If they did not have Duke's permission to do the extensive upgrades (and it appears that they didn't), I'm amazed at their arrogance and disregard of property rights. All I can figure is that someone in this group thought if they spent a period of time maintaining the property, they could claim in the future that they have access across the property through adverse possession. I believe the obvious liability issue along with the adverse possession issue is why Duke has acted.

Information(factual) that has never been provided regarding the infamous trail.
How much cart traffic is northbound versus southbound?

08.16.16...........I have to write this date down. Ok, got it.

I agree.

Me too (disregarding my sometimes warped sense of humor :D ), but don't you realize that those 20-30 extra carts a day from Stonecrest will clog and destroy the MMP's in TV? :loco:

Wellllll..........there you have it.

The only place that would really notice any increase in cart traffic is the bridge over 441 and Paradise Drive. After the bridge everyone spreads out to their destinations. I would much rather have golf carts in the parking areas than cars! You can get 4 carts in where it is parallel parking and 2 where it angle parking. Have you ever been to the town squares and had to park a long ways away? What would it be like if it was all carts? The non-Village people are STILL going to come here for the shopping and entertainment.

More cars, more traffic. Isn't Morse Blvd, 441 & 466 busy enough?

Believe it or not there are people living in the villages on a meager fixed income and choose not to have a car, they get to Walmart for cheap provisions and prescriptions via Golf cart. I feel for them. Some villagers, although not many, work in walmart and do not drive a car. They will be out of luck and a job.

Also, isn't that the reason the wall came down.

Rollie

BINGO! I absolutely HATE 441. I can literally get to wal-mart quicker by cart even though I go a mile out of the way using the cart bridge.
A LOT of those carts parked in the wal-mart lot will now be more freaking cars going 35 in a 45 on Hwy 441. UGH.

So I understand, can Villagers still get to Lowes but not Walmart by golf cart? If that is the case, Villagers still can get to both by golf cart by driving to the Buffalo Ridge Walmart, although a longer ride for many. I know that does not help the people who commute to their job by golf cart at the Walmart near Lowes. Never been to Aldi so can't comment on that.

...and when Mr. Brown shuts down his path, due to liability, Harbor Chase will be the only destination.

Disregarding 911 events, if all carts returned home, northbound and southbound would be equal. That would be my wild guess. :22yikes:

Maybe Duke put the sign up to protect against liability. If they really want to block cart traffic, a sign won't work.

and Mexico will pay for it!

To be more clear. Are there more carts from TV visiting Walmart, than there are Stonecrest carts visiting TV.

Agreed. The sign not going to stop traffic. Done to protect against lawsuits When someone tried to sue, they'll have ace in they're pocket. Only way to stop traffic would be gate and lock.

Signs only stop law bidding people or people that's not special.

If I was on a quiz program, my answer would be more carts from TV visit Walmart than Stonecrest carts visit TV. Because you need a card to open the gate to get into TV, no red button.

To any of you that cross that boundary of Duke Energy's "no trespassing" sign, would you want anyone crossing into an area that you deemed no trespassing? Didn't think so.

Did Duke put up that sign, or someone's joke?

Actually we have too many driving cars.

Ironically residents that live on the Historical side of TV and in that area get their electricity from Duke Energy. For years golf carts passed through Duke's property so customers of Duke could go to work, buy groceries, and get needed pharmacy supplies. Suddenly and without notice a no trespassing sign appears. One would wonder why they would treat their good customers in this manner. Was this cart path really that big of a liability issue? Really? Or is something else the problem here? Does Duke Energy "care" about the residents (their good customers) and what hardships this decision might cause? It appears Duke Energy has the power in more ways than one. Just a thought.

Might be Duke trying to entice Walmart to buy the trail thru the Duke property.

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I believe Mr Brown (a cousin of the Morse's) sold his property to the Morse's a couple years ago. Maybe the Morse's will shut down that portion of the path between Harbor Chase and the Lowe's etc shopping area.

.

Yep, that's my take on it.

They simply put a sign up to mitigate their liability.

After all, it would be very inexpensive to really stop golf cart traffic.

In about 30 minutes, a backhoe could dig a trench/berm across the trail that would stop even 4X4 ATV's from traversing the trail...if they had truly wanted to physically stop carts. :shrug:

A neighbor of mine up north who also happens to service my oil furnace told me of his no trespassing signs that a fat neighbor woman traversed, sued him and won because she tripped on his property and broke her ankle. Signs don't mean ****.

I don't doubt that it might occasionally happen whereby someone is still successfully sued with signs up (I would be curious as to what they based their successful lawsuit on, as I'm not sure you got the whole story from your neighbor :shrug: ), but I also know of many companies/entities that have avoided lawsuits because they installed no trespassing signs.

Trespass in Structure or Conveyance- Florida | Criminal Law

:wave:

There was already discussion on this very topic going on between Walmart and Duke over a year ago. It looked like they were going to come to an agreement until the wall and then gate went up.

This may be the first step. A fence may be next.

My yard man told me the scoop on this. I used Google Translator to put his words into English. It seems that the evil ones who run The Villages...I think they are collectively known as "They".....were sitting around drinking brandy and smoking illegal Cuban cigars, when Janet Tutt said she wished there were a way to deflect some of the daily criticism she receives. One of the minions who runs The Villages sign painting operation, suggested they use a ploy whereby another institution appears to do something so dastardly that Janet gets a few days respite. There you have it.

The only ones really harmed by this are the residents that only have the use of their golf carts as a means of transportation. Others can use their cars. That said, they can use the bridge over 441 for grocery and pharmacy medications. That said, it was a convenience and perhaps for a few a means to get to doctors and to work. One can only wonder how many fall into this category of being really "harmed" by this so called "liability issue" or whatever has caused this problem. I can completely understand the frustration of all (even the stone cresters) who wonder---really what is the big deal here.

just wanted to mention....if anyone knew this or not....but...we had friends visit and they rented a golf cart for $21 for 24 hours from the villages golf cart store.

so non-villagers can rent a golf cart anytime they choose, for a very low amount and use the paths that...we pay for...

so I really don't see the difference.....with stone crest using the paths as well....

either way.....homeowners see no profits from others using the property we supposedly financially support...

I think the important point is that they were your guests and you pay to maintain the MMPs. Just like your guests can use the pools, rec centers, and executive courses, that you pay to maintain. The people in Stonecrest are not your guests.

Thank you for giving a good chuckle!!! That said, I can understand the frustration of folks for sure. I'd bet just as many Villagers use that trail, as do Stonecresters. But the utility has a right to put up such signs. It has nothing to do with our developer.

The signs are on either side of the path, and observation today indicates interpretation is that it means stay on the path. It's business as usual and everyone is happy.

That's funny.

If Walmart, Aldies, & Lowes would just agree to pay that % of revenue to TV that the other merchants do, we'd have none of these problems on that side of the road.

Personally, I'd be willing to pay an extra annual fee to TV for a Golf Cart sticker to have access to that Walmart etc. and a maintained path. It's always about $, so a reasonable fee for TV residents and the other communities would probably make everybody happy and a little more money in the Morse family's coffers which is always important. You know the merchants love the business and those that use it wouldn't mind a small fee. Not so different than a toll or paying for parking.

Instead, we have to pretend it's about all these other issues when it's just profits. No different than paying a parking fee. For that matter, why not sell access to TV amenities for the surrounding communities as well? No different than joining a country club. Price it high enough so that you don't get riffraff and make money to boot. Keeps the monthly fee for TV residents lower too. Problems solved!

Has any Duke customer called to ask?

Actually, these particular friends of ours rent golf carts all the time.....long before we ever became friends....they said they enjoy driving around the squares and homes just for the heck of it.....as long as the cart is back before 8:30 when the store closes...so

I still stand behind.....anyone...with out any qualifications....can rent a golf cart from villages golf carts and use the paths,

Friends of residents or not....

Nobody is arguing the point that anyone can rent a golf cart and drive around on the MMP paths - there is no way to prevent that. You said you didn't see the issue with residents of Stonecrest having access to the MMP paths. I see an issue with that. They don't pay to maintain them so they shouldn't be granted access. Just like we don't grant them access to the pools, rec centers, or executive golf courses which are all maintained by the fees you pay to the CDD.