Talk of The Villages Florida
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Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)
-   The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)
-   -   No more Entertainment at the Squares (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/no-more-entertainment-squares-310050/)

williwan 08-15-2020 06:04 AM
Tourist tax (hotels etc) are public funds the developer has used for his private gain
 
Entertainment should be paid for by the property owner or the frequent users.

Dana1963 08-15-2020 06:39 AM
After the first year the novelty is over very rarely go to the square at all.

B-flat 08-15-2020 06:44 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dana1963 (Post 1817691)
After the first year the novelty is over very rarely go to the square at all.
Plus one.

Dlbonivich 08-15-2020 07:00 AM
This guy is not to smart. That money is given from entertainment tax and would just go to something else in the county. This is why you need well informed and educated people to run things. Only thing he cares about is his wife’s pet project.

richb9v 08-15-2020 07:00 AM
My vote was prompted more by the videos I have seen of the commission meetings. I arrogance of the current commissioners is disgusting.

Dlbonivich 08-15-2020 07:04 AM
The entertainment center s paid for by a bed tax or tourism tax, not really estate taxes. It must be used to attract tourism. If not the squares what? Maybe a huge Ferris wheel 🎡 n Fenney

Rsenholzi 08-15-2020 07:13 AM
Please share which Pending commissioner this was . I would love to know if this is a post Meant to get the incumbents back In or whether one really said it. If you don’t post the name we know that my comment is true. I heard recently that the entertainment in the squares was being held off till Jan 1 but will be starting back then

Chi-Town 08-15-2020 07:21 AM
Talked to a vendor who was notified that there would be vendor nights again when the squares reopen. But no date was given.

diamond2005 08-15-2020 07:28 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Northwoods (Post 1817093)
It appears that we could lose our entertainment on the squares.
I just read a post from someone running for commissioner (not an incumbent) that he would not agree to use to use the hotel tax (this is the money that is currently used to fund entertainment at the Brownwood and Lake Sumter squares).
So, essentially, entertainment could be gone on Brownwood and Lake Sumter squares.
Ain’t that a shame!

Andyb 08-15-2020 07:28 AM
Got a name?

toeser 08-15-2020 07:30 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Northwoods (Post 1817093)
It appears that we could lose our entertainment on the squares.
I just read a post from someone running for commissioner (not an incumbent) that he would not agree to use to use the hotel tax (this is the money that is currently used to fund entertainment at the Brownwood and Lake Sumter squares).
So, essentially, entertainment could be gone on Brownwood and Lake Sumter squares.
Scare tactic to keep you voting for the developer's puppets. Do you work for them?

Northwoods 08-15-2020 07:46 AM
1 Attachment(s)
Quote:
Originally Posted by toeser (Post 1817742)
Scare tactic to keep you voting for the developer's puppets. Do you work for them?
Here's a screen shot of the Facebook post. Scare tactic? I don't think so.

Marvic 1 08-15-2020 08:03 AM
Yeah sure, one of the main features of the Villages is going to stop, these Miller's you see are in cahoots texting back and forth!.....:1rotfl:

Dust Bunny 08-15-2020 08:24 AM
I suggest you go to the source the get credible information then post. Hearsay don't count

theruizs 08-15-2020 08:25 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Northwoods (Post 1817093)
It appears that we could lose our entertainment on the squares.
I just read a post from someone running for commissioner (not an incumbent) that he would not agree to use to use the hotel tax (this is the money that is currently used to fund entertainment at the Brownwood and Lake Sumter squares).
So, essentially, entertainment could be gone on Brownwood and Lake Sumter squares.
I highly doubt this. The square merchants would have a fit, to say nothing of TV residents. And one commisioner can do nothing on his own. If he brings it up in an actual meeting it would go nowhere.

EviesGP 08-15-2020 08:35 AM
Oren Miller has made statements and posts, that even the other 2 CC challengers don't agree with. That's just he/himself. As for the challengers themselves, I think they're well qualified to replace the incumbents. I, too, am very impressed with what The Villages has done, and love this place. But, I was quite appalled by how this tax increase was abruptly introduced, and publicized?! My home state is horrible with taxes, but even up there, if you introduced a 25% increase, you would be burned at the stake! And, add to that, you slip in a salary increase for yourselves??? WOW! That's cojones. And the way you treated those people in those meetings?! Vote them out! And take the Sheriff with them.

AnnieDotz 08-15-2020 08:42 AM
I thought a big portion of the funding came from a grant.

CanTho 08-15-2020 08:48 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by coffeebean (Post 1817364)
Let's not forget Johnny Wild and the Delights!
I closed my comments with " etc. etc " :)

LuvtheVillages 08-15-2020 08:51 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnieDotz (Post 1817816)
I thought a big portion of the funding came from a grant.
Yes, a grant funded by the hotel tax.

Mohawksin 08-15-2020 08:51 AM
Increases
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 1817370)
So... what about property taxes this year? Who is for increases, who is not? More interested in that than entertainment right now.
Increases? To which are you referring? Budget? Mill rate? Your personal property tax?

Bogie Shooter 08-15-2020 08:56 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goldwingnut (Post 1817135)
The funding for the town squares entertainment comes from both the Sumter County Tourism Development Council and The Villages (the company not the CDDs, amenity fees, or any other resident funded source). Both have agreed to contribute $120,000 this year for the entertainment. The SCTDC collects about $600K annually with the 2% short term (<6 month) occupancy tax. It is estimated that 20,000+ room nights annually are contributed to hotel occupancy in Sumter County as a result of the town square entertainment investment. Sumter County benefits significantly from additional tax revenues collect from visitors' patronage of local businesses, including restaurants, gas stations, and shopping. The town square merchants, who contribute significantly to The Villages portion of the contribution, benefit by the increased business before and during the time the entertainment is provided.

Does it, the entertainment, help sell houses, absolutely. Selling houses keeps a significant segment of the workforce in Sumter and a dozen surrounding counties employed and is the primary economic engine of Sumter County. Thousands of jobs rely directly on the construction of homes in The Villages, and many thousands more off-site 2nd, 3rd, and 4th tier jobs supporting the construction industry also rely on this work. The construction of homes also drives a substantial secondary construction industry in the tri-county area - the companies you hire to do work on your home after you buy it - hundreds of small businesses employing a few thousand people. I'm not saying that the entertainment is responsible for all these jobs, but it does contribute positively to the overall economy of the area.

And, we as the residents, get to enjoy free entertainment every night (excluding the COVID period) at a safe and convenient location. Don't shoot the goose that lays the golden egg.

I would like to see the original poster site their reference for their post. If in fact some candidate is espousing such a position, then they are demonstrating a lack of understanding of the basic economics of Sumter County and calls into question what other areas of how the county works do they lack understanding. Their suitability for this leadership position would then be questionable. While I don't totally agree or like some of the positions of the current County Commissioner, the lack of understanding already demonstrated by some of the candidates running to replace them is even more scary and could lead us (Sumter County) down a self-destructive path. Perhaps the old adage "better the devil you know than the devil you don't" has some play here. Think long and hard before you vote.
This post needs to be repeated so those who don't know how the funding works can quit speculating.

Topspinmo 08-15-2020 09:12 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dlbonivich (Post 1817701)
This guy is not to smart. That money is given from entertainment tax and would just go to something else in the county. This is why you need well informed and educated people to run things. Only thing he cares about is his wife’s pet project.
No we need someone who has NO in they’re vocabulary, so they can say NO on occasions.

airstreamingypsy 08-15-2020 09:19 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marathon Man (Post 1817158)
Those trying to get onto the county commision have basically vowed to do everything anti-developer. How is this any different than doing everything pro-developer?
Has it occurred to you that this rumor could have been started by one of the incumbents?

Dgizzi 08-15-2020 09:25 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goldwingnut (Post 1817135)
The funding for the town squares entertainment comes from both the Sumter County Tourism Development Council and The Villages (the company not the CDDs, amenity fees, or any other resident funded source). Both have agreed to contribute $120,000 this year for the entertainment. The SCTDC collects about $600K annually with the 2% short term (<6 month) occupancy tax. It is estimated that 20,000+ room nights annually are contributed to hotel occupancy in Sumter County as a result of the town square entertainment investment. Sumter County benefits significantly from additional tax revenues collect from visitors' patronage of local businesses, including restaurants, gas stations, and shopping. The town square merchants, who contribute significantly to The Villages portion of the contribution, benefit by the increased business before and during the time the entertainment is provided.

Does it, the entertainment, help sell houses, absolutely. Selling houses keeps a significant segment of the workforce in Sumter and a dozen surrounding counties employed and is the primary economic engine of Sumter County. Thousands of jobs rely directly on the construction of homes in The Villages, and many thousands more off-site 2nd, 3rd, and 4th tier jobs supporting the construction industry also rely on this work. The construction of homes also drives a substantial secondary construction industry in the tri-county area - the companies you hire to do work on your home after you buy it - hundreds of small businesses employing a few thousand people. I'm not saying that the entertainment is responsible for all these jobs, but it does contribute positively to the overall economy of the area.

And, we as the residents, get to enjoy free entertainment every night (excluding the COVID period) at a safe and convenient location. Don't shoot the goose that lays the golden egg.

I would like to see the original poster site their reference for their post. If in fact some candidate is espousing such a position, then they are demonstrating a lack of understanding of the basic economics of Sumter County and calls into question what other areas of how the county works do they lack understanding. Their suitability for this leadership position would then be questionable. While I don't totally agree or like some of the positions of the current County Commissioner, the lack of understanding already demonstrated by some of the candidates running to replace them is even more scary and could lead us (Sumter County) down a self-destructive path. Perhaps the old adage "better the devil you know than the devil you don't" has some play here. Think long and hard before you vote.
THANK YOU for this very detailed info. Appreciate your info and time..I think ALOT of homes would go up for sale if that happened

EdFNJ 08-15-2020 09:41 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 1817573)
How’d you do that? What’s your secret? My house is an ordinary designer at Mallory, average size house, average size lot.
I apologize! I just looked again and I looked at the wrong thing. It actually went up 10% (~$100). It's an "ordinary" 2/2 Colony in Amelia. Still not close to 25%. Maybe the Florida SOH had something to do with it.

Doodle 08-15-2020 09:49 AM
Quit spreading fake news. Come with facts or don’t come at all.

EdFNJ 08-15-2020 09:55 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1817634)
Some possibilities:

1) He doesn't live in Sumter County.
2) For some reason, the assessed value of his house dropped significantly.
3) He applied for the homestead exemption.

I was wrong. It actually went up 10% (~ $100). Was looking at non-ad valorem in error which should go down about $2.

Reedpanos@gmail.com 08-15-2020 10:38 AM
Truth about entertainment on the square
 
The funding for the entertainment on the square is not going anywhere. The EMS team supports the entertainment on the square for at least Sumter county. Spanish Springs is in Lake County. More example of Sumter county residents subsidizing the counties next to us. Another example is school taxes. 75 % of the village charter school state reimbursement goes to Marion and lake county due to 75% of the students are from Marion and lake county. If there is issues of entertainment on the squares, it will be due to decisions made by the developer. Think hacienda rec center!

jimjamuser 08-15-2020 11:17 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CanTho (Post 1817133)
I disagree. One of the huge selling points is 365 days live entertainment.

Think about it the concession stands, restaurants, various businesses, all rely on " Live Entertainment ".

Rocky, Studio 77, Valerie G, Scooter, etc. etc. will all be back once the Vaccine is out which will be pretty soon.
Vaccine out pretty soon? Don't hold your breath. That is NOT what the medical experts are saying. You could go to Russia about the end of the year and they MIGHT have their UNPROVEN one available to tourists at a HUGE cost. Do that IF you dare! Even when the US vaccine is PROVEN effective - there will be a long, long time delay before it is available to ordinary peons like you and me. 1st the NBA, NFL, and MLB players get theirs and owners and staff and etc. Then University Presidents and staff - then hospital Soctors and staff. Then MAYBE me and you. AND the ANTI-VACCERS (up to 50% of the US population) will NOT get the vaccine - so, we are right back to where we were. Wearing masks or NOT wearing masks - pretending everything is normal or being cautious and caring about other people. The 1918 pandemic took 4 years to resolve and this one could affect people's hearts for their lifetimes, children also. So, dancing to live music at the square may be something that was only done in your past, pre-CV lifetimes.

biker1 08-15-2020 11:32 AM
The "county tax" millage rate went up by about 25%. Your assessed value may have also gone up. The "school tax" millage rate was essentially unchanged. There are a couple of other components to the "total" tax bill. They were essentially unchanged. Since the "county tax" is about 1/2 of the "total" tax, for most people the "total tax" bill went up about 12%. This assumes your were homesteaded and you paid off your bond. If you still have your bond, the percentage increase will be lower. Your milage may vary.

Quote:
Originally Posted by EdFNJ (Post 1817853)
I apologize! I just looked again and I looked at the wrong thing. It actually went up 10% (~$100). It's an "ordinary" 2/2 Colony in Amelia. Still not close to 25%. Maybe the Florida SOH had something to do with it.

jimjamuser 08-15-2020 11:49 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robbie0723 (Post 1817632)
So it's ok to send children back to school with teachers that have risk factors in high risk closed interior space but not ok to open the squares in fresh air outdoor space with significantly lower risk of virus transmission?

We now have over six months of evidence with outdoor activities in The Villages being low risk.
Good example of comparing and contrasting to show a dichotomy. Kudos.

MrGolf 08-15-2020 12:27 PM
Correction
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goldwingnut (Post 1817135)
The funding for the town squares entertainment comes from both the Sumter County Tourism Development Council and The Villages (the company not the CDDs, amenity fees, or any other resident funded source). Both have agreed to contribute $120,000 this year for the entertainment. The SCTDC collects about $600K annually with the 2% short term (<6 month) occupancy tax. It is estimated that 20,000+ room nights annually are contributed to hotel occupancy in Sumter County as a result of the town square entertainment investment. Sumter County benefits significantly from additional tax revenues collect from visitors' patronage of local businesses, including restaurants, gas stations, and shopping. The town square merchants, who contribute significantly to The Villages portion of the contribution, benefit by the increased business before and during the time the entertainment is provided.

Does it, the entertainment, help sell houses, absolutely. Selling houses keeps a significant segment of the workforce in Sumter and a dozen surrounding counties employed and is the primary economic engine of Sumter County. Thousands of jobs rely directly on the construction of homes in The Villages, and many thousands more off-site 2nd, 3rd, and 4th tier jobs supporting the construction industry also rely on this work. The construction of homes also drives a substantial secondary construction industry in the tri-county area - the companies you hire to do work on your home after you buy it - hundreds of small businesses employing a few thousand people. I'm not saying that the entertainment is responsible for all these jobs, but it does contribute positively to the overall economy of the area.

And, we as the residents, get to enjoy free entertainment every night (excluding the COVID period) at a safe and convenient location. Don't shoot the goose that lays the golden egg.

I would like to see the original poster site their reference for their post. If in fact some candidate is espousing such a position, then they are demonstrating a lack of understanding of the basic economics of Sumter County and calls into question what other areas of how the county works do they lack understanding. Their suitability for this leadership position would then be questionable. While I don't totally agree or like some of the positions of the current County Commissioner, the lack of understanding already demonstrated by some of the candidates running to replace them is even more scary and could lead us (Sumter County) down a self-destructive path. Perhaps the old adage "better the devil you know than the devil you don't" has some play here. Think long and hard before you vote.
Thank you for clarification of the funding for the squares. The entertainment of course would continue irrespective of the current contribution from the County, as it is in the best interest of the surrounding business owners and the developers. The entertainment draws people who buy clothing, meals, golf equipment and near and dear to the developers, housing.

I am disappointed by your assessment that the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t . I have taken time to know the three challengers and what they stand for. I can assure you they are the furthest thing from being the devil. If responsible growth and representing the people of the County is bad then by all means support the incumbents.

I am surprised there is no mention of the fear tactics used by the incumbents showing the Portland OR riots inferring it could happen here is an embarrassment.

Incumbents are tightly in the pocket of the developers and if you are ok with that then continue to support. I for one am ready for a change. I for one am in favor of someone questioning the direction and not afraid to stand up for the people of Sumter County.

JoMar 08-15-2020 12:50 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy (Post 1817839)
Has it occurred to you that this rumor could have been started by one of the incumbents?
Pro Developer we all benefit, anti Developer we all lose.

jimjamuser 08-15-2020 12:52 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrGolf (Post 1817944)
Thank you for clarification of the funding for the squares. The entertainment of course would continue irrespective of the current contribution from the County, as it is in the best interest of the surrounding business owners and the developers. The entertainment draws people who buy clothing, meals, golf equipment and near and dear to the developers, housing.

I am disappointed by your assessment that the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t . I have taken time to know the three challengers and what they stand for. I can assure you they are the furthest thing from being the devil. If responsible growth and representing the people of the County is bad then by all means support the incumbents.

I am surprised there is no mention of the fear tactics used by the incumbents showing the Portland OR riots inferring it could happen here is an embarrassment.

Incumbents are tightly in the pocket of the developers and if you are ok with that then continue to support. I for one am ready for a change. I for one am in favor of someone questioning the direction and not afraid to stand up for the people of Sumter County.
So is the newspaper. A large part of the controversy here about entertainment, is that the facts are gray, nebulous. A truly free press and other media COULD help greatly to allow more people to have more INFORMED opinions and to make better decisions.

Schuvwj 08-15-2020 01:37 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoMar (Post 1817564)
I'm ok with the tax increase, compared to where I lived before I'm still ahead of the game. They could have raised them every year, probably should have, but then the posts here would be around what are they doing with the money. I happen to like living here and the services the County provides. I like the convenience and openness of the services. I like that they work closely with the Developer to provide forward and coordinated thinking and actions don't really care what that arrangement really is or isn't. I know the rest of the County needs support and hope this tax program will help them also. I'm not convinced that changing the team won't take us backwards, but then we will have something else to complain about here right?
That is exactly what they said in New York! We don’t need or want any of that crap!

JoMar 08-15-2020 05:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schuvwj (Post 1817989)
That is exactly what they said in New York! We don’t need or want any of that crap!
What crap?

jojo 08-15-2020 05:26 PM
Unfortunate heading
 
Given the current tensions in the commissioner race, it is truly unfortunate that this thread is labeled "no more entertainment at the squares." I'm not familiar with Mr. Miller but I do know that this is not an agenda item of Gary Search and Claude Estep. What a disservice to the challengers to make presumptions that are not the case.

angiefox10 08-15-2020 05:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jojo (Post 1818089)
Given the current tensions in the commissioner race, it is truly unfortunate that this thread is labeled "no more entertainment at the squares." I'm not familiar with Mr. Miller but I do know that this is not an agenda item of Gary Search and Claude Estep. What a disservice to the challengers to make presumptions that are not the case.
This is an over reaction to keep EMS from getting in. I assure you there will be entertainment at the squares. The Developers don't depend on that money for the entertainment. I can assure you of that.

One of the very first meetings I went to one of the commissioners made it clear that with them it was "one for all and all for one". That's exactly what we have seen over the years. No discussion.. 5 to 0 DONE!


What will be different with this election. If EMS gets voted in... It won't be one for all and all for one. Just because one feels that something will be a certain way, if the others don't agree, they will get to discuss and vote. We will start seeing 3 to 2 or 4 to 1 or maybe 5 to 0 but we will be seeing the different personalities come out and know what they are voting for and why.
__________________

angiefox10 08-15-2020 06:00 PM
The people who have started this rumor don't want EMS to win so no matter what, they won't let go of the rope. I only hope people are smart enough to see through it for what it is... .an election ploy.

Northwoods 08-15-2020 06:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by angiefox10 (Post 1818104)
The people who have started this rumor don't want EMS to win so no matter what, they won't let go of the rope. I only hope people are smart enough to see through it for what it is... .an election ploy.
You say it's a rumor. Did Oren say he would not vote to fund Square Entertainment?

You say The Developer will step in and fund square entertainment. Have you talked to The Developer? Have they given you assurances that they will step up to fund it?

You're assuming. That's a dangerous thing to do.


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