[Laker14]

My initial reaction to the OP was that it was a post complaining about complainers, and then I realized that my post could be interpreted as a post complaining about a post complaining about complainers.

So I decided not to post. Which I'm not. Please disregard this post.

[John Mayes]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Here's the actual text of the law, from the government's own website:


So Margaret is incorrect. The unoccupied units don't count in regards to the 80/20 restriction.

80% of OCCUPIED units - have to be occupied by at least 1 person 55 or older.

Until and unless the Developer - who is responsible for enforcing that restriction, chooses to maintain data and report it on a regular basis, no one will know whether it is being enforced or not.

I would be willing to bet that federal and state monitoring and reporting requirements are strictly adhered to by TV’s. Just because TV’s doesn’t report the data to you or any other individual doesn’t mean that it isn’t happening.

[banjobob]

Thirdoffive. Reading this gossip sheet daily will lead you believe all the things you note is the “norm” . Sure the lowest hanging fruit are guilty of those unsavory behavior but the vast majority are really good people living and enjoying this wonderful place.

[Carlsondm]

I agree. We also like the clean, air conditioned Rec centers The Villages provides. Also clean, refreshing pools, and ice water in coolers provided near MMPs and outdoor sports. The little touches matter.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by banjobob

Thirdoffive. Reading this gossip sheet daily will lead you believe all the things you note is the “norm” . Sure the lowest hanging fruit are guilty of those unsavory behavior but the vast majority are really good people living and enjoying this wonderful place.

Indeed! Which was the whole point of the OP. What we read, hear and see about TV in various media in the great majority of instances is as far removed from reality as night is from day.

We could just chalk it up to idle bellyaching but unfortunately what we read here (and in other places) seems to be symptomatic of the real sickness infecting society today. Us against them! Home run or no count! Win at all costs! Wave our flags and sabers to the extent that the Great Unwashed are whipped into a frenzy regardless of the realities of the situation!

In other words, the win has become more important than the solution.

What many people don't seem to realize is that there IS another way, a way that leaves a minimum of bruised feelings, for many of the items in the OP list but especially the last one; the perceived problem of Airb&bs and STRs--something that many if not most of us do not even perceive as a problem but are seeing emotional diatribes concerning it on a daily basis nevertheless. What does even the threat of legal action against this shadowy "Developer" accomplish? In a word, nothing. It is the epitome of us against them, and in this case "them" has all the money and the big guns. Regardless of how it ends, there are going to be bruised feelings causing malaise far into the future.

There is a better way, one that has been under our noses the whole time but either ignored or unseen. No court action is going to force folks currently owning and renting out either STRs or Airb&bs to stop: the threat of retaliatory legal action on their part is just too great, with the ONLY guarantee is one of animosity lasting far into the future. Why not direct efforts to getting the powers-that-be to enforce the rules that they themselves created? If a rental or airb&b is causing problems that violate the various restrictions in place--then we as homeowners should have, and should insist upon, the right that was in effect guaranteed when we moved here: the right to quiet enjoyment of our properties. Report the violation and have the guarantee of prompt action on the part of the powers-that-be in cleaning it up. Seems to me that even if push comes to shove on that, the fact that those rules have already been written down would be far better ammunition in a real or threatened court action than what is currently being bandied about now: which in effect is proposing to burn down 40 acres of forest because of a few infected trees.

We seem to have lost the ability to compromise. It is imperative that we find it again.

[dnobles]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Some things I've been pondering lately regarding TOTV and the issues that seem to tie some TOTV'ers into knots....

1. Out-of-compliance yards and homes. Not so much here but if you read the (other!!) online source you'd think TV is nothing but jalopies up on blocks, white crosses by the millions, weed-infested lawns and lanai screens held together with duct tape. But, driving through neighborhood after neighborhood--almost nothing but clean, well-kept properties where pride of ownership is obviously a big thing.

2. Drunken Villagers careening around the squares in golf carts, being scooped up by the dozen by the local gendarmerie and carted off to the hoosegow. But--the rare instances I've seen are usually carts going too slow, probably lost. Nothing like the discussions would lead one to expect.

3. Heated altercations between Villagers. So far in three years I've seen one: two guys at Red Sauce outside bellowing at each other, two tables between them. That's it.

4. Airb&b tenants raising holy h3ll in this-or-that neighborhood. Not in my neighborhood. Probably not in yours either. But Man! Do people like to complain about it!

5. Inebriated folks at the squares. Maybe a few. But they're usually giddy and silly, not combative or looking for trouble.

6. SMOKERS!! Particularly cigar smokers. I've seen a couple, and they were well away from crowd. Certainly not the cloud of blue haze one might expect from some of the complaints.

7. OUTSIDERS AT THE SQUARES. Some, sure. Nice folks. Spend money. Enjoy music.

8. Dog Poop (Everybody's favorite topic). Once in a great while a dog will dump on my lawn. Owner always picks it up. One didn't: I politely asked him to do so. He apologized and did. No problem.

9. Rude Clerks: Mostly the only ones I've seen is if a customer has been rude to them first.

10. Finally, THE DEVELOPER running amok. This shadowy figure, The Developer, takes heat for just about everything, most recently STRs and Airb&bs. People rattling their sabers, planning legal action. And so on. But...said Developer is a multi-BILLION dollar business, most likely with a bunch of top-flight legal beagles protecting his nether regions. I doubt he worries much about the molehills we turn into mountains. Nor should he, given the (often) vast difference between what we see vs. what we hear.

11. Probably many other things I’ve forgotten.

It ain't so bad here, folks. Maybe instead of gnashing our teeth we should be counting our blessings.

Great post

[talonip]

Awesome post. Right on.

[Nevinator]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

Right! I have been here for 20+ years and remember that and other issues. Always a good idea to use your right of due process. Can you imagine living in CDD1 at that time? I remember it well. Hopefully, the STR situation will be handled better.

What is the STR situation?

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by Carlsondm

I agree. We also like the clean, air conditioned Rec centers The Villages provides. Also clean, refreshing pools, and ice water in coolers provided near MMPs and outdoor sports. The little touches matter.

The ice water depends on who is working inside. This summer only seen them come out less than half the days to check the water.

[maistocars]

Very well said!

[kendi]

All of those may be good and true depending on where you live in the Villages and the frequency you visit the squares, restaurants, stores and rec centers. And, It also depends on your tolerance level.

Everyone is allowed freedom of speech. And, everyone has the right to bring up issues that bother them. They are allowed to fill out complaints and seek legal action. We live in a free country.

Yes, complaining and griping might be unpleasant. Name-calling and shaming of those who are proactive are also unpleasant. But, do expect everyone to put on a fake smile and pretend we live in the perfectville? Welcome to the Villages and welcome to America! I, for one, never want to lose my freedom of speech or the right of due process. Not, do I want to pretend issues do not exist.

Perhaps the reason you say "It's not that bad" is because there are people who fight to make sure it is. Without people practicing their rights and due process, we would be living in a land of make-believe. We would be forced to remain silent and allow others to step on our rights. Not a world I would want to live in.

And, by the way, people comply because there are deed restrictions and laws. Not on their own free will. Who do you think helped you get this "not so bad" world you are living in? Certainly, not the silent ones.

Did it feel good to have the ability to write this post? Thank someone who gave you that right.[/QUOTE]

Oh my. Didn’t expect the OP’s post as one to spur such emotion.

[ehonour]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

...And, It also depends on your tolerance level. ...

Bingo. Life for me is filled with peace because I practice a fairly high tolerance level.

[Txcottage]

Margaret, you seem unhappy here.

[BaylorBear]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Some things I've been pondering lately regarding TOTV and the issues that seem to tie some TOTV'ers into knots....

1. Out-of-compliance yards and homes. Not so much here but if you read the (other!!) online source you'd think TV is nothing but jalopies up on blocks, white crosses by the millions, weed-infested lawns and lanai screens held together with duct tape. But, driving through neighborhood after neighborhood--almost nothing but clean, well-kept properties where pride of ownership is obviously a big thing.

2. Drunken Villagers careening around the squares in golf carts, being scooped up by the dozen by the local gendarmerie and carted off to the hoosegow. But--the rare instances I've seen are usually carts going too slow, probably lost. Nothing like the discussions would lead one to expect.

3. Heated altercations between Villagers. So far in three years I've seen one: two guys at Red Sauce outside bellowing at each other, two tables between them. That's it.

4. Airb&b tenants raising holy h3ll in this-or-that neighborhood. Not in my neighborhood. Probably not in yours either. But Man! Do people like to complain about it!

5. Inebriated folks at the squares. Maybe a few. But they're usually giddy and silly, not combative or looking for trouble.

6. SMOKERS!! Particularly cigar smokers. I've seen a couple, and they were well away from crowd. Certainly not the cloud of blue haze one might expect from some of the complaints.

7. OUTSIDERS AT THE SQUARES. Some, sure. Nice folks. Spend money. Enjoy music.

8. Dog Poop (Everybody's favorite topic). Once in a great while a dog will dump on my lawn. Owner always picks it up. One didn't: I politely asked him to do so. He apologized and did. No problem.

9. Rude Clerks: Mostly the only ones I've seen is if a customer has been rude to them first.

10. Finally, THE DEVELOPER running amok. This shadowy figure, The Developer, takes heat for just about everything, most recently STRs and Airb&bs. People rattling their sabers, planning legal action. And so on. But...said Developer is a multi-BILLION dollar business, most likely with a bunch of top-flight legal beagles protecting his nether regions. I doubt he worries much about the molehills we turn into mountains. Nor should he, given the (often) vast difference between what we see vs. what we hear.

11. Probably many other things I’ve forgotten.

It ain't so bad here, folks. Maybe instead of gnashing our teeth we should be counting our blessings.

Well said, my friend, well said!!

[RUCdaze]

ThirdOfFive, the original poster, had me right up until he defended the developer. That blew all his credibility. The Morse family is too far removed from the common Villager, and too isolated, to understand how we feel on many major issues.