[Kcwombat]

I’m new to TV, having moved here in September. I see frequent references to the developer on these forums, and a lot of them are really negative. I’m really curious as to what the cause of the negativity might be. I don’t know much about the politics of The Villages, but would love to hear (read) what you all think. So far I’m still in my honeymoon stage here. Looking forward to your input, and now, off to golf!

[bagboy]

Some are envious. Some are jealous. Some think they can run things better than the developer, but with no investment or risk. Etc.... stay in your honeymoon mode and enjoy the lifestyle.

[JohnN]

Originally Posted by bagboy

Some are envious. Some are jealous. Some think they can run things better than the developer, but with no investment or risk. Etc.... stay in your honeymoon mode and enjoy the lifestyle.

Agreed. Everyone is an expert on how the developer should be benefitting the masses.
Instead, it's capitalim. Enjoy TV

[wisbad1]

Originally Posted by Kcwombat

I’m new to TV, having moved here in September. I see frequent references to the developer on these forums, and a lot of them are really negative. I’m really curious as to what the cause of the negativity might be. I don’t know much about the politics of The Villages, but would love to hear (read) what you all think. So far I’m still in my honeymoon stage here. Looking forward to your input, and now, off to golf!

Cause they got sooo much money. Boo hoo hoo. They took a chance, not us. Don’t like it move to Dell Webb

[oldtimes]

///

[Laker14]

They are rich and powerful. They got that way by developing a very successful senior living development. They did that by having an idea, or a bunch of ideas, and they made it happen. They made it happen by not letting too many other folks try to tell them what to do, or how to do it. They still don't let many other people tell them what to do, or how to do it.
When it is in their best interests, they'll spread some money around, maybe get some political support for their developments based upon who they know, and who they've supported with political donations. Some people don't like that. Some don't care. Some think that's the American Way, and love it.

At times they were less than totally forthcoming about what their plans were for future development, and their agents spread misinformation about what they called "build-out"...to the point that the term "build-out" is now a joke. Some people are deeply resentful about what they feel was essentially a lie, others don't care. Others love it. They no longer, from what I hear, promote the idea that they are going to ever stop developing. Some people don't like that, some don't care, and others love it.

They do what they do, and are making a good buck doing it. They have never forced anybody to live here. Yet, the people keep coming.
And coming. And coming. Some residents don't like that, some don't care, and some love it.

[Mortal1]

Ignore anyones take on the villages owners or developers and just enjoy your time retired. Everyone who posts here has an angle...good person....bad person....whatever. Why base your feelings or received information when you don't know the poster or their views on things???

I base my opinion on how much I enjoy it here. That's it. Retirement should be less stress...not more and opinions(mine included)are like arseholes....everyone has one and they mostly stink. And remember that a famous man once said, " you can't talk to stupid people."

[Stu from NYC]

Keep reading the comments here.

You will find some people will always post negative comments about the developer and some will always post positive.

Overall they have done a great job building this place but they do have a lot of control over local govt.

Not thrilled about that but we are here 16 months now and very happy to be here.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Kcwombat

I’m new to TV, having moved here in September. I see frequent references to the developer on these forums, and a lot of them are really negative. I’m really curious as to what the cause of the negativity might be. I don’t know much about the politics of The Villages, but would love to hear (read) what you all think. So far I’m still in my honeymoon stage here. Looking forward to your input, and now, off to golf!

I think all comments, positive and negative, about the developer are silly. You buy a house and pay the amenity fees. If you don't get your money's worth, then go somewhere else. It's just a contract, like buying a car.

[stanley]

Some people will be miserable no matter where they are

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by stanley

Some people will be miserable no matter where they are

[perrjojo]

If you want to enjoy The Villages, you will. If you want to find reasons to be unhappy, you will. Some folks complain about everything. Some people don’t like change and TV is continuing to evolve. I like evolving better the becoming stale and stagnant.

[npwalters]

I recognize that some folks dislike the developers just because they are wealthy. That is, of course, stupid.

The current generation of "the developers" - the family - have earned disrespect by ignoring the promises made by the previous generation of their family. The plan to build high density apartments at the previous Hacienda country club site is the most egregious example. There have been many comments on that subject if you are interested.

Many residents were promised by Harold Schwartz that their homes would be centered around a country club and they would live that lifestyle for the rest of their life. Granted this promise was made orally and in person but the current family HAS to know it is true. They have chosen to break this promise and have gone to great lengths to make it happen.

I cannot respect any family (or organization) that will willingly break a promise made purely to make a few extra bucks.


BTW, I am a happy resident of TV. Being content does not mean one must be blind to what is happening around them.

[Ben Franklin]

I only have one complaint about the developer, and that is the use of socialism in place of impact fees. They are/were in bed with the politicians to get government to relax the impact fees, which means those of us already here pay for the impact created by those making the impact. But, it's not just this developer, they all do it. They even got the Governor to sign an impact fee ceiling. And then they turn around and tell us we need to accept personal responsibility.

With the impact of so many people, the roads will need to be widened, especially 301, from Warm Springs to Route 44. The other roads are Rolling Acres from 466 to 441 with 2 left hand turn lanes at 466 and Rolling Acres. Granted, those roads are not in TV, but they are impacted by the growing number of people in TV. Other than that, most things run pretty smoothly, at least what I'm aware of.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Ben Franklin

I only have one complaint about the developer, and that is the use of socialism in place of impact fees. They are/were in bed with the politicians to get government to relax the impact fees, which means those of us already here pay for the impact created by those making the impact. But, it's not just this developer, they all do it. They even got the Governor to sign an impact fee ceiling. And then they turn around and tell us we need to accept personal responsibility.

With the impact of so many people, the roads will need to be widened, especially 301, from Warm Springs to Route 44. The other roads are Rolling Acres from 466 to 441 with 2 left hand turn lanes at 466 and Rolling Acres. Granted, those roads are not in TV, but they are impacted by the growing number of people in TV. Other than that, most things run pretty smoothly, at least what I'm aware of.

They're not impacted by the growing number of people in TV. Rather, they are the direct result of the growing number of people in TV. The development of the Villages is the root cause of the need to widen those roads. Were it not for the further development of the Villages, the traffic would be less dense, and there would be no need to widen the roads.

Your tax dollars are paying for the expense created by the developer's choice to expand the community, precisely because they are granted heavy discounts on impact fees that developers in other parts of the state don't get.