[Chatbrat]

Will the POA every be the controlling entity of the Villages? I vowed to never live again in a community controlled by amateurs.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by ROCKETMAN

I guess the judge felt all the time they spent on this was worth something. What about the $40 million that won't come out of our ammenities to repair older facilities. I haven't heard your opinion on that

I assure you, we would certainly not have that beautiful park on the orginal side, or a rec building for the TDS region, the beautiful improvbements to the South Side Pool or a rec building for Santo Domingo neighborhood. The HOA cannot take dredit for a single iota of those improvrements. They are being done and the POA gets 100% of the credit.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Well I see a lot of stuff being done and being maintained south of 466 and no one needs to hold the Morses feet to the fire.

The Eisenhower center could have had "nice" furniture and "nice" accessories, but instead, look what we got without suing.

When we lived right behind the Odell Center, everything on the grounds was painted once a year and the retaining wall was power washed and the plants were trimmed and the beds were weeded. The CDD south of 466 takes very good care of things. I haven't seen any of their stuff moldy. I like the way things are run where I live.

The bottom line is that the Developer sells the Rec Centers to the residents. The greater the value the more we pay for the facility. The rec centers are little more than a way for the developer to build and sell.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Where is this information wrtitten?

Originally Posted by 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.

I suggest you contact the POA and request information on all the issues they have taken on in the interest of we Villagers. You will be surprised. Or attend a POA meeting where every meeting is standing room only. Have you looked around and seen the improvements the 40 million have made possible ??? I personally know that not you, but the POA plaintiff's had their personal money on the line to file the lawsuit.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by rubicon

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

Nearly every former HOA president either directly ot indirectly get a token job from the Developer.

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

Will the POA every be the controlling entity of the Villages? I vowed to never live again in a community controlled by amateurs.

Unfortunately, a lot of developments are run by amateurs after buildout. The POA would not be the controlling entity but an even more needed check and balances organization.

[rubicon]

[[quote=Warren Kiefer;962153]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I think we need an organization separate from the VHA which is really an extension of the developers but I am not a fan of the POA.

In my opinion they seem simply anti-developer in too many issues. They have helped on many situations but I am not convinced that the lawsuit that they brought against the developer was warranted. I feel that all of the things they wanted accomplished would have been accomplished and I am pretty sure that a couple of POA members won quite a bit of money personally. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

So many times their newsletter reads like a rant against the developer.

I wish they would hold an election and get someone new in to be the leaders or at least to write the newsletter.

I cannot understand why you consider the lawsuits unwarranted. It was determined thru the courts that the Developer had erred. I suppose you are saying the courts got it wrong?? What about the roofing shingle problems, the pond liner on the developer's private property that residents paid for, the failing air conditioner lines or the at night gate erection on the orginal side. All one has to do is compare the activities of the two organizations.

[B][/B

Warren: Perhaps a closer look would reveal that the POA is not anti-Developer ( Villages Lake-Sumter, Inc. VLSI) but pro- resident.

The POA is the only organization in The Villages that does not kow tow up to the Developer. Their activities are not personal but business and its the business of village residents. Look back at all their efforts and you will see that they are fighting to protect residents financial interests.

We have some folks here who are blinded by the light and seem to view the VLSI as a god. We then have some residents who seem to believe that the POA's only goal is to complain about the VLSI. Do people really believe these folks who like us retired to enjoy the remainder of their lives in quiet pursuits go looking for fights. The issues should speak for themselves but people either don't understand or don't care.

VLSI is well insulated because they control all aspects and most powers here. When did the VHA go against VLSI? When did the District go against VLSI? Why do you believe VLSI pushed heavily in a campaign a few years back to retain Sumter One? And why did it do so? When did you get to vote on an issue in The Villages? You didn't because you are not a supervisor on the Board or a property owner as defined here to qualify to vote.

I questioned the POA's actions at jumping at the first offer in the amenities lawsuit. However don't lose sight that the all mighty VLSI caved in and made the offer. The VLSI would not give up forty cents let alone $40 million unless it knew it was dead wrong.

Please be fair and balanced and more objective here

[Wandatime]

I appreciate the link to the "History of the POA" and read it with curious interest; I also looked over their website. Then I cruised over to the Villages Homeowner's Association webpage and spent some time reviewing their website. Obviously they are very different organizations, yet both serve a useful purpose.

The POA newsletter does read a little negative, but then again, it is very hard to be critical and not come off as negative. How do you do that? "Hey, LOVE the way you mishandled the XYZ issue, GREAT job screwing that up! If we need another mess like that, we are definitely calling YOU! You are the MAN!"

I did see several "credits" given to the developer in the latest newsletter.

I am not sure I will get involved with either organization. Perhaps I am more apathetic than I care to admit. Well informed, but apathetic.

[PennBF]

Regarding the question as to whether or not the Board Members who put their peronsal funds at risk in support of the lawsuit which resulted in a $40M decision in favor of The Villages residents. Yes, those who risked their own money were repaid by a decision of the Court. I believe each received somewhere in the area of $50K which covered their personal risk funds and interest.
Regarding the desire that the POA just go away and there is unrelented praise for the Developer. I am sure the Developer would love this and have wished for it more than one time. The real question is why would anyone want to throw out the one auditor of the TOTV Government. As we all know power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Any excessive enthusiasm or unreasoning zeal to throw out the one organization that examines Government power should be questioned as that does not appear to be unbais behavior. There is a universal question on behaviors and that is "what is the payback?"??

[Halibut]

Will the POA every be the controlling entity of the Villages? I vowed to never live again in a community controlled by amateurs.

The fear of the VLSI withdrawing is a concern for many residents -- the "what happens to use after build out?" questions.

I'm not real familiar with Sun City or other large retirement communities, but I suspect Del Webb didn't stick around and run the place after he built it. The VLSI continues to wield an enormous amount of power here, which in many ways benefit the residents greatly, but which also means we live at their whim in some respects. My primary concern is their secrecy, cronyism, and what seems to be a "my way or the highway" attitude. I appreciate that the POA tries to draw back the curtain to see what the wizard is really up to. I may very well agree with what he's up to, but I do want to know.

[Madelaine Amee]

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.

Thank you for bringing this sentence to my attention. I had "read" through the paper and missed that little bomb completely. So as a resident of CCD3 I will be liable for restoration to two ponds on two golf courses. Two of our representatives voted against signing the agreement to make the residents pay for their maintenance, while three of our representatives left us hanging out to dry. Very interesting and completely overlooked by many of us! Thanks for the heads up ................ See page 6 of the POA November Bulletin.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

Will the POA every be the controlling entity of the Villages? I vowed to never live again in a community controlled by amateurs.

The Villages is a quasi-governmental CDD community. I see nothing in the statutes that allows for any association to provide governance for a CDD. Each CDD has a governing board.

The Villages Home Owners Association is not a governing body any more than the POA is and can never be. So do not worry there.

HOWEVER, you do need to worry that the individuals on each CDD board can get out control just like Condo Boards and HOA Boards. I think the saving grace is that a CDD is very limited in its ability to enforce anything that is not included in a recorded deed restriction.

It would be fun and educational to create a workshop to try to predict what this place will be like after the developer is gone; maybe create a handbook of "forbidden" practices by the CDD boards to get out in front of the craziness we see everyday in HOA and COA board decisions.

[Chatbrat]

To see what can happen when a corrupt & inept POA/HOA runs a community, look up Fairfield Harbour NC--neighbors @ each others throats---downright ugly--and property values in the toilet.---you can't give property away there!!!

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

Thank you for bringing this sentence to my attention. I had "read" through the paper and missed that little bomb completely. So as a resident of CCD3 I will be liable for restoration to two ponds on two golf courses. Two of our representatives voted against signing the agreement to make the residents pay for their maintenance, while three of our representatives left us hanging out to dry. Very interesting and completely overlooked by many of us! Thanks for the heads up ................ See page 6 of the POA November Bulletin.

To further clarify, the way I read it, Morse did previously agree to the responsibility to maintain the ponds.

[Chi-Town]

Checked out Sun City Center near Tampa in 2008. What a waste of time. After Del Webb left there was no rhyme or reason as far as management went.