[buggyone]

Originally Posted by DianeM

I read all the religious overtones that have come onto this thread and what comes to mind for me is "God helps those that help themselves".

The phrase "God helps those who help themselves" is a popular motto that emphasizes the importance of self-initiative.
The phrase originated in ancient Greece and may originally have been proverbial. It is illustrated by two of Aesop's Fables and a similar sentiment is found in ancient Greek drama. Although it has been commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin, the modern English wording appears earlier in Algernon Sidney's work.

The phrase is often mistaken as scriptural, but it appears nowhere in the Bible. Some Christians have criticized the expression as being contrary to the Bible's message of God's grace.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by KathieI

If we'd like to help the children of Wildwood, why not attend this event.

Kathie, that is a great idea! Do you think we (you?) should make a separate post to attract Villagers to the event. Donations of school supplies is a great cause.

[SoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

I just got back home from Walmart on 441. We took the golf cart and went along the path from Paradise Drive to Lowe's and then along behind Aldi's to Walmart. My husband and I noticed balloons tied in the bushes along the path. Before we could finish guessing why there were balloons, we were greeted by a beautiful smiling face of a young boy I'd guess is about 9 or 10 years old. He said, "Hello."

He shifted from one foot to the other on legs sporting a pair of too small pants that had been cut off just below the knees. He was watching us and smiling while his eyes lit up the dark wooded corner near the Walmart parking lot near the transformer station where the homeless person was found dead last year. As we were taking it all in, we saw a man shoveling sand like there was no tomorrow just feet from the boy. The boy pointed to a plastic jug that said donations were welcome for filling in the holes along the path. The words were misspelled, but their meaning was pretty clear.

My husband got some money from his pocket and asked the kid if he was working to fix the path. He said, "Yes sir." My husband told him good work and to thanked him. He took the money and the man shoveling sand never stopped.

It tore at my heart. On the way back, the man was gone and there was a woman there with the same young boy. She wasn't shoveling, but we saw an old pickup truck on the parking lot yards from them with a blue tarp pitched on the back. I can just about guarantee that they are living out of that truck.

It reminded me of a sermon I heard once called, In the Shadow of the Steeple. It was about the widows, homeless, poor, sick and struggling people who lived within the shadow of the church but were overlooked. I think most of us are guilty of this. It was a Life Lesson for me today and I just wanted to share it with you.

I thank you for sharing this post. Your words to this young man of 9 - 10 years may have been the only kind words he heard today. Your husband's contribution was most appreciated, I'm sure. Makes one think how many "Samaritans" simply sped by giving only a brief glance and perhaps a comment uttered to themselves. I mentor youth and all too often see a look in their eyes that seems to say "just treat me with kindness". So, again, for your kindness, I thank you both.

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by DianeM

The folks in Wildwood were here long before I ever even heard of The Villages. I believe - but could be wrong in the phrase - but doesn't "manifest destiny" apply here? I didn't create the problem - why do I have to fix it when the residents don't? I'm sorry if that's offensive to some but geesh, I earned whatever has come my way. I went to college on student loans and yes, I paid them all back. I worked "forever" and paid my bills and my mortgage. I read all the religious overtones that have come onto this thread and what comes to mind for me is "God helps those that help themselves".

There is another slogan Christians often use: there but for the Grace of God, go I.
When presenting a problem, it is always good to offer a solution.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I've been reading this thread with a great deal of interest. i applaud Kitty's enthusiasm and desire to get involved and improve the quality of life for people living in Wildwood. I also agree with some of Grannynance' comments.

I have no experience at all with Wildwood, but I do have a lot of experience with people and town councils and Mayors of small towns. And the one thing I know is that no Locals anywhere ever want "people from away" telling them how to run their lives. I think this is one of GrannyNance' areas of discomfort.



My thought is that you have to crawl before you can walk, and then run. People "from away" have to be careful to start small, get to know people and personalities, prove their good intentions by helping solve current problems, gain credibility by working in the trenches, etc., before they start proposing managing a process to merge The Villages and Wildwood.

I think getting involved with the Foodbanks in surrounding communities is a great first step to getting to know local people and building relationships that will help effect change without seeming presumptuous.

And I apologize if I've misconstrued anyone's feelings or comments. I have nothing but admiration for Kitty and her passionate zest to get involved and make a difference.

Well said, barefoot.
I think it's more respectful of the community to focus on a collaboration to improve economics than to primarily approach them with pity as saviors to the helpless. I'm NOT saying helping the down and out is a bad thing.

I am saying that if someone wanted to help me, I'd gain more self-respect if they said, "You have strengths. Is there a way I can assist you in gaining more independence." vs "You are obviously in need. Let me give you a donation."

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by Villageshooter

The developer has people on all the boards and elected officials that they have supported and that the developer will decide when and what happens to Wildwood and other communities around, There are yes-men planted all over

Wow, didn't know that. do they attend city commission meetings? or what?

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Another good place to start would be by calling Habitat for Humanity. People need housing and food to live, not shops. Some whole neighborhoods have been built entirely by women.

Wildwood will be getting more stores in Oct when the new Sweetbay, Walgreen's, Subway, etc opens than they have seen in 20 to 30 years. They have movie theaters in Brownwood that they haven't had for several years. They now have a town square at Brownwood with free entertainment, thanks to TV's developer.

But will any of this help their tax base, as it's all on Villages property?

I agree with Bare about starting small and getting to know people before wading in with large ideas that might not be welcomed at first. It does kind of give the impression that Big Brother Will Fix All, Just You Listen.

I also applaud those that worked their way through college and paid their debts and "helped themselves," but many of these homeless people are mentally ill, or came from broken, dysfunctional homes without good parenting, etc. etc. You can't just paint unfortunate folks with a broad brushstroke and insinuate they might be where they are due to their own unwillingness to work/educate themselves/apply for help/ you name it. Each person's situation is different.

And if they weren't living in the woods but instead were living in the streets, some would be upset about that too. The country doesn't have the financial resources to house all the homeless. They long ago closed the mental hospitals, claiming folks could heal better at home. Many of those people ended up on the streets. Many fail to qualify for aid. Where are they supposed to go? It's sad.

Off my soap box.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by CFrance

[/B]

But will any of this help their tax base, as it's all on Villages property?

I agree with Bare about starting small and getting to know people before wading in with large ideas that might not be welcomed at first. It does kind of give the impression that Big Brother Will Fix All, Just You Listen.

I also applaud those that worked their way through college and paid their debts and "helped themselves," but many of these homeless people are mentally ill, or came from broken, dysfunctional homes without good parenting, etc. etc. You can't just paint unfortunate folks with a broad brushstroke and insinuate they might be where they are due to their own unwillingness to work/educate themselves/apply for help/ you name it. Each person's situation is different.

And if they weren't living in the woods but instead were living in the streets, some would be upset about that too. The country doesn't have the financial resources to house all the homeless. They long ago closed the mental hospitals, claiming folks could heal better at home. Many of those people ended up on the streets. Many fail to qualify for aid. Where are they supposed to go? It's sad.

Off my soap box.

Cfrance, I'll bet a lot of them would qualify for SSDI or SSI if they had a physical address and were stable long enough.
re how to start, feeling out governance is key.
Kitty

[kittygilchrist]

[url/]http://www.youtu.be.com/watch?v=sVC3E-8_fiw&feature=share&list=PL4BE178D23CDFE509[/url]
can't get this to show as link..story of 6 blind men and elephant. you can locate at youtube by entering the alphanumeric string starting with PL...ending in 9.

I'm happy to see so many perspectives and pockets of expertise and energy. So many of us are giving thought to how and what we mind do to work with Wildwood!

I so agree with and encourage those who want to pitch in at the grassroots level. The site above is an inspirational story about how we all have different perspectives and may be seeing different parts of the whole. I know that if everyone takes some action on what they think is needed, the outcome will be beneficial.

The story implies that everyone is right and each is wrong if they think that only their perspective counts. And that includes people who aren't inclined to adopt WWD.

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by CFrance

[/B]

But will any of this help their tax base, as it's all on Villages property?

I agree with Bare about starting small and getting to know people before wading in with large ideas that might not be welcomed at first. It does kind of give the impression that Big Brother Will Fix All, Just You Listen.

I also applaud those that worked their way through college and paid their debts and "helped themselves," but many of these homeless people are mentally ill, or came from broken, dysfunctional homes without good parenting, etc. etc. You can't just paint unfortunate folks with a broad brushstroke and insinuate they might be where they are due to their own unwillingness to work/educate themselves/apply for help/ you name it. Each person's situation is different.

And if they weren't living in the woods but instead were living in the streets, some would be upset about that too. The country doesn't have the financial resources to house all the homeless. They long ago closed the mental hospitals, claiming folks could heal better at home. Many of those people ended up on the streets. Many fail to qualify for aid. Where are they supposed to go? It's sad.

Off my soap box.

It was reported in an earlier post that Brownwood is inside the city limits of Wildwood...don't know about the new strip mall where SweetBay will be located. That is why Wildwood police have the authority to patrol Paddock Square.

It was also reported that the new bowling alley and hotel are in Wildwood.

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by DianeM

I'm appalled to hear that the authorities permit people to squat on public property in the woods. That should not be permitted. Sadly there are people who suffer grinding poverty but that's absurd to allow. Public assistance can't be provided to people that are not identifiable in the woods.

Originally Posted by DianeM

The folks in Wildwood were here long before I ever even heard of The Villages. I believe - but could be wrong in the phrase - but doesn't "manifest destiny" apply here? I didn't create the problem - why do I have to fix it when the residents don't? I'm sorry if that's offensive to some but geesh, I earned whatever has come my way. I went to college on student loans and yes, I paid them all back. I worked "forever" and paid my bills and my mortgage. I read all the religious overtones that have come onto this thread and what comes to mind for me is "God helps those that help themselves".

So, let them eat cake?

[DianeM]

Whatever you folks feel is the best route for you, so be it. Personally I'm getting out of this discussion. Have fun.

[dsned]

A much closer ,mt Dora

[gmcneill]

During my 33 years of employment in a fairly reponsible position with Florida city, I attended my share of strategic planning, community development and economic development meetings, P&Z sessions, neighborhood improvement meetings, resident outreach presentations, and the like. I certainly understand and do appreciate the position of those who believe that their Wildwood has been and continues to be fine just the way that it is and who resent the unsolicited discussions by non-Wildwoodians to effect change in their city. I truly get that.

Setting aside the reasons why municipal adminstrators generally support community development and economic development intitiatives for their agency community, I will list a few very, very simple reasons why Wildwood's economic environment matters.

Commercial and business development in Wildwood:
1. Provides Villages residents with more shopping options for groceries, clothing, dining, entertainment, home furnishings, and so on and on and on....u
2. Provides tens of thousands of Villages residents with the convenience of shopping closer to home.
3. Results in increased assessed value of existing commercial properties.
4. Results in the purchase and development of unimproved commercial properties.
5. Increases the population (people seeking employment in the new businesses) of the city and, more importantly for Villagers, Sumter County.

The Points:
Items 1. and 2. above combine to create a demand for services, goods, and products. That demand creates business opportunities, which create employment opportunites for Wildwood residents and increases the revenue stream for the city. You can imagine for yourself the resulting innumerable tangible and intangible benefits to the residents and to the city.

Items 3. through 5. above increase the county tax base, thus resulting in increased tax revenues. Increased revenues enable the county administration to leave the millage rate status quo or to lower the millage rate (which lowers my tax obligation) without reducing levels of service provided to or made available for all of us.

Items 4. and 5. above increase the number of county tax payers. The greater the number of us who share the tax burden collectively, the lower the amount we pay individually, generally speaking.

Again, the above is a partial list of very basic reasons why Wildwood matters.

[angiefox10]

“An idealist believes that the short run doesn’t count. A cynic believes the long run doesn’t matter. A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the short run determines the long run.” – Sidney J. Harris



“A vision without a task is but a dream, a task without a vision is drudgery, a vision and a task is the hope of the world.” – From a church in Sussex, England, ca. 1730