Not at all. Just step forward and take responsibility for your actions. That is what responsible adults do. After that, most people won't give it a second thought.

Or any other national park in any other state. You miss the point.

I for one am glad that many (whose money would be used to right this arrogant wrong) did not lay down and die. I do believe public pressure has had an effect in the face of "the powers that be" wanting it to be swept under the rug.

Certainly it appears that the perpetrator(s) (Friends of Lake Miona-- ha, you couldn't make this stuff up) came forward only when it looked like pressure from the POA and this website might cause the sheriff to actually conduct a thorough investigation of the crime or neighbors to come forward with information. Furthermore, it is very likely that the perpetrator(s) are reading and perhaps participating in this thread, which may explain the some of the efforts to cut off discussion. There are certainly a lot of unanswered questions in this matter, such as what, exactly, is the deal between the attorney for the perpetrators and the prosecutor? In a community with a real newspaper, this would all be reported.

I believe that you'll find it causing $40,000 worth of property damage is a felony in any state of the country and probably in any country of the world.

Breaking through the fog
 

Congratulations to CDD5 for breaking through the fog and proposing the "amnesty for no prosecution" idea. It has to be more than coincidence that these funds appear shortly after the publication of this idea.

The lawyer for the "Friends" should have taken the necessary steps to ensure his clients have secured amnesty to the extent he is able. I think the amount obtained is close to the amount actually spent to this date. "Our" side should negotiate a deal for additional funds from the "Friends" as costs accumulate.

I have every confidence they'll do their best as they have done already.

Works for me! Whoever did this is despicable.

It isn't $40K property damage! That is mostly fines by the state.

How much do you think it would cost to replace just one of the giant oak trees that were cut down??? Replacement costs alone could easily exceed $40,000. But to be a felony, the damage only needs to be $1,000 or more. I would suggest you read up on your law before equating this crime with a minor traffic offense.

I hate to rain on anyone's parade, but the person or persons responsible for the tree cutting may never be known. It has been well documented here and elsewhere that the district has offered "confidentiality" and "forgiveness" by not prosecuting if the district was reimbursed. It appears this has happened by the Friends of Lake Minoa. I'd be willing to bet as far as the district is concerned this is a closed matter.

Also, I seriously doubt if the postings on this website or the POA had any influence in the Friends of Lake Minoa making the payment. "Most" of the residents in The Villages probably do not even know about this site or if they do, do not log on. The POA had one article in the June news letter and two "letter to the editiors" in the July issue. This was it for 2015. I don't see this a "alot of pressure".

It was more likely the law enforcemnt end of the equation. They knew who was responsible and although may have not had enough evidence to file charges, they had enough to compel paymnet. It is call negotiations!

Someone mentioned if I do not like this topic, I should quit reading. I continue reading becasue I want to be informed on this topic and others posted on this site. I am just amazed how vindictive we are here in The Villages, especially if you do not agree.

I think I am glad that most of the wonderful residents do not read and post on this site. I would move if this was the case.... (ha! beat you to it!)

GREAT POST - Sensible, unemotional, factual, positive! :ho:

That's ridiculous. No one replaces a fully grown oak with another one. They will plant a few (5?) trees, maybe 30 or 40 gallon size, and in a decade no one will notice. My God! You can have 30 foot palm trees planted for $300-$600, delivered. Do you go this crazy when the developer clear cuts acreage for the next village? No, of course not. They will plant small trees, and in a decade or so nature will run its course.

Whew! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT HERE, YOU CAN....?? What?...Oh....she did?...never mind.

A couple of points. I believe the trees in question were large live oaks. They are slow growers, I have had them. Perhaps in 100 years, not 10 years, no one will notice. Secondly, I believe the tress in questions were in a protected area. This is hardly the same thing as clearing a non-protected area for houses.

You would get laughed out of court with that argument.

Well said and clearly the point of the huge "kerfuffle". (Judge Judy always says that.)