[Joaniesmom]

A little off topic, but DH and I wanted a peek at Stonecrest a week ago. Drove up, was greeted in a friendly way and given a map of the place. Glad I live in TV though.

That's just my $0.02!

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Joaniesmom

A little off topic, but DH and I wanted a peek at Stonecrest a week ago. Drove up, was greeted in a friendly way and given a map of the place. Glad I live in TV though.

That's just my $0.02!

Your $0.02 is very worthwhile; thanks for sharing.

[redwitch]

I could see charging a fee for Stonecresters, et al. paying an annual fee to get a special gate pass. That way, they would be contributing to maintaining the paths they use. Seems fair to me.

This does NOT give them access to our amenities -- you still need a TV ID card to use those (if the folks at the rec centers would bother checking). Yes, there are some who have found a way to skirt these rules and do use our rec centers, pools and courts but these folks will always find a way to get what they want. If you find such a person, report them!

[graciegirl]

On the first of January and for the three months after that we are at out TOP population here and there are many, many, many accidents in golf carts and cars and some will be fatal. It happens every year. Two thousand MORE golf carts from Stonecrest would just add to the danger.


You can say that we keep building. You can say I am not kind. You can say that it isn't fair, but they don't pay to live here and we don't pay to live there.


Sometimes there just has to be a bottom line.

[2BNTV]

I know a person from Stonecrest, who would never use the cart path for access to TV, as he will use his own car. He seems to be the exception, in this issue, over reopening, of this cart path. I will have to ask his input on this issue, assuming he is even aware of it.

Maybe it's me but why would anyone think they can have something without having to pay for it. I realize there are people who steal, and I like the idea of paying for this priviledge.

This issue to me is, that some people want access, without having to pay the toll fee.

Either way, I see Mr. Morse having total control, unless he relinquishes his rights, and gives into the pressure brought to bear, by these acrimonious people. Civil liberties angle, is bogus. IMHO.

Like me or don't like me, I stand by what I say.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

I know a person from Stonecrest, who would never use the cart path for access to TV, as he will use his own car. He seems to be the exception, in this issue, over reopening, of this cart path. I will have to ask his input on this issue, assuming he is even aware of it.

Maybe it's me but why would anyone think they can have something without having to pay for it. I realize there are people who steal, and I like the idea of paying for this priviledge.

This issue to me is, that some people want access, without having to pay the toll fee.

Either way, I see Mr. Morse having total control, unless he relinquishes his rights, and gives into the pressure brought to bear, by these acrimonious people. Civil liberties angle, is bogus. IMHO.

Like me or don't like me, I stand by what I say.

Maybe I'm missing something.......but those "highways" that "run through The Villages" such as where Red Lobster, I.H.O.P., etc. are located, are PUBLIC ROADS........and those businesses are open to all the public, correct? So, as long as a person from "away" such as we were when visiting for over one month, and renting, ditto........can drive our car to frequent all of these public businesses. So can those who live outside.


Ditto for the hospital and the Vets hospital. Both beautiful buildings by the way. Ditto for all the medical practices. They are not just for the residents of The Villages, correct?


I do "get" and understand the over congestion problem and the traffic issues..........we ourselves haven't lived in such a populated area since we left our childhood homes at age 20. Now 68, so that is a long long time ago. 100,000 souls is a bit daunting.......however, it was laid out so well, it didn't feel that HUGE. Hearing the "stories" about the traffic and the bad drivers is also a bit scary, to say the least.


As for someone else posting a snide remark about not having an "investment" in TV, we soon will. We've owned our share of homes over our lifetime.........we don't consider everything an investment...simply a place to nurture our children, our loved ones and create a "home".

Actually, I've never thought of our house as an investment. Maybe someone who has not owned as many homes as we have might, but life is short, and that "investment" will be left to others........not sure of the facts, but with all the homes and resale homes, people must be exiting TV as fast a they are clamoring to arrive............not sure, but could be. This is why we do the research.........to find out why.


We found The Villages to be a very attractive and well thought out 55+ community; we were truly impressed with its beauty and the fact that it has so many "services" for all.........

[Peachie]

Originally Posted by Joaniesmom

A little off topic, but DH and I wanted a peek at Stonecrest a week ago. Drove up, was greeted in a friendly way and given a map of the place. Glad I live in TV though.

That's just my $0.02!

I think if you drove up to one of the sales offices in The Villages, Joaniesmom, they would also be very pleasant with you and provide literature to you. But they wouldn't make you leave the Square at that point.

[karostay]

If the developers had let sleeping dogs lay
There would be no issue

[Cisco Kid]

How many other places like Stonecrest could be connected to TV by opening up a hole in the wall ?
It's only fair to let them all in, if you let one in.
And if you are in a giving mood if every Villager would send me 2 bucks I could get a free villa now and miss the snow storm that is coming @ me.

[Peachie]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

Maybe I'm missing something.......but those "highways" that "run through The Villages" such as where Red Lobster, I.H.O.P., etc. are located, are PUBLIC ROADS........and those businesses are open to all the public, correct? So, as long as a person from "away" such as we were when visiting for over one month, and renting, ditto........can drive our car to frequent all of these public businesses. So can those who live outside.


Ditto for the hospital and the Vets hospital. Both beautiful buildings by the way. Ditto for all the medical practices. They are not just for the residents of The Villages, correct?


I do "get" and understand the over congestion problem and the traffic issues..........we ourselves haven't lived in such a populated area since we left our childhood homes at age 20. Now 68, so that is a long long time ago. 100,000 souls is a bit daunting.......however, it was laid out so well, it didn't feel that HUGE. Hearing the "stories" about the traffic and the bad drivers is also a bit scary, to say the least.


As for someone else posting a snide remark about not having an "investment" in TV, we soon will. We've owned our share of homes over our lifetime.........we don't consider everything an investment...simply a place to nurture our children, our loved ones and create a "home".

Actually, I've never thought of our house as an investment. Maybe someone who has not owned as many homes as we have might, but life is short, and that "investment" will be left to others........not sure of the facts, but with all the homes and resale homes, people must be exiting TV as fast a they are clamoring to arrive............not sure, but could be. This is why we do the research.........to find out why.


We found The Villages to be a very attractive and well thought out 55+ community; we were truly impressed with its beauty and the fact that it has so many "services" for all.........

The investment of which I spoke is for now, our current home and lifestyle. You can bet the fish in the bowl that if all the surrounding communities are allowed open access for their "convenience" to The Village cart paths, you will see a HUGE mind shift in the population. Many of us will move on; some of us will turn our property into rentals and take the money and run. There is much short-sightedness by some who insist The Villages residents shouldn't be concerned about open paths to the general public.

[Skybo]

Originally Posted by justjim

It has been documented on another Thread that we are only talking about 20 or so golf carts, maybe less, crossing over to TV a day from Stonecrest. Most Stonecresters drive their cars over to the commercial areas of TV.

Apparently there are a few who only have access by golf cart because they don't have a drivers license. There are a number of residents of TV who are in the same boat and without a drivers license. Indeed, this does severely restrict the mobility of some and that is one of the main reasons (but not the only one) for the fight to gain access to the medical and commercial areas of The Villages via a golf cart.

For some, the entire issue is mute if you purchase a Street Legal golf cart. However, you must have a valid Drivers License for a Street Legal Golf Cart. So a Street Legal cart does not solve the mobility issue for a few Villagers and Stonecresters.

If we were in this boat with them, perhaps we would look at things differently.

It seems to me the estimated number of Stonecrest residents who access The Villages via golf carts changes dramatically depending on what they are trying to accomplish.

When talking about impact and traffic on the multi-modal trails they (Stonecrest residents and Village residents who support their cause) estimate the numbers to be very low, ie the "20 or so golf cart figure".

Then in the next breath we are told how important their golf cart access is to support the commercial venues and how allowing golf carts makes such a big difference in parking spaces.

Are we to believe that 20 golf carts per day is going to have such a big impact on commerce and parking? Are we to believe that the Stonecrest Board Committee is reaching out to US Senators on behalf of 20 people? No...in fact in the referenced article, Genie Beaulieu, chair of the Stonecrest Board Committee, stated that "MANY of these people don’t have drivers’ licenses". How many is many, I don't know, but I think it is way more than the "few" that is often quoted.

I guess my point is, you can't have it both ways. You can't downplay the numbers when it fits one scenario, and then turn around and up the numbers when it fits another scenario.

And most importantly (to me), is the precedent that Peachie and others have brought up numerous times.

When the developer was in talks about the purchase of the land in Fruitland Park, the Fruitland Park commissioners specifically asked for golf cart access onto TV for (non-TV) Fruitland Park residents. The Developer said "no, that would be a deal breaker".

I'm sure that there are plenty of people in Fruitland Park who don't have driver's licenses, as well as people who do have driver's licenses, who would love golf cart access to medical, shopping, dining and entertainment venues in The Villages. But Fruitland Park isn't a retirement community. Some people don't have driver's licenses because they aren't old enough to drive a car. But they would be old enough to drive a golf cart. Do we want up to a couple thousand non residents of all ages driving golf carts through the community? The FP commissioners specifically mentioned access to Colony stores and facilities. Does Colony need more golf cart traffic?

I'm of the opinion that it was the FP issue that started all of this. The erection of the wall and later the gate closely coincided with the FP purchase. It's my personal belief that the developer was advised that having outside golf cart access at one location could set a legal precedent that would force us to allow outside golf cart access from other communities. I could be wrong, but the timing of it sure makes it look that way.

[Cisco Kid]

Originally Posted by Peachie

The investment of which I spoke is for now, our current home and lifestyle. You can bet the fish in the bowl that if all the surrounding communities are allowed open access for their "convenience" to The Village cart paths, you will see a HUGE mind shift in the population. Many of us will move on; some of us will turn our property into rentals and take the money and run. There is much short-sightedness by some who insist The Villages residents shouldn't be concerned about open paths to the general public.

You are very wise grasshopper.

[createquilts]

Another consideration. The area west of brownwood is getting ready to be built. It will not be far from Wildwood. Just south of the Pinellas library there is a sign for an apartment type complex to be built. Just west of the library there is construction going on of housing units. While I am sure there are many lovely people who live in those areas, I don't see how you can allow one group of residents use of something without everyone else being granted the same privilege. What about recreation plantation? They are pretty close too.
An interesting thing happened when we were getting ready to move here. A friend of ours told us his mom lived right outside the villages. He could not understand why we would move here when you could live outside like his mom and have access "to all the villages has to offer".
We love it here. I love the people, love to be able to have one car and get wherever we want , and love to ride the paths in the cart. I love the activities, centers, pools...I could go on and on. We paid more to get more. But it isn't about being snobby. It has everything to do with managing paths that are already crowded

[NotGolfer]

My question...was Spruce Creek here after THE VILLAGES or about the same time? Their developer apparently wanted to "piggy back" on to a good thing and did so by advertising as he did.

Then, a developer may do what he wants with his development without the regards of other developments!!! So S.C. folks "got to" drive their carts, in the past...it was/is a privilege and NOT a right!

[chuck90199]

They still advertise cart access to The Villages. This is on their website this morning.

At the Stone Crest Country Club you can enjoy two golf courses, play on our lighted tennis courts and pickle-ball courts, swim in the heated indoor pool or any of the outdoor pools throughout the community. Play shuffleboard, bocce ball or softball on our new softball field. Get in shape at the community gym. And take a short golf cart ride to all the amenities in The Villages, including shopping, healthcare and entertainment.

Maybe The Villages could sell them a "license sticker" for their golf carts to allow access to our multi-modal paths.