by A.J.(Tony) Powell
Apparently last months column struck a nerve with many residents of ‘The Villages’.
I asked for feedback from any informed ‘Villager’ as to the exact contents of their home purchase agreement regarding the so-called ‘amenities’.
As mentioned, many residents of ‘The Villages’ are concerned about their community moving away from building single-family homes and going full-on commercial and multi-family.
Others questioned the recent closures of many resident-used facilities including, for example, Katie Belle’s Restaurant, The former ‘Church on the Square’, the original Indoor Pool and the very popular ‘Lifelong Learning Academy’.
Since ‘day-one’, the main appeal of ‘The Villages’ has been the (assumed) guarantee of “Free Golf For Life”. As well as promises of numerous other ‘amenities’, clubhouses, Town Squares, softball, tennis and much more, all for a nominal monthly ‘Amenity Fee’.
That has worked well for years, but now ‘management’ is closing down or even demolishing many of the most popular locations.
Seems like this doesn’t bother many voter/residents in the Lady Lake Section of The Villages:. Ward 1 commissioner, Village resident Ruth Kussard, Ward 3 commissioner Dan Vincent of Water Oak, and Mayor Jim Richards, a Villager for Ward 5 were all ‘re-elected/unopposed’ so they will serve another two-year term.
Several readers did take the time to inform us: some saying that the developer owns all the non-residential property within ‘The Villages’ and they are, therefore, free to use it in any way they choose, regardless of any negative effect it might have to the future home values of the residents.
Others believe that they were ‘induced’ by advertising which clearly led them to believe that “What I Saw Is What I Would get!”.
I did admit that I am not knowledgeable as to the exact details of home-ownership in ‘The Villages’ and hope for a resident to give us the benefit of their expertise on the topic of ‘GUARANTEED RESIDENT AMENITIES”
My understanding is that residents are, in fact, guaranteed nothing!
No golf courses, no pools, no tennis courts, no clubhouses – nothing!
Published reports show that the Owners/Managers have already closed down &/or sold off several significant resident-used properties. And even some of the ‘major’ golf courses are not ‘exempt’!
Does anyone know the ‘FACTS’?
As mentioned: Residents have an obligation to pay, but management have no (legal) obligation to provide anything!
Or do they?
We need a few knowledgeable ‘Villagers’ to tell us exactly what their deal with ‘The Villages’ requires management (legally) to provide in return for the mandatory ‘Amenity Fee’.
Please use this email address to keep correspondence ‘On Topic’ – “AsISeeItTP@GMail.com“
’til next time.
