I believe that there should be a The Villages general vote sent to all owners of property here. This way once and for all every owner of property will have their vote counted and record and we will finally see if there is the desire by the majority to have stripping, center or side done and the results will end all the confusion. Having the district representatives vote based on the handful of residents who respond to or go to district meetings is not resolving this issue. A full owner response will resolve this.

We elect representatives to act on our behalf, in our best interest, as they see fit. We decry the politician who governs based on poll results on a given issue. Our country political system is designed to NOT act based on the majority opinion, but rather to protect the minority interests. Now, here we are, demanding a vote of the population at large. Why should we have representatives, if everything that one disagrees with the representative council has to go to a vote by the residents. If you don't like the outcome, wait for the next election cycle, and, either run for office or vote someone else in. Too many of you insist on getting your way or you act like children throwing temper tantrums. You people are too old to occupy wall street.

What the poster is proposing is not unheard of. Just take a look at California. They have ballot propositions on all types of issues. Because this issue is such a hot button issue, I could see it being a ballot issue.

That said, how many will actually take the time to vote? Voter turnout in elections has historically been lower than 50%. Probably less for ballot propositions that appear at the end of the ballot. Also, if one thinks this would end the discussion, I have a sinking bridge on Morris Ave. I would like to sell you.

I am resigned to the fact that striping will not happen as the PWC has voted striping down, but it will not end my support for striping and speaking out for it.

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I would be interested in seeing the yes / no vote summation of all the districts sorted by resident elected representatives Vs developer appointed representatives.

There was a poll on the online news. Does anyone remember how it went?


This is an issue that does not get my blood pressure up. Other than I never want the residents to run the area I live in.


Almost always it is some blow hard know it all with no experience and no common sense who wants to "serve" in this capacity.

I am not looking for a poll - I am seeking the facts. Hopefully the facts will shed a little better insight then blow hard responses.

Being able to look at anything that would lay out the number of and types of cart accidents on the MMPs including time of day, location of the icident, and any other parameters.
Then a reasonable assessment of whether side striping would have affected the outcome.

Absent some sort of presentation, the subject is emotional, political or simply predjudced/opinion driven. Which is fine as long as the opposing views are respected as well.

That's what I was asking for so many posts ago. I just wish I could express myself as clearly as you do.
My gut tells me there are many accidents. Since they do not have to be reported, they are not reported. Maybe because someone had a little too much to drink or maybe someone is embarrassed or afraid of being grounded.

From the Engineering Evaluation:

2011 thru 2014

340 total reported accidents
65 of the 340 occured on MMP's (all others on streets and parking lots)
12 of the 65 occured at night

The causes of the 12 were not specified in the report. The term "varied widely" was used.

These numbers by themselves should convey the results.

65 accidents on MMP over a 3 year period.......22 per year!
12 of which were at night (reminder OVER 3 YEARS)......4 per year!

Given the hundreds of thousands of cart trips over the same 3 year period, these numbers alone should drain all the emotion out of the subject and result in the reality of the situation leaving a conclusion:

The MMPs in their as is configuration are safe!

The other day, I found myself in rather dire circumstances....a scene right out of the Divine Comedy. I was a traveler in a strange land. The sky was dark and ominous with constant flashes of electricity and their accompanying crackles and sizzles. There were creatures of grotesque stature. All of them had glowing eyes and their lamentations bored directly into my soul. No wildlife or plant live could live in this sulfuric atmosphere except for coyotes and cacti. I was lost and hopeless.....doomed, and I began to make my peace in accordance with my beliefs. Then, in the distance, I saw a faint light. As my golf cart's internal combustion engine struggled on in labored breaths, while still emitting a noisy and impressive carbon footprint, the light began to stretch from the scorched landscape to the forbidding heavens and east to west as far as my weeping eyes could see. I knew there was salvation beyond this opaque barrier, but could I break through it? I squeezed my eyes shut, put a death grip on the steering wheel, and put the pedal to the metal. I whispered, repeatedly, a faint little mantra, asking my protector to shield me from any overzealous officer of the law who may be intent on writing one of those unregister vehicle tickets as told in the sagas. Suddenly, and, may I say, miraculously, a transformation of indescribable proportions as I passed effortlessly through the border. Blue skies and sunshine...moderate temperatures and humidity. Colorful birds were singing, most of them hidden away in beautiful trees in full blossom. Butterflies were abundant. I saw a rabbit conversing with a chipmunk as a gentle fawn looked on. I could hear trickling brooks and an angelic choir. I had been wrapped in a blanket of safety...I now know how Linus feels. My senses were temporarily overloaded, but slowly perspective returned and I noticed that this welcoming world had one outstanding feature...center striping. Those golden stripes, dazzling in their brilliance, were like the footprints of the Gods...beacons of comfort and hope that shown in stark contrast against the asphalt. I teared up and made a vow not to ever leave District 4 in a golf cart again except to hit the early bird special at Golden Corral...then I gave thanks to my rogue lords who gave the collective finger to the traffic engineer and the Developer's minions. All was right with my world.

Why
 

I find it distasteful and terrible that some posters refer to others as "blowhards"! Why is there a need for name calling and insults as opposed to opinions. It could be said the name callers are the ones who deserve the title since they tend to be pretty closed minded and not open to others having opinions if they do not agree with theirs. As the saying goes if you are unsure and petty when it comes to others then shout or call names. :mornincoffee:

The Engineering report had a break down of the accidents, time of day, etc. What the report does not show are non-reported accidents, near missses or poor lighting conditions/areas on the MMPs. What was not done was any type of traffic study on visibility at different times of the day and conditions. It was all based on the Florida requirments for path markings, which are none, and the reported accidents.

Because there is not a complete review there is going to be a lot of emotion. We are all smart people and can regonize problems when we see them. Maybe rather than going rouge or just sweeping the whole thing under the rug, the districts should conduct a complete usage study of the MMPs.

charlieb
 

If you have ever driven on the path at night or even worse during a rainstorm you might understand why some sort of striping is needed.
Also, the cost when compared to 1 life saved is well worth the expense.