Inside – Outside?
The constant argument of residents that reside inside The Villages vs. residents outside The Villages never seems to address the real issues.
When The Villages was originally created, I believe the roads were gated which means they were private. Private roads are built and maintained by the owner – The Villages. The Villages pays for nothing, so the cost of maintaining the roads was included in the amenity fees. Then The Villages and local communities, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Lake, Sumter and Marion made a deal to have the local agencies take over the roads. Did anyone get a reduction in amenity fees at that time? I do not know. What I do know is that the road maintenance is paid for by taxes now, but the cost of construction was paid for by all of us who purchased homes in The Villages. That is not true of other local roads that are completely funded by tax dollars. Point being, there is a difference in how our roads, which have become local highways, were built and paid for versus other local roads. So, the issue of traffic on our roads, inside The Villages, is a very valid one since we paid for every inch!
We also paid for every improvement at the squares, recreation centers, pools etc. Unless you believe The Villages funded it all and did not charge home buyers in the cost of their homes or in the bonds they pass on for the local roads and utilities. It would be absurd to think that anyone other than the homebuyers in The Villages have paid for anything within our boundaries. That is why we pay about $200 every month for the privilege of living in The Villages. The amenity fee is in addition to the local taxes and bonds paid by new home purchasers. Therefore, I believe it always comes back to money and who pays.
Once the facilities are built and paid for, Village residents fund their maintenance and improvements. There would be no free entertainment at the squares, no Sharon Performing Arts, no pools or recreation centers without first having the homeowners to buy and fund all of this and The Villages for building it.
The argument about access is based mostly on the reaction of Village residents who believe that we are being taken advantage of by those who do not pay the prices or maintenance we pay. Obviously, merchants in The Villages want all the business they can get because they too must pay the price, in the form of rent, to The Villages – the more they make the better off they are – come on down!
The complaint from Villagers is the same as from those outside The Villages who believe The Villagers have invaded their territory. The truth is that there are valid concerns from both groups. Flow through traffic in The Villages is horrendous, attendance at the squares is being affected by many non-Villagers. But make no mistake, customers shopping and dining in The Villages are welcome. However, when visitors, take advantage of anything provided by fees or amenities paid for by Villagers it will cause a reaction because we believe we paid for all of it and local taxes paid for none of it!
In the end, The Villages has become the No. 1 senior residential development in Florida. It is beautiful and attractive and offers great amenities to residents which we all pay for. Businesses located in or near The Villages want your business.
What we expect is not more or less than non-Villagers want – a little respect for all that we have contributed to the community in increased property values, local charitable efforts, positive not, negative growth and a well maintained and attractive place to live. When you visit, show a little respect. Don’t speed through our residential communities, be courteous at the squares and occasionally be glad about the final results – a wonderful, caring community that appreciates its neighbors as evidenced by the contributions of Villagers to local charities and worthy causes. As I stated, it all comes down to money! Don’t let that separate our communities. After all we all live here now!
Robert Nyce is a resident of The Villages.