To the Editor:
I moved to The Villages in 1998. I knew the rules and restrictions and agreed to them. At that time all of the pools had an attendant on the premises and ID’s were checked. After a while someone decided that this was costing us too much and we went to Community Watch dropping by at random times and checking ID’s.
Yes, we had to get out of the pool. If someone didn’t belong there they were asked to leave. If they refused then the authorities were called. That was back in the days when Harold was still alive and even if he wasn’t that active in the everyday business his daughter-in-law Sharon Morse was. Everything changed and started going downhill after Sharon died. The family has gone money crazy and in my opinion no longer care about the residents. I moved to The Villages when it was at its best and enjoyed it all and have now moved on because of all the changes that have occurred.
My brother lives in a retirement community and each resident is issued an electronic ID card and to get into the pools and other facilities they have to swipe their card. No guest passes are required because either he or his wife must be with their guests at all times. If they lose their card they have to pay $100 for a replacement. This same card is used to get access at the gates.
I personally find this to be a very effective way to control their facilities. It also keeps a record of who is using what. Do not know how they handle renters if they have any. My suggestion would be a hefty deposit which would be returned when they returned the pass.
Guests should not have free reign. If they are there to visit then they should be with the resident not on their own.
Marie Oshea
Village of Summerhill