[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Mostly because of the negativity. Not just in the paper they publish but it's members here who post a lot on TOTV are generally against the developer...... And really sound like they don't like the developer at all.

I don't know the developer and I don't know any of the negative people who frequently oppose him. I suspect that there is a lot of politics behind a lot of posts against him and his family..

I can't get all excited and mad because there aren't the parades like they used to have and the buffalo have left.

I still don't understand why the developer was sued by the president of the POA and those two lawyers who lived/live here and reportedly got a lot of money in their own pockets as a result of that law suit. Am I correct on that or not? The Morses seem to cross all of their tees and dot all of their i's in my book.

I always agree with Xavier and his post was very reasonable.

I could be wrong. I am not big on small issues. I like it here a lot and don't think a lot of things need to be fixed. In fact, I can't think of anything.

How about you Avogado. What issue comes to mind that the POA is really helping us with at the present? Are you one of the lawyers?

Maybe I can help you with a change that should have you very concerned. It is the relationship the Developer has with the VCCDD and the SLCDD. These two boards have the majority of the financial control within our community. These two boards are elected but sadly for the residents, the only property owner and voter in these districts is the Developer. Residents will NEVER have the opportunity to elect these board members. Do you think this is a good practice ??

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

Maybe I can help you with a change that should have you very concerned. It is the relationship the Developer has with the VCCDD and the SLCDD. These two boards have the majority of the financial control within our community. These two boards are elected but sadly for the residents, the only property owner and voter in these districts is the Developer. Residents will NEVER have the opportunity to elect these board members. Do you think this is a good practice ??

Yes I do. Absolutely. If you have ever watched a HOA board you would see for yourself. Everyone wants to run it and spend money on foolish things.

The developer keeps things running smoothly and we don't have to listen to board members who have big egos and not too much common sense.

[villagerjack]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Yes I do. Absolutely. If you have ever watched a HOA board you would see for yourself. Everyone wants to run it and spend money on foolish things.

The developer keeps things running smoothly and we don't have to listen to board members who have big egos and not too much common sense.

Agree with Gracie.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Yes I do. Absolutely. If you have ever watched a HOA board you would see for yourself. Everyone wants to run it and spend money on foolish things.

The developer keeps things running smoothly and we don't have to listen to board members who have big egos and not too much common sense.

Actually, when you think about it, the people in the United States get to vote for their representatives in Congress and that does not seem to be working well at all.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

I'm not a member of POA but I support the effort to have checks and balances.

One of the reasons I don't join POA is because of the obvious bias against, and even hatred of, the developer. The reporting in the POA Bulletin is often very sensationalistic and biased (more biased than the Daily Sun) and in some cases has told untruths. The funding of the live oaks park by the bridge on Morse is an example of where untruths were told but later clarified by VHA and facts.

I think we need both VHA and POA. VHA's goal is to keep TV pristinely kept, fiscally funded and managed, and fiscally solvent as well. The developer protecting his business assets here (banks, insurance and mortgage companies, and millions of square feet of commercial leasing properties) is simultaneously protecting OUR assets tied up in our homes. If the developer lets his business assets go to the dogs (which won't happen), home values go to the dogs right behind them.

In many ways, what's good for the developer's business here is good for us, too. We couldn't afford to live like this in other places, and in the first place, other places don't even HAVE what we have here, much less at an affordable price.

Does the POA have elections at some intervals? Perhaps a new group would be a little different and the paper would be a little different and it wouldn't strike me so much as trying to start something and make people all mad. Although it was really doing much better there for awhile, in my opinion.

I am not opposed to a watchdog organization. Maybe they need a retired journalist writing the paper. I just like facts reported and a good journalist usually does that with journalistic language and style. Sometimes the paper makes me mad and sometimes the paper is very ....well, better and more positive or something. .

I'd like a watchdog group to be helpful and watching out for our interests in a businesslike and respectful way. When small issues are paramount in the paper, then I am disappointed ...I guess they have to have something to write about.

We do need to see both sides and I do think the VHA is representative of the developer. I really shouldn't say either way, I don't belong to either. AND at this time don't see the need to belong to either.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Mostly because of the negativity. Not just in the paper they publish but it's members here who post a lot on TOTV are generally against the developer...... And really sound like they don't like the developer at all.

I don't know the developer and I don't know any of the negative people who frequently oppose him. I suspect that there is a lot of politics behind a lot of posts against him and his family..

I can't get all excited and mad because there aren't the parades like they used to have and the buffalo have left.

I still don't understand why the developer was sued by the president of the POA and those two lawyers who lived/live here and reportedly got a lot of money in their own pockets as a result of that law suit. Am I correct on that or not? The Morses seem to cross all of their tees and dot all of their i's in my book.


Villages developer to pay $40 million for recreation upgrades to settle a lawsuit - Orlando Sentinel

I always agree with Xavier and his post was very reasonable.

I could be wrong. I am not big on small issues. I like it here a lot and don't think a lot of things need to be fixed. In fact, I can't think of anything.

How about you Avogado? What issue comes to mind that the POA is really helping us with at the present? Are you one of the lawyers for them in an official way?

I like the golf cart accident reports and I like the articles about lightning.

GG You are an egalitarian but here is a situation where perhaps you might want to give it more thought.

The charge against the POA concerning its negativity and dislike for the Developer is absolutely incorrect.

Contrary to what most people know the POA has made every attempt to work with both the Developer and the VHA. In fact at one point they wanted to merge the POA and VHA organizations together but were snubbed.

Why did it not occur? It did not occur because the VHA gets funding from the Developer. The VHA essentially serves as a PR firm for him. He began the VHA in an attempt to eliminate the POA. Why? Because the POA takes him to task on responsibilities he ignores ergo the amenities Lawsuit (circa 2008). Ask yourself why is it the VHA's "Voice" is delivered with your Daily Sun but the POA is not?

Some villagers reaction to the POA's efforts remind me of the Gary Cooper character in High Noon. The towns people hire him to protect them and when he does they turn on him because he did what they asked of him.

I do not always agree with the POA but I am convinced that they are the only organization here which truly is on guard for residents.

I encourage you and others to reconsider your position on the POA

One more thing. A repeating theme on this blog seems to be that criticism of the Developer equates to hate, jealousy or bias. This in my view is in most situations factually incorrect because it is about the way the Developer (Villages Lake Sumter Inc.) does business

If a resident complains about a bank, an insurance company a restaurant, a contractor is it hate jealousy or bias? Hardly.


Personal Best Regards:

PS I forgot to mention that the POA have elections every year for every position in their organization

[mickey100]

That's it in a nutshell Rubicon. Thanks for posting. I especially liked your comments regarding criticism of the Developer equates to jealousy. That is so ridiculous, and yet that charge is made frequently. The POA has done a great job of being a watchdog for the residents, particularly in the instance of the multimillion dollar lawsuit a few years back. I view the POA as part of a system of checks and balances.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by rubicon

GG You are an egalitarian but here is a situation where perhaps you might want to give it more thought.

The charge against the POA concerning its negativity and dislike for the Developer is absolutely incorrect.

Contrary to what most people know the POA has made every attempt to work with both the Developer and the VHA. In fact at one point they wanted to merge the POA and VHA organizations together but were snubbed.

Why did it not occur? It did not occur because the VHA gets funding from the Developer. The VHA essentially serves as a PR firm for him. He began the VHA in an attempt to eliminate the POA. Why? Because the POA takes him to task on responsibilities he ignores ergo the amenities Lawsuit (circa 2008). Ask yourself why is it the VHA's "Voice" is delivered with your Daily Sun but the POA is not?

Some villagers reaction to the POA's efforts remind me of the Gary Cooper character in High Noon. The towns people hire him to protect them and when he does they turn on him because he did what they asked of him.

I do not always agree with the POA but I am convinced that they are the only organization here which truly is on guard for residents.

I encourage you and others to reconsider your position on the POA

One more thing. A repeating theme on this blog seems to be that criticism of the Developer equates to hate, jealousy or bias. This in my view is in most situations factually incorrect because it is about the way the Developer (Villages Lake Sumter Inc.) does business

If a resident complains about a bank, an insurance company a restaurant, a contractor is it hate jealousy or bias? Hardly.


Personal Best Regards:

PS I forgot to mention that the POA have elections every year for every position in their organization

You KNOW I respect your opinions Rubicon. I am glad to hear that elections are held frequently. It seemed to me that Joe someone was the president for a long time and now Elaine Driedame is now and was before Joe? There is a BETTER way to state criticism and write about difficulties and there are things that are important and threaten the quality of our life and our investment here and things that are just petty and not deserving of printer's ink.

I certainly am NOT the best person to judge. I only have my own views.

They could start improving by having someone else write the paper in MY opinion. Which is worth absolutely nothing. Except to Sweetie and Helene and Pooh and CFrance. I cannot change Redwitch's mind on anything but I still love her.

I will look up what Egalitarian means.

I think the developer should be criticized when he and his family, heirs and assigns do something wrong. It certainly doesn't happen very often in my view. AND if someone doesn't stop saying I am paid or rewarded by him, I am going to find the lawyers that the POA used and consult with them. I am just kidding. I don't sue people.

I will reconsider my views on the POA because you asked, Rubicon and because I respect you.

[Advogado]

Before she edited her post of yesterday to delete them, Graciegirl asked me two questions:
"How about you Avogado. What issue comes to mind that the POA is really helping us with at the present? Are you one of the lawyers?"

To specifically name just two of the major issues that the POA is helping us with at present:
1. Roofing issue, and
2. Siding issue.

The POA also helps inform Villagers about issues that are not reported in the Developer-owned Daily Sun. An example of this has been the series of articles in the POA Bulletin reporting on golf-cart accidents, which, until recently, the Sun never reported because they reflected unfavorably on the image of the carefree Villages lifestyle. The articles, I believe, have contributed to an increased awareness of the need to drive carefully when operating a golf cart.

Most importantly, the POA serves as a watchdog for residents-- to help ensure that the Developer, who controls all the media in The Villages, except the POA Bulletin, does not violate his obligations to us. A good example of that function is the current IRS investigation, where the POA is trying to ensure that any settlement entered into by the Developer-controlled Center Districts does not negatively impact Villagers.

Graciegirl also criticized the POA's involvement in the class-action suit against the Developer, which resulted in the Developer's paying Villagers $43 million to fix a deteriorating amenities system--which the Developer is contractually obligated to maintain. The basis and facts of that lawsuit have been extensively explained in earlier posts and in POA Bulletins. If you really feel the suit was wrong, you can certainly send the Developer a check for your share of the settlement. Say there were 50,000 homes at the time of the settlement-- your check made payable to The Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc. for $860 should square things.

This being said, I am not anti-Developer or anti-Villages. This is a great place to live and the Developer is an absolute genius in planning it and administering it. But I have seen enough of life to believe that people need to be vigilant in protecting their rights and to believe in the maxim about "all power corrupting"--and the Developer is pretty darn powerful here.

Finally, to answer the personal question that Graciegirl has again posed to me and that I have answered before: I am not an officer or director of the POA or a lawyer for the POA or any of its members nor have I ever been. I am merely interesting in seeing that the rights of yourself, other Villagers, and myself are protected.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Advogado

Before she edited her post of yesterday to delete them, Graciegirl asked me two questions:
"How about you Avogado. What issue comes to mind that the POA is really helping us with at the present? Are you one of the lawyers?"

To specifically name just two of the major issues that the POA is helping us with at present:
1. Roofing issue, and
2. Siding issue.

The POA also helps inform Villagers about issues that are not reported in the Developer-owned Daily Sun. An example of this has been the series of articles in the POA Bulletin reporting on golf-cart accidents, which, until recently, the Sun never reported because they reflected unfavorably on the image of the carefree Villages lifestyle. The articles, I believe, have contributed to an increased awareness of the need to drive carefully when operating a golf cart.

Most importantly, the POA serves as a watchdog for residents-- to help ensure that the Developer, who controls all the media in The Villages, except the POA Bulletin, does not violate his obligations to us. A good example of that function is the current IRS investigation, where the POA is trying to ensure that any settlement entered into by the Developer-controlled Center Districts does not negatively impact Villagers.

You also criticized the POA's involvement in the class-action suit against the Developer, which resulted in the Developer's paying Villagers $43 million to fix a deteriorating amenities system--which the Developer is contractually obligated to maintain. The basis and facts of that lawsuit have been extensively explained in earlier posts and in POA Bulletins. (Not clearly to my satisfaction) If you really feel the suit was wrong, you can certainly send the Developer a check for your share of the settlement. Say there were 50,000 homes at the time of the settlement-- your check made payable to The Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc. for $860 should square things.

This being said, I am not anti-Developer or anti-Villages. This is a great place to live and the Developer is an absolute genius in planning it and administering it. But I have seen enough of life to believe that people need to be vigilant in protecting their rights and to believe in the maxim about "all power corrupting"--and the Developer is pretty darn powerful here.

Finally, to answer the personal question that you have again posed to me and that I have answered before: I am not an officer or director of the POA or a lawyer for the POA or any of its members nor have I ever been. I am merely interesting in seeing that the rights of yourself, other Villagers, and myself are protected.

Thank you sir or madam. I feel a whole lot more comfortable about your views after this explanation.

I still say that...for some reason as we age our political views color a lot more than they used to. AND I still say that a lot of people are against the developer ONLY because of his large contributions to his favorite party.

I could be wrong. I frequently am. Ask Sweetie.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Thank you sir or madam. I feel a whole lot more comfortable about your views after this explanation.

I still say that...for some reason as we age our political views color a lot more than they used to. AND I still say that a lot of people are against the developer ONLY because of his large contributions to his favorite party.

I could be wrong. I frequently am. Ask Sweetie.

You are certainly wrong this time. I am a registered Republican. I will point out, however, the hypocrisy of the the Developer's donating to conservative causes while accepting tens of millions of dollars in corporate welfare by using tax-exempt bonds (which are, in effect, subsidized by the U.S. taxpayer) to finance his development of The Villages.

By the way, are you or are you not, going to send the Developer your check for $860 to refund your share of the class-action-lawsuit settlement that you have so vehemently criticized in several posts?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Advogado

You are certainly wrong this time. I am a registered Republican. I will point out, however, the hypocrisy of the the Developer's donating to conservative causes while accepting tens of millions of dollars in corporate welfare by using tax-exempt bonds (which are, in effect, subsidized by the U.S. taxpayer) to finance his development of The Villages.

By the way, are you or are you not, going to send the Developer your check for $860 to refund your share of the class-action-lawsuit settlement that you have so vehemently criticized in several posts?

You don't sound like a Republican. Morse didn't invent the CDD. Or did he?

I gotta say that if we tax payers subsidized this place, it was one of our better investments.

I will send in the money if you insist that how you view this issue is correct. You are a lawyer so you must speak the truth.

I always pay my bills. Comes from starting out with not much.

AND ending up with more than all my dreams come true.

[nitehawk]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

You don't sound like a Republican. He didn't invent the CDD. Or did he?

I gotta say that if we tax payers subsidized this place, it was one of our better investments.

Now, Now, gracie you are really getting political -- be careful

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

Now, Now, gracie you are really getting political -- be careful

I guess I will be turned in.

I hate when that happens.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

You don't sound like a Republican. Morse didn't invent the CDD. Or did he?

I gotta say that if we tax payers subsidized this place, it was one of our better investments.

I will send in the money if you insist that how you view this issue is correct. You are a lawyer so you must speak the truth.

I always pay my bills. Comes from starting out with not much.

AND ending up with more than all my dreams come true.

I insist that how I view this issue is correct. Please send the Developer $860 to refund your share of the class-action settlement.