[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Duke-SRT

I understand the recreation department is having problems maintaining staff to man our recreation centers, as a result the managers of the rec centers are required to fill in for any vacancies that occur. I understand that this is a part of their job, however, recently it is really getting out of hand with managers having to consistently work 6 or 7 days a week. The rec department is unwilling to increase wages for their part time employees that would even equal the starting pay of “fast food” restaurants in the area. I think it is more important to maintain the excellent service at our rec centers than spending our money on unnecessary things such as replacing flowers every few months at every traffic circle and major intersection in the villages? Aesthetics are nice but our amenity fees would be better spent maintaining staff than on frequent landscaping changes.

Everything mentioned in this thread, plus a lot more, are all parts of the package. Sure, some things, services, landscaping, etc. might not be up to the standard we as individuals would like it to be, but there are 150,000 (?) of us here and I doubt there is any group of people harder to please than senior citizens.

The point has been made several times that the Morse family has built something unique and beautiful in this place called The Villages. I came here because of the whole package and have not been displeased in any way. Kudos to them and their creation.

[Captainpd]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I was surprised to find out that the rec centers and other Villages buildings still use a lot of incandescent light bulbs instead of LED bulbs, which are much more energy efficient. Also, when light bulbs need to be replaced, they hire a licensed electrician under contract to change them. It seems to me that they could hire a staff member to do this and save a lot of money.

So you want a 65+ person hauling around a 10' ladder?. And then climbing up said ladder to change a bulb.??? When is the last time you preformed this feat.?.

[YvonneandScott]

My hubs who is retired military and very fit who (still does same exercise he did in military) is 59 and tons of experience and worked as a GS employee in federal system after service has applied to jobs and never heard a word from anyone. My point is I do not think they are motivated to get people hired. Bc if they were they would at least call for an interview, do something. So no sympathy from me for not getting people on board. A good hiring system that has an employee shortage would have a contact system to get people on board!

[Waltdisney4life]

Villages should have their own winery since there’s so much mining



Villages should have their own winery with all the whining going on all the time!

[MartinSE]

I see a lot of "they won't hire" said one way or the other. Unemployment is at almost historic low levels (3.6%) and every company is struggling to find "low end" employees. Combine that with the inflation and it just isn't worth it for low-end employees to work for the low wages so many of these jobs pay. Either the low wages need to do away (our amenity fees go up) or we all struggle through this cycle of inflation. The thing is I don't recall prices of most things going back down all the way after any other cycle ends. So, I expect we need to look forward to/prepare for higher amenity fees next year.

I honestly don't know who pays for the rec centers budget, if it is part of the amenity fee then if you have a problem with how something is being done, that is up to your Community Development District.

I know it is all great fun to constantly blame the devs but sometimes it is not them.

Personally, I think the devs have done something no one has ever done before, creating a place like this that 20 years later looks brand new. That is no small feat. Most senior communities I visited before coming here look run down after less than a decade. The CDD idea of turning over management of the district to the residents is a great idea and allows the devs to focus on what they do best, building and selling 400 homes per month.

[Chi-Town]

I am happy that The Villages is far from a build out.

[4557Spahr]

At $12 an hour retired people aren’t going to be attracted. Once they take the 2 day a week job they realize the shortage is serious because they keep begging them to work 5. My friends who work there say if they wanted to work full time they’d have kept their real jobs. We could stop the gate guards and just use the button and cards. Move the employees to the rec centers. Bottom line is $12 and begging people to work more isn’t cutting it.

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by 4557Spahr

At $12 an hour retired people aren’t going to be attracted. Once they take the 2 day a week job they realize the shortage is serious because they keep begging them to work 5. My friends who work there say if they wanted to work full time they’d have kept their real jobs. We could stop the gate guards and just use the button and cards. Move the employees to the rec centers. Bottom line is $12 and begging people to work more isn’t cutting it.

True.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

I see a lot of "they won't hire" said one way or the other. Unemployment is at almost historic low levels (3.6%) and every company is struggling to find "low end" employees. Combine that with the inflation and it just isn't worth it for low-end employees to work for the low wages so many of these jobs pay. Either the low wages need to do away (our amenity fees go up) or we all struggle through this cycle of inflation. The thing is I don't recall prices of most things going back down all the way after any other cycle ends. So, I expect we need to look forward to/prepare for higher amenity fees next year.

I honestly don't know who pays for the rec centers budget, if it is part of the amenity fee then if you have a problem with how something is being done, that is up to your Community Development District.

I know it is all great fun to constantly blame the devs but sometimes it is not them.

Personally, I think the devs have done something no one has ever done before, creating a place like this that 20 years later looks brand new. That is no small feat. Most senior communities I visited before coming here look run down after less than a decade. The CDD idea of turning over management of the district to the residents is a great idea and allows the devs to focus on what they do best, building and selling 400 homes per month.

Don't let your favorite philosophy cloud your judgement about "historically low unemployment" Look at workforce participation. Last number I saw was that 5.4 million Americans said they will NEVER return to work because they are afraid of COVID. Hopefully they will eventually get educated enough to change their minds, but for now they seriously skew that unemployment statistic.

[Hockey dude]

Originally Posted by Veiragirl

You are so right! I worked for Rohan for 3 months . The Morse family does'nt seem to be " in touch" with the Villagers and the Rec Center staff. We pay our eminity fees every month. Rec Center staffing problems are not our responsibilty. I find it amazing that the Morse family will not increase the saleries and hire more help. Gimme a break . We Villagers don't do it for the money. I made a whopping $8.87 an hour.We love the life here and want it to continue.

I believe the hourly wages are set by one of The Districts and their yearly budget planning.

The “Morse family” may have nothing to do with it.

I’ve been here for 3 years and still trying to get a handle on all the different levels of government and how they are funded.

[Mushkie]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Agree that something needs to be done. The staff at Laurel Manor almost never gets the swim lanes in for the scheduled lap swim time in the evenings. When I call and ask why they say it’s a busy time of the day and they are short staffed. I would much prefer to have a lane to swim in than look at flowers.

I used to be on a Olympic prep swim team and learned:

1). One can swim WITHOUT swim lanes and we typically had MULTIPLE swimmers in each lane, self divided by speed. If one is in the fastest lane and gets swam over, they automatically moved to the next lane that was for swimmers that are a little slower.

2). Put the lane lines in yourself. It’s not hard and you can consider it your “volunteer opportunity” to give back!!

I just can’t fathom the amount of time and NEGATIVE energy Villagers invest in bad mouthing The Villages and The Developers. All other community, whether 55+ or all ages, don’t come close to what The Villages has to offer.

And just a few example of how much The Developer cares and loves the Villagers:

1). The Developer made a commitment to make sure there is a fire station within 2 miles of every Villager- they built the stations paid OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS.

2). The Developer soooo wants Villagers to have the BEST experience and HAPPIEST/HEALTHIEST retirement - they invested with their own money - a charter school system and building a 2nd one- PLUS a new Village like Support Community to attract the best business owners and employees to serve US!!!

3). The Developer didn’t layoff or fire any employee during the “election infection”PLANNEDemic. They not only kept everyone, paid everyone and provided health insurance, retirement benefits, THEY HIRED EVEN MORE PEOPLE - built homes, amenities and did maintenance over the last 2+ years when MOST other businesses- laid off, cut hours, pulled back or STOPPED. The Developer took all the risk and ALL OF US BENEFITED- The Developer not only helped Villagers but the surrounding communities (restaurants, housekeepers, landscapers so their employees could pay their rents or buy homes, feed their families) and all over the country and world- suppliers of windows, appliances, building equipment, plumbing supplies, etc.

I could go on and on about how wonderful The Villages and The Developers are. PERFECT - no… but as a mature ADULT with common sense- I know no place or person is perfect.

[PennBF]

How many have observed the parking lot at Laurel Manor. It is one of the most popular centers in The Villages and the employee's are almost always being pushed to keep all happy. The fact that in rare cases a "swim lane" is late in being installed is rather an indication as to how busy the staff is as they all try to do their best. I have used the center many times and really appreciated the terrific support they give to the guests. When you run into an employee of the center be sure to say Thanks for their support.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Mushkie

I used to be on a Olympic prep swim team and learned:

1). One can swim WITHOUT swim lanes and we typically had MULTIPLE swimmers in each lane, self divided by speed. If one is in the fastest lane and gets swam over, they automatically moved to the next lane that was for swimmers that are a little slower.

2). Put the lane lines in yourself. It’s not hard and you can consider it your “volunteer opportunity” to give back!!

I just can’t fathom the amount of time and NEGATIVE energy Villagers invest in bad mouthing The Villages and The Developers. All other community, whether 55+ or all ages, don’t come close to what The Villages has to offer.

And just a few example of how much The Developer cares and loves the Villagers:

1). The Developer made a commitment to make sure there is a fire station within 2 miles of every Villager- they built the stations paid OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS.

2). The Developer soooo wants Villagers to have the BEST experience and HAPPIEST/HEALTHIEST retirement - they invested with their own money - a charter school system and building a 2nd one- PLUS a new Village like Support Community to attract the best business owners and employees to serve US!!!

3). The Developer didn’t layoff or fire any employee during the “election infection”PLANNEDemic. They not only kept everyone, paid everyone and provided health insurance, retirement benefits, THEY HIRED EVEN MORE PEOPLE - built homes, amenities and did maintenance over the last 2+ years when MOST other businesses- laid off, cut hours, pulled back or STOPPED. The Developer took all the risk and ALL OF US BENEFITED- The Developer not only helped Villagers but the surrounding communities (restaurants, housekeepers, landscapers so their employees could pay their rents or buy homes, feed their families) and all over the country and world- suppliers of windows, appliances, building equipment, plumbing supplies, etc.

I could go on and on about how wonderful The Villages and The Developers are. PERFECT - no… but as a mature ADULT with common sense- I know no place or person is perfect.

While I tend to agree, I have to ask: Are you related to Graciegirl????

[YeOldeCurmudgeon]

I'm surprised no one has suggested that they ought to pay people a reasonable wage as a solution.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by YeOldeCurmudgeon

I'm surprised no one has suggested that they ought to pay people a reasonable wage as a solution.

?? Posts 1, 17, 23, and 37 all mentioned low wages.

What is a reasonable wage? What is the correct hourly rate for checking IDs at the pool or putting in the swim-lane markers or setting up tables and chairs or handing out guest passes?

At least one post has suggested part of the problem may be with the hiring process. My personal experience leads me to believe it isn't working as smoothly as it should.