[Mr.Kris]

Need to be careful here.

I know that I am not current on all things TV, and others will be quick to point that out, but if I recall correctly one of the points in the IRS audit was the use of tax free, i.e. publicly subsidized, bonds for a private "gated" community. I believe the response from the VCCDD at the time was the public had access by the mere push of a button. Now that doesn't appear to be true. Maybe the VCDD has abandoned that position in light of its recent "request for relief."

For my edification are there any updated comments on this particular part of the issue?

[BobAllen1290]

I live in Stonecrest. I have a golf cart. It has one purpose..To drive us to and from the pools in Stonecrest. If I want to go somewhere other than that I will either take my truck or my wife's car. I must confess that I do not understand the "golf cart culture". To me rattling around in a golf cart to go to the grocery store, the restaurant, the doctor's or the hardware store is asinine. Obviously many other people enjoy it greatly.

Another thing that I do not understand about this whole thing is that people coming out of TV and heading off to Lowe's or WalMart beyond have to travel over trails that have been beaten into the ground on private property that essentially they have no right to be on. Conversely, people on carts coming from Stonecrest must do the same thing to get over to the trails in TV. I don't know about others, but from where I come from trespassing on land that isn't yours can earn you a rump full of buckshot.

Living on the Stonecrest side I find it ridiculous that our POA would waste money and resources on such a foolish matter. IMHO the Stonecrest POA has ZERO business pursuing this issue and I said as much when they sent around their stupid questionnaire.

My feeling all along is that the TV gate issue stems very possibly from one of Morse's lawyers advising their client about the liability factors with people who are not actual TV residents using the golf cart paths.

To me it's a tempest in a teapot. If you want to go to TV from Stonecrest or go to Walmart from TV just fire up the flivver and get on with it.

[Xavier]

Originally Posted by Ooper

Only through the main vehicle gate north of Walmart by getting a pass from the guardhouse.

... and the three different times I had a need to enter StoneCrest the "Official" at the gate was especially rude and very difficult. Not at all welcoming. A lot of hassle to attend an Estate or Garage Sale. They could learn about hospitality from any of The Villages gates and businesses.

Xavier

[Fourpar]

The most sensible comments I have seen/heard on this (non) issue. Thanks for a breath of common sense

[Steve & Deanna]

We enjoy living in The Villages and believe access should be limited. We like the gated communities, we pay our amenities and feel thankful and privileged for the lifestyle. Allowing others access by golf carts will bring problems. The next thing you know, outsiders will demand to use our golf courses and pools and anything else we have. The old adage still holds true that 'if you give an inch, they'll take a mile'.

[HMLRHT1]

My position on the access to this area is there has been free and unimpeded flow since 1998 and or earlier. Everyone from where ever that could use a golf cart to get there used that access point. Everyone has gotten used to the idea. Now TV says u can't use it unless u live in TV. But to get to Lowes or Walmart u have to cross private property too. Who is being two faced here? If the amount of non TV residents using this didn't cause a problem before why is it now?

[Steve & Deanna]

My wife had just reminded me that years back when we were renting in TV, our curiousity took us to Stonecrest and we wanted to look around. The gatekeeper insisted that he get a salesperson to show us around. We left....and the rest is history.

[Xavier]

Originally Posted by Steve & Deanna

My wife had just reminded me that years back when we were renting in TV, our curiousity took us to Stonecrest and we wanted to look around. The gatekeeper insisted that he get a salesperson to show us around. We left....and the rest is history.

Something similar happened to us back when we were still working folks just dreaming of the "someday" that we could retire. We looked at Royal Highlands, Kings Ridge and many other places. When we pulled into The Plantation just south of Leesburg we were abruptly turned away from driving through to look around. A 10 minute pass would have done the job. It was a Holiday and we knew there weren't sales staff around. Now, some 15 or so years later, we always give The Plantation a particular salute as we drive by. As you can see, it did leave a certain impression. The Villages does it right.

Xavier

[getdul981]

I believe TheVillageChicken hit the nail on the head with the map. The gate is akin to the US borders. There are people that want to enter the US illegally and there are people that want to enter TV illegally. I hope the gate and/or gates do a better job though.

[patfla06]

This doesn't really surprise me with the sense of "entitlement" that now exists in this country.

The Villages are doing the right thing putting up the gate.

[co519]

Its funny how many are so focused on the elderly from Stonecrest coming to spend money in TV when in fact there are much bigger problems as you can see from this article Should vendors have gate cards to The Villages? | Ocala.com

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by co519

Its funny how many are so focused on the elderly from Stonecrest coming to spend money in TV when in fact there are much bigger problems as you can see from this article Should vendors have gate cards to The Villages? | Ocala.com

That article is dated 2007. It's a well-known fact that TV is not a true gated community, and anyone in a car can get in through the visitors gates by pushing a button, which will raise the gate. So businesses and contractors don't even need a gate pass. I don't see that there have been "bigger problems" since this article was published five years ago. In fact, the article seems like sensationalism.

[co519]

Originally Posted by CFrance

That article is dated 2007. It's a well-known fact that TV is not a true gated community, and anyone in a car can get in through the visitors gates by pushing a button, which will raise the gate. So businesses and contractors don't even need a gate pass. I don't see that there have been "bigger problems" since this article was published five years ago. In fact, the article seems like sensationalism.

As you said the article is from 2007 so one could only imagine that the number of non residents with gate cards would be much greater. Just my thought!!!

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by Peachie

Or how about Stonecresters who want the privilege of having the opportunity to use their golf carts to get around pay the same monthly amenity fee we pay. Remember, you pay the piper to live the dream.

This small percentage of people from Stonecrest that want to take their carts to the doctors office vs utilizing free public transportation could also move within The Villages, problem solved.

Also, if this would be approved for Stonecrest, how would you keep every other adjacent community from demanding the same thing? This is not a good idea and could greatly devalue The Villages. Why bother living within when you can have the same thing from living outside?

BINGO

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Well well well ....Stonecrest residents protest too much, methinks
The medical angle being used in Stonecrest's POA letter is a red herring. Stop and ask yourself if someone was not able to drive a car to a medical appointment do you really believe they would be in good enough health to drive a cart? and if it is true then make it street legal

Clearly the claim that only a few Stonecrest residents were utilizing Village cart paths was pure bravado.

Based on the wording of the Stonecrest letter I suspect their entire community or close to it were joy riding on our golf cart paths free.

Given the population explosion here it does make an appreciable difference
on traffic congestion.

Despite some people's claim that Stonecrest residents will not, the people of Stonecrest will continue to come to the Town Square ,restaurants etc in The Villages only now by automobile unless they own a street legal golf cart.

If the Developer is responsible for installing the gate then I applaud him and thank him. Now I believe we need to utilize our gate passes for all of the gates for any other entrances were non village golf cart drivers can gain access.

Me thinks the Stonecrest residents, want access to TV because they want to get more house for their money but want the priviledge of having access to TV. The ADA ploy, is just a veiled attempt to get the majority in TV, for a few people who have some real concerns.

I think if some people have a real need, then some arrangement can be made in terms of a fair payment to TV, without having to let outside residents have the priviledge for free. "Free" is a concept, all people can undersatnd. Maybe a special sticker on their cart, like a handicapped person, would have, to help distinguish people who have a legitimate need.

Some people want to have their cake and eat it too.