COURTESY : The Daily Commercial

By Megan Shannon

Published July 1, 2006 

THE VILLAGES — An estimated 200 people showed up at the Village Center Community Development District meeting Friday as supervisors discussed the issue of which district should bear the financial burden of trails maintenance along El Camino Real and Buena Vista Boulevard.

People outside the meeting walls peered through windows to watch the meeting and yelled when those involved did not speak directly into the microphone. But the board took no action on the subject.

“What is, is. The system in place is the one I personally, as a supervisor, wish to continue,” said Supervisor Gary Moyer.

The crowd booed and heckled the supervisors as they defended their stance that the trails are golf cart paths and must be maintained using funds from the numbered districts.

They applauded and hollered when one of their own argued that The Villages of Lake Sumter Inc. labeled those trails recreation trails and therefore, residents’ monthly amenity fees should pay for them. Elaine Dreidame, who initiated the investigation into this issue, said prospective residents are told by the developer that all recreation, including the trails, is covered by monthly amenity fees. However, residents are charged for maintenance of the trails by the numbered residential districts.

“Please do not force us to bring negative attention to our community,” Dreidame said.

She said she and other citizens are considering legal action against the developer for consumer fraud or the center district for breach of contract. She said the group might also protest outside the sales office.

“As responsible citizens, we have to do everything in our power to inform prospective buyers,” she said.

Supervisor John Wise, who was absent from the meeting but provided a letter regarding his thoughts on the issue, wrote that he finds the proposal to make the center district financially responsible for the trails inappropriate because Villages residents in Lake County and Lady Lake would pay for the trails but do not have trails within their residential districts. Residents argued that the people who live in those areas still use the trails.

“As a board of supervisors, you cannot select which recreation facilities you will maintain,” Dreidame said.

Dreidame said she was not surprised that the board took no action but she was disappointed. However, she said she believes the board’s position is partially based on budget limitations.

“I’d like to think they’re morally sound enough to fulfill their obligations. But had we had a surplus in the budget that probably would have been their position. If they weren’t so squeezed,” she said.

Center District Attorney Bruce Duncan said it is the board’s opinion that the developer has the right to construct golf cart paths on recreation trails. District Manager Pete Wahl said there is only one recreation trail inside The Villages limits and it is in District 4. He said the trail is specifically designed for exercise and fitness.