[zcaveman]

I read in the Daily Sun today where the Sumter Landing District browbeat the ACC into rescinding their decision to limit the in-county relatives of residents to 30 days a year because if might bring a law suit because a substantial level of service would be taken away from the residents if the new rule was enacted.

When I moved here eight years ago, no one within the tri-county area was allowed guest passes. Some where between that time and the present, these rules were eased and without public knowledge they allowed tri-county residents with ties to the Villages to have guest privileges. Then they expanded it to 365 days a year.

Maybe if we had known we could have sued because a substantial level of service had been expanded above what we had been told we would get. We could have sued and prevented this whole fiasco.

I also read that the relatives living in the villages do not have to accompany the in-county relatives on the executive golf courses. The executive golf courses are one of our more precious commodities. I suggest that we enforce the rule that the relatives living in the Villages must accompany the in-county relatives on the executive golf courses. Maybe they will eventually get tired of it and not invite them so many times.

The Villages is a 55 and over retirement community and not a resort area. We have to put up with rentals and that certain percentage of under people of 55 that can buy because of the loophole we did not know about when we bought here.

We should be able to draw the line at those that moved to the tri-county area to take advantage of the in-county relative loophole.

I really they do not give up the fight.

[Sonny39]

[zcaveman]

I received a response from an AAC member and he informed me that the in-county program has been around sine 1992. Beginning in 1999 it was limited to residents' children and their spouses plus grandchildren. In 2006 it was expanded to allow grandchildren's spouses and great grandchildren. At all times it was unlimited usage (365 days per year).

He states that the executive golf is not a problem since the new guest rules will make sure that the residents get on first.

This is just to clarify. Doesn't mean I like it any more.

[golf2140]

Cave,

I have been a resident since 2000. I don't believe the ACC members info is correct. I'm in New Jersey currently. When I return I'll pull my paper work but as I remember, a guest could NOT live in the area.

[Happy Villager 1]

zcaveman, you have stated the same exact position that my husband and I talked about this morning after reading the article in the Daily Sun. Allowing family members that live in the surrounding area access to our amenities for more than the 30 day limit imposed on others is not right! They try to placate us by saying it is just a few in number. One is too many! Why should we be paying for others to use the amenities for free? As for the executive golf I'm hoping the way the system is supposedly set up, residents given priority over guests, at least will give us an advantage.

[golf2140]

Gee could it be to favor the folks in Bison Valley !!!!!!!

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by zcaveman

The Villages is a 55 and over retirement community and not a resort area. We have to put up with rentals and that certain percentage of under people of 55 that can buy because of the loophole we did not know about when we bought here.

I agree with you on the guest policy , but we will have to agree to disagree on your above statement. I have no problem with people 50 to 54 being able to buy in TV. This is how it is with all 55+ communities. 80% must have one member 55 or older. I was told that TV policy is that you need to be at least 50 so you will role over into the 55+ fairly quickly. (Although I cant imagine the number below 55 is even 5%.)

Second I see rentals as a boost to TV. It brings future buyers here and it actually makes things less crowded. People that buy a second property as a rental still pay their amenity fees 12 months a year even if they are only able to rent it out 5 months a year. So you have more homes built, more amenity fees paid, but those living in the home may only use the facilities 50 % of the year. I would equate not liking rentals to not liking snowbirds.

But again I like your ideas about guests not using our facilities.

jeffy

[SABRMnLgs]

Someone wrote the comment that, "I pay for the amenities such as golf and such why should they get it for free?"
I have the opposite feeling without agreeing or disagreeing. I have lived here for 5 years and have never set foot on a golf course. Why should I have to pay for an activity I have never used and probably never will? Same difference!!

[TomOB67]

I am one of your "in-area" guests and have a 365 day pass....so yes it does exist. I DO NOT use your precious executive courses for free...it costs me about 10 bucks plus 3.50 to sit my butt in my residents golf cart.
You do not live in a gated community. It appears that way..somehow TV gets away with those gates that are on county maintained roads that my tax dollars pay for.
I bet all your merchants wouldnt be too happy or succesful if it weren't for the younger generation which has a disposable income to spend on restaurants and other shops in the squares. The squares are and have full public access..they are just like any other town..they are not private and yet so many of the residents feel they live in this "private' community.
Just because you the residents get overcharged by your amenities fees and fooled into thinking you live in a private gated community.....dont take it out on the rest of us that work and spend lots of money in the town squares and area restaurants. Back up, take a look, and aim your anger at the ones that pulled the wool over your eyes---it's almost fraudulent.
On the subject of under 55ers living in your community..its a law and has been forever. SHame on you for not doing your homework or doing some research..thats what you get for listening to your salespeople or other non informed friends. There is noo such thing as a 55+ only community...thats discriminatory and therefore a certain percentage of under 55ers have to be allowed to move in.
You all wanted your family members to be allowed and have a place to live closeby, thats why several other villages have been developed...but when they/we cross into your domain of "sheltered" living...suddenly its a problem.
Lighten up people...remember you are here to relax and enjoy..so do it! You moved to a TOWN called the Villages...not a GATED COMMUNITY.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by TomOB67

I am one of your "in-area" guests and have a 365 day pass....so yes it does exist. I DO NOT use your precious executive courses for free...it costs me about 10 bucks plus 3.50 to sit my butt in my residents golf cart.
You do not live in a gated community. It appears that way..somehow TV gets away with those gates that are on county maintained roads that my tax dollars pay for.
I bet all your merchants wouldnt be too happy or succesful if it weren't for the younger generation which has a disposable income to spend on restaurants and other shops in the squares. The squares are and have full public access..they are just like any other town..they are not private and yet so many of the residents feel they live in this "private' community.
Just because you the residents get overcharged by your amenities fees and fooled into thinking you live in a private gated community.....dont take it out on the rest of us that work and spend lots of money in the town squares and area restaurants. Back up, take a look, and aim your anger at the ones that pulled the wool over your eyes---it's almost fraudulent.
On the subject of under 55ers living in your community..its a law and has been forever. SHame on you for not doing your homework or doing some research..thats what you get for listening to your salespeople or other non informed friends. There is noo such thing as a 55+ only community...thats discriminatory and therefore a certain percentage of under 55ers have to be allowed to move in.
You all wanted your family members to be allowed and have a place to live closeby, thats why several other villages have been developed...but when they/we cross into your domain of "sheltered" living...suddenly its a problem.
Lighten up people...remember you are here to relax and enjoy..so do it! You moved to a TOWN called the Villages...not a GATED COMMUNITY.

Tom, of course the shops, restaurants and town squares are open to the public. I don't think this thread is about the use of public facilities. The use of residents' amenities has nothing to do with whether The Villages is a gated community.

Some residents feel that the amenities that are paid for by residents should be limited to resident use with guest passes issued for 30 days for friends and relatives. This seems reasonable to me.

[TomOB67]

Do you all really know where and how and what your amenity fees is paying for. I dont mean what your neighbor thinks or the guy at the pool said...Does anyone really know??

And yes..being a "in-area guest" and listening to all the crap about golf carts and pools and golf courses gets on my nerves after a while. Dont get me wrong, I love the Villages and the area...but I just think that too much is siad by too little informed or closed minded people. I really dont uunderstand how TV gets away with those gates...and people complain about my golf cart being on "their" roads...WRONG..I too pay for those road taxes. Does anyone realize the roads are turned over to the county after a period of 2 to 3 years..probably not...thats why all the gates have the push buttons to let everyone thru.
I have never been in an overcrowded guest pool...have you?? My resident has lost a tee time due to me being a guest...and PS I really do think your "Villages" renters get preferential tee times over everyone..from stories I have heard.
Leave us guests alone...what harm is really being done....seriously...how have we inconvenienced you?? I think its just another platform for bored people to have a topic to complain about. I bet if your family moved real close by...you'd be all for the year round guest passes wouldn't you?!?!

[musicman]

Barefoot,

I am going to have to disagree with you there. My wife and I both work in TV and provide services to the community. When we first moved here, we didn't know the area, where to buy a home, so we leased a home in TV. We lived there for three years. We are quiet folk, no kids, no wild parties, rarely home because we work our tales off. We are both in our 40's. We were NEVER made to feel welcome in our home. In fact, we were made to feel most UN-welcome. We quit going to the rec facilities and pools (the fees were paid by the homeowner we leased from) because we were constantly harassed by residents accusing us of taking advantage of THEIR facilities and we shouldn't be there. We got tired of answering to these blow hards that we WERE entitled to be there.

As for the use of public facilities, we rarely go to the town squares anymore. We have been nearly run down by people driving carts on sidewalks, and upon pointing out that it is a SIDEWALK not a cart path, we have been verbally abused. We have not been able to drive on the street because of carts parked in the road. Some of these "friendliest hometown" residents have even told us that we should get out of their way because this is their town and they can drive and park where they want.

I don't get it. We work to support the retired community and provide services they need, but aren't made to feel welcome when we want to use the facilities we have (or had) a right to use. Many residents need to consider that if the under 55 crowd stayed out of "their" town, they would not have anyone to serve them at the restaurant, mix them a drink, provide their healthcare, bag their groceries, cut their hair, trim their bushes, etc.

I understand the frustration of wanting the "private" facilities restricted to those that pay for them. It makes sense to me. Unfortunately I encounter many that have that feeling about the entire Villages area.

I often joke that the town motto should be "Florida's Friendliest Hometown as long as you're 55 or older". Just my opinion, I guess. Sorry for the rant.

[NJblue]

Do you all really know where and how and what your amenity fees is paying for. I dont mean what your neighbor thinks or the guy at the pool said...Does anyone really know??

Yes, actually. We paid almost $57 million during the 12 months ending this past June. Of that about 47% went to pay the debt on the bond used to buy the amenities. About 10% went to operation/maintenance of the executive courses. Another 10% went for other maintenance services. 15% for professional services. 3% for fire services. 4% for other operating expenses. 4% for utilities. Plus other misc expenses.

and people complain about my golf cart being on "their" roads...WRONG..I too pay for those road taxes. Does anyone realize the roads are turned over to the county after a period of 2 to 3 years..probably not

This is sort of true but also sort of false. The truth is that when your golf cart goes on any of the golf cart paths, you are not on county-maintained property. While it is true that the county maintains most of the roads (but not all), the residents are the ones who paid for them in the first place, not the county. Also, not all of the maintenance is paid for by the county. Since The Villages expects a higher level of maintenance than the county would normally provide, the residents augment the county road budget to provide better maintenance.

I have never been in an overcrowded guest pool...have you??

Yes, many times ... unless your definition of overcrowding is that you can't fit another body into the pool. But there have been many times that the pool has had far too many people in it for it to be enjoyable.

I bet all your merchants wouldnt be too happy or succesful if it weren't for the younger generation which has a disposable income to spend on restaurants and other shops in the squares.

Hmmm, I must admit that when I'm in the restaurants, I don't see too many of the younger generation in them. I wish more would come so the restaurants wouldn't be so dependant upon seasonal fluctuations. But note that this discussion is about guests "abusing" the amenities that are paid for by the residents - not the use of public areas.

The squares are and have full public access..they are just like any other town..they are not private and yet so many of the residents feel they live in this "private' community.

On this I agree. The squares are public and are not paid for by any amenity fee - including the entertainment. So, come on in and enjoy yourself and spend a lot of that disposable income that you have.

[Taj44]

Originally Posted by musicman

Barefoot,

I am going to have to disagree with you there. My wife and I both work in TV and provide services to the community. When we first moved here, we didn't know the area, where to buy a home, so we leased a home in TV. We lived there for three years. We are quiet folk, no kids, no wild parties, rarely home because we work our tales off. We are both in our 40's. We were NEVER made to feel welcome in our home. In fact, we were made to feel most UN-welcome. We quit going to the rec facilities and pools (the fees were paid by the homeowner we leased from) because we were constantly harassed by residents accusing us of taking advantage of THEIR facilities and we shouldn't be there. We got tired of answering to these blow hards that we WERE entitled to be there.

As for the use of public facilities, we rarely go to the town squares anymore. We have been nearly run down by people driving carts on sidewalks, and upon pointing out that it is a SIDEWALK not a cart path, we have been verbally abused. We have not been able to drive on the street because of carts parked in the road. Some of these "friendliest hometown" residents have even told us that we should get out of their way because this is their town and they can drive and park where they want.

I don't get it. We work to support the retired community and provide services they need, but aren't made to feel welcome when we want to use the facilities we have (or had) a right to use. Many residents need to consider that if the under 55 crowd stayed out of "their" town, they would not have anyone to serve them at the restaurant, mix them a drink, provide their healthcare, bag their groceries, cut their hair, trim their bushes, etc.

I understand the frustration of wanting the "private" facilities restricted to those that pay for them. It makes sense to me. Unfortunately I encounter many that have that feeling about the entire Villages area.

I often joke that the town motto should be "Florida's Friendliest Hometown as long as you're 55 or older". Just my opinion, I guess. Sorry for the rant.

For the record, we enjoy seeing younger people here, and many of our friends are younger. I agree that there are a certain number of older folks who can only be described as narrow minded and grouchy. But not all are llike that - you need to find a different neighborhood. And yes, there are residents who use the multi modal recreational trails, and think they exist soley for golf carts. Being a walker and jogger, its a peeve of mine too. I also agree with those who post regarding guests using facilities we pay for - it shouldn't be unlimited useage -- that's a no brainer.

[Bob S]

NJBlue,
You mentioned that entertainment at the Squares is not paid for from the amenity fees. I am curious. How is it paid for?