An elected official is proposing a “paradigm shift” in the approach to gates in The Villages.

Amenity Authority Committee member Richard “Reb” Benson offered up his ideas during a meeting on Wednesday at Savannah Center.

As he introduced his proposal, Benson noted The Villages is not a “gated community” but rather a “community with gates.”

Among the sweeping changes he is envisioning would be a greater reliance on technology and fewer “man hours” of gate attendants.

“The eyes of a camera will take over for a person,” Benson said.

In addition to saving money, the proposed changes could improve efficiency. For instance, gates could be reprogrammed to open automatically rather than having residents wave a card or visitors push a button.

Another possibility would be eliminating the gates at the south end of Morse Boulevard at County Road 466 at the north end of Morse Boulevard near U.S. Hwy. 27/441.

AAC member Jim Vaccaro noted that the gate at Morse Boulevard and County Road 466 does not filter out anyone.

“It’s a wonder the gate attendants don’t get carpal tunnel syndrome from waving the cars in so quickly,” Vaccaro said.

While AAC members were eager to discuss Benson’s ideas, Deputy District Manager Carrie Duckett urged caution.

“You have to be very careful about a reduction in service,” she said.

Duckett said that residents bought their homes with the concept of the gates, including the manned gates. She urged AAC members to talk to residents, particularly those with homes near manned gates.

She also said that Sumter County would have to be consulted with regard to “anything that would change the flow of traffic.”

AAC member Don Deakin pointed out that in the “old days” the gates were an information center.

“They handed out pieces of paper to help people to figure out where they were going,” Deakin said.

He noted that GPS navigation has all but eliminated the gate attendants being consulted for directions.

AAC members agreed to hold a workshop session to discuss the future of the gates. They indicated the workshop will be held during snowbird season, to gather input from as many residents as possible.

Do you think it’s time for a change at the gates? Share your ideas at [email protected]