[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

The source for the "well over a million dollars" statement?

The gates definitely DO control traffic. Crossing those entrances on foot, on a bicycle, or on a golf cart would be very dangerous without the gates.

Exactly. The developer had nothing to do with the gates it's the Florida department of public safety's requirement on public roads with multi modal and pedestrian crossings with vehicular traffic. I've seen similar in other states. I don't know who started the rumors of it all being the developer's idea.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

The source for the "well over a million dollars" statement?

The gates definitely DO control traffic. Crossing those entrances on foot, on a bicycle, or on a golf cart would be very dangerous without the gates.

The costs are readily available for residents to see what maintenance, utilities, salaries, etc. run for all the gates. Do your homework and you will see that the totals for these gates are very expensive.

There are very few people crossing entrances on foot. And it is the responsibility of those on a bicycle or golf cart to make sure it is safe for them to cross the entrance to a Village. I will repeat . . . it is THEIR responsibility to do that! Cars have the right of way.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

It would not be dangerous if people watched what they were doing instead of realizing they are the ones who need to stop first and then continue on when the coast is clear.

I've said it before; it is no different than crossing a street but somehow. many in a golf cart think they either are invincible or indestructible and plow on through without a care in the world. The onus is on them to watch out!

Sure, about the same as crossing a four-lane street with no crosswalks, no signals, and poor visibility. Quite dangerous.

My guess: you don't drive around the Villages in a golf cart and may not even live here.

[rsimpson]

Originally Posted by Dond1959

It is really for the golf cart crossing at the road. Think of what would happen if no gates and cars coming through at 40 to 50 mph. Many places have very limited visibility for the golf carts, so seeing the gate being down does provide some level of assurance that you won’t be mowed down by a car. Of course if the car runs through the gate going fast not much you can do.

Agree 100% - without the gates to slow down cars, there would be many (more) collisions. Visibility from a cart, navigating the variious curves at crossways, looking around shrubs, trees, signs, poles, etc. is brutal.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

The costs are readily available for residents to see what maintenance, utilities, salaries, etc. run for all the gates. Do your homework and you will see that the totals for these gates are very expensive.

There are very few people crossing entrances on foot. And it is the responsibility of those on a bicycle or golf cart to make sure it is safe for them to cross the entrance to a Village. I will repeat . . . it is THEIR responsibility to do that! Cars have the right of way.

I was pretty sure you had no source - thank you for proving that.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I was pretty sure you had no source - thank you for proving that.

The cost most likely is over a million dollars though. 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, and even $10 per hour gives close to $100,000 in salary for each gatehouse. We certainly have more than 10 gatehouses. Add in electricity and maintenance and it's a pretty good number.

We may not need the attendants, even as helpful as they are, but the gates are invaluable.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

The solution is to get rid of the gates. YES -- get rid of them! Many would like to believe that they control traffic. Nonsense! The developer put them there to make would-be buyers believe they are buying into a truly gated community. Between the maintenance of the gates, utilities, and salaries for those keystone cops who "man" the gates, it costs well over a million dollars a year. That money could surely be put to better use!

That was one of the most inept statements I’ve ever read. Apparently you don’t drive a golf cart. If you do, next time you see one down, go thru it in a cart - your pucker factor will go up a little bit.

[twoplanekid]

From the budget figures for Lake Sumter CDD found on Village Community Development Districts, a figure of $37,000 is found for gate repair fees collected and $357,000 for gate maintenance. I wonder how may accidents occur at the no gate crossing by carts at Old Mill Run and Canal St that are very busy streets near Lake Sumter Landing?

More information on Gate Attendant duties and staffing found here ->
Village Community Development Districts

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan

That was one of the most inept statements I’ve ever read. Apparently you don’t drive a golf cart. If you do, next time you see one down, go thru it in a cart - your pucker factor will go up a little bit.

Inept? Seriously??? Just because you don't agree with me doesn't make my sentence "Inept" and your use of the word, in this case, is a poor example of what you might be trying to say. You might try respecting what others say before you make inane comments.

I have driven golf carts many times and don't choose to own one. "Pucker" that! A very dear friend was in a horrible golf cart accident last year and almost died. He is still showing signs of that accident although he has recovered pretty well.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by Dond1959

It is really for the golf cart crossing at the road. Think of what would happen if no gates and cars coming through at 40 to 50 mph. Many places have very limited visibility for the golf carts, so seeing the gate being down does provide some level of assurance that you won’t be mowed down by a car. Of course if the car runs through the gate going fast not much you can do.

A speed bump could work to slow cars down and cost a lot less than these gates and the salaries of the "guards"

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I was pretty sure you had no source - thank you for proving that.

I guess you have no clue as to what the gate "amenity" runs for each one. If you think it costs peanuts to run those operations, you are living in the dark ages. No, sir. I did my homework and you can do yours.

Just because you are lazy and don't believe me, I really don't care. It isn't my job to show you the ropes. That information is available to anyone.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

A speed bump could work to slow cars down and cost a lot less than these gates and the salaries of the "guards"

Well said and well taken. Thank you!

That would work and the speed bumps could even be speed humps that are less offensive.

[twoplanekid]

correction on my post #23 - I should have included figures from Village Center CDD. Including both the totals for gate repairs collected would be 37 plus 24 ($61,000) and then 357 plus 209 for a total of $566,000 for gate maintenance. These figures should be the totals for the Villages unless the figures don't include the areas south of 44.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

The costs are readily available for residents to see what maintenance, utilities, salaries, etc. run for all the gates. Do your homework and you will see that the totals for these gates are very expensive.

There are very few people crossing entrances on foot. And it is the responsibility of those on a bicycle or golf cart to make sure it is safe for them to cross the entrance to a Village. I will repeat . . . it is THEIR responsibility to do that! Cars have the right of way.

Since it's "readily available", support your claim and provide us the link.
Thanks in advance.

[schwarz]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

The solution is to get rid of the gates. YES -- get rid of them! Many would like to believe that they control traffic. Nonsense! The developer put them there to make would-be buyers believe they are buying into a truly gated community. Between the maintenance of the gates, utilities, and salaries for those keystone cops who "man" the gates, it costs well over a million dollars a year. That money could surely be put to better use!

We should keep the gates to slow down traffic BUT eliminate the attendant. They certainly could be reassigned to the rec centers or as patrol drivers. The gate attendants at the Boone gate tend, more often than not, to simply raise the gate and wave folks through, meaning that they neither stop nor slow them down...but enablec them to enter to intersection at a pretty decent speed. If the attendant wasn't there, everyone would have to stop as they are supposed to do. The attendant creates a dangerous situation in their desire perhaps to be a nice person.