Originally Posted by RichieLion

Someone should write a column pointing out was a condescending piece of trash Scott Maxwell is. His column demeans practically the entire Villages community as self-centered greedy so and so's who don't care about children, the environment, our fellow seniors and veterans.

Good idea! In his article Mr. Maxwell referring to Scott stated "With a 29 percent approval rating, you're going to have a tough time finding universal support anywhere outside your own bedroom." I wonder if he would make the same statement about any politician that has an approval rating in that same neighborhood! Excuse me now while I at that thought!

Originally Posted by FMF Doc

Yikes !!! Real people?

Yeah, "real people" who have worked all their lives to be able to live here.....and who pay their bills, save for their own retirement, wait till their present home sells before going into debt for the one in TV.....the ones who maintain their home, yard, streets, golf courses and town squares in perfectly clean, pristine condition instead of letting it turn into a dirty, polluted, littered city like most of the others around the country.

Originally Posted by ilovetv

Yeah, "real people" who have worked all their lives to be able to live here.....and who pay their bills, save for their own retirement, wait till their present home sells before going into debt for the one in TV.....the ones who maintain their home, yard, streets, golf courses and town squares in perfectly clean, pristine condition instead of letting it turn into a dirty, polluted, littered city like most of the others around the country.

Well. I love your answer. You are right. We are a great group if I do say so myself.

Originally Posted by ilovetv

Yeah, "real people" who have worked all their lives to be able to live here.....and who pay their bills, save for their own retirement, wait till their present home sells before going into debt for the one in TV.....the ones who maintain their home, yard, streets, golf courses and town squares in perfectly clean, pristine condition instead of letting it turn into a dirty, polluted, littered city like most of the others around the country.

I like your definition of real people much more than the author's implication that "real people" were found in places other than The Villages.

IloveTV and Richie are both right on the money with their posts. Scott Maxwell's column was insulting to Villagers and I believe Villagers should write to the Orlando Sentinel demanding an apology as to what Maxwell has us portrayed.

Originally Posted by Avista

I was at the Square also. (Not for the event--was shopping) I also thought it curious that some of the people with card board posts were removed to the outside of the square while others were let into the square.

Page 2 of today's Daily Sun shows photos of Villagers at the event carrying signs in support of the governor. Were they allowed in the area from which others were removed?

If attendees carrying signs in support of the governor were allowed into an area, and those carrying signs or wearing tee-shirts in opposition to the governor were not allowed into the same area, then I would see something wrong with the picture.

Originally Posted by Pturner

Page 2 of today's Daily Sun shows photos of Villagers at the event carrying signs in support of the governor. Were they allowed in the area from which others were removed?

If attendees carrying signs in support of the governor were allowed into an area, and those carrying signs or wearing tee-shirts in opposition to the governor were not allowed into the same area, then I would see something wrong with the picture.

Wouldn't you have to be privy to the security protocols to know?

Originally Posted by RichieLion

Wouldn't you have to be privy to the security protocols to know?

You must be kidding,"security protocols"! The removal of "protestors" had nothing to do with security.

I was there, people who had on tee shirts that said "vote Democratic" were removed from their seats and out of view of cameras and Rick Scott.

After the rally Scott mingled among the crowds and you could get right next to him with minimal effort. So there was no real security concerns apparent after the photo ops created by the signing.

There were quite a few empty seats and Scott personnel were constantly trying to get the seats filled by those of us who were standing around the perimeter of the seating area by making us aware of the empty seats.

The Daily Sun had front page information the event was "open to the public". Then the sheriffs said it was a private event the the square was "leased". They removed those who the Republican sponsors didn't want to be seen.

I guess for our next Villages block party we'll declare it a private event and have the sheriffs department out to remove non block residents from the party since they now apparently do this as a general service to the public at large.

Be sure to watch the Daily Sun for the correction stating they misinformed readers the event was "open to the public"!

Originally Posted by robertj1954

I believe the writer is referring to Gov. Scott's visit to TV to sign the State Budget. As a retired Law Enforcement Official one of my responsibilities when planning the security for a VIP political visit was providing a designated protest zone for anyone wishing to express their opinion at a public event.

It is proper and customary to designate an area for protestors. It allows anyone wishing to express their political opinion to do so without disrupting the ceremony. It also provides a safety buffer for everyone in attendance. This is done at all political conventions, campaign speeches, etc.

TV residents should be honored to have been chosen as the location for the budget signing. The Governor recognized TV residents as seriously engaged in Florida politics. I am proud to be a Village resident and endorse how the protestors were handled yesterday during the signing ceremony.

Another vote for The Daily Sun online?
JJ

Florida law does not allow for recall of the governor.

Originally Posted by bargee

In the United States of America you are not allowed to attend the singing of a budget that is paid for with your tax money because it is being held on "private property"that is being paid for with your amenity funds which you have no choice but to pay because your politics differ with the head of your state government?This is very scary.I never thought I would ever see this happen in a place I thought was so wonderful.I don't think I will ever again proudly say I live in the Villages

What !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by bimmertl

You must be kidding,"security protocols"! The removal of "protestors" had nothing to do with security.

I was there, people who had on tee shirts that said "vote Democratic" were removed from their seats and out of view of cameras and Rick Scott.

After the rally Scott mingled among the crowds and you could get right next to him with minimal effort. So there was no real security concerns apparent after the photo ops created by the signing.

There were quite a few empty seats and Scott personnel were constantly trying to get the seats filled by those of us who were standing around the perimeter of the seating area by making us aware of the empty seats.

The Daily Sun had front page information the event was "open to the public". Then the sheriffs said it was a private event the the square was "leased". They removed those who the Republican sponsors didn't want to be seen.

I guess for our next Villages block party we'll declare it a private event and have the sheriffs department out to remove non block residents from the party since they now apparently do this as a general service to the public at large.

Be sure to watch the Daily Sun for the correction stating they misinformed readers the event was "open to the public"!

Ohhh, so you did talk to the law enforcement detail assigned to secure the area? What did they tell you their security instructions were?

You could be seen. You just wanted your photo-op and you wanted to disrupt the event.

Could you stand in the pavilion area and thrust your protest signs in the Governor's face and yell slogans to disrupt this event? No, and that's what your "outrage" is about.

Your block party is actually on a public street, so you analogy is fatally flawed.

The representatives of the Villages Democratic Club were first approached by The Scott security Team. Very Intimidating group. They asked us to leave.

We politely refused ( all we were doing was siting in chairs ect. We did have signs but has nor displayed them).The security team called for the Sheriffs dept and the group about 20 were escorted away from the area. about three blocks by 4 sheriffs. There were other groups there also who were asked to leave.

On the way out I and two other folks did seat ourselves. We were again approached by the security team, and then by one of the sheriffs. The sheriff asked us to leave. My Response along with two women, was, two ways we are leaving.

We Walk away on our own or you will have to arrest us and lead us away. Told the sheriff we were not walking away on our own. He must have been a democrat because all he said was to not to be disruptive. Which we had no plans of doing. All the press was there, all filmed the incident with the democratic group and another group being escorted away.

They bused in two busloads of middle school kids from the charter school. The tea

party folks and their Teachers distributed signs to the students to display when Scott signed the budget. I saw this type of tactic on the history or military channel.


In addition Something very interesting and disturbing. There was no doubt that this signing was arranged by "The Tea Party" The Chairman of the Republican Party was there, as was Alan Hays, and Representative Marleene O'Toole.

Kind of reminds me of the time I showed up at the University of Florida Swamp for their spring game with my son n law all decked out in my UGA Red n Black! Wrong place and wrong time. Had to excuse myself before those Gators caused a....well, decided to wait till Jacksonville! Right place, right time! Ha, maybe this is the year!

what are the Repubs so afraid of? However the real scary part is the actions concerning the middle school kids. Give them signs? Put them in the audience? What is that all about? Should not be allowed ever for anyone. Leave the kids alone!