ThePOABULLETINThePropertyOwners'AssociationofThe

Villages

POALogo

IssueNo.33.05 ChampionofResidents'RightsSince1975 May2007

CLICKONTHEARTICLENAMEBELOW

ResidentsSnubbedbyVCCDDonFreedomPointeAmenityPlan

FreedomPointeDealMayBreachOurContract

MayMeetingofthePOAIsAtTheLaurelManorRec

Center

FreedomPointe:FebruaryVCCDDMeetingVerbatim

TheVinylSidingProblem:MoreoftheDetails

TheVinylSidingCommittee

LettertotheEditor:VinylSiding

TheVillageGreens LettertotheEditor:We'reNotaResort

LettertotheEditor:SnowbirdLetter

LettertotheEditor:GolfCartDrivers

LettertotheEditor:Dogs

LettertotheEditor:Garbage

LettertotheEditor:VillagesPools

LettertotheEditor:ElectricalSwitches

LettertotheEditor:IDCards

LettertotheEditor:SumterCountyProperty

Taxes

AprilFools:VillagesSurveyQuestions

Missed

ThePOABulletinispublishedmonthlybythePropertyOwner'sAssociationoftheVillages,Inc.ArticlesintheBulletinrepresenttheopinionofthePOA,exceptLetterstotheEditor,whichrepresenttheopinionsofthewriters.CareistakentoinsurethatallfactsreportedhereinaretrueandaccuratetothebestknowledgeofthePOAandaretakenfromreliablesources.ThePOAassumesnoliabilityforanyinformationpublished,opinionsexpressed,ordeliverytoanypersonorlocation.Allpublicationrightsarereserved.Publicationorreprintingofanymaterialcontainedhereinisbywrittenpermissiononly.

ReturnToMainPOAPage

ResidentsSnubbedbyVCCDDonFreedomPointeAmenityPlan

TheVCCDDSupervisorsmadeafundamentalmistakeinitsFebruarymeetingwhentheyvotedatthistimetoextendVillagesamenitiestoFreedomPointeresidents.

Mostofusagreethatthistypeofretirementfacilityisawelcomeandneededadditiontoourcommunity.Soonerorlater,wemayallneedtoconsidersomethinglikethis.So,itisworthwhiletohaveFreedomPointeclose-byaspartofourcommunity.

However,theVCCDDsupervisorsmadeahastydecisionthatwasanotablesnubtothemanyVillagerswhovoicedconcernsovertheamenityplanintheFebruarymeeting.

ThesupervisorsvotedtoextendallVillagesamenitiestotheeventualresidentsofFreedomPointe.Residentswouldpaythestandardamenityfee.Thiswouldaddabout$388,000annuallytoVCCDDrevenue.Forthis,thesupervisorssaidtherewouldbelittleifanyincrementaluseofVillagesfacilities(pools,golfcourses,etc).

Manyresidentsexpressedconcernoverthisdecisionandaskedthatthematterbestudiedfurthertodeterminewhattheimpactmightbe.However,theVCCDDsupervisorsvotedunanimouslytoproceedwiththeplanwhichwouldhonorwhatappearstobeapromisebythedeveloperwhenhesoldthelandtotheFreedomPointeorganization.

WhattheVCCDDsupervisorsshouldhavedoneinthemeetingandshouldbedoingnowareasfollows:

-Tablethematterformorestudyandfurtherdiscussionsforatleastoneortwomonths,-SurveyVillagerstodetermineexactlywhataretheissuesandconcernsofVillagersregardingthisfacility,-WorkwithFreedomPointepeopletostudyotherfacilitiesitoperatestodeterminewhatpercentageofitsotherresidentsmightwanttousefacilitieslikethoseofTheVillagesifavailable,-StudytheseotherresidentstodeterminewhatpercentageoftheirvisitingrelativesandfriendsmightwanttousefacilitieslikethoseinTheVillagesonavisit,-NegotiatewithFreedomPointeofficialstohaveFreedomPointebuildanoutdoorswimmingpoolatitslocationforusebyitsresidentsandtheirvisitingrelativesandfriends,-NegotiatewithFreedomPointeofficialstohaveitpayan"impactfee"ofsomeasyettobedeterminedamounttotheVCCDDforitsuseofthealreadydevelopedfacilitiesinTheVillages.ThisfeewouldbecomparabletothehigheramountVillagerspayfortheirlotandhomeasbuilt,priced,andsoldbythedeveloperofTheVillagesascompensationforpreviously-developedfacilities,-NegotiatewithFreedomPointeofficialstoallowVillagerstousethefacilitiesofFreedomPoint,includingtheirindoorpool,-ConfirmwithFreedomPointsofficialsthatitwillacceptlimitationsontheuseofVillagesfacilitiesbyvisitingrelativesandfriendsofitsresidentsatthehigh-

usetimesduringtheyear.

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FreedomPointeDealMayBreachOurContract

IamshockedthatIseemtobeoneofthefewresidentsoftheVillages,whobelievesthattheDeveloper,andhisVCCDDcannotlegallycontractawaytheRESIDENTS'RIGHTStotheexclusiveuseofourfacilities.

WhenIcamehomefromtheFebruarymeetingoftheBoardoftheVCCDDandtoldmywifethattheVCCDDhadunanimouslyvotedtoallowfutureresidentsoftheFREEDOMPOINTEtouseourfacilitiesandenjoyallthebenefitsinreturnfortheirpayingfutureamenityfeesattheprevailingrate,shesaid,"Howcantheydothat?"Ididnothaveananswer.Asanattorney,Idecidedtoresearchthequestion.

Iwentbacktotheoriginalcontractforpurchaseofmyhome,whereinIandmywifeagreedtopayamonthlyamenityfeeinreturnfortherighttousethefacilities.ThesefeeswouldchangewithchangesintheCPI,buttherewasnoreservationofrightsbytheDevelopertocontractwithanycommercialentityoutsideoftheVillagestoallowtheirtenants,residents,ormemberstouseourfacilities.

ThelandwhereFREEDOMPOINTEisgoingtobebuiltiszonedascommercialproperty,itisnotresidential.That'swhytheycanbuildasevenstoryadultseniorlivingfacilityfromFreedomPointeontheproperty.

ThelandisnotwithinthegeographicconfinesoftheVillages.ThefuturebuyerswillnotberesidentsoftheVillagesandwillneverbeabletovoteinourresidentialelections.

IbelievethattheVCCDDneverresearchedanyofthesequestionsbeforetheyvotedinfavoroftheDeveloper.

Accordingly,attheMarchmeetingoftheVCCDDIaskedeachmemberoftheBoardandtheirattorney:"WhatgaveyoutherighttochangemycontractandallourcontractswiththisCommunity?Canyoutellmewhereyougotthatpowerorthatauthority?"

Theyhadnoanswer.Theyhadneverevenconsideredtheissue.AlltheyknewwasthattheMorseFamilywanteditand#*#*#*thewishesoftheresidents.

NotonlywillallfuturebuyersatFREEDOMPOINTEhavetherighttouseourjammedexecutivegolfcourses,butsowillalltheirvisitorsandguestsandfamilies,especiallyduringthebusyseasons.

IftheVCCDDcandothistheycancontractwithStonecrestandeveryothercommunityinFloridatouseourfacilities,includingourpoolsandrecreational

centersandeverythingelseintheVillagesaslongastheDevelopermakesmoremoneyandincreaseshisprofits.

TheBoardthenauthorizedtheirattorneyMr.LowerytoresearchthequestionandhaveanansweratthenextmeetingoftheVCCDDinApril.

AttheAprilmeetingoftheVCCDDIagainquestionedtheDeveloper'sBoardandMr.Lowrey,theattorneyfortheBoard,astothelegalityofthedecisiontogivefutureresidentsofFreedomPointetherighttousethefacilities.

Asexpectedhisreplywasthatitwaslegal.Hesaid,"thatthislandandalltheDeveloper'scommercialpropertiessurroundingtheresidentialareathatweconsidertobetheVillageswaswithintheDeveloper'sRegionalImpactAreaandispartoftheVillagesandtheirvotewaslegal."

Asanattorney,IneverdoubtedthatMr.Lowreywouldfindawaytoclaimthatthisimpairmentoftheresident'srightswaslegalandproper.

However,howdoesheexplainawaythefactthattheresidentsrightsandobligationsarepartofthe"CovenantsandRestrictions"thatarepartofeveryhomeowners'deedandtherearenohomeowners'deedsinFreedomPointe,asthetenantsinFreedomPointewillneverbehomeowners?

Mr.LoweryalsoclaimsthateverycommercialbuyerofpropertyfromtheDeveloper,i.e.,intheRollingAcresShoppingCenter,andthenewWalmartShoppingAreaby466and301alsohavetherighttousethefacilities,aswellasalltheDeveloper'scommercialpropertysouthtoWildwoodandRoute466A.

IguessweareluckythatHaroldSchwartzdidn'tbuypropertyinOrlandoorMiamiasMr.Lowerywouldinsistthatthosefuturebuyerscouldalsouseourpar3golfcoursesandpools.

Mr.Loweryalsoneveraddressedthefact,thatwaybackonMay9,1996,inarecordedAgreementbetweentheDeveloperandtheVCCDDaspartofan"AGREEMENTFORSERVICESANDCOLLATERALASSIGNMENTOFAMENITIESFROMFUTURERESIDENTS"itwasagreedasfollows:3.SERVICESTOBEPROVIDEDBYTHEVILLAGES...E.ConstructionofFutureFacilities...1.MinimumCapitalExpenditureforFutureFacilities.BECAUSETHEFACILITIESBEINGACQUIREDWILLNOTHAVESUFFICIENTCAPACITYTOSERVEALLCURRENTRESIDENTSANDALLFUTURERESIDENTSTHROUGHBUILDOUTOFTHECOMMUNITY,THEVILLAGESAGREESTOSPENDAMINIMUMOF40%...OFAMENITYFEESCOLLECTED...FORTHECONSTRUCTIONOFFUTUREFACILITIES¼."

Query,doestheVCCDDintendtobuildmorepoolsorPar3golfcourses?Dotheycarethatwecan'tgetteetimesonthePar3courses?

Asanattorney,IamconvincedthatitwasimplicitinourAmenityAgreementthatinreturnforpayingouramenityfees,wetheresidentswouldhaveexclusiverightstotheuseofthefacilities.NothingthatMr.LowerysaysorwritesandnothingthattheVCCDDsaysordoeswilleverchangethefactthattheyhavebreachedtheagreementwithalloftheresidents.

MaybeIwillstoppayingmyamenityfeessinceIcan'tgetateetime.

Whenwilltheresident'sinthiswonderfulcommunitywakeuptothefactthattheVCCDDonlyspeaksfortheDeveloperandvotesonallissuesonthebasisof

whatisbestfortheDeveloperandhardlyevenconsiderswhattheresidentswantorwhatisbestforthiscommunity.IknowthattheDeveloperasthemajoritylandownerinthecommercialdistrictoftheVillageselectsthesupervisorsandtheyworkfortheDeveloper,butitjustain'tright.

That'smyopinion.IrvingYedwab,Esq.

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MayMeetingofthePOAIsAtTheLaurelManorRecCenter

ThePOAwillhaveitsMay16meetingattheLaurelManorRecreationCenterat7:00p.m.intheMadisonandMonroerooms.

ThespeakerfortheeveningwillbeMr.LouisBremer,CEOofLeesburgRegionalMedicalCenter,theparentorganizationoftheVillagesRegionalHospital

Mr.BremerwillgiveanupdateontheexpansionoftheVillagesHospital.

WealsoplantoprovideanupdateontheactivitiesoftheVinylSidingCommittee.

Ifyouhaven'tbeentooneofourmeetingsinthepast,pleasejoinusonMay16.

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FreedomPointe:FebruaryVCCDDMeetingVerbatim

ThisisacontinuationoftheverbatimtranscriptofthediscussionintheFebruary7,2006,VCCDDmeeting.ThediscussionhereisaboutFreedomPointeandtheVCCDDdecisiontoextendVillagesAmenitiestothefutureresidentsoftheretirementfacility.

Thisislongandsomewhatdryreading,But,itwillgiveyoutheflavorofthediscussioninthemeetingandthecommentsfromresidentsandthedeveloper-

appointedsupervisorsoftheVCCDD.

ThePOAbelievesthattheFreedomPointeretirementfacilityisawelcomeandneededadditiontoourcommunity.

However,themannerinwhichthefullrangeofamenitiesinourcommunitywasextendedtotheoperationbytheVCCDDisdisturbing.

Residentswereconcernedandwantedtowaitandstudytheissue.However,theVCCDDsupervisorswantedtoproceedtohonorthedeveloper'sapparentoffertoextendthesebenefits.TheVCCDD'sdeveloper-appointedsupervisorslistenedtotheconcernsofresidentsandthenignoredthoseconcernstovoteforextendingamenitiestoFreedomPointe.Thereisnochanceofappeal.

ThereisafundamentaldisconnectbetweenresidentsandtheVCCDD.ThisiswhatyougetwhentheresultsoftheStrawVotearejustthrownoutbytheVCCDDandthencondonedbyresidents.Ifresidentshadthedecision-makingauthorityintheVCCDDforamenityissues,aswasthepointoftheStrawVote,wethinkthisdecisionwouldhavebeendelayedforfurtheranalysisandnegotiationswithFreedomPointe.Perhapsthenagooddecisioncouldhavebeenmade.

Thismeetingwasanopenmeetingandallthecommentsofsupervisorsandmembersoftheaudienceareamatterofpublicrecord.

HereistheFreedomPointerequestanddiscussionatthemeeting:

JanetTutt,VCCDDDistrictAdministrator-Boardmembers,inyourpacketisbothanoverviewfromdistrictstaffalongwithaletterandproposalfromtheAmericanRetirementCorporation(ARC)regardingthedevelopmentofFreedomPointewhichwillbetakingplaceinthedistrict.IwouldrequestthatMr.ToddCastner,(anARCofficial)whoishere,actuallycomeforwardandprovidetheinformationtotheboard.

Castner-Thankyou.IamToddCastnerwithARCnowpartofBrookdale.TenorelevenyearsagowemetwithGaryMorseandseniormanagementofthedeveloperandatthattimetheirgreatestconcernwastobringhealthcaretoTheVillages.Theyhadjustopenedadoctorsclinic,theyhadplansforahospital,theywantedassistedlivingwithAlzheimer'scareandultimatelyskillednursingwithindependentliving.WiththeirhelpwewereabletoopentheexistingassistedlivingandAlzheimer'scarecenterknownasHomewoodin1998.InJulyof2005weclosedonthesitewherewewouldliketodevelopFreedomPointe-bothindependentlivingandskillednursingandwebeganourdesignprocess.OurobjectivehasalwaysbeentoservetheexistingVillagesresidentsandnottoimportnewresidentsintoTheVillages.During2005weworkedwiththedevelopertoconfirmtheavailabilityofTheVillagesamenitiestoFreedomPointeasweknewthatexistingVillagesresidentswouldwanttocontinuetheirlifestyleswithVillagesamenities.Wehadconversationsandunderstandingsandwethoughtthatmatterwassettledwithregardtoamenities.WhatwemissedwasthetransferoftheamenitiestotheVCCDD.WewereunawareoftheVCCDDandtheywereunawareofusandthat'sthesourceofourconfusionanditismyfaultandIhopeyouwillacceptmyapologiesforthatconfusion.Weareheretodaytofurtherthedueprocessandseekformalapprovalofourrequestforamenities.WemergedwithBrookdaleinJulyof2006.InlateDecemberoflastyearweinitiatedmarketingforFreedomPointeandwehaveover200deposits.AllbuttwoofthosedepositsarefromresidentsinTheVillageswhichconfirmsthatTheVillagesresidentswanttostayneartheirfriendsandmaintaintheirlifestylesthruThe

VillagesamenitiesandtheamenitieswithinFreedomPointe.Thegolfandtheapproximately700socialclubsarecriticalamenitiesforyourneighborswhowanttostay(NotefromElaineDreidame--Itishardtobelievethatthisprojectwouldbeasfaralongasitisiftheyhadnotbeentoldthattheamenitypackagewouldbeavailable.)Wehaveheardthatthegolfcoursecrowdingisanissue¼WethinkthatFreedomPointeresidentsasagroupshouldberelativelylightusersofTheVillagesamenities,particularlyasthecommunityages.(Hebasedthisopiniononasimilarcommunitybutadmittedtheywereamucholderpopulation.)TheamenitieswithinFreedomPointewillinclude...WerequestthattheVCCDDapproveourrequestforamenitiesasoutlinedinourletter...

ElaineDreidame,Resident-Justapointofclarification.Thespeakerkindofindicatedthatthiswasanoversightandthattheywerenotawareofthetransferoftheamenities.However,it'smyunderstandingfromspeakingwithoneoftherepresentativesofARCthatinJanuaryof2007,thispastmonth,thatwhenthequestionwasoriginallyraisedattheVHAmeetingthatthedeveloperwascontactedandthattheypersonallyspokewithMr.Wisewhoconfirmedthatyes,theamenitieswouldbeavailabletothoseresidents.WasthatcorrectMr.Wise?

JohnWise,VCCDDSupervisorandanemployeeoftheDeveloper-I'vehadconversationswithMr.Castnerforyears,butwe'vesaidwewouldmaketheamenitiesavailabletothemifwecould.

Dreidame-YouconfirmedtotheminJanuary,accordingtothespeakerthatIspokewiththatdefinitelytheamenitieswouldbeavailable...

Wise-NO.

Dreidame-...andthathecouldgoforwardinhisspeakingengagementsandconfirmthattheamenitieswereavailable.

Wise-Thatisnotcorrect.WhatyoumisshereisthatARCnevergotbacktoTheVillages,nevergotbacktousformallyandsaid,ortothisboardandsaid,thatwewanttohavetheamenitypackageatFreedomPointe.Sotherewasnothingdonetogetthemtheamenitypackage.(NotefromDreidame-ItwasBOLDofFreedomPointtostateinitspublicationsandbrochuresthatresidentswouldreceiveVillagesamenitiesifnothinghadbeenapprovedbythedeveloper.)

Dreidame-DidyounotinJanuary,whentheyaskedyouthequestion,becausethespeakercalledthehomeoffice,thehomeofficecalledthedeveloper,thedeveloperpassedalongtoyouandhadthespeakercallyoudirectlyandaskedthatquestion.

Killingsworth,ChairmanoftheVCCDDBoardandanemployeeofthedeveloper-MissDreidame-Wearenotgoingtoputthisontrial-Thisis...

Dreidame-ButIwouldjustliketoconfirmthathegavethegoaheadwithoutbringingittotheBoardandheiswellawareofthetransferofthefacilities.

Wise-ThatisnotcorrectandMr.Castnerwillagreewiththat.

Castner-Heiscorrect.Hedidnottellusthat.

Dreidame-Askthespeakeroverthere.

Wise-Ineverspoketohim.

Lowery,VCCDDBoardAttorney-Idon'tknowifshecanaddressthemlikethat.Ithinkthatwouldbeuptoyou.

Killingsworth-Wearemovingon.

(Note-DreidamespokewithLeeMcKnight,aFreedomPointeofficial,afterthemeeting,andheconfirmedthatwaswhathetoldDreidame.HesaidthatitwastruethattheyhadspokentoWiseandaskedhimabouttheamenities.However,Wisesimplyansweredwehavealreadyhadthatdiscussionandagreement.Leestatedthatthebasisfortheconflictingstorieswassemantics,thatWisedidnotusethewords"amenitieswouldbeavailable"andthatwaswhyhewasdenyingtheallegation.ThedeveloperandARChadalreadyagreedthatallresidentswouldhavetopaytheamenityfee-thatitwouldnotbeoptionaltoanyindividualcondoownersbutwouldbeincludedinpartoftheARCmonthlyamenityfee.)

RonZaggy,Resident-First,itssizeandscope.WhileI'msureBrookdalewilltrytobuildabeautifulbuildingitissimplytoobigofabuildingtodirectlyborderTheVillages.ItisoutofcharactercomparedtotheotherresidentialbuildingsinTheVillages.Itissevenstoriestallinitscenterandaparkinggarageandofallthingsitwillbringupto500morehealthypeopletoliveinadensealreadybuilt-outarea.Thoseofusaffectedbythevisualimpactofthisbuildingpaidhugeamountsofmoneyforourlots.Wedidn'texpectthebuffalotobethereforever¼wewereledtobelievethattherewouldbebeautifulonestorymedicalbuildingsthere.WeproposethatnothingofthissizeandheightandwithaparkinggarageneverbebuiltanywhereinTheVillages.It'sjusttoobig.Secondpoint,thattheyareaprivatecompanyusingourVillagesamenitiesasasellingpointfortheircondounits.Intheirbrochuretheystatethatifpeoplebuyoneoftheircondosthenitwillbeincludedintheirmonthlyfee.ItalsoentitlesthosepeopletoallofTheVillagesamenities,includinggolfandpools.Now,theyprobablyhavechildren,grandchildren,friendsandeverythingelseandnowthosepeoplewillbeabletousethosefacilitiesalso.TherecreationpoolsareovercrowdedandIdon'tknowwhereallofthesepeoplearegoingtogo.Howdowehandleallofthis?What'stoexcludeotherpeoplefrombringingin,let'ssay'OaklandHills?Ifyouaregoingtogiveittoone,youareopeningupPandora'sBox.Whatotherpeoplewillyouallowtocomeinheretouseouramenitiesifyouaregoingtoallowthesepeopletodoit?

Tutt-Boardmembers,Iwouldappreciatetheopportunitytorespondtotheoneissuethatwasraised.ThispropertyfallswithintheDRI(theoriginaldevelopmentplan).Theotherareasaroundthiscommunitydonot.TheyarenotpartofTheVillagesandnotpartoftheDRI.

BillGarner,Resident-Wheneveryouguyswerepurchasingtheamenitiesfeesitwasmyunderstandingthatwewereallsoldoutandthattherewouldbenooneelsebroughtintoit.ThatwasmyunderstandingasaresidentandhereIamfindingoutthatwecanbringsomebodyelseinandtheyofferabsolutelynothingtous.There'snogolfcoursestobebroughtin,pools,etc.fromthispurchase.Difficulttogetteetimes,thecardroomsarecrowdedandthedancefloorsarecrowded.Bringingonmorepeople,Idon'tthink,isinthebestinteresttotheresidentshereonthissideoftheroad.

JimStickel,Resident-WilltheresidentsbeintheCenterDistrict?

Tutt-theywillberesidentswithintheVCCDD.Theactualfacilityisnotinanumbereddistrict.

Stickel-Becausetheyarecondoswouldtheybeindividuallydeededresidents.Thenwewouldhave400residentsintheVCCDD...andtheywouldhavevotingrightsforthisboard.

Tutt-Iwouldliketoclarifythat.ItiswithinthegeographicalareawithintheDRI.ItisnotpartoftheVCCDD.

Stickel-Whatwouldyouhaveforinterlocalagreements-thekindofthingthatwehavetotakecareofthecartpathsoranyinfrastructure?

Tutt-Therewouldbenoinfrastructureforthedistricttomaintain.Theywouldhavetomaintaineverythingwithinthepropertytheyowned.Therewouldbenoburdenonthedistrict.

Stickel-I'mnotsuretheADAwouldn'twanttoknowaboutthecartpathsinfrontofFreedomPointe¼

Tutt-ThereisnoresidentvotingfortheVCCDD.

RayGotchess,Resident-WhenIpurchasedmypropertyhereIwastoldthatIwouldhavearighttoamenitiesifIpaidafee.IbelievethepropertythatFreedomPointepurchasedfromTheVillagesispropertywithinTheVillages,sotherefore,Ishouldhavearighttoamenities.Iamoneofthepeoplethatdiddoadepositthere¼

BeverlyHarriet,Resident-IamsoexcitedabouthavingFreedomPointeandhavingtheopportunitytogothereandlivelikeIamlivingrightnowandwhenIreadthisFreedomPointebrochureanditstatedinthere"FreedomPointeresidentswillbefreetoengageinnumerousactivities,includingtakingadvantageofalltheamenitiesofTheVillages."Iwassoexcitedwewentrightdownandputourthousanddollarsdown.

DickBelles,Resident-I'mhererepresentingabout150residentsinDistrict3whoareopposedtowhathasbeenhappeninghere.Havingspokentooneboardmemberwithinthelasttwoweeks,ifnotless,Idon'tbelieveenoughresearchhasbeendoneonwhattheimpactwillbehere.Ipersonallyfeelthisitemshouldbetableduntilfurtherresearchcanbedone.Anumberofthingsarehappeninghere¼atfullbuildouttheconfigurationof475units¼about950peopletakingadvantageofamenities.Whenthedevelopertypicallybuildsout,hebuildsoutwiththeintentof-weneedtoaddwhatever,executivegolfcourses¼Idon'tbelieveanyresearchhasbeendoneonthis.IfIamwrongIapologize,butIthinktherearetoomanythingstobelookedathere¼Inthemasterbuildoutplanitindicatesanotherhospitaltobebuiltsouthof466.I'massumingthatbasedonthesuccessofthis,andtheFALSEADVERTISEMENTofthisfromFreedomPointe,thattheywillcomebacktothedeveloperandwanttobuylandandbuildasecondproperty.

Myrecommendation,representingthepeopleI'mrepresenting,tothisBoardwouldbetotablethisbecauseIknowyouhavenothadtimetostudythisissue.IKNOWTHATFORAFACT.You'vebeengiveninputfromstaff,whichisfine¼Ithinkthisneedsmuchmoreresearchthanhasbeendonetoday.

Tutt-clarifiedthenumberofunits-349unitsor700residents.

ChicoMir,Resident,ChairmanofCDD2,andpastpresidentoftheVHA-Ifeelverystronglythat,ifouramenitiesaregoingtobeused,weshouldcollecttheamenityfeelikeanyotherresidentinTheVillages.

Wise-Andthatwillhappen.

CharlotteEvans,Resident-WhatconcernsmearetheotherpropertiesthatthedeveloperownsandsomeofthemthatwehavealreadytakenoverlikeMorseBlvd.What'stokeephimfrombuildingonthoseareasandhowmanymoreoftheseunitsdowewanthere?

Killingsworth-anydiscussionbytheboard?

Wise-Iwouldliketosaysomething.Youknow,thememothatwascompletedbyJanetTuttindicatedthatthiswasgoingtoprovideaminimumof$388,000annuallyofamenityfeeincometothisdistrictwithoutanyadditionalcosts.Thisisalargeamountofmoneythatthisdistrictcanuse.IfyoujustlookatitfromafinancialperspectivethisisasuperdealforthisVillagesCenterDistrict.

BrianEvans,Resident-Thereisnoprovisionforthesenewresidentstocontributetoinfrastructuremaintenancesuchasthegolfcartpathswhicharepaidforbythenumbereddistricts.Secondly,itsoundslikeareallygoodideaexceptfortheoverloadingoftheexecutivegolfcoursesandIthinkthecorrectthingtodowillbetobuildthisprojectfurthersouthinanewareawheretheycanbeallowedforintheuserspergolfcoursehole¼

Garner-IwouldliketocommentonwhatJohnsaidaboutthe$388,000ofincomeitwouldcreate.IcertainlybelievethatthereasonthatyoumayhavefinancialproblemsisbecauseofthewaythatyouhavepurchasedalloftheseamenityfeesandIthinkthat,yes,this$388,000wouldhelpyoupayoffthedebtandeverythinglikethat,butwhenIcamehereIwaspromisedcertainthingsthatmyamenityfeeswouldpayforandI'dliketogettheservicesthatIamcurrentlypayingforandIjustdon'tbelievethatshouldbeanissuethatitwouldbringinneededmoneytotheVCCDD.

Wise-Youknow,ifyouaren'tgettingtheservicesthatyoufeelyoudeserve,thenthat'sanotherissue.

Garner-Well,youknowthattheygotridofthepoolmonitors,youhavenomoresecurityatthegates,thingslikethatandyouknowthatJohn.It'sbeendiscussedseveraltimesattheVCCDDmeeting.

CharlesKazlo,ResidentandCDD4BoardSupervisor-Ihaveaconcernabouttheimpactonboththewaterpermitsandalsotheexistingwaterandsewagetreatmentplant¼

Tutt-Answer-itwasincludedinthemasterplanforstormwaterandutilities¼

JoanWaller,Resident-IjustwantedtosuggestthatifweendupinFreedomPointeandwekeepagingthattheoptionwouldbetheretohaveamenitiesornothaveamenities,sothereforeitmightnotbeeveryonetherewhowouldwantamenities-justthosewhoareyoungenough.

Tutt-Therequirementisthatoncetheunitsareoccupied,ifthisdoesgothru,oncetheunitisoccupied,fromthatpointforwardthefullamountofamenitieswouldbepaidmonthlydirectlytotheVCCDDandifaunitisnolongeroccupiedthepaymentwouldcontinuetocomeintotheVCCDD¼TheproposaldoesincludetheCPIincreases.

Killingsworth-Only2ofthe200whohavesignedupdonotliveinTheVillages.

Waller-Weneedthefacility.Itwouldbeawin-winsituation.Theyaregoingtopaytheamenitiesforussoyouwillnotbeout...You'rejustmakingabigmountainoutofamolehill...Thereisnotrouble.ThisisawellthoughtoutprojectbyboththedeveloperandtheARC.

JimMurphy-QuestionediftheyhadtherighttovoteinanyCDDandaskediftheywouldbeexemptfromsupportingthebudgetsoftheCDDs.

Wise-OfthenumberedCDDs.

Murphy-Soalltheywouldpaywouldbeanamenityfee¼sotheywon'tbepayingfortheupkeepofanyoftheareathattheyaregoingtobeutilizing,cartpaths,etc.

Tutt-Thereisnoassessment.

Murphy-Yettheirpropertyisgoingtobedeededjustlikemypropertyis.Idon'thaveaproblemwiththesepeoplebeingeligibleforamenities,butIthinktherearestillalotofunansweredquestionsabouthowyouputthatvoteprocesstogether.

Tutt-SimilartotheLadyLakearea-Theyarenotinanumbereddistrict.

HenryCole-I'mterriblyconfused.Thereisnothingwrongwithbringinginthefacilitywehavebeentalkingabout.However,it'sgoingtocauseonething.Theyaregoingtoproducesewerage...ItwasmyunderstandingfromPeteearlieronthatoursewerplantisatcapacityandyoucantellthatit'satcapacitybecauseitstinksoverinSantoDomingo...

Tutt-Hadutilityengineerexplainthatwedohavethecapacity-builtintotheplanning.

Cole-Itmaybeplannedfor-butwhydoesitsmellsomuch?

Arnett,Resident-Wealwayswanttohearaboutthat-blamedinontheSpruceCreekplantbecausetheydonothaveupdatedequipment.

IrvingYebwab,Resident-Thepeoplewhoaregoingtogetthesedeedswhentheybuytheircondos-willthosedeedhaveinittherequirementthattheyhavetopaytheamenityfeeonamonthlybasis¼Whoisgoingtocontrolthepreparationofthosedeedsandagreements?Secondly,arethereanyimpactfeesinvolvedinthisbecauseitismyunderstandingthatanybodywhobuysahomeinTheVillagesgetshitwithanimpactfeeorbondthatcanbeasmuchas$15-20,000.Arethepurchasersofthesecondounitsgoingtohavetopayanimpactfee?

FreedomPointeRep-Therehavebeenanumberofquestionsabouttheformofdeedsandfirstofall,Iamnotanattorneybuttheprojectisdevelopedasacondoregimeandtheresidentswilltaketitletoacondounit.Theyareactuallytakingcontracttoalifeestateinterestinacondounitandthenthoseunits,upontheirleavingthecampus,theygetsoldbacktousandsowearethesingleentitythatyoucanlooktoforfeesandforimpactfeesandformanagementpurposes¼Wearealso,Ibelieve,payingimpactfeesinaccordancewiththedevelopment.

GaryMoyer,VCCDDSupervisorandemployeeofthedeveloper-Iunderstandthelifeestateissue,buttheownershipoftheproperty-whoreceivesthetaxbillforanindividualunit?DoesARC.Theywillcometous.We

willpaythemandthenweallocatethedeductionsbacktotheresidentssotheresidentsgetthebenefitofthetaxdeductions,butwehandlethatforthem¼

Yedwab-SoARCwillbepayingtheamenityfeesforeveryresidentinthedevelopment.

Tutt-Yessir.

JoeBakel,Resident-IamconsideringtheFreedomPointesituation...Ihaven'tplayedgolffortwoyears...buttheprofileofthepeoplewhowillusethisfacilityarepeoplewhoareatthepointwheretheyneedsupport...Bealittlemorecompassionateforpeoplesuchasmyself.

BootsThompson,Resident-IwasprobablyolderwhenImovedherethanalotofyouwere...Hopedthattherewouldbethiskindoffacility...Iam80.Pleaseconsiderthatthisisanextremelyimportantissue.

Belles-...Iwouldhopethateverybodythatsitsonthisboardispredisposedtomaketheirowndecision,andMr.Wise,youareNOT.Itisobviousbyyourfacialexpressions,itisobviousbyyourreactionsthatyouhavealreadydecidedhowyouaregoingtovoteandthat'stoobad.

Theotherfourgentlemen(VCCDDsupervisors)maybepredisposedaswell,buttheydon'tshowthefacialexpressionandthebodylanguagethatyoudowhichisunfortunate.

AndtheotherthingIwantedtotalkaboutisunfortunately,youknow,this5memberboard,thereisonlyonepersononthisboardthatisaresidentofTheVillagesandIknowthatindividualverywellandheworksfulltime.So,thereisnobodythatsitsonthisboardthatunderstandstheimpactofamenities.

Mr.Wise,IWOULDLOVEtohavetheopportunitytotalktosomebodybecauseIhavetalkedtobothdistrictmanagersaboutthegolfcourseovercrowding,etc.Youaresayingifwehaveaconcernwiththatweshoulddothat.I'vegonetoCreely(headofgolf)andhehasnointerestinhearingthatatallwhichIthinkisashamebecausehehasthesamereaction,Mr.Wise,asI'veseenfromyoutoday.

Therefore,Iwouldlikeeverybodytoconsiderwhatwearedoingbecauseit'stwoyearsout.TablingthisforamonthortwotodoalittlemoreresearchandfeedbacktoTheVillagesresidents-why,what,etc.Idon'tthinkisaskingtoomuch,becauseIagreewithanumberofpeoplewhohavecomeandsaidtheyhaveputmoneydown...ButtheimpactismorethantheresidentsthemselvesIfyouaregoingtogivethemanon-VillagesresidentIDeverytimesomebodycomestovisitthem...allthepeoplethatcometovisitthemwillbeutilizingthegolfcourses.SOIREALLY,REALLYIMPLOREYOUTOTABLETHISUNTILMORERESEARCHISDONE.

BobBlakely,Resident-Thisfacilityisgoingtobeopentothegeneralpublic?It'snotjustVillagers?Isthattrue?

Wise-That'scorrect.

Blakely-Soallthesepeoplewhothinktheywillhavesomeplacetogodowntheroad,withitbeingopentothegeneralpublicandanybodycancomein,whatguaranteewilltheyhavethatitwillbetherewhentheywantit?

Garner-ImayhavesoundedlikeI'magainstFreedomPointe-Thatisnot

true.Iamverymuchforit.However,Idobelieveitistheresponsibilityofthisboardtosizetheamenityfacilitieslargeenoughtoacceptit.Inotherwords,weprobablyneedanadditional9holegolfcourseorwhateverelseittakestosizeit.

AlfredKline,Resident-Iliketoplaygolf,butIcan'tbecauseitissoovercrowdednowthateveryweekweseemtogetknockedoutofthebox,soIthinkyoushouldtakethatintoconsiderationwithdoingtherightthing.

Killingsworth-Thisisgoingtobethelastcomment.

DonDekin,Resident-Iwouldjustliketoclarifysomethings.IhavebeenlisteningtoeveryoneandIhavesomeconfusionaboutwhereweareat...Raisedquestionsonvoting,propertyvalues,etc...WeneedafewmoreanswersandalittlemorestudybeforethisagreementisapprovedsoIwouldurgeyoutogiveanothermonthortwoofresearch.

Killingsworth-Iamclosingthecommentsonthat-IsthereanydiscussionattheBoardLevel?Dowehaveamotion?

Moyer-LetmejustaddressoneortwothingsthatIthinkMr.BellesandIsharethesameopinionofgovernment.Ihavebeeninvolvedingovernmentfor35yearsinoneformoranotherandIcantellyouthatdelayingactionofagovernmentbytablingsomethingisnotproductive.

Iasonesupervisoramcomfortablewiththediscussionthatwehadtodayandtheinformationthatwasbroughtforththatthisisaself-containedcommunity.Itwillhaveit'sownrecreationalfacilitieswithinFreedomPointe.

Thegentlemanhasprovidedinfoonotherprojectsthathehaswhichwouldindicatetomethatthegolfcourseissuethatyouareconcernedaboutwillbeminimalfromthesepeoplelivinginthistypeofcommunityandtakingintheeconomicbenefitthatwillaccruetothedistrict,aminimumof$388,000thatthedistrictcanutilizeforitsamenitiesprogramsandplusthefactthatthisaddsanotherlifestylethatIfranklybelieveisimportanttoTheVillagesoverall.

Mr.Chairman,Iamhappytomakethemotionthatweproceedandenterintotheagreementasoutlined.SecondedbyWise.Passedunanimously.

Killingsworth-Movingon...

PaulKearney,Resident-I'velivedinTheVillageseightyearandthisistheveryfirstVCCDDmeetingthatIhaveeverattended.IamtotallyimpressedbytheverymanyarticulatewellspokenresidentswhomustberepresentativeofTheVillageswhohavecomebeforeyoutodaytoexpresstheirconcerns,butIcan'thelpbutnoticeasIlookacrosstoyoufolksatthetable-youresembletomeaniceberg.Youhaven'tmeltedonelittlebit-notevenadrop-fromtheimpassionedconcernspresentedbythesefolks.And,inparticular,Mr.Wise,Iseeyouasthechiefcohortinthatrespect.Cold,insensitive,uncaring-that'showyoucomeacrosstomeandIjustthinkitisashamethatyouhavemadeupyourmindsonthesesensitiveissuesandregardlessofwhatallthesepeoplehavesaid-youareproceedingdownthetracksfullspeedandIthinkthat'sashame.

Meetingadjourned.

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TheVinylSidingProblem:MoreoftheDetails

Furthertotheissueofpersistentvinylsidingproblems,wehaveheardfromafewhomeownersinDuvalthatsomesidingcontractorshaveflatoutrefusedtousethemanufacturer'sfinishtrim/undersillorthedoublefinishtrimwhendoingrepairworkontheirhomes.WhilewehavenowseenuseofthemanufacturerrecommendedpartsonmanyofthenewhomesjustbeingbuiltsouthofOdellCircle,someexistinghomeownersthatarestillwithintheHomeWarrantyperiodarebeingdeniedtheproperfix.

Makeshifttechniquesthathavebeenshowntobeunreliablearesupposedtobegoodenoughforsomeofus.

Wehaveobservedunquestionablyincorrectfixestokeepsometoppanelsfromfalling,suchasfacenailingandsneakingnailsintotheweepholestosecurethepanelsthatshouldhavebeenproperlyinsertedintofinishtrim.

Weguesstheyassumewejustdon'tknow,orwon'tnotice.Wesupposeit'sevenpossiblethattheydon'tknowanybetterordon'thavethepropertraining.

Wehomeownersmustinsistontheproperfix,notajerrybuiltalternativewhichobviouslydoesn'twork,asprovenbythenumerousfallinganddroopingtoppanelsthatareeasilyseenonceyouknowwhattolookfor.

RememberthattheDutchLapstylesidinghasabeveledcontour,anddependingwhereitiscuthorizontallytosize,theintegrityofthecontourcannotbemaintainedifthepanel'sedgeisbeingforcedoutagainsttheJ-channelbyplacingscrapmaterialbehindit.

Vinylsidingshouldneverbeforcedorhaveitsnaturalexpansionandcontractionrestricted.

Noonewantstohavetodealwithsidingandconstructionissues.Weretiredheretorelax,playgolfandenjoylife.Buttoprotectourselvesandourinvestment,homeownersshouldexaminetheirhomescarefully,insistuponrepairsandwatchwhenrepairsarebeingdone.Sometimestherepairsareasbadastheoriginalwork,orevencreateotherproblems.

Homeownersneedtospeakupthatshoddyworkmanshipisnotacceptableforsiding,oranyotherconstructionissue,andnotbediscouragedbyworkersorsupervisorswhowanttodoaslittleaspossible.Andyes,alltheseseeminglyinsignificantthingsdoaffectthewaysidinghangs,howitfunctionsandhowitlooksonourhomes.

Lookatremovedpanelstoseeifnailswereinthecenteroftheslots,oriftheywerepositionedattheendoftheslot,oriftheywentthroughthematerialitself.Iftheywerenotintheslotproperlythereisalikelihoodtheremaybeotherareasthatalsoneedattention.

Makesurethenewpanelsarebeinginstalledcorrectly.Loosenailsorstaples,orfastenersplacedtoofarapart,areoftenthecauseofrattlingsiding.Nailsthataretootightrestrictexpansionandcontractionandcancauseripplesandwaves.Staplesthataretootightorplacedthroughthevinylitselfcanlikewisecauseripplesandwaves,andcanalsotearthroughthevinylwhenitexpands,resultinginnofastening,orspacingthatistoofarbetweentheremainingstaples.

Remember,thereshouldbe1/32",thethicknessofadime,behindthepanelwhenitisfastenedinplace,regardlessofthetypeoffastener.

Wehaveseentherepairsonnumeroushomesandhaven'tyetfoundonepanelthatdidn'thaveincorrectlyplacednails(notincenterofslot)orfastenersoutsidetheslot,orplacedrightthroughthevinylitself.

Correctnailorstapleplacementisimportantforthealuminumstarterstripatthebottomofeachwall,too,aswellascorners,J-channelandfinishtrim:nailsneedtobeinthecenteroftheslot,notthroughthematerial.

Alsoregardingstarter,theexcessconcretefromthefoundationpourshouldbecleanedoffpriortosidinginstallation.Wehaveseeninstanceswherethestarterhasbeennailedoverbumpsandwavesoftheconcrete,subsequentlymakingthebottomsidingpanelwavy.

AnotherthingtocheckisthevinylJ-channel.Thisisthe1"piecethatyoucanseeallalongtheedgeofthetoppanel,alongtheangledsidesofgables,alongthebottomofgablesoveraroofedarea,aroundwindowsanddoors,etc.Thispieceformsa"J"shapeincross-section,butonlytheouterfaceisvisibleonceinstalled.Thisiswhatcutendsandedgesofpanelsseatinto.(Sometimesotherfinishpieces,suchascorners,haveabuilt-inJ-channel.)TheJ-channelshouldbeinstalledonastraightline,withoutcurvesorbowsandtheoverlapsshouldbeneatandlappedthecorrectwaysothatwaterrunsoff,notinto,thejoint.Itshouldnotrestdirectlyonroofshingles,butshouldbepositionedatleast1/2"away.Morethanthat,andthevisiblegapbecomesverynoticeableandunattractive.Infact,theGeorgiaPacificsidinginstallationmanualstates,"VinylJ-channelshouldnotbeindirectcontactwithroofingshinglessincetheshinglesmaytransferenoughheattothevinylJ-channelandthesidingfittedinsidetocausedistortion."

GeorgiaPacificisamajorsidingmanufacturer.TheVillagesmayarguethatAlcoamakestheproductusedhere,butdoesn'tcommonsensetellyouthatitisbesttoavoidthepossibilityofdistortionbyavoidingdirectcontact?Alcoa'smanualsaysJ-channelshouldbeatleast1/2"offtheshinglesalongachalkline,withoutexplainingwhytheyrecommendthis.(Achalklineisatoolusedtomarkastraightlinebetweentwopoints.)

InDuval,justlookingatthefrontgablesofmanyhousesyoucanseearangeofspacingfromdirectplacementoftheJ-channelontheshinglestogapsof2inchesandmorewiththeflashing,andsometimesthehousewrapexposed.Thereisnostandard,thereisnoconsiderationfortheconsequencesofaparticularmethod.Theattitudeis,justthrowitupasfastasyoucan.

Weseelittleevidencethatthesidersuseachalkline,asquareoralevel,allsimple,basictoolscommonlyreliedupontomakevinylinstallationsstraight,square,andlevel.

InLibertyParkwenoticedsomehomeswithbelliedsidingonthegableendofthehouse.Onehomeownerwasoutsideandwestoppedtospeakwithhim.

Ononesideofthehomethereappearedtobetwopiecesofsheathing(theboardthatformstheoutsidewallunderthesiding)badlywarped,andwarpedsheathingontheothersideaswellasatthebackofthehouse.Thathouseneededalotofwork,asdidothersinthearea,buttheirwarrantyisover.Therepairsneededcancostthousandsofdollars.

Wecan'tletthishappentousinDuval.Mostofusstillhavetimebeforetheyearisup.Weneedtocheckmorecloselyandhavethesethingsrepairedunderthewarranty.

OneoftheVillagescontractorsrespondedtoourquestionaboutwhythereissomuchshoddyworkmanshipintheVillagesbysayingthattheworkersareonlyhumanandmakemistakes.Weallmakemistakes.That'sverytrueandwecanrespectthat.Butwhysomanymistakes?Andwhythesamemistakesagainandagain?Isn'titthecontractors'jobtofindandcorrectmistakes,orbetteryet,findwaystopreventthem?Whynotslowdownandtakethetimetodrivethenailsorstaplesstraight,totherightdepthandintherightposition,andtocheckforstraightlines,squarecorners,levelpanels,neatjoints,etc.

Whyiseachphaseofconstructioncontinuingwithoutpausetomeetthenextdeadlineregardlessofmistakesthatarejustbeingcoveredover,insteadofbeingcorrectedpriortothenextphase?

Andwhyarethesehomesbeingreleasedandsoldwithsomanyflaws?

Whyaremanyflawsbeingdisguisedinsteadofproperlycorrectedbothpriortothesaleandsubsequentlywhenrepairsarerequested?

Eachcontractorshouldhaveaknowledgeableandconscientiousforemanorstrawbossoverseethesubcontractorsandworkersandmakesureallphasesarecorrectbeforeworkprogresses,checkingeveryhome,everyday.Havingthecontractorstopbyeachworksite2or3timesduringtheentireconstructionofeachhomeisobviouslynotsufficient,particularlyifacompleteexaminationisnotdone,andespeciallyifthepersoninspectingdoesn'trecognizeexistingorpotentialproblemseither.

Thesidersherehavebeenallowedtodowhatevertheywant,withoutmuchoversight.Manyassumptionshavebeenmadeaboutthequalityoftheirwork,withlittle,ifany,on-siteexaminationorreviewduringorafterinstallation.

Thepointisthatalthoughmistakesaresometimesmade,themajorityshouldbecaughtandcorrectedbeforetheproductreachestheenduser,inthiscase,thehomeowner.Thatiswhatqualitycontrolisallabout.That'swhatconsumersmustinsistupon.Wemusteducateourselvesandknowwhatisandwhatisnotacceptable.

Itiscertainlyunfortunatethatwehavetogivesomuchattentiontovinylsiding.Wearesurenoonewantstobeconcernedwiththedetailsofsidinginstallationatthispointinourlives.

Butinordertoprotectourselveswemustbecomeknowledgeable,otherwisetheseproblemswilljustbeoverlookedorignoredandwehomeownerswillbethelosersintheend,becausetheseissuesultimatelyaffectthevalueofourhomes.

Inthepastfewmonthswehavebeenaskedtolookovermanyneighbor'shomesinDuval,topointoutandgiveanopinion,basedonexperience,astotheproblemsobserved.Thishasearnedusthename,"Troublemaker,"from

HomeWarranty,becauseproblemshavebeendetectedthatneedrepair.

However,onecontractor,DeanCarter,hasbeenconvincedthattheobservationswehavemadeaboutthesidinginstallationaretrue.WehavealotofrespectforsomeonewhoseesaproblemandtriestocorrectitasCarterisdoing,insteadofcontinuingdenialorevasion.

EventhoughCarterisnotgettingsufficientcooperationfromthesubcontractors,heisdoinghispart.Recentlyhesenttwoofhisrepresentativesoutwithusforsomepointersonwhattolookforonsomeofthenewhomeconstructionworksites.

Onthefirsthomeweshowedthemhowtopullgentlyatthebottomofeachpaneltocheckforloosesiding.Ontheveryfirstpanelwecheckedwecouldfeelthatthereweremissingnails.Welookedunderneathandfoundthatthenailsinthatareawerespaced49"apart,not16"aspertheinstallationmanual.Othernailsonthatsidewerespacedat21,28,30,and32inchesapart.Clearlyunacceptable

Isthisjustamistake?Ifso,whyarethesemistakeshappeningsoconsistently?

Wealsosawsomenailsout1/2"-5/8"andatleastonenailpositionedattheendoftheslot,notinthecenter.Andthiswasfromjustafewpanels.Whatmorecanwesay?

Thisisbrandnewconstruction.Therepscouldnowseesomeoftheproblemswearedealingwith.Weweregladtohavetheopportunitytoprovewhatwehavebeensaying.

Onabrighternote,wewerepleasedtoseethatthemanufacturer'sdoublefinishtrimhadbeeninstalledonseveralhomes.Welookedatitwiththereps,insteadofusingtheunreliable,makeshiftalternativemethod.Theneededchangeisslowlybeingmade.

Monthsagosomeofthedeveloper'spersonnelclaimedthattheydon'tgetcomplaintsaboutsiding.Perhapsitstimetowakeup:you'regettingthemnow.

Peopleneedtoknowwhattolookforandhaveenoughconcernaboutthistodosomethingaboutit.Asacommunityweneedtoworktogethertosolvetheseproblems.

Surely,nowthatithasbeenbroughttohisattention,Mr.MorsewilldotherightthingandenforcesomequalitycontrolfortheseniorcitizensofTheVillages,butwemustpressforapromptresolutionandproperrepairsonallofourhomesoranextensionofthewarrantytoallowenoughtimetoaddresseachhomeowner'ssidingissues.

Itwassuggestedtousthathomeinspectorsbehiredtocheckthesidinginstallation.It'sagoodidea,butwhyshouldwehomeownershavetogototheexpenseofhiringaninspectorforabrandnewhome?Don'twehavearighttoexpectgood-qualityworkmanship?Perhapsthereshouldbeawaytobackchargethesiderforourexpensestocheckhiswork,sincehewasnotconcernedenoughtocheckithimself.

Thesidingproblemswerenotcreatedbya"troublemaker,"theywerecreatedbypoorworkmanshippractices.

Whatifwehireoutsidecontractorstomaketherepairs?Shouldwesend

HomeWarrantythebill?AndifHomeWarrantywantstochargehomeownersforservicecallsiftheydon'tfindanyproblems,astheyhavetoldseveralhomeownershereinDuval,shouldn'twechargethemforwastingourtimedealingwiththingsthatshouldhavebeendonerightinthefirstplace?

Theyshouldstopdraggingtheirfeet,'fessuptothefacts,doitright,andletusgetonwithourliveshereinourbeautifulVillagescommunity.

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TheVinylSidingCommittee

AtthePOAMeetingonApril18th,weformedacommitteetoaddresstheseVinylSidingProblems.Thecommitteeplanstomeetsoontodeterminehowbesttoapproachthedeveloperaboutfixingtheseproblemhomes.Aswelearnmore,weplantoupdatethemembershipatourmonthlymeetingandthroughthePOABulletin.InterestedresidentsshouldconsidercomingtoournextPOAmeetingonMay16thattheLaurelManorRecreationCenterat7:00p.m.

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LettertotheEditor:VinylSiding

AfterreadingthearticleinThePOABulletinregardingproblemswithvinylsiding,wewonderwherethebuildinginspectorswere.Iwouldthinkwithalltheimpactfeesandinspectionsrequired,someinspectorfromthecountyshouldbeinvolvedwithmakingsurethesidingapplicationiscorrect.

LawrenceRauls

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TheVillageGreens

TheMayMeetingoftheVillageGreenswillbeheldonWednesdayMay23,6:30p.m.,intheLaurelManorRecreationalCenter.Thespeakerfortheeveningwillbe:WendelMartinkovicspeakingonXeriscape(Florida-FriendlyLandscaping).

TheVillageGreensprograminMaywillbeonhowtoconserveandgrowabeautifulgardeninFloridainwhatlookstobearain-poorseason.

Xeriscapeisacomplicatedsoundingwordforaverywiseandsimpleconcept.Inanutnutshell,xeriscapingiswater-efficientlandscapingthat'sappropriatetothenaturalenvironment.

Thegoalofxeriscapingistocreateavisuallyattractivelandscapethatusesplantsselectedfortheirwaterefficiency.Xeriscapescansaveatremendousamountofwater.Anestablished,properly-maintainedxeriscapeneedsaboutone-thirdthewaterofatraditionalturf-basedlandscape.Someplantsrequirealmostnosupplementalwateringoncetheyareestablished.

Contrarytopopularmisconception,xeriscapedoesnotmeanrockandacactus.And,theproperlyplannedxeriscapecanofferbrilliantcolorallyearlong.

Mr.Martinkoviciswellqualifiedtospeakonthetopic.HeispastdirectoroftheMasterGardenerprograminSumterCounty.

WewillalsohaveaguestfromLowe'swhowilldiscussdrip-irrigationandotherproductsrelatedtoxeriscaping.

Comeandjoinus.Wearealsoaddressingthesubjectofrecycling.

Therewillbediscussionsofenergysavingpracticesandnewandenergy-conservingproductsonthemarket.

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LettertotheEditor:We'reNotaResort

InthelastissueofthePOABulletin,youprintedanarticle"We'reNotAResort."Iandmyfriendscannotthankyouenoughforthat.Asfulltimeresidents,wethinkthatsomethingmustbedonetoprotectourrightsfirst.Wearehereallyeararoundtosupportthelocalbusinessesandthegolfing.

Ialsothinkthatbeforeonecanrentorbuytheyshouldbegivendrivinglessonsfortheturn-abouts.Wecouldavoidmanyoftheaccidentsifthereweresigns

postedthatrequireeveryonetostaytotherightandnotmakerightturnsfromtheleftlane.Thesignsmustbelikepicturesastheyieldsignsmustbeinaforeignlanguagebecausecarsseemtodartoutjustaswecomearoundintothecircleandmissusbyinches.Ofcoursetheydon'tseemtothinkthattheyhavedoneanythingwrongsoImustthinktheycannotcomprehendthesignasitis.

Ihavemaintainedthatpeoplepackasuitcaseforvacationandleavetheirmannersandgoodsenseathome.Iwouldbetthatnotoneofthemwouldbehaveliketheydowheretheyhavetoseetheirpeersonamoreregularbasis.Itissuchashamethattheyearroundersabsolutelydreadthewinterandthatiswhywemovedhereinthefirstplace.

PamRussell

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LettertotheEditor:SnowbirdLetter

IreadthearticleonSnowbirdsintheAprilissueandfeelthatwhileapositivearticle,itcompletelymissedthemostimportantbenefitsfulltimeVillageresidentsreceivefromtheSnowbirds.

1)Snowbirdsown,paytheirAmenitiesFeesfortwelvemonths,andonlyusethoseamenitiesforthreetofourmonthseachyear.Thisresultsinawindfallforfull-timeresidentswhousetheamenitiestheentireyear.

2)IfalltheSnowbirdswouldsuddenlydecidetomovefull-timetoTheVillages,thenthelinesintherestaurants,thedifficultyingettingTeetimesandthecrowdedroadswouldbeafactoflifetwelvemonthsayearinsteadofonlythreetofourmonths.

3)TheportionofthepropertytaxesthatisusedtomaintainthepublicservicesandtheinfrastructureisbeingpaidequallybytheSnowbirdswhiletheyareonlyusingthoseservicesduringthewintermonths.Theydon'tevengetthebenefitofthefulltimeresidentpropertytaxexemption.HowmuchhigherwouldpropertytaxesbeifnotforsubsidiescontributedbytheSnowbirds?

Wheneverafull-timeVillagerseesanemptyhouseheshouldbeawarethattheSnowbirdownerofthathouseissubsidizingthem.Thentheyshouldjustsmileattheirgoodfortune.

TonyFerrullo

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LettertotheEditor:GolfCartDrivers

IwasamongpeopleleavingtheSaddlebrookSoftballComplexrecentlyafteraplayoffgame.

Aswewerecomingacrosstheparkinglotagroupof6-8golfcartscamebarrelingdownthelotfrombehindthefields.Theywereridingnosetotailatfulltiltwithoutanyconcernforthecarsthatmightbebackingout,or,heavenforbid,peoplethatwerecrossingoranything.Theycametoascreechinghaltattheintersectionofthegolfpathandtheparkinglotentrancebythepickleballcourts,almostrunningintoeachother.Itwasliketheywereonafastparadetogetsomewherewithnoregardforothers.Itwasveryfortunatenoonewasinjuredfortheywerenotslowingdownforanythingexceptwhatevermadethemabruptlystop.

Please,people,becareful.Thinkifyouweretheoneswalkingorbikingacrossthelots.

P.Benson

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LettertotheEditor:Dogs

FollowingisaexchangeonthePOAWebsiteForumofseveralresidentsonthesubjectofdogsandtheirclean-up.Thisappearstobeaseriousproblemhere.ForallthedogownersanddogwalkersinTheVillages,pleasereadthesecommentsandrecognizethatitisyourresponsibilitytocleanup,andyourneighborsmaynotwantyoutowalkyourdogontheirproperty.

ThePOAisnotawareofanyformalefforttorestrictdogwalkingatthistime.Itisdoubtfulthatdogswouldeverbebanned.However,ifcomplaintscontinue,especiallyabouthostileresponsesfromdogwalkers,wemayseeanefforttorestrict,forexample,dogwalkingtojusttheowner'sproperty.Wewouldnotliketoseerestrictionslikethat-but,thatmighthavetobeoneoftheconsiderationsforsolvingtheproblems.

HereisthePOAWebsiteForumexchangeonthistopic:

Mar25:Thereareconspicuouslyfewdogwalkerswhofollowtherulesto"curb"

theirpets.Theyaremostlyallowedtowalkupintolawnsanddo...whatever.Latenightwalkerstoooftenaretheworst;toooftennotcleaningupafterthemselves.Suchsmalllawnsthataremostlysowelltakencareof,thiscarelessnessissuchashame.

Mar25:Itoohavenoticedthesamedisregardforcommonproperty.Toomanytimeshaveseenownersallowtheirpetstourinateonmailfacilityplants.Mostplantsnearthemailboxesaredeadfromthehighlyacidicurine.Howaboutwalkingtheminyourownbackyardsandnotkillingoffthepublicareas.

Mar28:Thisisabigproblemonmyblock.IrecentlysentanEmailtoallmyneighborsonthelooppolitelyaskingthemtostop.It'samazinghowarrogant&hostileacoupleofthereplieswere.

Apr3:Petsanddogs,etc.,areahottopicthesedays.TherearerumorsalloverthatpetsmaybeprohibitedfromTheVillagesinthenearfutureforthereasonsstatedabove.Itisnotthepetssomuchastheownersofthepets.

Apr7:IdoubtiftherewilleverbearuleagainstdogownershipinTheVillages.Therearetoomanydogowners.Imustadmitdogownersgetendlessenjoymentfromtheirdogs.However,theyfailtorealizewearenotalldogloversandwedonotappreciatethemusingourpropertyfortheirdogstomesson.Inmyexperienceonceapersonacquiresadogtheyalsoacquireanattitude.Ihaveseenrational,thoughtfulpeoplegocompletelydogcrazy.Theybecomeoblivioustotheproblemstheirdogscreate.Theybecomeindignantwhenweaskthemtonotlettheirdogdefecateand/orurinateonourlawns.Theythinkitiscutewhentheirdogsbarksatuswhenwewalkbytheirhouse.Theyfeedtheirdogsatoutsidetablesatrestaurants.HavingsaidthatImustaddthatthereisnothingwecandotochangetheirattitude.

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LettertotheEditor:Garbage

Whyaren'ttherulesaboutputtingoutthegarbageoncollectiondayenforced?

Weputourgarbageoutthenightbeforepick-up--generallyabout11pmorso.

IfyoudrivearoundourVillagethedaybeforepick-upitlooksliketheghetto--withbagsofgarbageinfrontofhomessometimesasearlyas9amthedaybeforepick-up--anditdestroysthebeautyoftheneighborhood.

Itishardformetounderstandwhyanownerwouldwantbagsofgarbageinfrontoftheirhometobeginwith.

Wehaveoneofourpick-upsonMondayandSundayshouldbeabeautifulandpeacefuldayandnotfilledwithgarbageonthestreets.

Inallofmyyearsoflivinginvarioushomes,etc.,IhaveneverseengarbageinfrontofhomelikeitisinourVillage--infactwhereIlivedprevioustolivinghereyoucouldnotevenleaveyourgaragedooropenedforanylengthoftime,etc.Infactthehomeownersassociationwouldissuewarningsandfinestohomeowners.

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LettertotheEditor:VillagesPools

Suggestion:Eachpoolhasatelephone.Postthephonenumbertobecalledwhenthereisaproblemwithunauthorizedpersonsusingthepoolorauthorizedpersonsmisusingthepool.

Manyofusarereluctanttobeconfrontationalbutdonotwanttocondoneunsafeusage(pushing,shoving,unattendedchildren,etc.).

SharonTupa

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LettertotheEditor:ElectricalSwitches

IwasreadingthecurrentissueofthePOABulletinandwassurprisedbytheVinylSidingarticle.Iampleasedthatsomeonehadtheknowledgetobringlighttothisproblem.

Ihaveanothersimilarconcernanddon'tknowhowwidespreadtheproblemisbutwouldliketohearaboutotherswithsimilarconcerns.

Myconcernistherocker-typeswitchesnowbeingused.Severalhadtobereplacedwithinsixmonthsbecausethey"flicker."Iwastoldbythecontractorthattheyreceiveda"badbatch"oftheseswitches.Whenoneyearpassedtheyarenolongerwarranted.

NowIfindthey"leak"voltageperthecontractorwhosaysthisisacommonproblemandistobeexpected,butnotcorrected.

Ifeelifthecontractorknewof"badbatches"heshouldreplacethemnomatterhowlongittakes.

Ihavelightswitchesinmylasthomeforover40yearswithnoproblems.One-and-a-halfyearsisadefectandshouldbereplacedatnocosttothehomeowner.

CanthePOAbeofanyassistanceinthismatter?

CharlesB.Schroeder

P.S.Iwasalsotoldbythewarrantydepartmentthatafeewouldbechargedforcomingouttoinspecttheswitches.One-and-a-halfyearsisnotanacceptablelifeforelectricalswitchesandifthecontractorwon'trepair(them)themanufacturershouldreplacethem.

Editor'snote:ThePOAtakesthisLetter-to-the-Editoropportunitytopublicizetheproblem.Ifenoughresidentscomeforwardtoreportsimilarproblems,perhapssomethingcanbedone.Ifyouhavecomments,pleasegotothePOAForumonthePOAwebsiteandcommentonyourexperience.Thanks.

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LettertotheEditor:IDCards

WhenIclosedonmynewhome,mywifeandIwerebothgivenaVillageIDwithourpictureandabarcode.NoinformationwiththeseIDsprohibited"duplicating."

WhenwegotoourlocalLynnhavenpool,neitherofustakesawallet.So,ImadeacopyoftheVillageIDandputitinaclearplasticpicturesleeve.ThisduplicateIDisonlyusedforourvisitstoourpoolandhasbeencheckedmanytimesbyVillagerecreationpersonnel.

LastweektheVillagepersonwascheckingIDsatourpoolandusedthebarcodegun,whichgavean"okay."Mypicturealsoidentifiedmeasauthorizedperson.

However,thisIDcheckertookmyduplicateIDandstatedtheyarenottobeduplicated,whichisfirstIwasawareofthis.

ItalkedtoPatHenry,whoconfirmedthatVillageIDsarenottobeduplicated.Butnowhereonanyofmyclosingpaperworkisthisstatementmade.Itismyunderstandingthatthisisjustan"ID,"notacreditcard,etc.

Longstory,shortbadcommunicationsandembarrassment.

James(Jim)Smith

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LettertotheEditor:SumterCountyPropertyTaxes

Yourviewsonbehalfofthepropertyownersiscommendable.However,perhapsyoucan'tseetheforestforthetrees.

I'mtalkingSumterCountypropertytax¼onethatisconsiderablyinflatedinmyopinion.

Iownoneofthesmallestofthedesignerhomes,1407squarefeet,tobeexact.Itsassessedvalueis$161,262.

Comparethatwithrentalresidentialproperty,zonedasabusiness,IowninBaltimoreCounty,Maryland,assessedat$183,576.

YetmyBaltimoreCountypropertytaxis$2,262.45,or$864.93lessthanthe$3,127.38ofSumterCounty.Okay,soSumterincludesmaintenance,bond,andfirecharges.

Whatreallyfrostsmeistheamountallocatedtowardeducation.Dothemath!I'mtoldthereare21,000homesintheVillagesportionofSumterCounty.Althoughthevalueofmyhomeisbelowtheaverage,letsusethefigureI'mchargedforeducation-$1,263.97-multipliedby21,000youget$26,543,370.That'sa$26,543.370gifteveryyeartoSumterCounty.

Mypersonalgiftin5yearsofresidencyhasbeenover$5,000.AndI'veneverevenreceiveda"thankyou."

Howmanychildreninthose21,000Villageshomesgotoschool?AmImissingsomethinghere?

AndTheVillagesisn'ttheonlyretirementcommunityinSumterCountykickinginlikewise.

MaybewhatthePOAismissingisdirectingitsattentiontocorrectingthisinequity.

ThomasN.Shaw

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AprilFools:VillagesSurveyQuestionsMissed

OhMyGosh--TheVillagesjustrecentlycompleteditsAnnualSurveyanditforgotthesequestions.And,theywanttobethorough.Thus,ifyouwouldliketoanswerthesequestionsandforwardyourresponsestoMonicaAndersenattheSLCDDoffices,wearesureshewouldbehappytohearyourcomments.

HerearetheforgottenSurveyquestionsforyourconsideration:

-Whenyoudriveyourgolfcarttothegrocerystore,howfastdoyoudrive?A.0-5milesperhour;B.5-10mph;C.10-20mph;D.20-40mph;E.40-80mph;F.Over80mph.-Whatcolorwouldyoupreferthegolfgreenstobe?A.KellyGreen;B.PastelGreen;C.Aquamarine;D.MilitaryFatigueGreen;E.LightGreen;F.DarkGreen;G.MediumGreen;H.LimeGreen;I.YuckyGreen;J.Blue.-Youwouldn'tmind,wouldyou,givingthedeveloper$500forjustgeneralstuff?-Wouldn'tyouliketoparticipateinthedeveloper'sAdopt-A-Buffaloprograminwhichyouwouldgivethedeveloper$300ayearforBuffalofeed?(Youwouldberequiredtore-claimtheprocessedfeedresidueafterwards;but,youcouldnamethebuffalo.)-IfexcessiveVillageswaterwithdrawalsfromtheundergroundaquifercausesittogodry,youwouldn'tmind,wouldyou,payinga$1,000peryearsurchargeonyourwaterbilltobuildTheVillagesWaterDesalinationPlantnearCrystalRiverandapipelinetoTheVillages?

AprilFools!!

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POBOX1657LadyLake,FL32158-1657

ContactInformation:POB1657,LadyLake,FL32158Phone:(352)259-0999

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