[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by Bucco

I know that nobody cares about my opinion but that never stopped me before

I was done with this thread until I read the owners are pulling a "scam" and complaints about being pushed toward their owned or endorsed insurance companies, etc.

In 1999, NOBODY...NOBODY would open a business here. The family wanted a full service community and spent so much money and time BEGGING companies, stores, etc to come to The Villages. I mean they spent almost all there time begging.

In order to keep the dream alive they started their own business in a lot of areas. Soon Win Dixie came...not sure of the timing on that but they were the first to "take a chance" in The Villages. Soon, the success was apparent and they began to come.

I have no problem with the developer pushing business into companies and/or businesses he created to serve the resident.

Again, I do not know if anyone ever took the course to learn about the CDDs where you learn and could inquire and ask whatever you want about any aspect of it. Nothing was hidden......everyone knew the family was working overtime to get services here and THEY BROUGHT THEM HERE...none of you posters did.

The commercial business in The Villages did not just get here nor did those business's "discover" The Villages.

If you are going to call the family scam artists or whatever, then please do your research before just simply calling them names

I agree. The Villages was out in the middle of "no where". The Residents needed a bank..the developers provided one..needed a mortgage company, the need was filled, needed insurance company .needed medical services and hospitals. These services and MANY others were provided to ensure the success of the developement and the developers made money but, guess what? We all benefited!

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

And I have always wondered how YOU hope it turns out.

I hope the matter is resolved to everybody's satisfaction, and the residents, who did nothing wrong, don't get stuck paying the bill.

[mickey100]

Agree - it certainly is the most important issue that we as residents are facing. We're very grateful that the POA is doing such a great job of reporting.

Originally Posted by Advogado

The IRS investigation is moving slowly, and I am not impressed with the IRS's handling of it. However, it is, by far, the most important issue facing Villagers today. As the investigation creeps along, the Center Districts are losing "over and over". Thus, the subject appears here "over and over".

It is not a bad idea for Villagers to keep up with developments in an issue that potentially could have a huge impact on them. The easiest way to keep up with the factual developments is to follow reports in the POA Bulletin, since the VHA newsletter and Daily Sun have both failed miserably in their obligation to objectively report on the matter and the Orlando Sentinel seems to have lost interest. Since the TOTV is a forum to exchange views concerning matters of interest to Villagers, it certainly seems appropriate that the subject of the IRS investigation appear "over and over" here.

[PennBF]

A very famous Comedian who has a very large staff once said in an interview that it is easy to manage persons/employees who are knowledgeable and rather smart and know it as they have educated themselve on subjects. It is
very hard to manage persons/employee's who have not done their homework,
are not very smart BUT believe they are. Who have given or provided
opinions have actually studied the subjects and are knowledgeable as opposed to those who rely on what they want reality to be and really don't know the facts or background. How many can describe the policies/practices
of the Amenities vs Project Wide, how many can describe what decisions have been by their CDD's and why, how many have educated themselves on the IRS issue and understand the potential impacts on the residents, how many can discuss the difference between a person selling real estate in The Villages vs an outside real estate agency, how many have taken the time to get involved in residents issues, how many can discuss the various requirements to open and run a business in The Villages, how many have actually been involved in the changes and background of The Villages entertainment practices and policy real or potential future impacts on the residents, how many truly understand how the village's management who set policy and practices are elected or appointed, who controls them and how the system works. Hopefully I have made my point that if someone is going to offer an opinion they should know the history, background and the details of what they are talking about. They should not rely on rumors, what they
would like it to be vs what it really is or worse just guess.

[Skybo]

Originally Posted by PennBF

How many can describe the policies/practices of the Amenities vs Project Wide, how many can describe what decisions have been by their CDD's and why, how many have educated themselves on the IRS issue and understand the potential impacts on the residents, how many can discuss the difference between a person selling real estate in The Villages vs an outside real estate agency, how many have taken the time to get involved in residents issues, how many can discuss the various requirements to open and run a business in The Villages, how many have actually been involved in the changes and background of The Villages entertainment practices and policy real or potential future impacts on the residents, how many truly understand how the village's management who set policy and practices are elected or appointed, who controls them and how the system works. Hopefully I have made my point that if someone is going to offer an opinion they should know the history, background and the details of what they are talking about. They should not rely on rumors, what they
would like it to be vs what it really is or worse just guess.

No...I don't know the answer to most of those questions. I assume that you do, so could you please fill me in?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by PennBF

A very famous Comedian who has a very large staff once said in an interview that it is easy to manage persons/employees who are knowledgeable and rather smart and know it as they have educated themselve on subjects. It is
very hard to manage persons/employee's who have not done their homework,
are not very smart BUT believe they are. Who have given or provided
opinions have actually studied the subjects and are knowledgeable as opposed to those who rely on what they want reality to be and really don't know the facts or background. How many can describe the policies/practices
of the Amenities vs Project Wide, how many can describe what decisions have been by their CDD's and why, how many have educated themselves on the IRS issue and understand the potential impacts on the residents, how many can discuss the difference between a person selling real estate in The Villages vs an outside real estate agency, how many have taken the time to get involved in residents issues, how many can discuss the various requirements to open and run a business in The Villages, how many have actually been involved in the changes and background of The Villages entertainment practices and policy real or potential future impacts on the residents, how many truly understand how the village's management who set policy and practices are elected or appointed, who controls them and how the system works. Hopefully I have made my point that if someone is going to offer an opinion they should know the history, background and the details of what they are talking about. They should not rely on rumors, what they
would like it to be vs what it really is or worse just guess.

Alright...Please explain what are the requirements to open and run a business in The Villages.

You have offered an impression that you know how this is done and what made you mention that part?

[PennBF]

I don't think that anywhere in my note/input I indicated I was an authority on the subjects although there has been a number of implied knowledge by others with a minimum of analysis and absent of the detailed supporting data. I think, given the right forum I could give some details regarding the differences/abuses between amenities and project wide. I would truly be interested if anyone can isolate one of the subjects in my note and provide a true detailed analysis.
Regarding the direct question as to "opening a business" in the Villages. It would be relevant to understand what percentages the Owners are allowed to take home, why some close, is there any dscussion as to what support the residents will provide, (e.g. usage of Project Wide funding from residents,etc) to absorbe/assume costs to some business? Describing basic business attributes does not describe The Villages policies and practices. How many regulary attend their CDD meetings, etc.?
Again, it would be interesting if any of these subjects have in fact been studied in detail and what were the results? As defined in the Oxford Dictionary a question is "raising an issue for further consideration or discussion". It should not be used to try to damage the person raising a question. That is a good way to destroy discussion

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Bucco

As a vet of the political board, I must admit I am a bit taken back by these accusations aimed at some unknown poster.

Mocking....stalking....pretty serious charges !!

Does this kind of thing actually happen on here ? I am used to barbs, etc on the political forum (closed and ceremoniously piled on by folks who never were there and admit to it), and to my knowledge anything on the political was pretty much upfront (you could see it).

I may be naive but if the accusations made are accurate, the political area may have been the most civil.

Bucco: Amen! I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. A part of this seems to be associated with the different outlook people have toward the Developer. Some seem to view this Enitity in a paternalistic manner while others see this Entity at minimum as a very agressive (take no prisoners) businessman while the IRS Proposal of Issues implied more.

Another part of it is The Villages concept while not new has been expanded well beyond anyone's expectations and with this expansion has brought new and unusual problems, not to forget its benefits.

So that one way or another people are either fearful of, anxious or both as to what the future is holding for its residents.

Personally I believe it is a huge mistake to view the original Developer or its predecessors in a paternalistic light in the same manner and reason it applies to corporations which of course the Developer is. You may love a corporation but as many people can attest a corporation can't and won't love you back. And that's ä fact, Jack.

[Moderator]

This thread is hopelessly off topic and will be closed.

These personal back and forth attacks will not be tolerated. Please either use the ignore user function, report posts that you think are personal, or take a break from the board. This board is no one's bully pulpit.

It is a place for an open, civil exchange of ideas and information.