Originally Posted by Indydealmaker (Post 785550)

I suspect that it is likely that not ALL of the animus toward the Developer is founded on envy or some similar emotion. I do believe, however, that much of the complaints and disappointments are the result of UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.

From what I have observed, many people have moved here with the understanding that they have a legal contract with The Villages that says:

1. Free entertainment on the Square For Life.
2. The Villages is a private "gated" community.
3. The Villages is a secure "dome" safe from the outside world.
4. The rules are for everyone else.
5. It is a law that everyone must be Friendly.
6. Community Watch is for security.
7. The Developer is obligated to control which retailers are in TV.
8. The Developer's profit has a cap. Above that he becomes unethical.
9. The streets are all private.
10. Now that one is retired and living in TV, all costs are frozen.
11. All restaurants must be perfect 100% of the time.
12. TV will never be too crowded.
13. TV will never have too many snowbirds and part time residents.

I have combed through all of my files and come to the conclusion that the only contract we were offered was the contract to purchase a home with deed restrictions. I now seem to recall that before we bought our home, I researched the developer, the deed restrictions, historical home values, taxes, local neighboring towns. I drove most of the villages, observed new homes under construction, talked to tons of TVers on the squares, subscribed to The Daily Sun went out for a night of drinking and debauchery with Mr. Midnight. And guess what? No surprises and no complaints! I am not 100% satisfied with all aspects of life in TV, but no surprises.

The Villages is a Microcosm of the rest of the country, with a twist. That twist is that we have the largest concentration of seniors in a relatively small geographic stamp. That is neither all good nor all bad. It just is.

We are living in a quasi governmental district that offers certain itemized amenities for which we agree to pay an annual fee that has an escalator clause. We also have agreed to pay a maintenance fee.

That is it. No other contracts. All of the other emotional lifestyle expectations, are solely the responsibilities of the residents.

So get up in the morning, put on your parrothead cap, make a marguerita, pour a Johnnie Black and go out and be Friendly. Make TV your own little paradise and all of a sudden it will be that for all.

Originally Posted by mickey100 (Post 785594)

I agree that some people have unrealistic expectations. But many people DO have VALID expectations, and when things aren't up to snuff they certainly have the right to voice their opinions without being insulted and slammed or being called negative. I think that was the point that some of the posters have been trying to make. Its all fine and dandy to say "make your own little paradise", but if the activity that you enjoy that comprises your little paradise, all of a sudden is compromised, and it appears there are reasonable solutions that are not being utilized, people will rightly complain in the hopes of making things better. That is a good thing, and good for us all. It keeps management on their toes and protects our lifestyle.

Originally Posted by TheVillageChicken (Post 785454)

Since the OP opened the door for posting PM's, here you go. I won't identify the person, though.

It was designed to be an honest discourse about the general tone of the majority of Threads here posted month after month on this site .

The subject line was a question asked honestly .
" Why is it that ......... ".

I wish that I could share the now 21 PMs that have been sent to me by very well educated and articulate people who admit that they agree with me 100% but that they can not deal with the inevitable " piling on " that they feel would quickly await them from the tight " clique " of regulars who dominate this site .
As more than one shared with me : " They have their own little club and god forbid anyone else dare join in the discussion unless they agree with the regulars ".
And finally this site remains active and free due to sponsorship dollars . I found it very interesting that as of 5PM today no less than now 3 sponsors have stated in PMs to me that they are exiting at the end of their contract . All state that they have become discouraged by the constant petty bitching .
And in my opinion you sir or madam enjoy stirring the pot with your sarcastic biting remarks .
Cheers !

Originally Posted by Buffalo Jim (Post 785648)

I am the OP and I believe that the Thread I initiated has more than accomplished the objectives of generating a dialog about civility and balance on this site .
Also the willingness to encourage new comers to feel comfortable posting here without becoming hit with a figurative " knock out " punch .
I have learned much and enjoyed the now well vetted debate . And I thank each and every person who has commented no matter their point of view.
I`m not certain how to arrange for a Thread to be closed but I am now asking the Moderator to do so . I think it is just " time " .

Originally Posted by Buffalo Jim (Post 785648)

I am the OP and I believe that the Thread I initiated has more than accomplished the objectives of generating a dialog about civility and balance on this site .
Also the willingness to encourage new comers to feel comfortable posting here without becoming hit with a figurative " knock out " punch .
I have learned much and enjoyed the now well vetted debate . And I thank each and every person who has commented no matter their point of view.
I`m not certain how to arrange for a Thread to be closed but I am now asking the Moderator to do so . I think it is just " time " .

Originally Posted by rubicon (Post 785655)

The Village Chicken: I don't know that TOTV has a tight clique?

Let suppose you are correct concerning the continual complaining. do you suppose such constant complaining may be better described as problems being expressed by customers on TOTV repeatedly because ineffective management fails to act?

I will not name the owner but there is one very established restaurant that sponsors and hence monitors this forum. If a problem is expressed by a customer on TOTV that owner's restaurant he PM's them. He also PM's them if they advance a compliment.

The three or so sponsors you claim will not renew their contracts in my view are missing an opportunity to stay in communication with the mood and desires of their potential customers. In my view TOTV is a gold mine of information for business people

As I indicated in my previous post the problem is members who complain about complainers. Perhaps these members might be better served to move from a talking mode and more to a listening mode. Perhaps instead of prejudging someone concern about say the Developer they might start out with "Tell me why you feel that way?"

TOTV is an excellent outlet for many folks. I have noticed the wide difference between the number of members who only view posts to those that respond. Perhaps that is what they refer to as the silent majority?

Personal Best Regards:

Originally Posted by TheVillageChicken (Post 785661)

Not my words, Sir, nor my sentiment. Just sharing a PM I received...I'm a giver.

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 785684)

Sharing a Private Message?

Originally Posted by mickey100 (Post 785517)

How true. I am sorry the OP had problems in his personal life, but I didn't agree with his statement that basically said anyone who says something negative about the Developer begrudges the Developer his success, and so on. People complain about the Developer for a variety of reasons, often because, in their minds, they feel Developer has taken advantage, or is not living up to the expectations they had when they purchased here, and so on. Those are real concerns, not to be brushed under the rug or a reason to insult someone. Ultimately, when some people complain about the Developer or any Villages related issue, I think they are hoping to raise awareness so ultimately things will get better in the future.

There is obviously a clique on this site and they will immediately jump on any post that implies in any way that The Villages is not perfect. What are they so afraid of? I just can't understand why they are so terrified that if one exposes a few warts, the whole lifestyle will come crashing down. And yes, there is meanness and insulting remarks. I have brought this issue up with the moderators, and have gotten no where. I think they are probably pandering to this clique because they post so often, so it brings up their stats which raises the site's value as far as getting advertisers. But as you said, the tone of TOTV has gotten so bad, that people are getting sick of it. If it keeps up, they will have their clique, and the people who are trying to advertise their garage sales, and everyone else will have moved on to greener, friendlier pastures.

Originally Posted by rayschic (Post 785697)

Does anyone know who the moderators of TOTV are ? Will anyone admit to being one ? I think that they usually do a good job but it may be a conflict of interest to be a poster and a moderator. It's also a thankless job and not one that I would want.
The info below is copied from the TOTV Forum Instructions.




What are moderators and administrators?

Moderators oversee specific forums. They generally have the ability to edit and delete posts, move threads, and perform other actions. Becoming a moderator for a specific forum is usually rewarded to users who are particularly helpful and knowledgeable in the subject of the forum they are moderating.

Administrators are the people who have overall control of everything that happens on the board. They oversee how the board is styled, what forums to create and how to organize them, what information to require from members and who to appoint as moderators.