THE POA BULLETIN MAY 2006

In Summary, the POA looks forward to seeing more details about this proposed Resident Authority Board and how it might work. Let’s hope it delivers on its initial promise for the benefit of residents. J

Below is a copy of an email I recently received regarding illegal golf tires. I sent this and my comments below it to Pete Wahl and Ken Creeley:

“I am protesting the golf cart tire replacement policy that the Villages has issued starting July 1st, 2006. I have driven my golf cart on the Villages golf courses for 19 years. I am on my second golf cart. I drive the cart paths, use the 90 degree rule and avoid wet and fragile areas on the golf courses. I have NEVER torn up the golf course with my tires. I believe the project was inadequately researched and hastily concluded. We will still have the heavy over sized carts and the high speed carts. These are what tear up our courses. We need to change driver attitudes -- not tires!!”

After receiving this email, I spoke to numerous maintenance people on the courses who agree that course damage is not from standard tires being used on the vast majority of carts. How come there's a problem now after these tires have been used for over 15 years on our courses? And why don't other courses outside the Villages which also get constant play have the problems or restrictions we do? If the operators of the courses want players to not use certain tires, they should ask that we comply with same when replacing our tires as they wear out. They also should have set up guidelines for us when we came here prior to our buying carts. Further, I feel that this issue should have been advertised at the clubhouses & courses as opposed to the way it is being handled.

Since this is a golf cart community, my wife and I use our carts almost exclusively within The Villages instead of our car. Though we play golf several times a week, substantially more miles are clocked on the recreation trails and streets. We want the safest tires available, and those that meet D.O.T. standards are far superior to tires recommended for golf course use by their manufacturers!

Considering this is a golf cart community, I also think you should reevaluate your repeated instructions to cart operators to yield to automobiles. Common sense tells us not to drive in the path of a vehicle many times bigger than ours; but, you are in effect telling motorists they have the right of way over carts and are creating hazardous situations. Since autos are required to yield to pedestrians, bicycles, motorized walkers, etc., doesn't it follow that they should do likewise for carts? Cars are now making turns in front of carts, i.e., cutting them off, not yielding when they have stop signs, blocking the paths right of way, etc. Perhaps The Villages should commence a campaign of courtesy to your neighbors and using directional signals all the time. These two items could eliminate many of our problems on the roads -- especially in the dangerous rotaries.

Golf Winnings

Several letters to the editor have come to us regarding the recent change in the golf winnings policy. Most of these object to the new policy of awarding credit vouchers rather than Villages dollars or cash. Most of the letters criticize the new policy because of the high cost of merchandise in the country club pro shops.

The POA researched the issue, and learned the following from the USGA web site:

In general, the USGA says amateurs should not play for cash prizes of any amount in large, organized events [more than a few foursomes] where playing for the money is not optional, there are no prizes other than cash or the fact that cash prizes will be awarded is advertised.

In view of the above, the USGA would urge groups not to award cash prizes. By awarding merchandise of gift certificates redeemable for merchandise instead of cash, the group would ensure that the amateur status of the players is not even brought into question.

It does look like the USGA allows amateurs to accept prize vouchers for other than cash (i.e., merchandise) for no more than $750 retail. But, the USGA seems to hold the line that amateurs cannot accept cash prizes of any value.

Any decision on this issue in The Villages will be made by Ken Creeley. If you and many others beat the drums on this issue with him, you might get some accommodation. It is going to take a groundswell of comments from concerned golfers here to make the point and campaign for change.

At the very least, the POA would recommend that credit vouchers be accepted throughout The Villages at businesses owned by the developer, and that discounts be given for the use of the credits at the pro shops.

Our Water: Asset or Tragedy?

Sustainability of existing groundwater withdrawal, future growth, and protecting our wetlands, lakes, and rivers is a difficult balancing act. Florida derives much of its economic prosperity from the “building and growth industry.”

If a scenario were to come to pass where the “building and growth industry” was dramatically diminished, what would that do to our economy? On the other side of the coin, if the “building and growth industry” remains unchecked, what will that do to our fragile Florida interconnecting network of the aquifer (groundwater), lakes, rivers and wetlands?

Building a consensus and compromise is the foundation of a good democracy. The consensus and compromise must be built on solid facts and science; to do otherwise is to disadvantage one party.

Because we live in a republic, we have delegated the fact finding, the science and the research to various State and Federal agencies. The state agencies with the responsibility for the “science” of the impacts on our ecosystem from massive development in the state are the “Water Districts.” The Water District in the Citrus/Sumter and counties immediately to the south is SWFWMD.

In the 1970’s the Florida legislature passed a law requiring the Water Districts to establish “minimum flows and levels” for all major rivers and lakes in the state. The intent was to set a quantifiable “bench mark” to establish level and flow criteria at which the interests of the people of Florida would not be further negatively impacted by additional withdrawals.

It is now 2006, some 35 years after this law was enacted, SWFWMD has just proposed the levels for lakes in Sumter and Citrus counties. Why has it taken so long? In quite a few cases, the lake levels are already at or below the minimum low levels, indicating the lakes have already been impacted.

The building and growth industry is just realizing that their industry is in jeopardy because with these types of documented impacts, there will be no new issuances of Water Use Permits from SWFWMD. The building industry’s first step is to challenge the science and discredit the facts in an effort to keep the industry boom running unchecked. This is not how to build a consensus.

Wise elders have said that all things are best taken in moderation -- otherwise the result will be suffering. We believe that this is true in government also.

The present growth of our state is not in moderation -- it is a building rate unmatched in our history.

It appears that the majority of political power rests in the hands of the building and construction industries; and these indirectly control the funding, political appointments, and careers of the people in the Water Districts as they try to establish the facts and science of the impacts of the unchecked growth on our groundwater, lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

Our founding fathers foresaw events such as these. They tried to establish a government with a balance of power. So, if abuses occurred in one area, relief could be sought in another, specifically the judicial one.

It takes commitment, focus, talent and money to successfully win a fight like this. Is the fragile interconnecting network of aquifers, lakes, rivers and wetlands worth preserving and protecting? Is it worth fighting for? Only YOU can help stop this tragedy from completely unfolding.

To see where you can help, either financially or with your time, contact your Too Far chapter or Citizens for Clean Air and Water.

Louise Racine

Member, Citizens for Clean Air & Water

Board member of Too Far

Spruce Creek

Congratulations again to Spruce Creek on achieving resident home rule. The developer has exited the development and turned all assets over to a homeowner’s association (HOA) for administration and maintenance.

You might want to consider whether this could also be done here in The Villages. But, there are differences that would prevent the same arrangement being done here.

Most significantly, all Spruce Creek community properties and buildings were turned over (deeded) debt-fee to the homeowners.

The developer basically just gave the facilities to the homeowners. He did this because part of the price of the residents’ homes and lots paid back the developer for the cost of the common facilities. Thus, the developer recovered his investment up-front.

We couldn’t do that in The Villages because the developer chose to sell these back to the residents rather than give them to the residents. Theoretically, the cost of our homes and lots were less than would be the case if handled like Spruce Creek. But, somehow, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Actually, it seems like we are paying twice for these common facilities. The first time when we bought our house; the second time when the developer sells the same properties to the central districts at inflated prices.

Also, we are paying off a debt burden that in the VCCDD area approaches 60% of our monthly amenity fee. This is debt issued to pay the developer for these common facilities. In Spruce Creek, they are debt-free.

Spruce Creek has not increased the monthly fees in three years. In the case of The Villages, our fees will go up yearly, forever, at the same annual rate as the CPI.

Well, at least we have the Squares with all the entertainment, stores, and restaurants. Spruce Creek doesn’t have something like that. But, surprise, surprise, Spruce Creek residents can use our Squares – and they don’t have to pay our amenity fees.

Senator Nelson

Bill Nelson, United States Senator, Democrat, Florida, recently visited the Villages to conduct a Town Hall Meeting.

A local resident asked the Senator for assistance in the resolution of the Florida Statue 190 problems being encountered here in The Villages.

The Senator responded by saying the people must become seriously dedicated to holding their elected officials responsible for doing what is right. The people must adamantly express their frustrations and be self-responsible. Just a few people cannot make changes; it takes many people becoming involved in whatever needs to be changed and acting in concert.

The POA considers this good advice. It appears that many new and renewing members of the POA have the idea that, just by paying their dues, effective remedies to problems within the local government will take place. It is not all that easy. Members of the POA need to get actively involved. A handful of people cannot tackle the problems, needs, and demands of a rapidly growing community.

Furthermore, it is disappointing to see the people who complain and say: You are wasting your time; Nothing can be done; The Villages is too powerful.

Absolutely nothing is going to change until individual residents get behind an organization that is willing to take the lead and commit their personal energies to assisting it. Look around and you will find there is no organization, except the POA, that is willing to take on this challenge and lead those residents who are willing to participate. Get involved!! It is your community now!!

Are you ready? Are you willing to send out letters or emails or join a protest where necessary? Are you willing to go to CDD and POA meetings? Are you willing to speak up at meetings? THE POA NEEDS YOU.

We Need Your Help

The POA needs some volunteer help from members. Call Joe at 259-0999 for details.

We have a number of openings on the POA Board of Directors and various committees for members who want to get more active in the POA. You might find that the time requirement is not great and the personal rewards are truly gratifying.

Our Sergeant-at-Arms is away for the summer, so we need a person to fill in until October or so. Duties include positioning the American Flag at the front of our meeting room, being responsible for the green felt table cloth at meetings, and keeping order.

We could use the help of an attorney on a variety of projects. A background in local government law, real estate, litigation, or contracts would be helpful.

We also need paid route delivery people to help deliver the POA Bulletin once a month for two to four days. A dependable car or golf cart is needed. Routes near your home are possible. This work is compensated. Contact Pete at: delivery@poa4us.org .

Letter to the Editor - Bob and Marilyn Moynihan

Marion County Roads

Below is a copy of a letter sent by Village residents to Mr. Curt Hills at the Villages Daily Sun:

Curt: I always enjoy reading the escapades of the Sumter County Commission. The Sun does a fine job on keeping all informed of their "goings on."

I have a suggestion - do some investigative reporting on Marion County and how they have "disenfranchised" 5,189 Villagers.

In particular, I am referring to how Marion County roads are maintained in the Villages, and the fact that, the maintenance of these roads by the residents was agreed upon "...with the Developer as a condition for the project approval." What we residents of Marion County are finding out is that, contrary to what many of us were told when looking at The Villages, the roads are not maintained by the county. In fact, l00% of the road maintenance is by the citizens.

We -- the residents of The Villages in Marion County -- with a back room deal between The Villages and the County Commissioners -- have had our roads declared as "private roads" with mandatory public access so the gates have to be open to all - and as Commissioner McClain has advised -- "...The County is prohibited by law from spending public money on private roads."

What he does not explain is that the public money he says we cannot spend on our roads is our tax dollars -- which they readily take from us in the form of gasoline taxes (for road maintenance) and our property taxes.

Now, in Florida, we heard how our citizens were "disenfranchised" when some claimed voting difficulties -- how about being "disenfranchised" in back room deals -- collecting taxes -- redistributing our taxes elsewhere in the county -- and, by the way, not telling the good folks of The Villages of Marion County about it.

This is the next great surprise - after the Nancy Lopez sink hole.

When the roads need repair -- to the tune of thousands and thousands of dollars -- the cost will be simply divided by the 5,189 homes and they will be sent a bill. The Villages has no obligation -- per their agreement with county -- to do anything.

Lastly, the CDD4 and VHA know about this -- but it is not the hot topic at meetings. It would interest me to know how other citizens would feel if they woke up tomorrow and found all the tax money collected for roads in their subdivisions would not be spent on them -- that a back room deal made them private roads for public use (wouldn't you think that somewhat of an oxymoron?).

In any event, it certainly seems like a story an investigative reporter hot on the trail of county shenanigans may want to look at and inform the uninformed.

Pete's Corner

The Pete’s Place column in the Daily Sun will soon be replaced by another column. The new column, named “Our Place,” will be similar in content, but a rotational writing effort of Pete, Janet Tutt, Monica Andersen, and John Rohan.

The effort by Mr. Wahl was worthwhile and an effective way to keep Villagers informed about various activities and issues in our community. We trust that the new version of the column will be as informative.

However, we have to say that Mr. Wahl too often seemed to run out of material and had to fill the space with fluff. We remember one column in which Mr. Wahl instructed us in the various intricacies of sun block lotions. He concluded that column with reference to “that big, golden orb in the sky.”

On other occasions, he mused about football, or told us about his hip surgery experience. Nice -- but not community informative.

We think the new column should focus on issues of interest to the homeownership experience and governmental situation here in The Villages. No fluff -- just the facts.

Ronald Reagan -- A Father

Patti Davis, daughter of former president Ronald Reagan, wrote the following about her father in the July 16, 2003, issue of Newsweek. This has been condensed for space requirements here.

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Sometimes I think we need to look no farther than the pattern of footprints stretched out behind us to understand the lives we’ve lived.

We can follow the first tentative steps of our infancy through the long, defiant strides of adolescence and young adulthood -- the running away years, the years of putting distance between ourselves and our families, of burning up time -- to the more solid footprints, set down as we grow older.

These are the tracks we leave on the earth. If we look closely we can also see our parents’ footprints, often close to us, as they guide and lead us, at other times far behind, as they wait for us to turn and remember them.

We slow down, finally, to look longer and more carefully at our parents. My father, who strode confidently onto the stage of history ... was always polite – achingly so – and even in the depths of his illness, still (was).... I didn’t stop to linger on the sweetness of that quality, or to learn from it.

There are people who would say that my father’s footprints are larger and deeper than those of other parents because his political legacy gives them weight, creating indelible marks in the halls of history.... I see his footprints pressed into the wet sand of the beach as he walked toward the sea to catch steep waves and ride them back to shore. His stride was as smooth and certain as it was when he walked into the White House, and onto the stage of history. I see a small girl on that beach as well, pressing her feet into the shapes that her father’s feet have left to see how much bigger his footprints are.

I have gotten lost in those footprints during my life; I have fought hard and bloody battles to pull myself away. These are the tracks I have left on the earth.

But now I look for my father’s tracks on every beach, every trail. Because they mark the way home.

Happy Mother's Day

We apologize -- we were unable to print an annual Mother’s Day story in the last issue because of space considerations. So, here is our Mother’s Day story:

Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born.

The child asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God replied: "Among the many angels, I chose one for you. Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

Then the child asked, "God, I am leaving now, please tell me my angel's name."

"Her name is not important. You will simply call her Mom."

(author unknown)

Short Comments

We stay put for this next meeting. The June 21 meeting will be in the Hacienda Recreation Center. We will be in this room for at least the next month until the Paradise Recreation Center is re-opened.

The sexual offender and predator website is http://www3.fdle.state.fl.us/sexual_predators/. We have the entire local database in a 3-ring binder for viewing at the POA monthly meetings.

If you see Bulletins lying in the street or the gutter after delivery, or if you know a house is unoccupied, please pick up the Bulletins and either hold them for the resident’s return, or discard them. This is especially important during windy or rainy weather.

If you need help on any elder healthcare issue or problem, please call the Shine Elder Help line at 1-800-963-5337. You can also call Harold Barnes, a Villages resident, at 753-8810. Or you can talk to Harold personally at any one of the POA monthly meetings. He has a table display and is ready to talk or help.

Letter to the Editor - Jack Ryan

Residents May Vote

The article in today's Daily Sun, "Center district to discuss resident board," is great news for all Village residents, and it is certainly a wonderful surprise.

My congratulations to you, the POA Board, and the POA membership for all your considerable efforts to make this proposal a potential reality.

You have done a great job so far and I recognize there is much more to do in the future.

Thanks much.

POA Survey -- Comments Continued

This is a continuation of comments we received in the recently completed Villages Survey. As space permits, we will continue this listing of comments in the future.

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Mail Delivery

· With respect to idea of mail delivery to homes rather than to a postal station; since these are county roads, we should be getting house delivery. Postal stations were built originally because streets were to be private and eligible for house delivery.

· Leave mail delivery as is: 1) less traffic 2) safety issues 3) no ugly mail boxes.

· Home mail delivery would be good for those less mobile, but would create a need for mail boxes and another or several vehicles on streets.

· We definitely need and are entitled by law for mail delivery to home. Sooner or later many of us will not be able to drive or walk to mailboxes.

· Can you imagine the cost of home mail delivery! At least $30,000,000 in salaries, benefits, etc. It would probably work if they had any guts in Washington and privatized the whole lousy postal system.

· My understanding this that the developer made a contract with USPS for what we have. I would be thrilled to get good mail service. Florida and The villages mail service is worse than any I’ve ever had.

· Mailboxes will be a landscaping nightmare. Will cheapen the look of our community

· Postal stations are better, safer and give exercise to many residents. This comes from a retired postal employee.

· I like going for mail, meeting others there. With regard to the cleanliness issue, postal stations need a hosing to get rid of bugs just like our houses do.

· We very much need a golf cart accessible post office in Sumter Co. At the very least, a mail box in the shopping center with 2 pick ups with the mail routed the same way as Oxford P.O. (much quicker).

The Hospital

· Hospital billing for emergencies is very low, but wait time is long and care is done by too few, a tired few.

· Why should we pay for the hospital? I use this term loosely. It was more like a MASH unit. I almost died there.

· The Villages Regional Hospital should look for benefactors or commercial support (Target, Home Depot, Wal Mart) then come to the fund raising and tax idea.

The POA

· I love reading the POA Bulletin, but I get tired of the continual whining. The whining should stop, just report.

· Your paper is too critical and one-sided; definitely not objective. You seem to oppose everything the developer wants without attempting to see “the big picture” or get his viewpoint. I don’t enjoy reading The POA Bulletin. Its too nasty. I do not belong to either organization (VHA or POA).

· It is sad that so many do not see the validity of the POA by wearing blindfolds while the greed and power sickness is taking over.

· We think the POA meetings and the POA Bulletins are very informative.

· You’re doing a great job. We appreciate everything you have attempted to do whether you succeeded or not, we know you at least tried.

· POA keep up the good work of keeping us apprized of what the developer is doing that we don’t know about and/or don’t like. Your continued support is absolutely invaluable to use.

· Keep up the good work! Your newsletter and “The Reporter” are our only “fair and balanced” look at what is really happening here.

· Keep up the good work. Someone has to. Please accept my membership and donation.

· You represent the residents but most of your newsletter is opinions that you try to turn into facts so that you can criticize someone.

· Happy to have the POA to give me a more complete picture of what is happening in The Villages.

· Broadcast distribution of POA Bulletin draws attention to unoccupied homes. Better to leave at postal stations for pick up by owners in residence.

· Will the POA survey make any difference? I sure hope that it would. Please show the results to the Morses.

· Some of your articles are quite interesting but unbelievable. Need more real explanations & facts.

· Post a list of candidates on your website showing those favorable to the POA and those against the POA. Tues. Nov. 8 is Election Day. I don’t know who to vote for.

· POA is a very negative paper. The developer is a business man similar to the management of Publix, CNBS, etc. Your approach of criticism is far to the left. Take your argument to Sumter, Marion, Lake governing bodies not VHA.

· I am happy in The Villages. The concept is great. I am saddened by the mercenary attitude of the developer. I don’t think Harold Schwartz had the same outlook. Keep letting the light into the dark corners and we will all benefits

· There’s a lot I don’t know. As a wise commentator once said, “All I know is what I read in the papers.” So please keep digging and reporting the truth.

· Thanks for being our voice. Continue to keep up the good work and keep us informed as you are our only source of actual facts.

· Villages is a fine place to live. Keep up the good work of the POA. Keep emphasizing what’s been done well and question and bring to task shortcomings that you see to make The Villages even better

· Would like to see some positive articles in your paper.

· Stop trashing the streets with this negative POA bulletin. Then the POA Board should go back to whatever state they lived. Then the POA Board should get a life. This “paper” is a joke.

· You tell us all the problems, but never see any solutions.

· This is a very good survey. The Village survey is meaningless.

To be continued ...............