Red Sox hat, were just going to sit here while we eat, he said fine. We sat there and ate and then we got up and tried to get as close to the stage as we could, it was 3:45 and the place was packed. Luckily I had brought our own chairs and we got up close but on the side of the stage.

The band played canjun music and during breaks different dance groups came out and it was the best time I've ever had at the square. We stayed until 9pm, which I never usually do. Everyone was having a good time.

The only problem was once about 8pm during an intermission and the Gem Stones or something like that, came out to dance during an intermission and 30 of us on the side moved around to see the show and people started yelling "down in front", so we all sat down on the ground, no problem. But one big guy, probably weighed 300 pounds kept standing and a guy from the seats came up and told him to sit down, and he said, if I sit down I can't get back up. The other guy said something else, I was sitting right there, and the heavy guy said, watch your mouth, I thought there was going to be a fight and I was getting ready to jump up, but the smaller guy went back to his seat.

All-in-all, it was a very entertaining evening and short-sleeve weather up until about 8pm, and then we put on light jackets. I never seen so many people at the square. Take the biggest Rocky & the Rollers crowd, maybe 2000. Multiply that by 5 or 6, I'd say at least 10,000 people. Not only was the square standing room only, but you walk out to the street and it was just as packed. It was an unreal sight.

[memason]

Here's a view of the square, close to the corner of Redsauce. Actually, lots of folks had already left, by the time I took this photo. But, it was the most people I have ever seen in the square. Anyone know how it was at Spanish Springs ???

[De Lis]

Originally Posted by Skybo

I think the simplest solution would be to post signs saying that reserving tables/chairs is not allowed. It wouldn't take long for people to figure out that going down to the square at 7 am and tipping chairs and depositing bags was a waste of time. Confrontations and "reserve" claims could be easily diffused by pointing to the posted signage.

Excellent idea! Also, bringing your own chairs is one thing, but roping off benches, which is PUBLIC property, should not be allowed by TV.