[wannab]

I wonder what would happen if said snake lunged at someone who had a legal concealed weapon causing them to be in fear of their life (George Zimmerman for example?) Could they be arrested if they shot the snake? How about if they shot the snakes owner?

[billethkid]

Once again an isolated incident has the alarm flanger going as though it were a general condition/situation.

A ham sandwich being treated as though it were a banquet.

btk

[redwitch]

Let's see. I'm definitely not stupid but I did used to own a snake and, yes, I did take it with me in public. Monte (I know, not very original) actually seemed to like hanging out with people. I didn't do it to scare people. I didn't do it for attention. I did it because I liked the big lug and hated that he was always in an aquarium. He never bit anyone, never even lunged at them (and I seriously this python lunged either although it might have been tasting the air). He enjoyed getting stroked by others. When he finally got too big, I gave him to the San Francisco Zoo where, so far as I know, he still happily resides. He was used in several shows about snakes and has been handled by many folks, including Gary Larson (who is terrified of snakes).

I will admit I would never have taken Monte to a town square -- just too noisy and too many vibrations which could have upset him. Was foolish of the owner of this python to have done so.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Let's see. I'm definitely not stupid but I did used to own a snake and, yes, I did take it with me in public. Monte (I know, not very original) actually seemed to like hanging out with people. I didn't do it to scare people. I didn't do it for attention. I did it because I liked the big lug and hated that he was always in an aquarium. He never bit anyone, never even lunged at them (and I seriously this python lunged either although it might have been tasting the air). He enjoyed getting stroked by others. When he finally got too big, I gave him to the San Francisco Zoo where, so far as I know, he still happily resides. He was used in several shows about snakes and has been handled by many folks, including Gary Larson (who is terrified of snakes).

I will admit I would never have taken Monte to a town square -- just too noisy and too many vibrations which could have upset him. Was foolish of the owner of this python to have done so.

I don't want to make light of the OP's terror, but I too doubted that the snake actually "lunged" as if it intended to get at her. It's just not in a python's nature, at least of the two we babysat. The only time I saw one lunge was when my son fed it a mouse.

Again, not a good idea to take it into a heavily populated square with strangers, if only for the safety of the snake, among other reasons.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Once again an isolated incident has the alarm flanger going as though it were a general condition/situation. A ham sandwich being treated as though it were a banquet.

I was thinking exactly the same thing, isolated incident. I love your post!

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Easyrider

So if the town squares are not private property who owns them?

They are owned by the developer aren't they?

"She said another woman had called the police about this gigantic snake, but apparently they told her they couldn't do anything about it".

This seems to be the answer on about everything....can't do anything about anything.

Privately owned by a governmental unit with public access.

[Easyrider]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

Privately owned by a governmental unit with public access.

And what is the name of the governmental unit for each square?

[Patty55]

Was it on a leash?

[Microcodeboy]

Sounds like a good case for the Stand Your Ground law.

[Parker]

How do you know if it was a python? And if it was, isn't there any kind of public safety law that would apply?

[JBarracks]

Originally Posted by livefree

I have really enjoyed Brownwood since it opened last year, as well as the other town squares, but now I'm reluctant to ever go back to Brownwood.

Last night (Saturday) at Brownwood, as I crossed the street and walked toward the dance area on the west side of the sound stage, a group of young people (in their twenties or so) was gathered around one guy but I wasn't really paying attention. Suddenly as I got closer, I saw half the body and head of a gigantic python lunge outward from the guy's shoulders, and in my direction. I thought I'd have a heart attack right then and there. Just thinking about it 24 hours later makes me sick to my stomach.

I can think of few things more horrifying than a python on display over a guy's shoulders, and lunging outward at pedestrians, on the town square. The group of admirers laughed at my horrified reaction.

I reluctantly continued to the seating area and sat down and told a woman next to me about it. She said another woman had called the police about this gigantic snake, but apparently they told her they couldn't do anything about it.

What is WRONG with people who would do something like this?? It's my understanding the town squares are private property and not public (as the streets are).

Why would anyone tolerate a giant python at the town square where people come to enjoy themselves, NOT be scared to death??

Be careful of what you wish for, pets may be banned from the town squares. You know how laws work!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by CFrance

It was my understanding that the squares are public property and that the businesses around the squares pay for the entertainment. Don't know where the no-smoking rule comes from. Is smoking banned in public places in municipalities around FL?

When our son was in college, his girlfriend had a ball python. We (reluctantly) babysat it once. I'm not a fan of snakes, but they are not dangerous. They don't bite; they strangle their prey. Unless you're a mouse or a rat, you're fine.

I'm wondering... if you are that afraid of snakes, how did you know what kind of snake it was?

Stupid of those kids to have it in a public square, I do agree.

I just hate to bring this up, but did anyone else see this snake at Brownwood?

I mean. Welcome to the forum Livesea. First post and all.

[dancerbill]

The three town squares are private property with public access allowed. They are owned, respectively, by the Village Center Community Development District (Spanish Springs), by the Sumter Landing Community Development District (Lake Sumter Square), and by the Brownwood Community Development District (Lake Paddock Square). Access to the squares, themselves, and the streets directly bordering them, is controlled by each particular center district and can be withdrawn at any time for any reason.

For example, when there are events at the squares that are sponsored and staged by The Villages, other activities can be curtailed -- i.e., the visits by President Bush and Sarah Palin. Whenever my wife's dance groups perform on the squares, the arrangements are set up and controlled by the Villages Entertainment Department, and we are directed when and how long to perform, where to park our vehicles, and the particular theme that we are asked to portray. During our (or anyone's) approved performance time, other activities on the square are curtailed until the formal performances are concluded.

Operation of the squares is a great system, but the squares are not ours, nor do they have unrestricted public access.

[graciegirl]

Did ANYONE ELSE SEE A SNAKE AT BROWNWOOD?

Trolls sometimes relish getting us "old folks" all stirred up.

Anyone else talk to anyone who saw this snake with their own eyes??????

This has the potential to become another urban legend.

This is the OP's first post.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by dancerbill

The three town squares are private property with public access allowed. They are owned, respectively, by the Village Center Community Development District (Spanish Springs), by the Sumter Landing Community Development District (Lake Sumter Square), and by the Brownwood Community Development District (Lake Paddock Square). Access to the squares, themselves, and the streets directly bordering them, is controlled by each particular center district and can be withdrawn at any time for any reason.

For example, when there are events at the squares that are sponsored and staged by The Villages, other activities can be curtailed -- i.e., the visits by President Bush and Sarah Palin. Whenever my wife's dance groups perform on the squares, the arrangements are set up and controlled by the Villages Entertainment Department, and we are directed when and how long to perform, where to park our vehicles, and the particular theme that we are asked to portray. During our (or anyone's) approved performance time, other activities on the square are curtailed until the formal performances are concluded.

Operation of the squares is a great system, but the squares are not ours, nor do they have unrestricted public access.

thanks to you and Indy for the accurate info on the ownership. Just love it when posters (those that said it is public property) are so adamant about something they know nothing about. But they sure act like they do!