[Joan Testa]

Could someone give me a simple explanation of the difference between the Villages Homeowners Association and the Property Owners Association. I want join to stay informed and possibly participate in one but not both. Thanks!

[graciegirl]

Do both and you will decide which is most helpful.

I don't think either one is perfect. One is set up by the developer and the other is so anti developer at times it is too much for me.

[billethkid]

they both do essentially the same thing in that they profess to represent the interests of the residents.

One represents the developers perspective and the other the residents perspective.

Don't waste your time trying to determine which is better/more accurate/etc....it would be akin to trying to state which is the better political party/religion/etc.

I find it takes no more effort to take heed of what both have to say and reach my own conclusions.

btk

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Joan Testa

Could someone give me a simple explanation of the difference between the Villages Homeowners Association and the Property Owners Association. I want join to stay informed and possibly participate in one but not both. Thanks!

Property Owners, Association of Florida

The Villages Homeowners Association

[ilovetv]

This is it in a nutshell:

"One is set up by the developer and the other is so anti developer at times it is too much for me."

Both have their usefulness. And we chose our VHA reps and they are always caring and responsive to us constituents. Our VHA reps certainly don't know the developers, much less suck up to them. The reps do this because they care about keeping our town as pristine as the day we bought here.

[OldManTime]

In the early days I was deeply involved in the POA and its then mentor JG, and found that the hatred for the developer with his political choice, and the antics which bordered on illegal, led me to distance myself from them. The VHA is all about creating the atmosphere to sell more real estate, just my opinion, having belonged to both

[ureout]

even though we live in the best retirement community and it was an amazing dream of the founder who built this,.....we still have problems...I've been here 12 years and have NEVER seen the VHA tackle any problems that the residents have.....the POA is always taking up the tough issues and making the builder a little more honest....that being said I do also believe the VHA helps with things the developer wants done.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by ureout

even though we live in the best retirement community and it was an amazing dream of the founder who built this,.....we still have problems...I've been here 12 years and have NEVER seen the VHA tackle any problems that the residents have.....the POA is always taking up the tough issues and making the builder a little more honest....that being said I do also believe the VHA helps with things the developer wants done.

ureout: ureright. Too many villagers unfairly paint the POA as divisive and as recalcitrants. The Developer would have transferred his financial responsibilities to villagers more than one time but for the POA actions.

The POA has vastly improved under its change of leadership a few years back. Quite honestly my assessment of this change has proved me wrong thankful to the benefit of us all

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by Joan Testa

Could someone give me a simple explanation of the difference between the Villages Homeowners Association and the Property Owners Association. I want join to stay informed and possibly participate in one but not both. Thanks!

The VHA performs some worthwhile projects, like the golf-cart education classes. However, you should be aware that its establishment was backed by the Developer and its operations are subsidized by the Developer--in an effort to weaken or destroy the POA-- and its monthly bulletin either doesn't report or puts the Developer's spin on all controversies. In addition, the Developer, as the largest campaign contributor in the area if not the state, controls local government, and he owns the local newspaper, radio station, and TV channel.

Consequently, when, as has happened from time to time, and as will probably happen in the future, there is a conflict between the interests of the Developer and those of the residents, we only have the POA to represent us. For that reason alone, the POA is an organization that is worth joining and participating in.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by ureout

even though we live in the best retirement community and it was an amazing dream of the founder who built this,.....we still have problems...I've been here 12 years and have NEVER seen the VHA tackle any problems that the residents have.....the POA is always taking up the tough issues and making the builder a little more honest....that being said I do also believe the VHA helps with things the developer wants done.

Originally Posted by rubicon

ureout: ureright. Too many villagers unfairly paint the POA as divisive and as recalcitrants. The Developer would have transferred his financial responsibilities to villagers more than one time but for the POA actions.

The POA has vastly improved under its change of leadership a few years back. Quite honestly my assessment of this change has proved me wrong thankful to the benefit of us all

I agree. When I first moved here the POA was decidedly negative and definitely combative to the point of being counter productive. The change in leadership a few years ago changed all of that. In my opinion they are our watchdog.

They both publish a news bulletin which is distributed to all Villagers regardless of membership. Study each and make a decision which, or both, to support. Dues are minimal.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by downeaster

I agree. When I first moved here the POA was decidedly negative and definitely combative to the point of being counter productive. The change in leadership a few years ago changed all of that. In my opinion they are our watchdog.

They both publish a news bulletin which is distributed to all Villagers regardless of membership. Study each and make a decision which, or both, to support. Dues are minimal.

Agree - my recommendation would be to read them both and make your own decision - they are both good in their own different ways. Personally I like reading the letters in the POA.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by Joan Testa

Could someone give me a simple explanation of the difference between the Villages Homeowners Association and the Property Owners Association. I want join to stay informed and possibly participate in one but not both. Thanks!

All a person has to do is go out onto their driveway and pick up the next POA Bulletin and the next VHA Bulletin. In a very short time you will realize that the VHA seems to be of little value to we the Villagers. The VHA tends to lean strongly in the developers direction, while the POA eagerly takes on issues of concern to the Villages residents. I would find it difficult to list all the issues taken on by the POA which had a conclusion favoring the Residents. To answer you is so easy, both the POA and VHA bulletins were distributed recently, read both and without a doubt the differences will be very clear to you. The VHA paper has virtually nothing of interest while the POA paper is chock full of issues solved, ongoing and expected. The thought of not having the POA on our side is a bit scary.

[PaPaLarry]

I enjoy reading them both, but find more up to date information in the POA. Have to give them credit, they took on some tough issues, and with follow up. One that was important to us, was the issue with the siding. We had siding re installed correctly because of that. Also, never realized there were so many golf cart accidents, until I started reading them in the POA. Hats off to both organizations, even though I favor one over the other.

[Joan Testa]

Thank you all for your input.

[PennBF]

I would like to add my 2 cents. If there is a problem, (e.g. IRS, The Villages allocation of money, etc.etc.) who would a person go to for a serious, clean and non political response ? Obviously the POA who have NO INTEREST in the response other than what is good for the resident. The VHA allegedly has a developer perspective which is driven by a return on investment to the various developer business interests. There is nothing wrong with the Developer concentrating on his business profits but when they conflict with the Residents there is a need for a watchdog and the POA serves this purpose. I think it is fair to look at the VHA Leadership as allegedly a committee of the developer and The Village Management. This means it may not have the interests of the Residents as a priority.