CDD #1
Residents Win a Dispute with the VCCDD
and The Villages Developer |
Every once and a while the residents win one
in what sometimes has become a contentions debate with the VCCDD and/or
The Villages developer on various topics.
So it was that the VCCDD and the developer
backed down on the use of Lago del Luna for storage of treated sewage water
that was to be stored in the CDD #1 lake. The developer was interested
in using the stored water for irrigation of the Tierra del Sol golf course.
This all started a few months ago when
the Little Sumter Water Utility, now owned by the VCCDD, started work on
the required pumping station and the piping needed to pump treated sewage
water into and out of Lago del Luna. Nobody told the CDD #1 supervisors
before the work was started. When confronted with this little detail
in the February CDD #1 meeting, various official of the VCCDD pleaded ignorance
of how this notification error could have happened. Basically, they
said that everybody involved in the decision to build the pumping station
assumed that someone else was going to tell CDD #1 supervisors. Thus,
the work was started, and CDD #1 supervisors were never told about it.
Nevertheless, the idea was presented to
CDD #1 supervisors as something that they could not stop. It was
asserted that the developer, with the acquiescence of the VCCDD, could
do whatever it wanted regarding the use of Lago del Luna for storage of
treated sewage water. It had, so they said, rights to use an easement
to the lake. And, use of the lake was consistent with Water Management
District directives on using lakes like this to store treated sewage water
for irrigation of golf courses, thus saving good water from the underground
aquifer.
CDD #1 residents had already conveniently
spent over $300,000 lining the lake to overcome past seepage of the lake’s
water into the ground. This was a controversial issue several years
ago when the developer refused to pay the cost of the liner needed to maintain
the water level. This was in spite of the fact that it pocketed roughly
$30,000-$45,000 per lot for lakefront upgrade premium charges. Then
it turned its back on residents when its lake started to go dry.
So, CDD #1 supervisors in the March meeting
were asked to sign the contract allowing this to happen. They were
told that they could not stop the proposed use of the lake for the treated
water.
However, wait a minute!
A motivated group of CDD #1 residents researched
the various legal questions, did some engineering study work, hired an
attorney, and presented their findings to the CDD #1 supervisors.
The group found the following:
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CDD #1 owns Lago del Luna and has the right
to use or not use the lake as they see fit. It has the right to stop
any use of the lake that might harm or damage the lake. This allows
the CDD #1 residents to limit use of the lake and exclude treated sewage
discharge.
-
The easement referred to by the VCCDD and
the developer was not properly registered for use by the developer as planned.
In any event, the easement was designed to apply to common underground
utilities (i.e., gas, electric, drinking water, etc.), and was not so broad
as to allow pump stations and pipes to permit dumping of treated sewage
water into the lake.
-
The conclusion was that CDD #1 was under no
obligation to allow the planned use of the lake. Furthermore, it had a
serious obligation and duty to protect the lake.
-
Faced with this set of facts, and a group
of determined residents, the developer and the VCCDD backed down and withdrew
their plan to use the lake for treated sewage discharge.
The chairman of the VCCDD board of supervisors
said the engineers would be directed to find an alternative location for
storage of treated sewage water for golf course irrigation.
So, for everybody else who lives on a
nice body of water, better be on guard -- your lake or retention area could
be coveted next as a dumping ground for treated sewage water. And,
if you paid a lakefront upgrade fee, you may have to get accustomed to
the idea of a lake full of treated sewage water in your back yard.
Two final points – the VCCDD and the developer
tried to stampede CDD #1 into accepting the proposal. Residents were
told that they had to accept the proposal – that there was no alternative.
It is fortunate that CDD #1 residents had enough gumption to stand up for
their Rights as Residents and say “no.”
Also, the VCCDD was working in conjunction
with the developer to get this done. Is there any doubt that these
two are willing to trample Residents’ Rights when the developer’s economic
interests are at stake?
| Letter
to The Editor On The Paradise Center Proposal |
The Daily Sun published a Letter to the Editor
on March 17th from Ms. Susan Dupuis regarding the Paradise Center.
Mr. Joe Gorman, mentioned as the author of the survey, sent a response
to the Daily Sun. However, as of a week after delivery of the letter
to the Sun, it had not yet been published. Thus, we reprint Gorman’s
letter below, but edited for space considerations.
This is to respond to Ms. Susan Dupuis’
Letter. Since I was mentioned by name, I would like a fair opportunity
to respond. What to do about the Paradise Center is important to
this community and it deserves a full review.
The POA Paradise Center Survey was not
“Mr. Gorman’s survey” as she mentioned This was a survey of Villages
residents. The POA Bulletin reported the results.
It would be impractical to survey all residents
on the east side, as Ms. Depuis suggested. Actually, only 41% of
respondents were from the east side of the highway and 57% were from the
west side of the highway. A total of 38% were from Sumter County,
5% from Marion County, and 14% from Lake County west of the highway.
This is a fairly balanced sampling of residents throughout The Villages,
and the results are representative of the thoughts of all residents.
The Survey was not limited to just POA
members. In |
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fact, more responses were received in the
mail from Villagers who cut out the survey from the Bulletin delivered
to their homes. Rather than being POA or VHA members, it appears
that the many respondents were primarily just interested Villages residents
who wanted to comment on the Paradise question.
Ms. Dupuis mentioned that she talked to
many residents who do not want to pay an extra $2 per month. However,
the Survey questioned 540 residents, and 57% (310 people) favored paying
the estimated $1.97 a month. Residents are willing to pay for a new
Paradise Center.
She also said she is for a facelift and
major repairs, but not demolition. But, she does not represent the
prevailing attitudes of residents. 62% of those surveyed favored
the Demolish and Rebuild alternative. Only 22% favored the Renovate
and Redecorate alternative. By a three-to-one margin, residents want
a new facility.
The problem is that previous repairs and
facelifts have been merely cosmetic and poorly done – such that we now
have a shabby and deteriorating structure. The termite problem has
not been solved by new paint and wallpaper. Now we see the futility
of previous facelift efforts.
She also itemized the many features of
the Paradise Center, like darts, bingo, square dancing, etc. She
should have also mentioned termites, rats, mold, mildew, leaky roofs, peeling
paint, etc. A full 87% of Survey respondents noticed at least one
of these. Nobody should be happy about darts, bingo, square dancing,
etc., when they have to coexist with rats, termites, mold, mildew, leaky
roofs, etc.
She goes on to say that we should not compare
Paradise with the other newer facilities. Residents want to make
that comparison. To ignore this comparison would seem to relegate
the residents around the Paradise Center to second-class status and tell
them to shut-up and be happy with their second-class recreation center.
We can all see the Chatham Center and the Mulberry Center and question
why we can’t have something in our community as nice as these for the amenity
fees we pay. If the Paradise Center were relatively new, it would
be another story. However, at 30 years old, it is time to replace
this shabby structure that is an embarrassment in our community.
Mr. Harold Schwartz often said: Give the
People What They Want. The residents have spoken in a representative
survey – they want a new Paradise Center. They should have it.
We hope the VCCDD supervisors are listening to the will of the people.
This is our community and we should be able to make these choices for ourselves.
The key objection to the Patron system is
that it allows some Villages residents to purchase special favors.
This is special treatment for special interests. This is not a fair
and equitable arrangement for the vast majority of Villages residents.
An earlier example of this can be traced
back to Martin Luther, a leader in the Reformation in the 16th century.
One of Luther’s primary issues in the Ninety-Five Theses posted on the
door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg was that the Catholic Church’s
selling of indulgences for money was corrupt and wrong. This was
special treatment for special interests. Anyone who could afford
to make a donation to the Church could buy indulgences for special purposes.
Indulgences for special payments were considered
wrong in the 16th century. The Patron program is wrong now.
Wrong is wrong – the Patron program should
be ended now.
***************
An informal survey about the Patron program
was conducted recently among members of one of the dance clubs and one
of the nationality clubs. A total of 456 members were asked in a
written questionnaire if they supported the College Patron Program:
99% (451) responded “no.” Only 1% (5 members) said “yes.”
Cheers - To The Daily Sun for
printing the Palo Alto home invasion story. Although this is a potentially
embarrassing story for The Villages, it is important for residents to know
that a security issue like this is right here, right now.
Cheers - Also, thanks to
Sumter County Sheriff Bill Farmer and his department for its automatic
phone message alerting residents to keep doors and windows locked and to
stay inside during the ensuing manhunt after the Palo Alto home invasion.
Cheers -
To the Villages developer for agreeing to build a VA clinic close to The
Villages. Also, for negotiating a deal that will bring a bigger Sumter
County library to The Villages. These are wonderful gestures that
are well received by residents. Thanks.
Jeers - To residents and
lawn fertilizer companies who spread lawn fertilizer and leave extra granules
on the street. These eventually get into the storm sewers and are
washed into retention ponds where the growth of various organisms is bad
for the ponds. Please, sweep up those extra granules and be careful.
Cheers - To the VCCDD for
the quick action on the Richmond Drive collapse and its decision to temporarily
house affected residents in temporary Villages housing. Again, this
was a wonderful gesture for the benefit of residents. Thanks.
Jeers – To the VHA Board
of Directors for electing the new officers rather than allowing the membership
to elect the new officers. It is uncertain whether the new officers
would have been elected if the concept of Residents’ Rights had permitted
the whole membership to vote in an open election. The POA uses open
elections, and the system works well.
The POA board needs volunteer help from the
membership in the following areas:
An experienced sales representative to
sell advertisements in The POA Bulletin on a part time basis. A generous
commission will be paid. Previous experience selling newspaper or
magazine ads would be helpful, but not essential.
An attorney to advise the board on a variety
of organizational matters. Previous experience in the areas of real
estate law, contracts, and/or corporate law would be helpful, but not essential.
Please call Joe Gorman (259-0999) for details.
| The
Second Annual POA Survey |
Below is the Second Annual POA Resident Survey.
All residents are asked to spend a few minutes filling out this form.
Please rate each question with your opinion on a scale of 1 to 10 where
10 is the highest, best, or most satisfactory rating – all the way down
to 1 which is the lowest, worst, or least satisfying rating. A rating
of 5 would be an average, or middle-of-the-road, opinion. If you
have no opinion about a question, please put in “NR” (No Rating) for that
question. Then, either bring this form to the next POA membership
meeting or mail it to The POA, P.O.Box 1657, Lady Lake, FL 32158.
Thanks in advance for your help in completing
this survey. Results will be published in a future issue of the POA Bulletin.
Rating
_________ Entertainment Programs on the
Square
_________ Overall Safety and Security
in The Villages
_________ Traffic in The Villages
_________ The Cleanliness of Villages
Streets and Common Areas
_________ Landscaping in Common Areas
throughout The Villages
_________ The Villages Taxi Service
_________ The Neighborhood Watch Service
_________ The Trash or Garbage Service
_________ The Water Utility’s Service
_________ Emergency Fire Services
_________ Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
_________ The Villages Hospital
_________ The Lifelong Learning Center’s
Patron Discount Program
_________ The Monthly Amenity Fee
_________ The Daily Sun Newspaper, in
General
_________ The Daily Sun Newspaper, Objectivity
of Reporting
_________ The Villages TV station, in
General
_________ The Villages Radio Station,
in General
_________ The Property Owners’ Association
(POA), in General
_________ The POA Bulletin Newsletter
_________ The Villages Homeowners’ Association
(VHA), in General
_________ The VHA Voice Newspaper
_________ The Community Improvement Council
(CIC), in General
_________ The Villages District Administrator,
Mr. Pete Wahl
_________ The Villages Center District
(VCCDD) Government
_________ The CDD or Government Unit in
Which You Live
_________ Condition of the Executive Golf
Courses
_________ Condition of the Championship
Golf Courses
_________ The Priority Golf Program
_________ Greens Fees on the Championship
Golf Courses
April
Fools Day Revisited
(Don't Believe Any Of This) |
Because of the large crowds in the Town Square
on weekend nights, only Patron members will be allowed to use the restrooms
on the Square. Patron membership cards must be shown to enter the
restrooms. A small gratuity for the restroom attendant is expected,
as befitting the prestige status of Patrons. Non-Patron members are
directed to use the Hacienda Center restrooms. Non-residents will
just have to go home.
April
21, 2004
THE NEXT POA
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Third Wednesday of the Month – 7:00
p.m.
Main Auditorium – Paradise Recreation
Center
Mr. William Vance, new Town Manager
of Lady Lake, will talk on the Challenges of his New Position and Say “Hello”
to Residents
COFFEE AND DONUTS FOR ALL AFTER THE
MEETING
ALL RESIDENTS WELCOME – COME AND JOIN
US |
