Editor’s note: This Opinion piece from William Kondas is addressed to Amenity Authority Committee member Richard “Reb” Benson, who is proposing a major shift in the operation of the gates in The Villages.
Dear Mr. Benson,
After reading about your recent proposal, I feel it’s important to address a growing concern that affects many of us here in The Villages.
While we may technically be a “community with gates,” it’s clear that we are not functioning as a secure or truly gated community. More concerning, however, is the ongoing pattern of service reductions paired with increased monthly assessments. As a resident, this raises serious questions about the direction in which our community is headed.
If the Amenity Authority Committee is seriously considering eliminating gate attendants, then I strongly believe this must be balanced with immediate, visible improvements in security and oversight at our recreational facilities.
Specifically:
• Full-time pool monitors must be on duty whenever the pools are open, ensuring that only residents and authorized guests are using the facilities.
• Dedicated personnel should also be stationed at the tennis courts, pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, and any other sports venues during hours of operation.
Right now, it is no secret that non-residents from surrounding areas are accessing and using our amenities free of charge, while residents like myself continue to pay full price. This is unacceptable and unfair.
If cost-cutting is necessary, it must not come at the expense of basic oversight and protection of our paid amenities. If we are expected to continue paying increased assessments, then we should also expect a consistent standard of enforcement to ensure that only residents benefit from the services we fund.
I urge you to consider this seriously. A community like The Villages thrives on the trust and satisfaction of its residents. Let’s not allow that trust to be eroded by short-sighted decisions.
William Kondas is a resident of The Villages.