Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 1820417)

I liked Katie Belles, as did a lot of people. I was a fun place. But you are right. The developer gets to "dictate"! And that makes us......What?

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 1820425)

Gets me that people say that Katie Belles closed due to people coming in and not ordering anything.

All management had to do is have a certain minimum charge per person and the problem goes away.

Originally Posted by JoMar (Post 1820484)

The old Katie Belle's did go to a minimum when there was entertainment, attendance decreased whenever they applied the charge. Reconfiguring allowed less space but evidently they couldn't make the business plan.

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna (Post 1819623)

Somewhat surprisingly, the three candidates that challenged the three developer-supported Incumbents for positions as Sumter County Commissioners won the Republican Primary convincingly. The challengers will have to win the General Election in November, and there will be lots of developer-designed and funded challenges, probably for write-in candidates. The upcoming weeks will be interesting as this will be the first time in at least a decade when the Sumter County Board won’t be cleanly “in the pocket” of The Villages Developer.

What’s at risk for the Developer? Lots of things. Without a lot of study, how about...

—A repeal of the major change which has the new roads and infrastructure in the new southern end of The Villages funded by the taxpayers rather than the Developer as had been the practice until this year. The result of the change was a 25% increase in property taxes. The challengers all ran with the repeal of those tax increases as a major plank in their platforms.

—The possible repeal of the “One Sumter” procedure for the election of County Commissioners. The change in the electoral process goes back almost fifteen years and was designed and sponsored by the Developer. The result of the electoral change was that the County Board could be controlled by three members, all of whom have turned out to be choices of the Developer and financed by them. The result of course was pretty much complete control of the Board in getting anything the Developer wanted approved.

—There are lots of other decisions facing the County Commissioners that will effect all Villages residents living in Sumter County (the vast majority of us). Not the least important issue might be approval of the re-zoning of the Hacienda Hills CC parcel to permit the construction of a high-rise 286-unit apartment building.

So it’ll probably be important for all of us to begin to pay lots more attention to local Sumter County politics. You can be certain that the Developer will be very creative approaching the General Election and beyond, trying to regain control of the Sumter County Board. Keeping local politics in the control of the taxpayers will take our collective, continual attention.

Originally Posted by KRM0614 (Post 1820397)

Nothing will change. Money is the pivotal driver in everything here. There may have been a vision 40 yrs ago however TV strayed from that exponentially. The lack of honesty the aggressive sales tactics the control of the messaging thru media just makes the vision merely that. Everything here is nothing like the commercials.

Originally Posted by WindyCityzen (Post 1820562)

It’s a five person board, correct? Three votes would be a majority. Did they shrink the board size in the One Sumter plan? I’m confused what’s wrong.

Originally Posted by Northwoods (Post 1820142)

Hacienda Hills... The Developer wants to build a nice apartment complex with a pool (SWIM UP BAR) and restaurant. All residents have access. Or... you can have a parking lot. You don't get to dictate what is on that site. (Neither do the new commissioners).

Remember Katie Bell's? You want the Developer to build a restaurant for Villagers so they can order a water with lemon and split the entree.

So many people complain that The Developer is abandoning the older sections of The Villages. The Developer is willing to provide housing for some of the older residents that don't want the maintenance of a house anymore. The complex will feature a new pool and a new restaurant.

But many of you don't want that. You would prefer a parking lot.

Originally Posted by Bonnevie (Post 1820914)

So you expect the older residents who are probably living with a paid off mortgage and no bond to want to move into apartments that cost about $1700 for a one bedroom one bath unit, extra for covered parking just so they can have a swim up bar????

and the old Katie Bell's was always packed with people at the bar. one of the few places in The Villages opened late and there seemed to be some heavy drinking. as someone once said, anyone with a liquor license can make money.

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 1819662)

I though that Hacienda Hills CC was in Lake county.

Originally Posted by Halibut (Post 1820160)

Was there perhaps some sweet gerrymandering to have a facility with a Lady Lake address and zip code be part of Sumter County?

Originally Posted by J1ceasar (Post 1820175)

Suddenly, three new Cadillacs will appear in certain Drive ways after the voting is November.

Just a joke folks don't take this seriously

Originally Posted by Northwoods (Post 1820916)

Have you priced Independent Living Facilities? $1700 is a bargain. Plus... you still have access to all Villages amenities.

I know a few people (in their early 80's) that think the Brownwood Lofts are very appealing.

And I don't think people are going to move to the apartments for the swim up bar. I'm saying that as a Villager resident with access to the apartment amenities, I'M interested in the swim up bar.

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan (Post 1820630)

Some of you need to GROW UP and quit whining about everything.

Originally Posted by queasy27 (Post 1821168)

Honestly, I like hearing from the kvetchers, just like I do the rose-tinted Developer fans. It would be depressing to live in Stepford where everyone thinks and acts the same.

Originally Posted by Bonnevie (Post 1820914)

So you expect the older residents who are probably living with a paid off mortgage and no bond to want to move into apartments that cost about $1700 for a one bedroom one bath unit, extra for covered parking just so they can have a swim up bar????

and the old Katie Bell's was always packed with people at the bar. one of the few places in The Villages opened late and there seemed to be some heavy drinking. as someone once said, anyone with a liquor license can make money.