[jblum8156]

do all of us newbies who just got our cards in the last few months still need to get new cards?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by jblum8156

do all of us newbies who just got our cards in the last few months still need to get new cards?

Yes, the cards are a new design.

[Xavier]

Originally Posted by jblum8156

do all of us newbies who just got our cards in the last few months still need to get new cards?

Yup, but don't break a leg getting there. The old cards are good for a year. Take it at your own pace!

[zcaveman]

I plan on waiting until the birds go home. The lines will be shorter.

[Bryan]

I emailed them yesterday for an appointment. Still waiting for their reply confirming the date/time. I hope the email system works out as it makes it so easy to get an appointment. Only time will tell.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

To imply that there was some dire conspiracy to dump this process on residents was just not necessary.
.

I re-read all of the posts on this subject. I couldn't find anywhere that anybody said there was a "dire conspiracy" afoot.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by Bryan

I emailed them yesterday for an appointment. Still waiting for their reply confirming the date/time. I hope the email system works out as it makes it so easy to get an appointment. Only time will tell.

Please keep us posted. I, for one, am curious as to how well the e-mail requests work.

[cashman]

Why do we need a separate card for the gates? Why not combine it with the ID card.

[Ooper]

I for one, do not want to have to undo my seatbelt, reach in my back pocket and fumble around with my wallet looking for my ID card to go thru the gate and then do all the above in reverse. I am sure women do not want to search thru their pocket books for the same reason. As far as going thru the gate, I think a system like Del Webb Spruce Creek has works fine. They have scanners that work as you pull up to the gate so you don't have to roll the window down and stick your arm out!... IMHO

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I re-read all of the posts on this subject. I couldn't find anywhere that anybody said there was a "dire conspiracy" afoot.

"Early or not in the process, everyone should know about it know instead of it being sprung on them in two weeks."
This implies that someone is holding back information.
Just my opinion.

[Bogie Shooter]

The Recreation News is now posted on the Recreation Dept. site. See Our Place column on page 2.
http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/c...ns/recnews.pdf

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

"Early or not in the process, everyone should know about it know instead of it being sprung on them in two weeks."
This implies that someone is holding back information.
Just my opinion.

I never implied that anyone was holding back. I also said that the ID card upgrade has been mentioned in the VHA paper and in the Daily Sun.

Maybe 'sprung" was the wrong word. This e-mail note came out on Monday 3/1 with the start date of 3/15.

I was just trying to say that it would be nice if the Daily Sun let everyone know what was coming so they could make plans.

I am here all year so I do not really care but there are some that are on trips and going back and forth that might miss the info. And if you ask around, there are a lot of people that probably still do not know about the new Resident ID card. Even with the article in the DS today. I personally know people that never read the Recreational magazine.

To me the article should have been in Section C.

[djl8412]

It's amazing how some of the more regular posters can't resist to criticize anyone who partakes in casual conversation of policies/changes in The Villages. I, personally, agree with those who are troubled by the method of communication surrounding upcoming Villages ID card issuance. Residents should not have to "stumble" upon policy changes affecting all of us. Unfortunately, The VCCDD and some business entities controlled by The Villages have a reputation of putting the cart before the horse and communicating by "word-of-mouth"...........not very efficient with over 75,000 residents. But, I'm probably just another disgruntled resident with an underlying axe to grind.

[BogeyBoy]

This is what is on the district web site. Note what I put in bold, they state they will continue to communicate with residents over the coming weeks and months. They are issuing the cards over a 1 year period. Maybe the "light" approach to letting residents know about this is to help prevent the stampede - a common sight on opening day of anything around here.




Dear Residents:


3201 Wedgewood Lane
The Villages, FL 32162
Phone: 352-753-4508
Fax: 352-751-3936
We are very excited to announce the roll-out of the Resident ID Replacement Program. As you may have read in previous “Our Place” articles, the new cards are much more durable and offer enhanced security features such as a custom holograph overlay, dual-sided print, and a larger resident picture. However, In order for the issuance program to be a success, we will need your help. As you know, The Villages is a large community with over 77,000 residents. As such, it is simply not possible to replace everyone’s ID card within the first day, week, or even month. Therefore, we have designed a schedule and a program to help with the orderly replacement of ID cards. Let me stress that the replacement program will be on-going for an entire year. It is important for everyone to be patient and not feel rushed to immediately replace your old ID.

In order to be as accommodating to all residents as possible, we have implemented different scheduling methods. First, the Customer Service Center will be accepting appointments and walk-ins each week based on the first letter of your last name. For instance, if your last name begins with the letter “A”, you can make an appointment or come to the Customer Service Center during the designated weeks. If you choose to walk-in to the Customer Service Center on your designated week to get your ID, please keep in mind that we must issue cards on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, you may experience a long waiting period. We strongly encourage you to set an appointment for your ID card replacement. It is also not necessary to call and make your appointment right away. As you can imagine, we expect a very large call volume for this project and do not want to lose your call. Alternatively, you can send us an e-mail with your name, phone number, your desired appointment date, and approximate appointment time to customerservice@districtgov.org. We will confirm your appointment by return e-mail or contact you if we cannot schedule you for that particular time.

The Customer Service Center will also be establishing a “roving” Customer Service station for ID change-out. A Customer Service Representative will be setting up an ID station at Recreation Centers throughout the community so that residents within that community can get their ID at a close, convenient location. Each week, we will be at a different location. However, this station will be replacing ID’s by appointment only. This process will begin in April. The first location will be at the Paradise Regional Recreation Center in the Henry Fonda room from April 5th through April 9th. Please see the schedule below for the first 8 weeks of the program.

The following are some reminders and conditions that you should be familiar with before visiting the Customer Service Center for your new ID.

Program begins March 15, 2010 and will continue through until March 15, 2011.
There will be a one-year amnesty period. During this time, you will not be charged to replace your old ID with the new ID. However, if you lose your new ID within this time period, you will be charged for the replacement ID.
Old ID cards will cease to work after the one-year period on March 15, 2011.
Bring your old ID card(s) with you. Once the new ID is issued, your old card will no longer be valid.
A new picture will be taken for the ID.
If you are a resident who is a non-owner and who has “proven residency” prior to March 15, 2009 at the Customer Service Center, you must once again prove residency with three forms of identification and proof of address. We will not be able to make any exceptions to this requirement. If you have any questions regarding your status as a non-owner or need additional information on the required documentation, please contact the Customer Service Center at 352-753-4508.
We will continue to communicate with residents regarding this program over the coming weeks and months. The most current information will be readily available on the District’s website at www.districtgov.org. Also, feel free to contact a Customer Service Representative at 352-753-4508 with any questions.

Sincerely,

Eva M. Rey
Director of Purchasing and Support Services
Village Community Development Districts

[bigbill]

We're up here in Massachusetts and will be down 3/30 to 4/14. Freinds of ours sent us the article and the link on Tuesday.
Sent an e-mail to customer service request 4/5 9-9:30am.
Got the response last night got 4/5 but at 11:00am.
So I would say the process is really quick and easy