Deep divisions remain among supervisors from Community Development Districts 5 through 8 on the topic of side striping of multi-modal paths in The Villages.
Earlier this summer, the Multi-Modal Path Discussion Group had appeared poised to go ahead with side striping on the 42 miles of multi-modal path throughout The Villages. However, the $300,000 pricetag for Thermoplastic striping triggered major sticker shock among residents. The group hastily scheduled another meeting and then voted to temporarily put striping on hold and sent group members back to their respective boards. The entire group is now set to reconvene at 9 a.m. Sept. 21 at Savannah Center.
None of the CDDs that met Friday came out with a unanimous position.
In CDD 5, Supervisors Jerry Knoll and Walter Martin admitted they had “flip flopped.” Both were opposed to striping on Friday. CDD 5 Supervisors Gerald Ferlisi and Gary Kadow stood up for striping with the latter re-affirming his commitment to cost-effective striping. Chuck Wildzunas, CDD 5’s Project Wide Advisory Committee representative, said he was still on the fence.
“If I was to fall off the fence it be toward striping. but I would like to keep one foot on that fence,” Wildzunas said.
PWAC Chairman and CDD 6 Supervisor Peter Moeller, who had been staunchly “keeping an open mind,” on Friday came out against striping. His board was split 4-1 on side striping, with only Supervisor Donna Kempa in favor of striping.
Frustration boiled over in CDD 7 with Supervisor Jerry Vincenti declaring he was “embarrassed” that the debate has gone on for 20 months. Supervisor Ron Ruggeri accused non-striping supervisors of having “lost compassion” for the aging population of The Villages.
With only four members present at the CDD 8 meeting, supervisors were split down the middle. Joe Elliott and Dennis Hayes were opposed to side striping while Ray Banks and Sal Torname supported striping. Victor Ray was absent from the meeting.
On Thursday, CDDs 9 and 10 came out against striping. Neither vote was unanimous.
On Aug. 14, CDDs 1 through 4 tackled the side striping issue. You can read about that here http://villages-news.com/four-cdds-restate-positions-on-side-striping/