[bimmertl]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Doesn't this say that? Or am I reading incorrectly?

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

You have been beating this dead horse on this site for years and all you have proven is your lack of understanding of the litigation process and your extreme bias towards the developer. And, as usual, any factual statements which, despite being 100% factual, which reflect negatively on the wonderful developer, are considered "negative". Better not read the latest POA and read how Morse feels about pond maintenance costs and who should pay.

This settlement included a confidentiality agreement. Normally that covers the amount of the settlement but that is well known. No doubt during the discovery process things were brought to light that were less than favorable to Morse which prompted him caving in and offering to settle. So none of the parties, including the attorney can discuss anything they may have discovered.

In addition, it's not easy being a named plaintiff against one of the most powerful developers in the state.

The settlements were approved by a judge so any thoughts such as yours regarding some unjust enrichment are simply incorrect.

To put things in the most understandable terms, Morse bought their silence. Doubt many of them even made the minimum wage if you ever added up the hours they spent on this multi million dollar settlement.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by bimmertl

You have been beating this dead horse on this site for years and all you have proven is your lack of understanding of the litigation process and your extreme bias towards the developer. And, as usual, any factual statements which, despite being 100% factual, which reflect negatively on the wonderful developer, are considered "negative". Better not read the latest POA and read how Morse feels about pond maintenance costs and who should pay.

This settlement included a confidentiality agreement. Normally that covers the amount of the settlement but that is well known. No doubt during the discovery process things were brought to light that were less than favorable to Morse which prompted him caving in and offering to settle. So none of the parties, including the attorney can discuss anything they may have discovered.

In addition, it's not easy being a named plaintiff against one of the most powerful developers in the state.

The settlements were approved by a judge so any thoughts such as yours regarding some unjust enrichment are simply incorrect.

To put things in the most understandable terms, Morse bought their silence. Doubt many of them even made the minimum wage if you ever added up the hours they spent on this multi million dollar settlement.

bimmertl: I agree with most of what you said. However this was suppose to be a class action suit and to support that claim the POA and the Developer both made an attempt to alert residents that if they disagreed with the settlement then they could give notice and opt out. the confidentiality agreement is also a mystery to me and I suspect those residents north of 466 might have wanted to know if it could have adversely affect them since this was a class action.

I was told the case was settled some 15 weeks after it was filed but can't support that claim. I guess if one has a copy of the original filing to the county and a copy of the settlement agreement they could determine the life of this lawsuit by checking the corresponding dates .

As to the amounts paid to the plaintiff attorneys and the plaintiffs I have two thoughts. The first is that $6.3 million is indeed a very generous return. I am unaware of the rationale for both the attorney payment and plaintiffs? However my main criticism was that this was the first offer and the plaintiffs jumped at it. Was this the best that could have been realized? Did the plaintiffs really serve the best interests of residents? A March 18th meeting was hastily made following the settlement only because the particulars of the plaintiffs amounts were released by an Orlando paper and not by the POA or Developer which led some residents to question what happened? The attorney who was paid $6.3 million did a really bad job of explaining and in fact never did explain but lamented that two very nice attorneys from the Developer stopped by..........................Can anyone envisage the developer or any attorney in the midst of a litigation as being "nice"?

Perhaps it was a good settlement but there are more questions than answers given. Basic Negotiations 101 tells you not to take the first offer

Having said all of that the fact remains that the POA is the only defense residents have and the only organization protecting their financial interests and to describing them as always complaining ,negative etc is tantamount to political correctness. THEY ARE DOING THEIR JOB FOR YOUR BENEFIT SHOW THEM SOME SUPPORT

[OBXNana]

We read every thread on this site concerning HOA VS POA. We joined both about a month ago. It's very possible we are simply indecisive. We felt for the small amount of the donation to each organization, in our minds, they are polar opposite and our donation helped to keep a check and balance system going.

[wudda1955]

Originally Posted by TheVillageChicken

I assumed that the "us" was POA and the "them" was Developer.

That's exactly what I meant. Thank you. Guess I need to learn to be very specific in the future.

[PennBF]

How many know that the members of the POA Board at the time PUT UP THEIR OWN MONEY TO SUPPORT THE CASE AGAINST WHAT WAS GOING ON. THEY PUT THEIR OWN MONEY AT RISK TO HELP PROTECT THE RESIDENTS. HOW MANY OUT THERE RIGHT NOW ARE WILLING TO DO THAT. THEY STOOD A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF LOSING AND THEY WOULD HAVE LOST THEIR MONEY WHILE TRYING TO PROTECT THE RESIDENTS. IN ADDITION THEY HAD LIMITED FUNDS WHILE I THINK IT COULD BE SAID THE DEVELOPER ESSENTIALLY HAD UNLIMITED FUNDS TO FIGHT THE CASE. WHO WON?? THE RESIDENTS AND IT IS A REAL SIN TO HEAR ANYONE CHALLENGE THE POA'S DEDICATION TO DOING WHAT IS RIGHT REGARDLESS WHERE THE BALL LANDS. THEY ARE ONE HECK OF A DEDICATED GROUP AND WE ARE ALL MUCH BETTER OFF BY THEIR BEING HERE FOR US.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by PennBF

How many know that the members of the POA Board at the time PUT UP THEIR OWN MONEY TO SUPPORT THE CASE AGAINST WHAT WAS GOING ON. THEY PUT THEIR OWN MONEY AT RISK TO HELP PROTECT THE RESIDENTS. HOW MANY OUT THERE RIGHT NOW ARE WILLING TO DO THAT. THEY STOOD A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF LOSING AND THEY WOULD HAVE LOST THEIR MONEY WHILE TRYING TO PROTECT THE RESIDENTS. IN ADDITION THEY HAD LIMITED FUNDS WHILE I THINK IT COULD BE SAID THE DEVELOPER ESSENTIALLY HAD UNLIMITED FUNDS TO FIGHT THE CASE. WHO WON?? THE RESIDENTS AND IT IS A REAL SIN TO HEAR ANYONE CHALLENGE THE POA'S DEDICATION TO DOING WHAT IS RIGHT REGARDLESS WHERE THE BALL LANDS. THEY ARE ONE HECK OF A DEDICATED GROUP AND WE ARE ALL MUCH BETTER OFF BY THEIR BEING HERE FOR US.

Where is this information wrtitten?

[JoMar]

I read it then trash it......it seems that people move here then want to find ways to change stuff in the "name" of helping the residents. Do we really believe that money awarded comes out of someone's pocket other than the commercial business's or the residents. Those that pay the penalty's will find a way to recoup those costs. And to suggest that the POA personnel didn't get paid, then do an "oops" when proof is presented and then somehow justify that they deserved it is what creates the followers without facts mentality and allows the us against them mentality to grow. Neither the POA or the HOA, as I understand it, have standing so the only way to accomplish anything is through the courts and all of us pay for that. I agree with gracigirl....they do a great job here, much better than HOA's with standing in other communities across this country but yet, there is a group that isn't satisfied unless they create controversy. End of rant.

[PennBF]

1. The Board members did support the case for the residents by putting their own money up. 2. The money awarded is going back into the community and into the Paradise Rec. Center which was bady in disarray. 3. Yes the Board members who took the risk did get their investment back which was a decision of the courts. 4. THe court decided the Villages were entitled to the award which was infavor of the residents and to be paid by the Developer 5. The argument that the Residents were potentially responsible for the award they were also who received the benefits of the award, (e.g. Cart paths refurbished, Paradise made whole, etc.etc.). One writer mentioned that the HOA as an organization who supports the activities of the Developer. As I understand it the POA was supported by the Developer before the lawsuit. After the lawsuit (which the POA was held correct by the courts), the Developer no longer supported a POA and was instrumental in forming the HOA.
There is no question the Developer(s) have done a magnificant job in establishing and building The Villages and we all owe them a great vote of gratitude BUT that does not mean the POA is wrong, just that it continues to provide an additional "check and balance" which we should all be thankful for. Those that want to destroy a check and balance would not want the same process and procedures for the Government.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by PennBF

1. The Board members did support the case for the residents by putting their own money up. 2. The money awarded is going back into the community and into the Paradise Rec. Center which was bady in disarray. 3. Yes the Board members who took the risk did get their investment back which was a decision of the courts. 4. THe court decided the Villages were entitled to the award which was infavor of the residents and to be paid by the Developer 5. The argument that the Residents were potentially responsible for the award they were also who received the benefits of the award, (e.g. Cart paths refurbished, Paradise made whole, etc.etc.). One writer mentioned that the HOA as an organization who supports the activities of the Developer. As I understand it the POA was supported by the Developer before the lawsuit. After the lawsuit (which the POA was held correct by the courts), the Developer no longer supported a POA and was instrumental in forming the HOA.
There is no question the Developer(s) have done a magnificant job in establishing and building The Villages and we all owe them a great vote of gratitude BUT that does not mean the POA is wrong, just that it continues to provide an additional "check and balance" which we should all be thankful for. Those that want to destroy a check and balance would not want the same process and procedures for the Government.

I don't like the negativity. It isn't a watch dog to me. It is a mad dog.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Doesn't this say that? Or am I reading incorrectly?

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

Gee...that's the way I read it.

[PennBF]

Unfortunately there are some that have a blinded devotion to the Developer and in a few cases it goes beyond reasonable logic.Of course it is their right to have this opinion but it does not give the right to call others names. The same people they ae defaming are the ones who are working so hard to protect their quality of life. We are so lucky to have a POA that remains detached from being aligned to any person or organization and honest and courages in their pursuit of the truth. If you attend one of their monthly meeting you will see anywhere from 300-500 residents in attendance and they all can't be wrong?

[graciegirl]

I think it's blind devotion, not blinded.

.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by PennBF

1. The Board members did support the case for the residents by putting their own money up. 2. The money awarded is going back into the community and into the Paradise Rec. Center which was bady in disarray. 3. Yes the Board members who took the risk did get their investment back which was a decision of the courts. 4. THe court decided the Villages were entitled to the award which was infavor of the residents and to be paid by the Developer 5. The argument that the Residents were potentially responsible for the award they were also who received the benefits of the award, (e.g. Cart paths refurbished, Paradise made whole, etc.etc.). One writer mentioned that the HOA as an organization who supports the activities of the Developer. As I understand it the POA was supported by the Developer before the lawsuit. After the lawsuit (which the POA was held correct by the courts), the Developer no longer supported a POA and was instrumental in forming the HOA.
There is no question the Developer(s) have done a magnificant job in establishing and building The Villages and we all owe them a great vote of gratitude BUT that does not mean the POA is wrong, just that it continues to provide an additional "check and balance" which we should all be thankful for. Those that want to destroy a check and balance would not want the same process and procedures for the Government.

The way I understand it, the plaintiffs did not fund the suit at all. As the named plaintiffs for the class, they received an award. The attorneys were paid directly by the defendant.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by OBXNana

We read every thread on this site concerning HOA VS POA. We joined both about a month ago. It's very possible we are simply indecisive. We felt for the small amount of the donation to each organization, in our minds, they are polar opposite and our donation helped to keep a check and balance system going.

OBXNana: The HOA is funded by the Developer for the Developer So how can it be called a homeowner association? They may be polar opposites but they are not polar opposite homeowner associations. So if there is a concern stemming from the developer side how do you suppose and whom do you suppose will speak up for the residents? In fact if the HOA ever did oppose the developer he pull funding. Also check and see where HOA presidents go after they served in the VHA. They all have key/strategic spots that have a direct affect on the developer's business.

You may want to look a little closer

I opine others can decide

[REDCART]

Originally Posted by vinricci

Just found this organization's newsletter in my driveway yesterday and had never heard of it. Opinions- Pros and Cons of joining?

Vinricci, your original question ignited a fire-storm on TOTV. The POA has always been a hot topic here, but I believe you will agree from just theses few comments that many, if not most are grateful to both the developer and the POA for their efforts. The developer was a genius, somewhat like Steve Jobs. Did he always make the right decision? No.