[outlaw]

Originally Posted by Advogado

And why don't the supporters of the VHA present any facts to demonstrate that it is really a true homeowners' association and not merely a front organization of the Developer?

In any event, in response to your request, here is just a partial list of the POA's accomplishments (copied verbatim from the poa4us.org website):

The Lawsuit Settlement - Villagers achieved a friendly class action lawsuit settlement with the developer in 2008 valued at $43 million. The key points of the settlement were: Provision for Reserve funds for eventual repair and replacement of our facilities north of Hwy. 466; provision for renovation of the recreation trails north of Hwy 446; creation of the AAC (Amenity Authority Committee) which allows residents elected by residents to make decisions about the expenditure of amenity funds north of Hwy. 466; and payoff of the Paradise Recreation Center renovation debt.

Defeat of the Sumter County Hospital Tax - We opposed the creation of this taxing district which would have taxed Sumter County residents about $200-$300 per home for use by our hospital and also given 20% of the tax off the top to the developer's foundation.

Expansion of the Hospital - After the defeat of the Sumter Hospital Tax, the owner of our hospital, the Leesburg Regional Medical Center, said it would delay construction of the expansion. We called this morally wrong to delay expansion of our life-saving hospital. After a series of hard-hitting stories in the Bulletin, LRMC finally relented and proceeded with the expansion.

Hospital Emergency Room - We noticed continuing poor service and performance in our hospital's ER over the years. We documented over 125 instances of serious problems in the ER. We publicized the problems. In response, LRMC brought in a new CEO of the hospital, a new director of the ER, dedicated more resources and staff to the ER, hired more nurses, established better training programs, and brought in three Villagers to sit on the Board of the hospital's parent organization.

Moffitt Cancer Center - We advocated bringing this cancer center to The Villages for what we believed would be one of the crown jewels in the medical facilities of The Villages. We organized a letter-writing program, researched the demographics, argued for bringing the center here, and voiced our hopes to the appropriate decision-makers.

Vinyl Siding - Sloppy work and installation procedures characterized the building effort of the contractors for homes in The Villages south of Hwy 466 in the 2005-2008 time period. Credit has to go to Ray Micucci and his wife Lori for spearheading the inspection of over 1,500 homes and prodding the work of the warranty department and various contractors to repair the problems.

Activity Policy Reversal - The Center Districts voted to restrict residents from gathering to protest anything. A liability insurance policy for $1 million was also required 30 days in advance of any protest gathering. The POA opposed this action, calling it a violation of our Constitutional Rights of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly, and argued against it in the Bulletin. The Center Districts backed down and rescinded the rule.

Paradise Center - The original recreation center on the east side of Hwy 441/27 was deteriorating and an absolute disgrace. We did a survey, organized residents, pleaded with the VCCDD to renovate the center, advocated renovation in the Bulletin, and were eventually successful in getting this $5 million project off the ground.

IRS/Bonds - We are waiting on this one. But, what we did do was caution restraint rather than wild speculation, and we identified the developer as the only one to benefit financially from the issuance of the bonds as tax exempt. If we get the negative outcome, we trust that the developer will do what is necessary to protect residents from any adverse impact.

Performing Arts Center - We began advocating for this center early in 2010 and gave this idea the publicity it needed which helped secure the support of many Villagers. We presented the facts on the undesirability of the Church on the Square as a performing arts center. We will continue our support until the dream becomes a reality.

Conflict of Interests by District Employees - We documented the fact that some Center District employees were in line to benefit financially from certain dealings with the developer. We viewed this as a conflict of interests. As a result, one Center District employee was re-assigned, and any dealing like this in the future will be scrutinized for any potential conflict of interests problems.

Forgotten $200,000 Billing - Somehow or another, a VCCDD bill to the developer for about $200,000 for expenses related to his use of the Savannah Center was never issued. A POA director, Irving Yedwab, noticed the problem and we publicized the situation in the Bulletin. The developer did pay up once the bill was issued.

Sexual Offended Database - We published the State of Florida Sexual Offender Database for our area in the Bulletin and brought it to our meetings for review. Some opposed this move; but, we felt it appropriate to publicize names and addresses so that residents could judge for themselves how best to react to any nearby offenders.

Purchase of Common Property - The then District Manager also thought it unnecessary to publish details explaining the various common property purchases by the Center Districts from the developer. We analyzed many of these deals and published detailed explanations in the Bulletin. Unfortunately, the District Manager's reluctance to publish details has caused huge misunderstandings on the part of residents which continue to confuse to this day.

Center District Financial Statements - We were the first organization to publish the financial statements of the two Center Districts. Prior to that the District Manager said that it was not important to provide that information for residents. Thankfully, the Center Districts now routinely publish this information and includes it on their website (Village Community Development Districts)..

Bob Evans Restaurant - The developer wanted to build a Bob Evans restaurant on the east side of Hwy. 441/27. He used a heavy-handed approach with near-by residents to try to force them to approve a zoning change from residential to commercial. We publicized the issue in the Bulletin and the local opposition to this plan. The developer finally relented and the restaurant was located on Hwy. 466.

Violence on the Squares - We reported in the Bulletin on several instances of violence on the Squares. As a result, Center District administration worked with local law enforcement to provide a heightened law enforcement presence on the Squares.

POA Surveys - We conducted five Surveys through the Bulletin over the years detailing attitudes about life in The Villages. Some of the actions were later addressed by the developer and the Center Districts.

Wind Mitigation - We publicized the details of this state program to save residents literally hundreds of dollars annually on their home insurance for older homes.

Very informative! I always felt the POA was the true resident advocate, mainly because of the multimillion dollar settlement. But I had not realized all the important things the POA has done in the interest of the residents. WOW! I heard about the cozy relationship between the developer and the VHA, with the developer even funding the VHA. I am amazed at the number of otherwise intelligent and rational people that blindly and continuously ignore the transgressions of the developer; always attacking the messengers as "complainers" and "whiners", but never providing any facts refuting the message.
Another recent example of the POA watching out for the residents is the issue of the offer by the developer to fund a pool at a new recreation center on the proposed Baptist church property if purchased by the AAC. The recent POA monthly pointed out that the developer is offering nothing, because the offer to fund the pool is in lieu of the developer building a neighborhood pool in one of the new 300 home developments in the north end. For this, the developer wants the AAC to allow an additional 300 homes to be built in the north end of TV.

[graciegirl]

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[outlaw]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

1. You seem very involved, counselor.

You could have just said "Good job, counselor."

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

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For the benefit of any newbies here the above response signifies the author posted a reply then deleted it sometime after airing. This should help make Outlaw's response make better sense.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by Big O

I am not a supporter of the VHA. I don't know what they do. However, I am definitely against the POA. They seem to me to be nothing but whiners and obstructionists. If The Developer says up they say down. If there is an anti Developer view they take it. As I said before, I beleive it is political and I haven't seen anything to change my mind.

Do you live in the Villages, the one in Florida ??? Everyday I see the beautiful Paradise Park area, the new Rec Center for Tierra Del Sol and the soon to be Santiago Rec Center reminds me that none of this would exist if not for the POA fighting the legal battle. And for those of you who care, check out to see who provided the out of their pocket legal funding for this case.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by Advogado

What is the story there? As I said, I don't claim any special knowledge of the intricacies of the relationship between the VHA and the Developer. I just know that it smells.

Simply put, it is not unusual for past VHA presidents the be successful in Sumter County politics. One is even running for State Representative. The Developer created the VHA to counter balance the efforts of the POA.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by Advogado

As Daniel Moynihan said, "You are entitled to your own opinion. You are not entitled to your own facts."

Would you please point out at least one specific instance in which POA opposition to an action by the Developer has been wrong.

I would place my bet that there has never been such a case. The President of the POA is a very bright lady. While the VHA sits sucking their thumb, the POA is fighting for the benefits duly due to we residents. I am not sure I can come up with a single decision involving the Residents that the VHA has supported on behalf of the Residents.

[Thnonne]

Originally Posted by ureout

Thnonne.....I understand that you fully support the VHA and you definitely have the right to do so.....Please explain to us that don't understand... why? It seems from reading your posts it's because you feel POA backers attack the VHA ? Please give me a reason why I should change my mind....as in what have they done for the HOMEOWNERS that have had problems???

I am a member of the VHA, I do not support them because the POA backers attack them. I just am wary of any person or group who feels they have to bash their opponent to make themselves look better. I am not trying to change your mind about being a POA member, I just wish you [the POA] would stand on your merits alone. I feel the same way about mudslinging politicians, tell me to vote for you because of what you have done or will do, not because you say your opponent is unworthy.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by Thnonne

I am a member of the VHA, I do not support them because the POA backers attack them. I just am wary of any person or group who feels they have to bash their opponent to make themselves look better. I am not trying to change your mind about being a POA member, I just wish you [the POA] would stand on your merits alone. I feel the same way about mudslinging politicians, tell me to vote for you because of what you have done or will do, not because you say your opponent is unworthy.

First, I am not trying to recruit members for the POA, and I don't care whether you join or don't join the POA. And, if knowing the relationship between the VHA and the Developer, you still want to join the VHA, that is certainly up to you.

However, I want to make it clear that when others and myself point out facts demonstrating the corrupt relationship between the Developer and the VHA (and, in particular, between the Developer and certain VHA presidents), we are not "bashing" the VHA. Instead, we are exposing the VHA for what it is-- a phony homeowners' association, supported by the Developer for the purpose of weakening or destroying the POA.

[janmcn]

Residents in districts five through eleven will soon get a chance to see which organization has their back when they are handed a million dollar bill to shore up the land under the Morse Blvd bridge. The contractor doing the work has already said his plan may not solve the problem.

Which one would you want in your corner? Good times ahead.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Residents in districts five through eleven will soon get a chance to see which organization has their back when they are handed a million dollar bill to shore up the land under the Morse Blvd bridge. The contractor doing the work has already said his plan may not solve the problem.

Which one would you want in your corner? Good times ahead.

Road repairs happen everywhere. Are we going to blame the developer for the geological problems underlying the whole area of central west Florida????

It is these kinds of jabs and half truths and innuendos and rumors that make my blood boil.

[Big O]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

Do you live in the Villages, the one in Florida ??? Everyday I see the beautiful Paradise Park area, the new Rec Center for Tierra Del Sol and the soon to be Santiago Rec Center reminds me that none of this would exist if not for the POA fighting the legal battle. And for those of you who care, check out to see who provided the out of their pocket legal funding for this case.

I live in Fernandina. I look out every day and see Bonifay and Evans Prarie golf courses and that reminds me that the Developer is doing a wonderful job. It reminds me of what can be done with a positive attitude and that it exists in spite of the POA and the people who disagree with everythig the Developer does because of his politics. I will say this: They used crappy white carpet in my Gardenia. Do you think the POA would file a class action law suit for me if I said I was a Democrat?

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Big O

I live in Fernandina. I look out every day and see Bonifay and Evans Prarie golf courses and that reminds me that the Developer is doing a wonderful job. It reminds me of what can be done with a positive attitude and that it exists in spite of the POA and the people who disagree with everythig the Developer does because of his politics. I will say this: They used crappy white carpet in my Gardenia. Do you think the POA would file a class action law suit for me if I said I was a Democrat?

Um... I'm a Democrat, and they used crappy carpet in my Begonia. What the heck are you saying, anyway? "Facts" not in evidence.

[Big O]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Um... I'm a Democrat, and they used crappy carpet in my Begonia. What the heck are you saying, anyway? "Facts" not in evidence.

What I am saying is that I think the POA is an organization that has the objective to be a thorn in The Developer's side because of political reasons. I didn't mean to paint all Democrats with that brush. Sorry.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by Big O

I live in Fernandina. I look out every day and see Bonifay and Evans Prarie golf courses and that reminds me that the Developer is doing a wonderful job. It reminds me of what can be done with a positive attitude and that it exists in spite of the POA and the people who disagree with everythig the Developer does because of his politics. I will say this: They used crappy white carpet in my Gardenia. Do you think the POA would file a class action law suit for me if I said I was a Democrat?

As I said in an earlier post: You are entitled to your own opinion. You are not entitled to your own facts. Can you produce any facts whatsoever to substantiate your allegation that POA actions vis-a-vis the Developer are politically motivated?

To get my politics and animus toward the Developer out of the way, as I have said in earlier posts: I am a registered Republican, like the Developer. The Developer has done many things to be proud of in making The Villages the wonderful place it is today.

However, the Developer's relationship with the VHA (a VHA president on his payroll and upon their leaving office, ex-VHA presidents rewarded with County Commissioner positions, and maybe other favors extended to VHA officers that I no way of knowing about) is absolutely disgraceful.