Zombie Gnome's! Too funny! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

...and if you get a letter, put the gnomes away! Simple as that. Why so much drama over nothing?

"Good fences make good neighbors"
From the Mending Wall by Robert Frost

It would be good for posters to read (google) this wonderful poem written many years ago by one of America's greatest philosophers/poets.It refers to neighbors agreeing to rebuild and keep in good repair a fence (rule of use).

Good rules (fences) also make good neighbors, provided that everyone abides by the covenants that they have previouly agreed to.

No one is required to be a "snitch". Some feel that they should utilize their contractural right to report infractions (rebuild and repair) the wall. In the final analysis the reporters are helpping to preserve the values of all, even those who protest so loudly.

LOL, good fences make ...... fences!

I love the metal birds in the yards by houses, but have to admit in our old neighbor hood, the house down the street had more garden decorations in the front yard than Walmart. Yes I know they loved it but not following the rules is not right. Nope no one has turned them in but...

Excellent post Challenger and very reasonable point made.

One of the reasons that this place is so beautiful is because of the deed restrictions.

They aren't a minus, they are a plus. Deed restrictions are not new to many of us. We chose to build our last five homes in deed restricted areas, because the restrictions protected our investment and because we liked the way it looked.

The deed restrictions became more tight as The Villages grew. There are not as many in the historical parts and in the areas off of Morse north of 466 as there are in the newer areas north of 466 of Buena Vista and all areas south of 466.

They used to be overseen by Villages Watch but now they are enforced when someone reports them. If you call Standards, there will be NO public record. I was surprised to read about the emails being public...which makes me muse...........Whoops.

I did not move here to look at bend over ladies and multiple pots and gee gaws and frou frous and plastic flowers. I didn't even move here to look at expensive bronze ornaments....but there are some that can get approval from ARC if requested, so ask them before you place something beautiful and find out it is against deed restrictions.

I think it odd that someone turned in myriads of reports, but if a bend over lady comes into my line of vision near my home...well..you guessed it.

And if I get all out of wack and silly as I grow older and buy a bronze statue of Brad Pitt and place it in my front flower bed, well please feel free to report me. I know that if I don't comply, I will get fined and a lien placed on my home. Rules and restrictions were there when I bought and I signed the papers.

Let's keep The Villages beautiful.

So let me understand I break the law (or violate my deed restrictions) but my friends say it's ok.
It's not the number of violations that's the problem even one is too many.

Let me try and bring this back to the original issue. One item is a violation. Anyone can file a compliant. No one can defend by stating the value, the beauty or the number. The posters are correct, the deed states no lawn ornaments. Now drive around, of course you see them. My issues is with a person on a personal mission, turning in hundreds of people. The person does not live in my village. Yes they have the right, but wow, what a power trip. Heck the person does not even need to live in the villages. The other issue in the compliance people are telling different people different rules. The other funny issue is that as they are talking to reported home owners, they do no address homeowners who have ornaments but no one reported them. The system is not working!

Right. Sounds like this has really upset you. Whether it's 1, 97 or "hundreds," makes no difference.

While the system is not perfect, it does work. Obviously, TV and many posters agree. Sometimes one just needs to accept what one cannot change. Don't hold a grudge against this person despite the fact that you don't like what they did. Sounds like this is eating you up inside. Not worth it. Namaste.

Only a few get caught for traffic violations. Should we stop enforcement?

Could it be we really hate it but want to try to be nice???

Here's a nearby place that doesn't worry about these things. Vote with your wallet.

Lake Weir Preserve - Lake Weir Preserve

HOA (Home-Owner Association) fees & restrictions, and CDD or bond fees are not part of the active adult lifestyle at Lake Weir Preserve

I think the system is broken. I think instead of having to report someone for the heinous crime of placing a small ceramic statue in their garden, the person who is offended by said statue should have to confront the classless buffoon face to face. I can imagine the conversation would go like this, " Hi Johnny I am your neighbor 5 doors down the block and I drive down the street everyday and I am appalled at your lack of taste and class with your choice of lawn decoration! Get rid of that lawn gnome right now!" Johnny might reply with," Oh its nice to meet you! I have seen you and your lovely wife riding down the street with your gnome documentation equipment. That is you right? You have that neon pink cart with all the little fuzzy dice hanging from roof. I love those floral Moo Moos your wife wears and those clown sunglasses are just priceless! Well listen about my yard gnome....I am retired and I just dont give a sh-- any more. I moved down here to Americas friendliest hometown so that I can spend what time i have left on this planet just relaxing. I have lots of friends here who dont care how much money I have, or what kind of car I drive, and they certainly dont care if I have a lawn gnome or not! So listen when you pass my house in the future please just avert your eyes and keep right on going. And one last thing... please tell your wife that Omar the tent maker is having a sale on Moomoos this week!"

And that is the reason so many of us choose deed restricted areas to buy.
Only some people like confrontation. You may call and report someone's statue of President Bush if that is not the kind of thing you enjoy. No one will know unless you email. So don't email, just call.

Or not.

But that is something very positive to have, Deed restrictions. Because good taste isn't universal. Nor is the courage to confront someone....

Believe in DEED RESTRICTIONS..., without them this place would look VERY DIFFERENT in about a month.