And now I must stop its time to get ready for church maybe the best thing I could do is keep my
Thought and words to myself and stay off this site

Google, " Ocala Nat.Forest homeless " people live their and hundreds of children as well, I met a young girl just a couple of wks ago, standing outside a convenience store near the outskirts of Ocala Forest she was very thin, matted hair, had very dirty clothes on & crying. I was pumping gas in my car and was watching to see if anyone would help or come to her aid, she just broke my heart, so I yelled, are you ok? Can I help you? She told me her boyfriend beat her up and left her there, she told me that she lived in "the forest" meaning Ocala Forest. We had a conversation & prayed and she told me she'd be ok. It's very true there are alot of desperate people that live around us.God have mercy...

I think your thoughts are worth listening to, Grannynance, but perhaps you could put them in nicer words. Maybe not be so blunt or so direct. Your thoughts are lost on a lot of people due to the manner in which they're written.

301 traffic needs to be slowed down....

YES.....
............thousands of homeless Children
....................in the Counties Surronding The Villages.
I see them with my own eyes.

Please join us Villagers who are attempting to make
a difference for these children.

Please, consider getting involved in helping the Children.
Some of the Parents can not be helped.
........But.....we CAN make a difference with the Children.

Your effort to dictate how I should spend my time is domineering.
If you believe in live and let live, why do you repeatedly object to my making decisions what to do with my life?

Yes, unfortunately it is true that there are thousands in our tricounty area. It is hard to believe that there are so many with so little. I think one good way to "help" Wildwood is by supporting their businesses. Has anyone been to the monthly food truck night in Wildwood? I hear it is a great and fun concept that is growing in popularity in cities all over the US. We have wanted to go but have had a conflict the past few times. We plan to go next month and hopefully the rain will cooperate.

Great idea! :bowdown:

Perrjojo, FINALLY!:bowdown:
Someone understands the relationship between healthy business and poverty. Helping children is great, soup kitchens too, food truck, yes.
That is all giving someone a fish.

I would like to see:
Collaboration between Wildwood residents and Villagers with the objective of raising Wildwood's standard of living AND providing Villagers with a charming town to explore, take grandchildren, eat, and shop. And don't forget train watching.

We have money to spend and want places to spend it. They have touches of quaint Florida, trains, and vacant commercial properties. We have successful business people with time on their hands. They have many people who have started businesses and not been successful.

TV and Wildwood basically merge. Would it not be advantageous to collaboratively and proactively manage that process?

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.

Kitty : Thank you for "putting yourself out there " and initiating this post about Wildwood . It does seem to have gotten " off track " and to have elicited some surprisingly negative comments .
As someone who spent a 35 year career in finance and regional banking I took an immediate note of the seemingly paradox of the economy in this interesting little town upon discovering it shortly after I moved to the Villages now 2 years ago .
I began to patronize some of the businesses such as the dry cleaners , the hardware store , the computer repair store , a convenience store and the Radio Shack . I have met the owners of each of these businesses and through them have gained some insight into their hopes for the town .
One business owner shared that the majority of the store fronts on " Main Street " are owned by a gentleman who inherited the properties from his father but who shows limited interest in reinvestment . This owner shared that the landlord seems to be waiting / hoping that the Developer of the Villages will eventually buy him out .
Also several have shared with me their hope that the main business district will become golf cart accessible with the recent expansion of the Villages [ Brownwood ].
For what it is worth I have found the folks at the Post Office to be genuinely very helpful and happy to handle my many mailings of packages . I once remarked that I was surprised at the number of postal boxes which they had and they shared that at the time the Post Office was built that there was more activity in Wildwood .
I have taken notice of all that you have Kitty . In the meantime I believe that we all can help by patronizing the local businesses which may deserve our dollars .

If they are homeless, where would you have them live?

Buffalo Jim - I agree, well put. Thanks for the insight.
Kitty - Do not get discouraged. We need more people who think like you - get involved. God bless you and those who think like you.
dave

People in TV live here for many reasons. Some want to be near grandchildren in nearby Florida cities; some for the weather and most for the lifestyle. A poster asked, did you move here for the life style or to change things? Just because someone enjoys the lifestyle does not mean that they are totally content to go to clubs and play golf all day. Most Villagers have many resources, not just of the monetary kind. Many have been teachers, nurses, business owners on so on. Why would Villagers not want to share their resources with others?

It was also stated that Wildwood was not unique and many small towns were dying. Why are the towns dying? Mostly because young people must move away to earn a living. Wouldn't it be nice if we could keep our small towns vibrant and our young people didn't have to move away?

I have stated a lot of what if's but without dreams there is no progress. Sometimes progress is not comfortable for everyone.

I really have no use for Wildwood. Mt. Dora has interesting restaurants and shops just like Cocoa Village does. Those places helped themselves.

If a young person goes to college and wants to make a decent salary, that is not going to happen in Wildwood. Only smart to do is to move to a city and preferably out of Florida to get a good career.

The developer will decide when Wildwood will change
 

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

Good question but certainly the woods isn't a great place for these folks to live.

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.

Thanks for sharing,Jesus said, the poor will be with us always. I was told by a native to this area once that Sumter Co. was the poorest County in Florida.

Nice Post . Thank you

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.

more of us than them!
 

We shouldremember there are more of us then there are them and if we got our act together Just a small percentage of us could help a huge portion of them God knows we have the resources to drastically change many lives in this area for the betterment as opposed to buying a new golf cart putting up Huge lanai with a pool in it! Just remember one thing Matthew 7:12 says it all!

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.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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."

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

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.: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

[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.

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.

So, let them eat cake?

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

A much closer ,mt Dora

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.

“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