[Marathon Man]

Those making the decision to close the rec centers have a thankless job for sure. Had the storm arrived when originally predicted, how many on here would have said "well done".

[kansasr]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Severe Weather Preparations – UPDATED 8/30/2019
While emergency management continues to be a function of the county in which you reside, the District works extremely hard in ensuring the safety of District staff, residents of The Villages and District facilities. In preparation of the potential for severe weather, you may see some of the following preparations occurring throughout the community.
ALL indoor and outdoor Recreation Facilities, including swimming pools, will be closed beginning Saturday, August 31st at 5:00 p.m. It is currently anticipated that recreation centers & outdoor facilities will remain closed Sunday, September 1st through Tuesday, September 3rd (dates are subject to change). For your health, safety and well-being please DO NOT ENTER any facility or park vehicles in the parking lots until it has been cleared and opened by The Villages Public Safety Department.
All Executive Golf Courses will be closed Sunday, September 1st through Friday, September 6th to safely assess all conditions.
In addition, the following preparations may be taking place:
· Certain wind screens will be removed from outdoor court areas.
· Outdoor furniture may be secured or placed indoors.
· District administrative offices may close.
· If there is a potential for strong winds, gate arms may be removed. If you approach a gate in which the gate arm has been removed, please use extreme caution and make sure to stop before proceeding.
· Irrigation may run along common areas and roadways to lower the water levels in water retention areas. This is done to ensure adequate capacity of the storm water management system.
We will continue to post updates as we begin some (or all) of the preparations mentioned above. If it is determined that preparations need to be made for the safety of this community, please understand that it may take days to complete these preparations. Facilities will be re-opened after it has been determined that the area and facilities are safe to do so by The Villages Public Safety Department or other appropriate agency. We greatly appreciate your understanding and patience.
Please stay tuned to Village Community Development Districts for additional information and updates. For additional information, please contact the District Customer Service Center at 352-753-4508.
To obtain information for your specific county, please visit the links below or contact the county in which you live for additional information.
Lake County - Emergency Management: (352) 343-9420 or visit Office of Emergency Management Home or
AlertLake - Emergency Notification System - AlertLake
Marion County - Emergency Management: (352) 732-8181 or
visit EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT — Marion County Sheriff's Office and Alert Marion
Sumter County—Emergency Management: (352) 689-4400 or
visit http://sumtercountyfl.gov/718/Emergency-Management and www.sumterprepares.com

Yes, I've seen that...not a peek out of the district government since.

[Arlington2]

The weather models have been predictably unpredictable for the past weeks. Now that they show the hurricane to be headed north we suddenly have great faith in the model. Monday if the hurricane decides to keep heading west rather than making a sharp turn north we will all be grateful the preparations are in place. If not, many will be saying it was crying wolf.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by Trayderjoe

Not at all. Consider that the people working for the Villages who are doing the prep have their own families/homes to worry about. Better that the preparation work is done proactively while giving the workers time to make sure that they and their families are as prepared as they can be.

I was in the direct line of a hurricane years ago and the hurricane took a literal "last minute" turn so that we ended up being brushed by the hurricane versus taking a direct hit. Mother Nature is going to do what she wants, and until Dorian dissipates, don't assume anything.

Fantastic and excellent post...plus DEAD ON!!

And NO, TV didn't take precautions too early.

Particularly given the consequences...of waiting too late.

And yeah, everyone will be an Einstein/Nostradamus...after the fact.

Might I suggest for all of the whiners, fer cripes sake, it's simply a few extra days of inconvenience...deal with it.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by kansasr

Yes, I've seen that...not a peek out of the district government since.

What are you expecting? A new track?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

Fantastic and excellent post...plus DEAD ON!!

And NO, TV didn't take precautions too early.

Particularly given the consequences...of waiting too late.

And yeah, everyone will be an Einstein/Nostradamus...after the fact.

Might I suggest for all of the whiners, fer cripes sake, it's simply a few extra days of inconvenience...deal with it.

You are right.
I don't even call it an inconvenience...…………………...

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by maybe

I am all for safety too, but I have seen no reason the p-ball courts, etc, could not be open today. The worst we could get today from Dorian would be less than what we could get nearly any summer day from thunderstorms. Good management would be adept at making quick changes. I am fine with them removing the water carts, folding sun screens, etc, but the courts could be as safely open today as any other summer day.

Apparently not......seems you are only for safety when it doesn't inconvenience you...it's ok to inconvenience those that will need to check the courts and equipment after you are done. Why should they have to prepare their homes or family....don't they know that you want to play PB? How dare they!

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by JoMar

Apparently not......seems you are only for safety when it doesn't inconvenience you...it's ok to inconvenience those that will need to check the courts and equipment after you are done. Why should they have to prepare their homes or family....don't they know that you want to play PB? How dare they!

Well said.


Not that it will register with those, who have the attitude of..."It's ALL about ME!"

[perrjojo]

We were in Hurricane Camille in 1969. Went to bed at midnight with 110 mph winds. Woke up next morning and the hurricane had 165 mph winds and had moved about 100 miles west. 256 lives were lost. Never trust a hurricane until it’s blown out. We learned the hard way.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

There is a CAT 5 hurricane headed toward Florida. And folks want to debate keeping the courts open one more day. How about we give the folks at Property Management a break and trust that there are things we don't know about that drive their decisions.

That would make sense if the models showed it heading to the middle of the state today. Landfall is still a day away and the predictions are that even if it was headed toward the middle of the state, which it probably is not, we'd be wouldn't be really impacted on Tuesday and perhaps Wednesday.

The question is not should we be prepared, should the local governments not getting prepared, it's how much are they doing and how far in advance. This call to close facilities was made on Thursdays. So much can, and has, happened between then and this coming Tuesday. Sure being prepared to close facilities should have been a logical action, but actually closing them that far in advance was absurd.

[Velvet]

I realize some people really miss the recreation etc. However, I respect that management considered our workers’ situation too. Everyone needs to feel safe and secure, and probably those workers are the ones that would be called upon to clean up if the hurricane left damage.

I can’t believe that anyone would actually consider seeing them in possible danger just so they provide another day or two of fun for us.

[HIgolfers]

YES. I agree that TV should be prepared but there was no reason to close rec centers starting Sat at 5 pm when the models indicated the storm wouldn't hit till Tuesday at the earliest. I understand that rec employees need to get their homes prepared but folks that does not take 3 days! For example sports pools: there is very little furniture in sports pools- might take 2 people about 10 minutes to secure it all. Rec center buildings- don't understand what preparation has to be done to these. OK let employees go home early on Monday- problem solved. Pickleball courts- if you want to take down the nets on the fences, OK but leave the courts open for people to play at their own risk- that's what we do evey other day isn't it? No one chases you off the golf course or out of pools when there is lightning- you are told to play at your own risk. In my opinion closing all these venues so early is just making residents more anxious because they are out of their normal routine and have nothing better to do than worry about the hurricane. Notice that many surrounding businesses are still open? (GOLFERS: driving range behind Walmart on 466 is open!) Gas stations outside of TV have no lines (had to drive to Gainesville Friday afternoon and saw no lines anywhere!) I am all for being prepared but TV definitely pulled the trigger too soon on this one.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

That would make sense if the models showed it heading to the middle of the state today. Landfall is still a day away and the predictions are that even if it was headed toward the middle of the state, which it probably is not, we'd be wouldn't be really impacted on Tuesday and perhaps Wednesday.

The question is not should we be prepared, should the local governments not getting prepared, it's how much are they doing and how far in advance. This call to close facilities was made on Thursdays. So much can, and has, happened between then and this coming Tuesday. Sure being prepared to close facilities should have been a logical action, but actually closing them that far in advance was absurd.

And by being extra cautious (and thinking of the employees who have to work to keep facilities open), exactly what major impact to your life...has a few extra closed days caused?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by kansasr

Yes, I've seen that...not a peek out of the district government since.

Here is the latest peek(sic) for your perusal...
---------
e-Notification
Subject: Administrative Message - Special Notification to All Newsletter Subscribers
Date: 9/1/2019


Hurricane Dorian Update – 9/1/2019
The District thanks you for your continued patience and preparedness as we all monitor what is being described as the largest hurricane in modern times. Your safety, and the safety of District staff, is of paramount importance and, as such, our facilities will remain closed as meteorologists ascertain the trajectory of this Category 5 Hurricane. Please continue to check Village Community Development Districts for additional information and update

[Graspher]

TV made the appropriate decision