[ladykathleen]

Thank God for the POA. Do some research on the POA. If it were not for them we would be totally paying, paying and paying and being taken advantage of. if it were not for the POA The Villages would not be worth living here. Harold Schwartz had a plan ,his decendents have a plan only for themselves. Attend your district meetings and other meetings in other districts. Research what we have paid for "amenities". Become involved. If it were not for the class action lawsuit we all would be in financial trouble.

[graciegirl]

Kathleen. Enlighten me. I know that the POA was behind a suit that saw that the developer fixed a lot of shingles.

I am very confused why the developer is at fault for someone choosing to buy the "over priced" homes. In your perfect Villages, without the framework we now have, how would you have things be? I am so happy with how things are. I cannot see too many flaws, certainly no more than other developments anywhere else. I certainly am having difficulty understanding the problems that you see here. I am new. We have lived in our house a total of 18 days and owned it for three months. We have old friends who live here and new ones and everyone seems to think living here is the cats pajamas.

[downeaster]

You are right, graciegirl.
I, too, lived in a development that was turned over to the residents. Suddenly special interest groups started feuding. It wasn't pretty. The developer left us with a healthy bank account and they couldn't wait to spend it.
I then "discovered" The Villages. The CDD concept appealed to me. It isn't perfect but I can't think of a better one.
Ladykathleen has a good point as well. The POA may not be everyones's favorite organization but it has served the residents well. The position of watchdog is not an enviable position but I'm glad someone is doing it.

DC

[chelsea24]

I love it, love it, love it here! And I can't say enough about the developer and it's my opinion that the Morse family deserves every penny they get.

I, too, have an uncomfortable feeling about how things can change when it is in the hands of "the people." We used to go to many association meetings in Illinois, and yes, they turned into self-serving cliques, also a lot of squabbling. The Board interpreted the by-laws however they saw fit. Puh-leeeease! Not that again!

To the Harold Schwartz and the Morse family. This was a hellova vision and I know, for me, it made my "golden" years the best they can be. :bigthumbsup:

[Russ_Boston]

Golden years Chelsea?

I didn't think that term applied to someone as young as you!

My two cents from a wannabe position:

I also live in a development that was turned over to the people. Let's just say that I hope the CDD concept is better.

The sooner that we understand the the developer, any developer, should not be criticized for how much we end up paying for our homes - the better.

POA vs. VHA - Heck, let's just keep ,use and participate in both. The more watchdogs the better I guess.

As someone mentioned earlier - It is still in the best interest of 'the family' to make sure that the TV concept continues to roll on due to their vast investment and potential resale revenue and commercial revenue. Let's not forget that 10's of millions of dollars have poured into the surrounding areas to support a population of 100K. Are we assuming that 'the family' doesn't have any other plans (maybe even owns some other nearby land?)

Russ

[chelsea24]

:-* Russ, here's a big kiss for that! Hope Mrs. Russ (Linda) doesn't mind!

Well "Golden Years" is not only age, but I feel like I'm in golden years just living here and reaching a point where I can work when I want to and still fully enjoy all the amenities of The Villages. ;D

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Harold Schwartz had a vision to give people who were not wealthy a retirement place that was wonderful.

He started to work on his vision in the 70's and now others have taken over his vision. His vision is continuing. I see The Villages continuing as it is for quite some time.

The plan if for at least 40,000 more homes to be built, that will take time. As long as there are more homes to be built The Villages has to be maintained or improve - otherwise they would not be able to sell new homes.

HB

I agree with Sidney

Originally Posted by Sidney Lanier

Well, of course the developer is here to make money! This is not a charitable institution, this is real estate development. The developer (and I use the word not to describe a specific individual but rather Harold Schwartz and his descendants) continue to invest their money into what at first was a concept that might have been uncertain, and it paid off for them--and for us, or we would not be here.... Paid off handsomely? Yes, well, good for them! "Field of Dreams": Build it and they [we] will come! And we are coming, so evidently the developer is doing something right. The developer's concept involved building the amenities first (which sadly has not been the case in other retirement developments), and we pay for them through our amenity fee. We know this when we buy here, and we accept that this is how it works.

[gfmucci]

Originally Posted by ladykathleen

People, remember the present developer did not create The Villages.* The present concept is "a far far cry" from the orginal concept.* I personally cannot wait until the management is in the hands of a (democracy) in the hands of people for the people.* Our situation will be so much for the better.

I hate to throw a wet blank on your utopian opinion of "democracy", but histories of condo and hoa's (homeowner "democracies") is that such developments never looked better maintained and were never as well run as when the developer of those projects had a vested interest in maintaining a high standard.* When the residents took over, with their democratic bickering and penny pinching, the quality typically takes a slow nose dive.

"The developer didn't create The Villages?"* That's a puzzler.* Who did?* The homeowners, Sumter County, Santa Claus?* The development has stayed "in the family".* And yes, the original vision changed - from a trailer park with amenities to what we have today.* That sounds like an improvement.* And your point about "the developer didn't create The Villages" is what?

[efrahin]

I like what I saw in TV and there is where I want to go asap (meaning selling my present house). I am, and figure most people in TV too, too old to start fighting the developer/s which I think have done a terrific job.

[ladykathleen]

Good Evening Graciegirl (I love your name),

The class action lawsuit came about because of several professional , extremely informed, intelligent residents who wanted to make sure we all can afford to continue living here. They committed many, many hours of research and gave of so much time. The POA reported the "happenings" and the results. Actually most of the positive results have to deal with the districts north of 466. Please attend various district meetings. You will meet, very capable financial planners, bankers, corporation presidents, managers of all types of developments. An exciting time does lie ahead for all of us.

Most of us are simply uninterested, too busy and do not want to make the effort to become informed or join. I was one of those people. Then I attended my district meeting and sat there for three hours even through all the "boring" figures (financials) I did not really understand but gave it my best try. I left there in awe of the people who run our board. My mother attended meetings when she was down here (she worked for a city hall in the mayors and attorneys office) and said it was like attending a city hall board meeting. Please don't sell your neighbors "short. Myself I could not do what they do and feel embarrassed that I cannot be of any constructive use. If I can motivate Villagers to learn about their government and at least attend various meetings and ask questions then I will have been of use.

Please remember that The Villlages is not completely built up and no negative publicity should reach the outside, though I personally don't think the present developer really doesn't give it much thought, he is so very rich. The new areas will be beautifully maintained and no all areas are not as maintained because money was lacking, however with winning the class action lawsuit money will now be available. Someone mentioned when they moved here 30 yeqrs ago the golf course across 441 was in terrible shape. Yes, this was essentially a "trailer Park". The income of those people has no relation to the income of those moving into the Villages today. Harold Schwartz could not have sold his plan unless he put money into the development.

I have no intention of being oppositional to your joy of living here. I also was in lala land until I became informed and now realize the people who care about us maintaining our way of life is us. I also was a condo president for many years. I lived there and wanted mine and others life to be quality. I had much problems with renters and landlords who bought with the sole purpose of renting. At the end of our street presently, we have a landlord who lives in Ocala, ownes several homes in the Villages and has had "bad" renters.

A very good evening to all
and a blessed Sunday

[Muncle]

Before all the Chicken Littles go into panic overload about the fate of TV when the vile developer leaves after build-out, I strongly recommend that they attend the CDD classes offered each week. And read up on CDDs and Florida Statues Chapter 190. It's not a willy-nilly transition at the developer's whim. Procedures are set out in law. Oh, and if you do research 190, go to the source. Do not depend upon such organizations as the POA which have been trying to get the law repealed or drastically modified (in my opinion, solely to hurt the Morse family). http://tinyurl.com/6xku2x

And do not listen to the (here it comes) specious twaddle spouted by the POA acolytes. Yes, the POA does some good. Their constant harping about siding ended up benefiting many of us. But it is not the be all and end all for resident concerns. Even the infamous lawsuit was grossly exaggerated in it's impact. Yeah, the lawyers got their 7 mil and each of the PAO folks involved got their 50K. But the 40 mil awarded to the plaintiff area was actually chump change. Remember that after a token initial payment (I forget amount, but about 10-12 mil), the rest is to be spread over 13 years --- maybe 2.5 mil per year. That will help with maintenance and small items, but it's not going to renovate rec centers or rebuild north of 466 cart paths and tunnels to the south of 466 standard.

Long before build out, developed districts evolve from developer controlled to homeowner/registered voter control. It's complete north of 466 and it's in progress in Districts 5 & 6. The budgets and priorities in these districts are controlled by your neighbors that you elected to office.

[Irish Rover]

Leisureville??? :dontknow: Ignore the characters depicted as Villagers and focus on his (Andrew Blechman) depiction of the developers of over 55 communities. The Kool Ade tends to fog minds. Just a thought.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Irish Rover

Leisureville??? :dontknow: Ignore the characters depicted as Villagers and focus on his (Andrew Blechman) depiction of the developers of over 55 communities. The Kool Ade tends to fog minds. Just a thought.

I don't understand. This is the only development the Morse family has done. The ones with a lot of communities is another developer. Am I correct?

I am drinking this Kool Aid again and I thought I had sworn off of it after drinking it with little four year olds at snack time for over 25 years. I don't think they would let them have it these days, Not healthy they would say.

[livsea2]

The one thing that concerns me ( and I must admit it concerns me a lot) is the "special CDD " that controls the rec centers and golf courses. It is now and always will be under the control of the developer. No residents of the villages live in that CDD so no one but the developer can control it. It has happened, especially in South Carolina, that after the development is sold out when the developer controlled the golf courses he decided the golf course wasn't needed for marketing and wasn't making enough money that land was better suited for condos!
The villagers don't own the golf courses and once development is complete they loose their marketing value? HHMMM? Shouldn't I be concerned? Just wondering.

[efrahin]

When elected oficials start running the show; it will be the time to pack and go.