[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by bimmertl

They can't get away with it if somebody is paying attention and wants to take them to court, which is the only option with Morse and his minions.

http://www.ccfj.net/CDDVillages$40milllawsuit.html

Here is another link on the lawsuit.
http://www.thevillagesfl.us/classactionsettlement.htm

[villa2]

Originally Posted by bimmertl

They can't get away with it if somebody is paying attention and wants to take them to court, which is the only option with Morse and his minions.

http://www.ccfj.net/CDDVillages$40milllawsuit.html

I'm confused. Who are Mr. Morses's minions?

[jannd228]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Here is another link on the lawsuit.
http://www.thevillagesfl.us/classactionsettlement.htm

[villa2]

Originally Posted by jannd228

You don't like the Villages? Why are you clapping?

[jannd228]

Originally Posted by villa2

You don't like the Villages? Why are you clapping?

I think the Villages is a wonderful place to live, I just don't trust developers, they are following the Disney model, I attended the Disney business management courses

and the clapping is for the link posted

[iaudit]

Originally Posted by Lou Card

I would recommend you try a retirement community outside of Florida. If you have this much worry about the bonds, You will never be happy here. We on the other hand love this place and trust the Morse's.

Who exactly is the we that you speak about? I have lived here for almost four years and I do not trust the Morses. Because our local "newspaper" does not really report the news, most of the people in the Villages are not even aware of the IRS bond issue.

[villa2]

Originally Posted by iaudit

Who exactly is the we that you speak about? I have lived here for almost four years and I do not trust the Morses. Because our local "newspaper" does not really report the news, most of the people in the Villages are not even aware of the IRS bond issue.

Just curious. Did you trust the Morses when you bought into the Villages? How long were you there before you distrusted them? I have been researching the Villages for 2 1/2 years and I trust them. But I also trust my bank, my contractors, my insurance agent, my favorite car salesman, dry cleaner, grocery store etc. When I lose trust I will find another to replace.

I'm sorry, I mean no disrespect, but I probably would have to move if I distrusted my circumstances.

[iaudit]

Originally Posted by villa2

Just curious. Did you trust the Morses when you bought into the Villages? How long were you there before you distrusted them? I have been researching the Villages for 2 1/2 years and I trust them. But I also trust my bank, my contractors, my insurance agent, my favorite car salesman, dry cleaner, grocery store etc. When I lose trust I will find another to replace.

I'm sorry, I mean no disrespect, but I probably would have to move if I distrusted my circumstances.

Sorry, I have no intentions of moving just because I do not trust the Morses. I admire the Morses for what they have created here but the bottom line is that they are in it for the money. If they had 100% control of everything here, I probably would move.

One of the things that I think about (not worry about) is to what degree they subsidize some of the things that we enjoy in the community (nightly entertainment, cost to play the championship courses, etc.). Will any of these things we eliminated or reduced when the villages is built out in a couple of years? The real profit for the developer is in the houses that he sells and once all the land is developed, will he pull all subsidies. Like I said, I don't stay up nights worrying about this ( or the IRS bond isuue), but I do think about it.

A lot of my skepticism with the Morses is due to the things the POA have taken him to task for: the lack of reserves for the sold amenities (resulting in a $40 million settlement), the siding issue (they basically took over half my siding off, replaced some sheathing, and rehung the siding and they also resided or rehung a significant number of houses in my neighborhood), payments for repairing sinkholes, retracting the free cable offer - just to name a couple.

I also think it is a real shame the Morses don't interact with community on a regular basis and entertain questions from the residents, like the founder Harold Schwartz was said to do.

BTW, I have never heard of anyone that trusts a car salesman!!!!!!!!

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by iaudit

Sorry, I have no intentions of moving just because I do not trust the Morses. I admire the Morses for what they have created here but the bottom line is that they are in it for the money. If they had 100% control of everything here, I probably would move.

One of the things that I think about (not worry about) is to what degree they subsidize some of the things that we enjoy in the community (nightly entertainment, cost to play the championship courses, etc.). Will any of these things we eliminated or reduced when the villages is built out in a couple of years? The real profit for the developer is in the houses that he sells and once all the land is developed, will he pull all subsidies. Like I said, I don't stay up nights worrying about this ( or the IRS bond isuue), but I do think about it.

A lot of my skepticism with the Morses is due to the things the POA have taken him to task for: the lack of reserves for the sold amenities (resulting in a $40 million settlement), the siding issue (they basically took over half my siding off, replaced some sheathing, and rehung the siding and they also resided or rehung a significant number of houses in my neighborhood), payments for repairing sinkholes, retracting the free cable offer - just to name a couple.

I also think it is a real shame the Morses don't interact with community on a regular basis and entertain questions from the residents, like the founder Harold Schwartz was said to do.

BTW, I have never heard of anyone that trusts a car salesman!!!!!!!!

Shaking 80,000 hands would take a long time. Harold knew everyone because there were only 200 trailers at the time. Can you imagine a town hall meeting once a month?

[`willy]

Originally Posted by villa2

Just curious. Did you trust the Morses when you bought into the Villages? How long were you there before you distrusted them? I have been researching the Villages for 2 1/2 years and I trust them. But I also trust my bank, my contractors, my insurance agent, my favorite car salesman, dry cleaner, grocery store etc. When I lose trust I will find another to replace.

I'm sorry, I mean no disrespect, but I probably would have to move if I distrusted my circumstances.

Its a shame, after 2 1/2 years of research, you didn't find TOTV till 2010.
You missed a lot of posts from Villagers that distrusted the developer. They
can't all move.

Willy

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by iaudit

Sorry, I have no intentions of moving just because I do not trust the Morses. I admire the Morses for what they have created here but the bottom line is that they are in it for the money. If they had 100% control of everything here, I probably would move.

One of the things that I think about (not worry about) is to what degree they subsidize some of the things that we enjoy in the community (nightly entertainment, cost to play the championship courses, etc.). Will any of these things we eliminated or reduced when the villages is built out in a couple of years? The real profit for the developer is in the houses that he sells and once all the land is developed, will he pull all subsidies. Like I said, I don't stay up nights worrying about this ( or the IRS bond isuue), but I do think about it.

A lot of my skepticism with the Morses is due to the things the POA have taken him to task for: the lack of reserves for the sold amenities (resulting in a $40 million settlement), the siding issue (they basically took over half my siding off, replaced some sheathing, and rehung the siding and they also resided or rehung a significant number of houses in my neighborhood), payments for repairing sinkholes, retracting the free cable offer - just to name a couple.

I also think it is a real shame the Morses don't interact with community on a regular basis and entertain questions from the residents, like the founder Harold Schwartz was said to do.

BTW, I have never heard of anyone that trusts a car salesman!!!!!!!!

You say that the Morses' are in it for the money. Do you honestly think they should take all the risks, provide what is here for everyone, and not get anything for it? Would you?

As for the free cable, do you know of anyplace that furnishes cable? We came here in 2004 and cable was not free then. It was not Comcast, but Clearlink and, yes, we paid for it. If you used it for your internet, then TheVillages.net was included and continued for a while with Comcast when they took over. I think you are probably actually talking about the tee time system. That only applies if you play golf and if the cable company went up on them, why should they absorb that cost for you (cable charges are most always on the rise)? You do not have to use TheVillages.net as your internet provider otherwise.

I cannot blame them for not interacting as Mr. Schwartz was said to do. Why would they want to come out just to be criticized on every phase of what's here that they don't totally foot the bill for? I was not here then, but I would like for those who were to tell everyone what the atmosphere was. Did they all expect Mr. Schwartz to furnish everything? From what I've heard, his concept was for this place to be affordable for everyone which by definition, affordable is not free/furnished.

Will they leave when buildout occurs? I hope not, but I sure couldn't blame them.

[villa2]

Originally Posted by `willy

Its a shame, after 2 1/2 years of research, you didn't find TOTV till 2010.
You missed a lot of posts from Villagers that distrusted the developer. They
can't all move.

Willy

Looks like you assume before you get the facts.
I am a long time TOTV lurker. The archives are still there,as is the search tool.

What percentage of villagers, would you estimate, would move if given the opportunity? Do you want to move? Maybe you can offer me a deal because I will be down there when my home is sold.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by terrieb

My husband and I have been going back and forth renting houses in the Villages to get a feel for life here. Then I read a few articles about the IRS and the Villages management in a battle over back taxes and the bonds implemented when you purchase a home saying they (the Villages management have no authority to initiate this bond). For fear of retrobution and or additional monies being tossed to the residents to have to pay, we have decided to not move here solely for that reason. Also, we hear there are so many "ammenity fees" that you pay just to live in the Villages. Is there information on this IRS issue I can review and how many "fees" does one pay just to live in the Villages?

I would appreciate input from anyone!!!

A couple points of clarification and a question:

The IRS doesn't question TV's authority to issue bonds. The IRS is reviewing whether revenue bonds issued on the sale of the amenities should have qualified as tax-exempt, and is questioning the valuation used.

There's only one "amenities" fee, but there are additional fees. There is an annual maintenance assessment and a one-time bond on each home in TV that is paid over a 30-year period. Other fees and restrictions may apply. See store for details. Not valid with other offers. (You get an outstanding quality of life and lots of excellent amenities for these charges, in my opinion. They're just not free.)

What do you mean by fear of retribution?

[`willy]

Originally Posted by villa2

Looks like you assume before you get the facts.
I am a long time TOTV lurker. The archives are still there,as is the search tool.

What percentage of villagers, would you estimate, would move if given the opportunity? Do you want to move? Maybe you can offer me a deal because I will be down there when my home is sold.

I have no idea, But you can give me a shout when your ready to move.
Willy

[iaudit]

Dillywho responded:

You say that the Morses' are in it for the money. Do you honestly think they should take all the risks, provide what is here for everyone, and not get anything for it? Would you?

Never said they shouldn't make money, just said that is what they are doing all of this for.

As for the free cable, do you know of anyplace that furnishes cable? We came here in 2004 and cable was not free then. It was not Comcast, but Clearlink and, yes, we paid for it. If you used it for your internet, then TheVillages.net was included and continued for a while with Comcast when they took over. I think you are probably actually talking about the tee time system. That only applies if you play golf and if the cable company went up on them, why should they absorb that cost for you (cable charges are most always on the rise)? You do not have to use TheVillages.net as your internet provider otherwise.

The developer at one time, in order to entice landowners to build on the lots that were sold, promised them free cable service if they would build. This was before the current business model of selling houses and lots together. After a period of time, the developer tried to go back on the deal. Ended up grandfathering in the original lot owners but not subsequent resales. Wasn't asking for anything free, just pointing out how they can and did go back on certain agreements.
As far as the tee time system, why doesn't the central districts run the tee time system since they will eventually "own" all the executive courses. It doesn't cost anywhere near what is being charged to either develop or run the system.

I cannot blame them for not interacting as Mr. Schwartz was said to do. Why would they want to come out just to be criticized on every phase of what's here that they don't totally foot the bill for? I was not here then, but I would like for those who were to tell everyone what the atmosphere was. Did they all expect Mr. Schwartz to furnish everything? From what I've heard, his concept was for this place to be affordable for everyone which by definition, affordable is not free/furnished.

Never said they should foot the bill for everything, just thought it would be nice for the Morses to meet their neighbors once in awhile.

Will they leave when buildout occurs? I hope not, but I sure couldn't blame them.