[Midge538]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/commu...1600764.column

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Midge, thank you for posting this article.

HB

[ladykathleen]

Thank you midge for posting the article. I only hope Gary Morse cannot "buy off" the IRS.

[Talk Host]

This is really interesting.

[Peachie]

Before the rest of us start jumping up and down in glee, what would be the incentive for Mr. Morse to continue to develop at a top notch level and not plop any old mess next to us in completing the development and to maintain any of it at a high standard if there isn't sufficient profit to make it worth his time? Any thoughts?

And, IMHO, do we really think the Orlando Sentinel's Lauren Ritchie has The Villages best interests at heart? It has to be somewhat frustrating for the Orlando area to watch this beautiful development continue to grow and watch people buy homes and settle here and not in Orlando. Often parents and children also stay with grandparents here and not in Orlando when attending Disney World which causes a loss of tourist dollars because motels/hotels and meal dollars aren't spent there.

All fodder for thought....

[Sally Jo]

I've lived here for seven years. I still haven't seen a pro Villages article in the Orlando "Slantinel."

[Peachie]

We haven't been there that long, Sally Jo, but I have noticed the OS does not appear to have a positive attitude toward The Villages. Would the OS like it if the developer stumbles big time and The Villages, as it is, collapses?

[collie1228]

I don't know anything about the Orlando Sentinel, but I did notice that the article was prefaced by the following: "Special report COMMENTARY". This is the author's opinion, and you should take that into consideration. At least this paper clearly identifies opinion - you won't get that from the New York Times.

[Peachie]

A quote from Ritchie's 1st article in the OS series:

"You can see what the agent is thinking by the questions and can almost picture him turning this Rubik's cube of financing genius over and over as he tries to wrap his mind around the most clever scheme since carpetbaggers realized they could charge old ladies in Jersey $10 a month for swamp lots. It's like he just can't believe it's true".

That doesn't read like an unbiased report to me, IMHO, the innuendo is huge. It should have probably been printed under "Letters to the Editor".

[villages07]

Many other Florida communities are governed by CDDs and insitute bonds to pay for initial infrastructure. Are the issues Ms Ritchie raised about the IRS "audit" and federal tax deductibility of the bonds the same for these other communities? What's also a little muddled is whether the IRS is looking at both types of bonds.... the initial infrastrucutre bonds and the susequent Center CDD recreation bonds used to purchase amenities....or just the recreation bonds. I agree with Peachie....this all sounds a lot like the author's opinion and not pure facts...I'd rather hear directly from the IRS what they are investigating.

[rshoffer]

Originally Posted by Peachie

Before the rest of us start jumping up and down in glee, what would be the incentive for Mr. Morse to continue to develop at a top notch level and not plop any old mess next to us in completing the development and to maintain any of it at a high standard if there isn't sufficient profit to make it worth his time? Any thoughts?

And, IMHO, do we really think the Orlando Sentinel's Lauren Ritchie has The Villages best interests at heart? It has to be somewhat frustrating for the Orlando area to watch this beautiful development continue to grow and watch people buy homes and settle here and not in Orlando. Often parents and children also stay with grandparents here and not in Orlando when attending Disney World which causes a loss of tourist dollars because motels/hotels and meal dollars aren't spent there.

All fodder for thought....

excellent point

[dianerk]

Interesting that the Orlando Sentinel chose to pick on The Villages re. the CDD / bonding issues. They would NEVER write negatively about Celebration in their own back yard -- mainly because of the sacred Disney involvement.

[samhass]

;D Good point, jbsmom.

[Alex]

I am waiting for the IRS to report. Sounds complicated.

[jjdees]

Aah, the media and the IRS. What a wonderful pair. Ritchie should invite the ACLU in too. Take it away from the Morse's and turn it over to the politicians to run. Maybe they can replicate Detroit.