[Gizemo33]

/// Christians need to organize a strong and forceful response to the CDD8 board.The entire anonymous reporting system needs to be totally overhauled. At issue is;
1) North of 466 there are no restrictions.
2) South of 466 there are restrictions for items deemed as LAWN ORNAMENTS.
3) The reporting of violations is via an anonymous complaint system.
4) The anonymous complaint can be made by non-residents.
5) Did you know that according to the prior CDD counsel MS Fuchs, "when you purchase a home here, you give up some of your Constitutional rights" That was her response to the statement that per the Constitution the accused has the right to face the accuser.
6) Per the new Florida state law, you can plant a garden in the front yard of your home. If you use the little white crosses to hold up you tomato plants, they NO LONGER can be considered LAWN ORNAMENTS.
7) The anonymous complaints only effect the address that the troll provided. This means, if 3 homes in a row each have a little white cross and the anonymous complaint is directed to the middle home, the neighbor's on each side can keep their crosses on display and ARE NOT asked to remove them. 8) Signs in window of homes are also considered in violation of the deed restrictions. Until recently, the trump 2020 signs in home windows, where not being reported. Now they ARE being anonymously reported and required to be removed.
9) The DRR have been found to vary from village to village.
We need to get all of our clergy involved and at the NEXT CDD8 meeting. Let them speak and protect our Christian rights!!!QUOTE=cypressmark33;1807661]Approximately two weeks ago a community standards representative came by and told me I must remove the white cross from my front yard. It was apparently reported by a “troll“. I have taken the necessary steps to correct this deficiency. However, in going around our community in tall trees I find white crosses all over the place, along with other numerous violations of yard ornaments and and unkept yards. I don’t know if I was one person who they singled out for some reason or nobody else has taken care of any violations that had been reported. If the person who reported me for the cross would like to come by my house at 2166 Smoaks , I would be happy to introduce them to my style of religion.[/QUOTE]

[E Cascade]

Paint a cross on the front of your home. I don't think anyone has the right to stop your right to expression of your religion. I don't care what your deed says. Nothing has the right to subordinate your federal rights in this country. I know you have a right to know who has reported you, because FL has a law on repeated harassment and the penalty for doing that. You have your rights too. Succombing to your loss of your religious expression on your own property is the first step to Chinese-over life style.

[Gizemo33]

/// FYI, The governor of the state of Florida signed a bill which states that you can plant a garden in your front lawn. "Yes a garden in your front lawn" and the Villages covenants/deed restrictions cannot, let me repeat cannot supersede or overturn this state law.

What I suggest we all do with our little white crosses is to simply go to Lowe's or Home Depot purchase tomato plants add the tomato plants to your front shrubs and in front of them put the white cross with a string tied to the tomato plant.

When you get the dreaded knock on the door, you simply explain -- that is not a white cross -- that is a steak holding up my tomato plant. "End of argument."

Also don't forget the ACLJ is suing to get the deed restrictions overturned.

God bless Jay Sekulow!!!
QUOTE=cypressmark33;1807661]Approximately two weeks ago a community standards representative came by and told me I must remove the white cross from my front yard. It was apparently reported by a “troll“. I have taken the necessary steps to correct this deficiency. However, in going around our community in tall trees I find white crosses all over the place, along with other numerous violations of yard ornaments and and unkept yards. I don’t know if I was one person who they singled out for some reason or nobody else has taken care of any violations that had been reported. If the person who reported me for the cross would like to come by my house at 2166 Smoaks , I would be happy to introduce them to my style of religion.[/QUOTE]

[Mohawksin]

Confusion will continue in this thread until you identify what district you are in whether 'offender' or making a comment. Said earlier, there are apparent inconsistencies due to districts defined as a function of time.

[Dust Bunny]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

As a TOTV member for 6 years, did you not know these were against the rules in several of the districts in The Villages?

If you did, then you knew you were violating the deed restrictions you agreed to. If you didn't, then the person reporting you did you a favor.

"Style of religion" is not part of the deed restrictions.

Check with the Villages to see if there is such a statute. Someone may be blowing smoke

[larcha]

Isn't the issue uniformity of enforcement rather than compliance with deed restrictions? If a deed restriction isn't worth enforcement without trolling maybe the restriction should be removed. Other than that, yes you signed up to agree to the restrictions but like most other legal small print most buyers fail to read it.

[Pommom91]

Is there an online link somewhere that I could use to find out what the deed restrictions are for outdoor decorations in district 12?

[PennBF]

A basic question is why do some feel the need to put a "White Cross" in their yards. We are Christians but would never use our belief in an attempt to push it on others or to brag about being a Christian? If it is to accomplish either of these you may want to revisit the basis for your faith and the governing source to identify that it is exactly why that does the opposite. This is a classic case of shooting the messenger. If you are violating a rule of the community and are called out for doing so then you should be ashamed of yourself and held accountable for your actions. The Troll's are to be commended for trying to keep the community at the highest of standards which it was designed to be.

[graciegirl]

Deed restrictions in communities are not new. When you buy here you agree to the deed restrictions. Some people think people should not be anonymous when they report you. BUT...that means for hard feelings at every neighborhood gathering, rather than just suspicions and that also means many of us leave for long periods of times..if you get my drift.

A huge majority of people who live in The Villages, close to 90% like the deed restrictions and the anonymous reporting. Sadly, we ALL think we have great style and taste and are a good barometer of what looks nice and what people agree with.

Fortunately, even in this Pandemic, homes here sell quickly and for a profit and people who are extremely upset about the rules that were here ALWAYS can sell and find a place that has no deed restrictions.

If you have been reported on an infringement, don't take it personally or take it as a hostile act. Only as a way to keep the community well kept and to keep property values high and to protect YOU and your neighbors from the dreadful bend over lady painted plywood cut out.

Home made yard ornament of painted bend over lady - Bing images

[Spalumbos62]

Originally Posted by Mohawksin

Confusion will continue in this thread until you identify what district you are in whether 'offender' or making a comment. Said earlier, there are apparent inconsistencies due to districts defined as a function of time.

The person stated their address- that should work.
Honestly, I love the tomato plant idea. Sounds like the start of a new movement 👍

[Number 10 GI]

I understand the deed restrictions and comply with them. There was a house in a neighborhood where my friend lived and the owner made up holidays and designed the decorations used to commemorate that "holiday". It was pretty bad, looked trashy rather than decorative and tasteful, however there were no codes that prohibited it.
My problem with the system used here is the anonymous reporting. This is a system used by every repressive government that has existed. People are urged and sometimes rewarded for reporting neighbors that have said something against the leader or the government and in many cases were not true, just a vindictive person getting even with someone they didn't like. This system builds distrust, suspicion and a general feeling of insecurity. It destroys the concept of neighborhood.
The credibility of the community standards office is lost when the standards inspector comes to the reported home to confirm the complaint but ignores similar violations on other homes and does nothing about them. There are security patrols that go through all the villages, why not require them to note violations and provide that to the standards office? I am more comfortable with that system than the anonymous reporting of violation that are very possibly vindictive in nature.

[jfkilduff]

I don’t think there are really any TROLLS I believe our neighbors are doing the complaining.

[Buckeye Bob]

Originally Posted by cypressmark33

Approximately two weeks ago a community standards representative came by and told me I must remove the white cross from my front yard. It was apparently reported by a “troll“. I have taken the necessary steps to correct this deficiency. However, in going around our community in tall trees I find white crosses all over the place, along with other numerous violations of yard ornaments and and unkept yards. I don’t know if I was one person who they singled out for some reason or nobody else has taken care of any violations that had been reported. If the person who reported me for the cross would like to come by my house at 2166 Smoaks , I would be happy to introduce them to my style of religion.

Just remove it for a week and then put it in a slightly different spot.

[ProfessorDave]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

As a TOTV member for 6 years, did you not know these were against the rules in several of the districts in The Villages?

If you did, then you knew you were violating the deed restrictions you agreed to. If you didn't, then the person reporting you did you a favor.

"Style of religion" is not part of the deed restrictions.

By definition - this response is one of a bureaucrat personality. The rules are the rules.

One of the most famous business philosophers put it simply - relating to people types - not actual jobs: PETER DRUCKER: "Manager thinking do things right - Leader thinking does the right thing."

[PennBF]

Try reading Matthew 6:5-6. It should help in understanding why cross bragging is not in line with Scripture.