[Altavia]

Originally Posted by kingofbeer

These guys will be shut down. Only a fool would try to battle the big guys in court. The Villages does not want these drone operators talking about when the supermarket is going to be built in Eastport because this causes potential buyers to not want to buy in the Eastport area. The drone operators are harming the developer and this could result in damages.

I can't disagree the battle will be lopsided likely unfair, and maybe risky...

But you don't need a drone given information can be found in public records (e.g. permits) and most everything is now visible from public roads. The skill is knowing how to piece together the puzzle.

For example, easy to know what the next Village be will be - they start the mail station first.

The Villages has its own internal leaks via employees, contractors, suppliers, sales staff, etc. For example, The Middleton and Eastport grocery store info was first disclosed in the Villages map app. Of course that info was removed when someone pointed it out.

Groceries in Middleton/Eastport?

So seems hard to claim these drone guys are disclosing much of anything not already publically available and/or visible to those willing to do the research and put the story together. The drone guys are just telling the story with beautiful videos.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Are there really that many buyers who will be concerned that the Developer does not want drone operators broadcasting their projects under development? It would not have impacted my decision one bit.

No one will NOT buy because they read the developer is trying to ground drones.

The point everyone is making, is potential new buyers use the drone videos to learn about the villages and get excited about buying.
the developers videos don’t generate excitement.

[Tvflguy]

Does anyone believe that IF the Developer saw a loophole to block outside Real Estate firms from listing/selling used homes with TV… that they would jump on that???

You bet…. CONTROL and $$$$.

[Altavia]

The Villages Issues Cease And Desist To Drone Pilots: Complex Legal Battle Takes Flight

Summary of the situation so far from DroneXL.co, an Amazon Associate.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by Altavia

The Villages Issues Cease And Desist To Drone Pilots: Complex Legal Battle Takes Flight

Summary of the situation so far from DroneXL.co, an Amazon Associate.

Interesting read, thanks for posting.

[Arlington2]

Originally Posted by Altavia

The Villages Issues Cease And Desist To Drone Pilots: Complex Legal Battle Takes Flight

Summary of the situation so far from DroneXL.co, an Amazon Associate.

The article highlights this is in a legal grey area. Regardless of sympathies, I would not bet against the developers with their near unlimited money pockets, deep political connections and ruthless treatment of opposition. Good luck Don Wiley and friends. I assume he has set up a GoFundMe account.

[Tvflguy]

One picture worth.,,

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Arlington2

I would not bet against the developers with their near unlimited money pockets, deep political connections and ruthless treatment of opposition.

Very sound advice. Regardless of right or wrong, that’s a war of financial attrition that simply can’t be won by the common person.

[Tvflguy]

Anyone know when the next “Night out with the Developer”, or whatever it’s called is???

Or will they now cancel these meetings?

I would have to believe that this would be a hot topic…,

[justjim]

I’m always for the underdog and have little love for a bully. It seems to me that the “drone flyers” do much good by marketing The Villages through their videos. They provide information on what is new and exciting being developed for future residents of this place known as “Florida friendliest hometown”. Maybe not so friendly anymore…

[Catfishjeff]

Originally Posted by Arlington2

The article highlights this is in a legal grey area. Regardless of sympathies, I would not bet against the developers with their near unlimited money pockets, deep political connections and ruthless treatment of opposition. Good luck Don Wiley and friends. I assume he has set up a GoFundMe account.

Well here we go. This PR disaster has hit the media. First it’s local TV then it will be national media. And before The Villages know it, it will be all over the world and their market will collapse. Whoever made this decision should be fired instantly. And they better get some damage control PR professionals on board quickly or they are looking at their billions of dollars disappearing. This is another Bud Light. Another Disney “Don’t Say Gay” disaster. Let’s put a few hundred drones (legally) over the construction areas and make sure the media knows we are doing it.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Catfishjeff

Well here we go. This PR disaster has hit the media. First it’s local TV then it will be national media. And before The Villages know it, it will be all over the world and their market will collapse. Whoever made this decision should be fired instantly. And they better get some damage control PR professionals on board quickly or they are looking at their billions of dollars disappearing. This is another Bud Light. Another Disney “Don’t Say Gay” disaster. Let’s put a few hundred drones (legally) over the construction areas and make sure the media knows we are doing it.

I agree with you on some things, but national TV or all over the world coverage, probably not. Will this local news cause TV to collapse? I doubt it. Maybe water issues, ground collapse, or closure of all golf courses, but drone war, I doubt will change residents running and screaming into the night. Much less no houses will ever be sold. Now the Mortgage rate, that definitely makes one pause, on a house that could be for investment, or vaca home.

We enjoy Don’s videos, sometimes it’s just hard to figure out where all that vacant land is, and come up with an imaginary town, or village. Both our boys have visited TV multiple years, one gets Vmail because of lifestyle visit.
They don’t watch drone videos. Didn’t realize they existed except for Vmail.

Will they still buy, yes, one actively looking. But their thought process, no point in knowing what’s coming, because it will be gone, before you want it.

As far as bud light, disaster, no idea because we drink craft beer.

But Disney “don’t “ may have some Older gens angry. But also there are those parents and grandparents with alternative lifestyle family, who may not totally agree with their lifestyle, Still Love their children and grandchildren, no matter what they choose.

Have you been to Disney lately? It’s as crowded as always. Some days I hope for thunderstorms just to curb the crowds.
Universal on the other hand, on some days you can walk 6 across and never interfere, with someone. New Epic will bring in crowds to that park, leaving their other two parks even less crowded.

[VAtoFLA]

Originally Posted by Tvflguy

One picture worth.,,

That picture isn't worth much in this case. That sign covers the ground, not the air space. They can put anything they want on a sign. The problem is they have the deep pockets to try and bully residents into voluntary compliance using threats and influence.

That drone and its camera is no more in the Eastport construction site than a traffic helicopter is on the freeway or a plane that flies over my house in my yard.

[Altavia]

From the local news.

Drone pilots ordered to stop flying over The Villages – WFTV

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Altavia

From the local news.

Drone pilots ordered to stop flying over The Villages – WFTV

What’s being discussed, is a fundamental change in the people’s expectation of privacy and I don’t see that the 1st Amendment gives anyone more than the right to “speak”, but not “peep”.

How about if you enjoy having a nude pool parties? You build a 9’ wall around your pool, so no one can see. Your nosy neighbor rents a “boom truck” to trim some trees in his yard, but also snaps some photos of your nude pool party. Fair & reasonable?

You’re Disney World and you come up with an idea for an attraction, that no one’s ever thought of. You start to build it and Universal Studios sends its drones up, to see what you’re building. Fair?

You’re a Mall owner and want to make a big splash, when a new store opens in your mail, so you “black out” all the windows, while construction/fitup of the new store is going on. We see it every day and no one bats an eyelash at such attempts at privacy.

You’re giving a birthday party for your 17 year old daughter and pay $1,000,000 for Taylor Swift to perform at the party. It’s ok if the local TV station parks their drone overhead, to film and records her performance and shows it on their 11 pm news?

How many events have you been to in your life, where there’s a sign at the gate that says: No Cameras allowed? We may not like it, but we expect it. It’s only fair.

Everyone expects “privacy” behind closed doors & windows, but we shouldn’t have the same privacy from above? Lateral privacy is expected, but vertical is not?

The Developer (for whatever reasons) is pursuing a course of action, that will only serve to protect everyone’s personal rights. You may not like his motivation, but his motive serves to protects our own best interests and expectations.

Just because there’s a “business interest" involved, doesn't make the cause any less noble.

If the Developer wants to control the narrative about his business and plans, that should be his right. The erosion of personal rights and perogatives, is something we should all abhor.

Personally, I think Don Wiley’s motivations are legitimate. He simply wants to provide accurate information. I don’t think the Developer has any interest in torturing him (although his recent social media posts seem inflammatory).

The others, I’m not so sure about. Mr. Wiley runs a business, the majority of drone “operators” are nothing more than voyeurs of some sort or another and may be in for a rude awakening. I support the Developer's position, 1000% and it's about time someone with deep pockets, took on this threat to our privacy and life as we knew it.