[Northwoods]

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.

[kathyspear]

I thought the business owners paid for the nightly entertainment. No?

kathy

[Nucky]

10 out of 10 Pinocchios!

File with Duke Golf Cart Path and Historical Bridge being ripped down thread. Another no go.

[Two Bills]

Squares entertainment sell houses.
They will continue!

[CanTho]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

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 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.

[Goldwingnut]

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.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

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 have no idea if you are factual or not.

Provide a link to the alleged post or retract the claim.

[Marathon Man]

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?

[Neils]

Wondering why the County Commission candidates would desire to damage the County that they want to represent?
The developer built a nice place here hence it grows exponentially. Yes he makes a nice profit from willing buyers of his product. Is that Bad?

[Northwoods]

Hopefully I've uploaded the file correctly. He's said it on multiple threads. He would not use the $120,000 for square entertainment. He would expect the developer to pay for it.
Here is a link...
Sumter County Politics Public Group | Facebook

[Northwoods]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

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.

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.

Wise words Goldwingnut. Below is another thread (from a different Facebook group) where Oren Miller says again he would stop funding square entertainment.

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

Hopefully I've uploaded the file correctly. He's said it on multiple threads. He would not use the $120,000 for square entertainment. He would expect the developer to pay for it.
Here is a link...
Sumter County Politics Public Group | Facebook

Thanks, Mr. Miller's comments just proved my point from above, he doesn't realize what the developer is actually already paying half, if not more, and demonstrating his lack of knowledge and understanding of even simple things in Sumter County.

Being anti-developer is not the same as being pro-resident. There are many win-win issues for the residents, the county, and the developer. Killing the cow today may put steak on the table tonight but you'll yearn for the milk and the cheese come tomorrow and all the days after.

[billethkid]

Quite an extrapolation from "... heard from SOMEONE running for commissioner..."

Hence the extrapolation is the someone heard is elected.
The someone heard single handedly opposes spending of certain monies.

And everybody else would just fold and go along witht the newbie commissioner.

This definitely goes in the bridge be gone and build out files!!

[Stu from NYC]

Interesting information.

Now it has us thinking about whom to vote for.

I think that free entertainment will continue but if the county stops paying its share where will the funds needed to fund this come from?

[The Caretaker]

Everyone needs to consider what and who affects your lifestyle and VALUE of your home!!
Trust me 20+ yrs as a Realtor.