[Warren Kiefer]

Yes, Forrest Gump said "STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES" and this sure defines the actions of our AAC regarding the purchase of the old Santiago Reastaurant building. You owe it to yourself to read today's POA (God Bless Them) Bulletin article headlined, EL SANTIAGO RECREATION CENTER. What is taking place here if taken at face value, might be one of the dumbest decisions ever. Basially, the AACused a flawed appraisal for the value of the building. This is a building with no interior walls, problematic building modifications, other issues such as vermin, mold, AC and goofiest of all, apparently no parking guarantees if reopened under private ownership. It seems the VCCDD is the owner of the parking areas. It sounds like the AAC was operating with their heads in the sand or perhaps some other influence when deciding to offer $350.000 for the old building. You figure it out....
Anyway here is what they appear to have offered to buy; a building that might have to be razed with no parking is a building not worth very much. What is left is 0.22 acres valued at $100,000. A figure of $450,000 was tossed about to have the building usable for a rec center. What is this AAC thinking, spending $800,000 could go a long way in providing what the residents asked for, that being to up grade the existing rec center.

[njbchbum]

and in addition to that, i just read a 8/9/13 villages news article that indicated they asked residents how they wanted to see the bldg utilized and the response was - as a restaurant.

so the acc responded - they had reservations [!] about going into the restaurant business! why bother telling the acc whay you want when they are probably pre-programmed to do what they are going to do with or without the resident's input!

fr the **************
Community Archives - **************

"District officially asks for input on future of El Santiago Club building
August 9, 2013

The fate of the old El Santiago Club will be the subject of a meeting later this month.

The Amenity Authority Committee was advised by Villages Recreation Director John Rohan this past week that residents’ desires about the future of the building will be heard at 9 a.m. Aug. 30 at Savannah Center.

The AAC agreed in July to purchase the El Santiago Club building from the developer for $350,000. At that meeting, residents of the area expressed their desire for the building to be used as a restaurant. However, AAC members expressed reservations about getting into the restaurant business.

Rohan said the Aug. 30 meeting will be publicized with postings at recreations centers and postal stations."