[LI SNOWBIRD]

Originally Posted by BobKat1

All of the pros and cons could pretty much be said about any town or city.

[Avista]

Originally Posted by drr47

other not so nice comments. I have lived in Wildwood since 1979, so not a native, but long enough to raise two now college educated children who both went to Wildwood Schools. My wife and I both worked in WW and are now retired and still enjoy the area. Has it been all wonderful, or course not but from what I read on the web site, your side of the tracks has it share of problems. Wildwood has a proud history, maybe you should get to know us better, if you dare to leave the reservation.

Good for you!

[Avista]

Originally Posted by Larryandlinda

It's refreshing to see the growing sentiment for tolerance and diversity coming out in this topic. (Which emoticom is best for that?)
I'm reminded of my days at OU in Athens in the 70's.....most of the 17,000, especially us in Fine Arts, were from metropoli and civilizations like NJ, NY, DC, Cleveland, and Cinti.

It was fascinating travelling out into the surrounding 'developing' Appalachia on our bicycles, motorcycles, Corvairs, and VW buses to find subject matter for journalism and photography. Social landscapes were my specialty, and like the areas surrounding TV, Southeastern ohio and West Virginia were paradise.

Many of us were addicted to the abundance of thrift shops, rummage sales, carnivals, and country auctions as well. I collected thousands of old books and records for nickels and dimes.

People would often ask..."y'all from the city?"
We'd answer "Nossir, Athens"

They come back with "that's what I meant"

Just as many of us would like to have a friendly, accepting presence in our surrounds here in TV, we wanted the 'townies' to accept the long hair hippie freaks in the day. Most of us were fine folk and learned more about life outside the classroom than in.

Those that stayed in the campus bubble never knew.

Two of our off spring went to college deep in South Central LA - a great experience for two kids growing up in a rural Md county with little ethnic and social diversity.

Leaving our compound provides us with great therapy and fine shopping.

L&L

Let's

Daughter got her Masters at OU--International Affairs

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by jblum8156

Wildwood has several businesses that I love. Veranda is a lovely furniture store. Cotillion is a wonderful restaurant with atmosphere of the Old South. The strip mall on 301 just south of 466A has the sheriff's office for drivers license and registration, an Ace Hardware store. a Radio Shack, a post office and a good Dollar Store.

The strip mall also has a Vet that I've just started using. I hope he is a good Vet ... my intuition tells me that he is. And I hear he does a lot of Pro Bono work for the shelters and rescue organizations. He is operating next Monday on my 18 year old cat.

[2newyorkers]

I once read an article that Wildwood planned on building a community similar to Celebration in Osceola County. Does anyone know if this is still be considered?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by 2newyorkers

I once read an article that Wildwood planned on building a community similar to Celebration in Osceola County. Does anyone know if this is still be considered?

The city fathers were going to do this?

[Jhooman]

Originally Posted by drr47

other not so nice comments. I have lived in Wildwood since 1979, so not a native, but long enough to raise two now college educated children who both went to Wildwood Schools. My wife and I both worked in WW and are now retired and still enjoy the area. Has it been all wonderful, or course not but from what I read on the web site, your side of the tracks has it share of problems. Wildwood has a proud history, maybe you should get to know us better, if you dare to leave the reservation.

Thank you for your reply, I'll be leaving the reservation to check out your area.

J

[redwitch]

I think there are a lot of good people and things in Wildwood. I also think there is a severe drug problem there. That doesn't mean don't go there. It means be careful -- don't flash a lot of cash, lock your car, etc. Normal, safe things to do. I don't go to Wildwood at night by myself; I will with friends to eat in some of the lovely restaurants there.

I used to live in the Tenderloin in San Francisco. During the day, it was perfectly safe and I would often walk through it to get to downtown. At night, it was another story. I wouldn't even walk the area with my husband and we'd been accosted more than once while in our car.

I've delivered food for Project Open Hand in the Avenues of Oakland (very gang-infested). No problem during daylight hours, as long as I stayed alert and aware.

I doubt I will visit Brownwood until it has been shown that visitors will be safe. I know I won't be driving my golf cart south of 466A after dark unless outlying areas change. If there is serious drug usage in an area, you have to be more careful. Robberies and muggings are real dangers, so you need to be alert and use common sense. For all of the good things in Wildwood (and there are many), there are drugs there and, from what I've read and heard, it is a serious problem there.

BTW -- Can't wait to check out the farmer's market and I really like Polly's Pantry. Haven't eaten at the Cotillion yet, but I've heard many good things about it. I'm not much of a shopper, so the stores really have no interest for me.

[graciegirl]

I am embarassed by my original post on this thread some time ago as I have changed my mind now that I know a lot of really great things about this town. I said it was kinda crummy looking. It is older to be sure but as many of you have pointed out there are lovely things and useful things and fun things to do there. I apologize to the person who posted who raised her children there. It is typical of any older town in Florida. The elements are hard on any surface in Florida and our homes here in TV are pretty new, for the most part. New or old, our home town is dear to all of us. I had no right to say that and I am sorry.

There are good and bad things about any place.


Red is right as usual to be aware of your surroundings, but south of 466A will soon have a goodly share of new villages and I think it will be nice.

I will see when it is all completed if there is reason for me to worry.

I have PTurner and Red for back up...and Sweetie and Helene for cheerleaders, I am hardly worried about anything.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by redwitch

I think there are a lot of good people and things in Wildwood. I also think there is a severe drug problem there. That doesn't mean don't go there. It means be careful -- don't flash a lot of cash, lock your car, etc. Normal, safe things to do. I don't go to Wildwood at night by myself; I will with friends to eat in some of the lovely restaurants there.

I used to live in the Tenderloin in San Francisco. During the day, it was perfectly safe and I would often walk through it to get to downtown. At night, it was another story. I wouldn't even walk the area with my husband and we'd been accosted more than once while in our car.

I've delivered food for Project Open Hand in the Avenues of Oakland (very gang-infested). No problem during daylight hours, as long as I stayed alert and aware.

I doubt I will visit Brownwood until it has been shown that visitors will be safe. I know I won't be driving my golf cart south of 466A after dark unless outlying areas change. If there is serious drug usage in an area, you have to be more careful. Robberies and muggings are real dangers, so you need to be alert and use common sense. For all of the good things in Wildwood (and there are many), there are drugs there and, from what I've read and heard, it is a serious problem there.

BTW -- Can't wait to check out the farmer's market and I really like Polly's Pantry. Haven't eaten at the Cotillion yet, but I've heard many good things about it. I'm not much of a shopper, so the stores really have no interest for me.

These are pretty strong implications that Brownwood will be like the streets of San Francisco and Oakland. BTW did you know that there are drugs in Lady Lake?

[redwitch]

There are drugs all over the Tri-Counties, but from what I've seen and heard, the worst is in Wildwood. And, no, I didn't mean to imply that I thought Brownwood would be like the Tenderloin or the Avenues, just was trying to point out that, with the right precautions, you can even safely go in really bad areas. Bad things happen everywhere -- even in TV. However, I do believe that the odds are pretty high that Brownwood will have a lot of the bad elements trying to use the town square. Without a lot of diligence, I don't think it will be safe and, until I feel safe, it is not somewhere I would want to go at night -- 2-for-1 drinks, drug usage, concept that most people there are well-heeled and carry lots of cash is a recipe for disaster.

This is not meant to be a reflection of Wildwood, a town I actually like and enjoy visiting, it is a reflection that the other town squares are surrounded by villages and less easy access than Brownwood will have. Mind you, this is strictly my opinion and I will happily eat my words if Brownwood proves to be as safe as the other squares from the git go.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by redwitch

There are drugs all over the Tri-Counties, but from what I've seen and heard, the worst is in Wildwood. And, no, I didn't mean to imply that I thought Brownwood would be like the Tenderloin or the Avenues, just was trying to point out that, with the right precautions, you can even safely go in really bad areas. Bad things happen everywhere -- even in TV. However, I do believe that the odds are pretty high that Brownwood will have a lot of the bad elements trying to use the town square. Without a lot of diligence, I don't think it will be safe and, until I feel safe, it is not somewhere I would want to go at night -- 2-for-1 drinks, drug usage, concept that most people there are well-heeled and carry lots of cash is a recipe for disaster.

This is not meant to be a reflection of Wildwood, a town I actually like and enjoy visiting, it is a reflection that the other town squares are surrounded by villages and less easy access than Brownwood will have. Mind you, this is strictly my opinion and I will happily eat my words if Brownwood proves to be as safe as the other squares from the git go.

Mark it down.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

Wildwood has plans to build a new and larger police station, purchase more vehicles and hire more officers.
I bet they see the villages as a cash cow...................

[gvsulakerfan]

Wildwood is on the rise. Since 2004 it has annexed over 20,000 acres into the municipal limits, there are several large developments planned to the south of the Turnpike and of course Brownwood Town Square and the new hospital.

We have adopted Design Standards to help make Wildwood more pleasing to the eye.

There are many great businesses here, as mentioned in previous posts.

The City of Wildwood was recently awarded the Planning Excellence Award for Long Range Planning and Intergovernmental Coordination by the State of Florida Department of Community Affairs.

We are currently holding a competition to design the next City logo. Click HERE to read the guidelines for entering the contest. The winning logo will receive $500.

[jblum8156]

The new Villages Library at Pinellas Plaza is just delightful. It's not quite in Wildwood, but near.