[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by wudda1955

Number one, I'm not a guy. Number two, I'm certainly way older than 12, hence, the getting old and cranky comment. Number three, I live in The Villages full time and have for two years. Number four, why am I trying to justify myself to you? Who are you, the TOV police? Thank goodness someone is monitoring something going on around this place because they sure are missing the mark at the squares (well, at least Brownwood Square)!

I saw some things at the square that were out of line. They even announce at the beginning, and throughout the evening, that coolers aren't allowed at the square "according to Florida state law." Some people, however, are more special than others. I found the miniature pony on the dance floor to be really hard to take. It was there during the break, but the owner kept it there when the music started. There was no need for it to be there. I don't even like it when dogs are in the middle of the square when people are dancing. Around the square--no problem. On the dance floor? No way. Keep the poor animal comfortable and safe.

What was most disturbing, was that The Villages provided absolutely no security or anyone to enforce The Villages rules. There were two police officers standing off to the side and chatting. They don't enforce The Villages rules, however. Only the law.

It's only going to get worse as the winter wears on. I think my best bet is to stay away from the squares until spring. Someone is going to get hurt because of the actions of someone else, and I don't want it to be me or my husband.

I'm a bit confused. You say that coolers are prohibited "according to Florida State Law" yet the police are only enforcing the law, but they are not enforcing the no cooler law. If no coolers is indeed a FL State Law then shouldn't the police be enforcing it?

[eremite06]

WHAT!!!!.......,a dog AND PONY show???

[redwitch]

We frogs have the luxury of being here as long we want in a year. We get the benefit of great restaurant deals during the low season. Snowbirds pay amenity fees and taxes year round to the benefit of the frogs. They show an exuberance for TV activities that we frequently take for granted. So, I welcome the snowbirds and I'm glad that the entertainers see their value.

As to the pony, it would be allowed regardless of whether it was a service animal or not. Who knows, maybe it is used in instances where there is a lot of noise and crowds, such as special needs schools? Seems like the squares might be a good place to train it -- noise and crowds and people that would not try to unintentionally harm it. Not great for those enjoying the squares but not a bad idea for the animal. I just hope the man would clean up any accidents.

As to the coolers and lack of enforcement, I seriously resent TV forcing residents to be enforcers. You make the rules, you enforce those rules!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by redwitch

We frogs have the luxury of being here as long we want in a year. We get the benefit of great restaurant deals during the low season. Snowbirds pay amenity fees and taxes year round to the benefit of the frogs. They show an exuberance for TV activities that we frequently take for granted. So, I welcome the snowbirds and I'm glad that the entertainers see their value.

As to the pony, it would be allowed regardless of whether it was a service animal or not. Who knows, maybe it is used in instances where there is a lot of noise and crowds, such as special needs schools? Seems like the squares might be a good place to train it -- noise and crowds and people that would not try to unintentionally harm it. Not great for those enjoying the squares but not a bad idea for the animal. I just hope the man would clean up any accidents.

As to the coolers and lack of enforcement, I seriously resent TV forcing residents to be enforcers. You make the rules, you enforce those rules!

Ah.. but what about the pony poop?

Oh no!!! Another poop thread!

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by redwitch

We frogs have the luxury of being here as long we want in a year. We get the benefit of great restaurant deals during the low season. Snowbirds pay amenity fees and taxes year round to the benefit of the frogs. They show an exuberance for TV activities that we frequently take for granted. So, I welcome the snowbirds and I'm glad that the entertainers see their value.

As to the pony, it would be allowed regardless of whether it was a service animal or not. Who knows, maybe it is used in instances where there is a lot of noise and crowds, such as special needs schools? Seems like the squares might be a good place to train it -- noise and crowds and people that would not try to unintentionally harm it. Not great for those enjoying the squares but not a bad idea for the animal. I just hope the man would clean up any accidents.

As to the coolers and lack of enforcement, I seriously resent TV forcing residents to be enforcers. You make the rules, you enforce those rules!

[Cedwards38]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

Ah.. but what about the pony poop?

Oh no!!! Another poop thread!

You won't be picking that up in a plastic grocery bag!

[golfing eagles]

I wonder if I can get my granddaughter a pony ride

[wudda1955]

Originally Posted by redwitch

We frogs have the luxury of being here as long we want in a year. We get the benefit of great restaurant deals during the low season. Snowbirds pay amenity fees and taxes year round to the benefit of the frogs. They show an exuberance for TV activities that we frequently take for granted. So, I welcome the snowbirds and I'm glad that the entertainers see their value.

As to the pony, it would be allowed regardless of whether it was a service animal or not. Who knows, maybe it is used in instances where there is a lot of noise and crowds, such as special needs schools? Seems like the squares might be a good place to train it -- noise and crowds and people that would not try to unintentionally harm it. Not great for those enjoying the squares but not a bad idea for the animal. I just hope the man would clean up any accidents.

As to the coolers and lack of enforcement, I seriously resent TV forcing residents to be enforcers. You make the rules, you enforce those rules!

I think that's where we differ. I do not see the snowbirds as any more special or important than frogs because of their personal choice. I made a choice to live here full time simply because I could not afford to keep two homes. They made a choice to maintain two homes. I'm very happy for those who can, but it doesn't make them any better than I am. Some of them (not all, but a few who make it quite clear to the rest of us) do believe they are better and entitled to more.

I resent when entertainment or establishments add to that attitude of entitlement. The message of "Why, thank you snowbirds, this place was awful without you," is very unfair to those of us who ARE here supporting them twelve months out of the year.

Yeah, the police did tell me that he could have the pony there. It wasn't illegal and as long as the animal wasn't in distress there wasn't anything they could do. We'll never know if the animal was in distress because, well, they can't talk. I do know the poor thing didn't want to "dance," which pretty much consisted of the owner pulling it around the dance floor on a leash. I just felt bad for the pony. Then again, I'm not a fan of the circus or zoo's for that matter.

[wudda1955]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I'm a bit confused. You say that coolers are prohibited "according to Florida State Law" yet the police are only enforcing the law, but they are not enforcing the no cooler law. If no coolers is indeed a FL State Law then shouldn't the police be enforcing it?

That's what the message at the beginning says or words to that affect. The police were not in the square, they were on the outskirts so they didn't see it. Like I said, there was no one monitoring what was going on in the square. To be honest, I never even thought to report it, but you know what? I definitely will, next time.

Even so, The Villages made the rules. They need to have someone there to enforce them!

[tomwed]

I think I owe Wudda1955 an apology for mistaking her with a 12 year old prankster. Having been a 12 year old prankster for a very long time I thought the post had hit all the "trigger" words that fire up some of my peers like coolers, chairs, spankings, snowbirds.
The pony was just a kicker. Who wouldn't love a pony?

[cquick]

A HORSE! REALLY! That's just nuts.

[cquick]

so this is all just an April Fool's Day Joke. I fell for it hook line and sinker!

[wudda1955]

Nope. It's not a joke. I wish I had a video, or at least a picture, of it. It was a miniature pony.

[DougB]

Originally Posted by wudda1955

What is going on at The Villages Town Squares? Went to see Rocky and the Roller's tonight. One group decided to create their own front row and brought not one, but two coolers. I was under the impression that wasn't allowed, but okay, I'm over it. Next thing you know some guy has a miniature pony out on the dance floor. Supposedly, it was a service animal. Poor animal looked very unhappy to me. He proceeded to put the poor thing around the dance floor to show off it's dancing skills.

There was no one--and I mean no one--monitoring anything at the square. No security. No Community Watch. There were two police officer's who informed me that it wasn't illegal for the guy to bring the horse on the square. Really? They proceeded to tell me that it was like some people believe that spanking kids is okay, while others do not. What that had to do with anything is beyond me. Besides, if they saw someone spanking a child, they'd probably arrest them! We left.
To top it off, the band welcomed back the snowbirds. No big deal, but did they thank those who are here supporting them year 'round? Nope. Not a word.

I guess I'm just getting old and cranky.

Did you ask the poor unhappy horse, "Why the long face?"

[looneycat]

Originally Posted by wudda1955

I never said it did. The band welcomed back the snowbirds. I thought it was odd that they band gave them special recognition, that's all. Snowbirds are no more special than the rest of us. I graciously pay my amenities fees year round as well, so what?

Now that I think about it, yes, I do provide more support to everything. I'm there while you're away. I support the restaurants and stores. I support the movie theaters while you're away. I support my neighbors by keeping an eye on their homes while they're away. So, yes, I do provide more support. I may not appreciate The Villages any more than you do, but my support is full time.

I am a full time resident you do no more than I