ThePOABULLETINThePropertyOwners'AssociationofThe

Villages

POALogo

Issue34.06 ChampionofResidents'RightsSince1975 June2008

CLICKONTHEARTICLENAMEBELOW

POASendsHospitalIssuestotheRegulatoryandCertificationAgencies

LatestTabultionofHospitalComplaints

HospitalProblemsFourYearsAgo

TheNextPOAMeetingIsOnTuesday,June17

SomeSuggestionsforSolvingtheERProblems

Recycling:WhereDoestheMoneyGo?

CheersandJeers VillageGreens:UpcomingTours

LettertotheEditor:KeepOneSumter

ShouldGolfWinningsBePaidInCash?

RonaldReaganAFather

AccountabilityIsASweetThing

HomeWarrantyBackpedaling

WhoIsNotQualified?

Positivevs.NegativeIsinTheEye

oftheBeholder

GoodRepairFirmsForVinylSiding

LettertotheEditor:ShoddyWorkmanship

FromthePOAWebsiteForum:OBGRestaurant

LightningTipsForVillagers

LettertotheEditor:IsNorthBetter?

LettertotheEditor:QualityIssuesfor

HomesinTheVillages

LettertotheEditor:IsThereGoodtoSay?

ShameonHessandHomeWarranty

FromthePOAWebsiteForum:Oh,GiveMeaHome

WheretheBuffaloRoam

LettertotheEditor:NoBuffalo=HoHum

LettertotheEditor:Don'tNeedaTunnel?

LettertotheEditor:HorseRacinginSumterCounty?

ArchivedBulletins

ThePOABulletinispublishedmonthlybythePropertyOwner'sAssociationoftheVillages,Inc.ArticlesintheBulletinrepresenttheopinionofthePOA,exceptLetterstotheEditor,whichrepresenttheopinionsofthewriters.CareistakentoinsurethatallfactsreportedhereinaretrueandaccuratetothebestknowledgeofthePOAandaretakenfromreliablesources.ThePOAassumesnoliabilityforanyinformationpublished,opinionsexpressed,ordeliverytoanypersonorlocation.Allpublicationrightsarereserved.Publicationorreprintingofanymaterialcontainedhereinisbywrittenpermissiononly.

ReturnToMainPOAPage

POASendsHospitalIssuestotheRegulatoryandCertificationAgencies

ThePOAtriedtomeetwithTimMenton,SVPforAdministrationofTheVillagesRegionalHospital(TVRH),andhisnewboss,LeeHuntley,CEOoftheCentralFloridaHealthAlliance,theparentoftheLeesburgRegionalMedicalCenter(LRMC)andTVRH.

BothMr.MentonandMr.HuntleyrefusedtomeetwithmembersofthePOAHospitalCommitteeandrebuffedourattemptstodiscusswiththemthehospitalproblemsandtheinformationwegatheredinthepastmonth.

Mr.MentonwasespeciallycriticalofrecentBulletinarticlesandthePOAandinsistedthatwerequesthispriorapprovalforanyfuturehospitalarticlespublishedintheBulletin.WetriedtoexplainourobligationofindependencetoourcommunitytopublishimportantinformationaboutissuesinTheVillages,butMr.Mentonwouldnotlisten.

Mr.MentonandMr.HuntleyaskedthatthePOAsenditsinformationtothemforreview.Mr.Mentonwasvagueabouthowthishighlyconfidentialinformationwouldbeused,ifatall.Wefelthewouldmerelypigeon-holetheinformationinhisofficesandwewouldendupwiththesameattitudeofcomplacencythathasallowedthefesteringhospitalproblemstoexistforthesemanyyears.Thus,wecouldnotcomplywiththerequesttoforwardtheinformationtothem.

WeaskedtobeincludedascommunityrepresentativesintheCommunityVolunteerAdvisoryGroupthatwasmentionedinMr.Huntley'scolumnadthatappearedintheDailySunthreetimes.Wethinkthatanopendiscussioninthecommunity,oftheproblemsandsolutionsforthehospital,isagoodidea.Mr.MentonspecificallyrefusedtoallowanyPOAmemberintheadvisorygroup.Wethinkthiscommunityadvisorygroupmaybestackedwithhand-pickedhospitalsympathizersratherthantheindependentcommunityinvolvementgroupthatitshouldbe.

Facedwiththisstonewallingresponse,wedecidedtotakethemattertothefederalandstateagenciesresponsibleforcertificationandregulationofhospitals.

WehavepresentedourfindingstoTheJointCommissionForHospitalAccreditation,thefederalregulatoryagencyinasuburbofChicago,andThe

FloridaAgencyforHealthCareAdministration,theFloridaregulatoryagencylocatedinTallahassee.

Ineachcase,wepresentedasummaryofourfindingsandaskedthattheagencyimmediatelyinitiateaninvestigationofTVRHtodeterminethefactsandwhetherpatientcare,health,andsafetyaremeetingacceptedstandardsofcare.

Ourpresentationtoeachagencyincludedsummariesthatdisguisedtheidentityofthepatientsinvolved.Forathoroughinvestigation,theseagenciesmayhavetoverifyinformationprovidedtothePOAbythesepatients.Inthatevent,thePOAwillcontactthepatientsinvolvedrequestingpermissionforaconfidentialfollow-upbytheagencies.

WestatedinpreviousBulletinsthatwewantedtosolvethesehospitalproblemswithinourcommunity.Unfortunately,thenegativeresponseofthehospitaladministrationrequiredustoinvolvethefederalandstateregulatoryagencies.Weregretwehadtogobeyondacommunity-widesolution,buttheactionsofTVRHleftusnochoice.

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LatestTabultionofHospitalComplaints

InthepreviousissueofthePOABulletin,welistedthepreliminaryresultsofatabulationofthemanystorieswehavereceivedviaemailandregularmailbyVillagerswithexperienceswiththeemergencyroom(ER)inTVRH.Wehadatabulationof103lettersinthatstory.

Wecontinuetoreceivestoriesfromresidentsandhavereceivedabout130lettersthusfar.Atotalof125weretabulatedasofpresstimeforthisissue.Thefollowingisanupdateofthetabulationtoincorporatethelatestlettersandstories.

Ofthe125storiesthataddressedsomeaspectofcareintheER,110(88%)werenegativeabouttheservicesreceivedintheER;15(12%)werepositive.

Ofthe110negativecases,themedicalprofessionalsassistingthePOAinthistabulationjudgedthat31cases(28%)wereserious,meaningthattherewasadeficiencyinthequalityofcareprovidedintheERbyTVRHaccordingtoacceptedmedicalstandards.

Ofthe110negativecases,atotalof73casesidentifiedthelengthoftimespentwaitingforassistance,eitherinitiallyfromatriagenurseortobeseenbyadoctor.Ofthese73cases,atotalof53(73%)identifiedawaittimeoffourhoursormoretobeinitiallyseen.

Ofthe110negativecases,90mentionedoneormorespecificreasonsfortheirnegativerating.Forthese90patients,thepercentagementioningthe

followingasamongtheircomplaintswere:

-29%Incorrectorinappropriatecare-21%Unprofessional/rudestaff-21%Badcare-20%Filedcomplaintwithhospital-19%Leftwithoutreceivingcare-13%Stafflostrecordsortestresults-12%Questionablediagnosis-11%Neversawadoctor

Inaddition,wejudgedthatatleastfouroutofthe90patientsmayhavebeeninjuredbycare,orlackofcare,givenbyhospitalpersonnel.

Afterlaterreviewingtheirproblemswiththeirpersonalphysicians,elevenpatientsdiscoveredthattheERdoctorshadmis-diagnosedtheirproblem.

Problemsincommunicatingwiththephysician,becausethephysiciandidnotspeakunderstandableEnglish,werereportedinfivecases.

Itshouldbeemphasizedthattheproblemsidentifiedgobeyondtheissuesoflongwaittimes.Themoreseriousissuesrelatetothequalityofcarethatinsomecasesisbelowtheacceptedstandardsofcarethatareexpectedfromacertifiedmedicalinstitution.

Weshouldfurthernotethatmanyofthesestoriessubmittedtousareanecdotalandoftenlackessentialdetails.Webelievethattheregulatoryagenciesmaywanttofollowupwithsomeofthecasestoverifydetails.Wewillcontact,asneeded,eachpersonsubmittingastoryorexperiencetoustoarrangeforappropriateconfidentiality.

ThePOAHospitalCommitteeiscomprisedoftwodirectorsofthePOAandthreemedicalprofessionalswithadvancedmedialdegreesandextensiveexperience.

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HospitalProblemsFourYearsAgo

ThepreviousissueofthePOABulletinmentionedastorywrittenyearsagothatalsoaddressedsomeofthesamehospitalproblemsasweareseeingtoday.WehavenowlocatedthatstoryintheFebruary,2004,issueofthePOABulletin.ThisarticleisavailableonthePOAwebsite(www.poa4us.org)intheArchivedBulletinsection.Thefirstfewparagraphsofthatstoryare:

"ThereissomethingdrasticallywrongwiththeVillagesHospital.

Therearejusttoomanystoriesofinattentivestaff,longwaits,ignoredpatients,overcrowding,bureaucraticbungling,questionabletriage,and

generallyunsatisfactoryservice.Storiesaboutmalpracticelawsuitsinthenearfuturewouldnotbesurprising.

Yes,therearealsostoriesofgoodservice,etc.However,thebadstoriesseemtooverwhelmthegoodstories.

So,what'swrong?And,whycan'tthehospitalmanagementcompanybroughtintoruntheoperationfixtheproblems?"

Itissad,butthesamestorycouldbewrittentoday--fouryearslater.

Whathashappenedintheinterveningfouryears?Apparentlynotmuchtosolvetheproblemsbecausetheyarestillhere.

ThePOAdoesn'twanttodiscoverfouryearsfromnowthatthesamestoriescouldalsobewrittenagain.

WethinkthatTVRHandLRMChaveamoralobligationtodowhateverisnecessarytosolvethecurrentERoperatingproblems.

Iftheyneedmoreresources,theyhavetoletusknowandmakethecase.

Iftheyneedbetterstaffandtraining,theyhavetosayso.

Iftheyneedtoreorganizetheirfacilities,theyhavetospellthatoutanddoit.

Iftheyhavetobettercoordinatewithothercommunityhealthcareresources,thentheyhavetomakethathappen.

And,theyhavetoinvolvethecommunitysothatweunderstandthesituation.

And,nomorelameexcuses,andnomorefinger-pointingelsewhere,andnomoreobfuscation,andnomoreevasivelanguage,andnomoresmokescreensfromTVRHorLRMCmanagement.

WeneedstraightanswersandanhonesteffortfromtheTVRHandLRMCmanagementtoaddresstheseproblemsnow.People'slivesarehanginginthebalance-wecannotacceptanotherfouryearsofcomplacency,excuses,andpoorservice.

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TheNextPOAMeetingIsOnTuesday,June17

ThenextPOAmembershipmeetingwillbeonTuesday,June17,intheLaurelManorRecreationCenterat7:00p.m.

PleasenotethatwearebacktotheLaurelManorRecreationCenterafteronemeetingintheParadiseCenter.Wearebacktoourregularscheduleonthe

thirdTuesdayinLaurelManor.

JohnRohan,RecreationDirectorandAsst.DistrictManagerofTheVillages,willspeakontheRecreationProgramandFacilitiesinTheVillages.

Pleasejoinusforthisimportantmeetingandcoffeeanddonutsafterward.And,thediscussionandopportunitytomeetfellowVillagersadduptoathought-provokingandinterestingevening.Non-membersofthePOAarealwayswelcome.

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SomeSuggestionsforSolvingtheERProblems

Ininvestigatingthewrittencomplaintsaboutourhospital'semergencyroom,we'velearnedalotabouthealthcaredeliverysystems-whatwehaveandwhatweshouldhave.Basedontheinformationwehavetodate,we'dliketoproposeafewsolutions.

1)TheVillagesclearlyneedsmoreandbetterUrgentCarefacilities.Weproposethatsomeofthesefacilitiesbeopenandstaffed24hoursadaywithinformationgivenonhowandwhentoaccessthem.

2)WeproposethatTVRHEmergencyRoomstaffaminimumoftwophysiciansduringthedayandthreephysiciansduringespeciallybusydaysornights.Emergencyroompatientsarebeinginjuredbyinadequatestaffing-thisneedstostop.

3)AllhealthcarefacilitiesservingVillagesresidentsshouldhavecomputerfacilitiesenablingthemto"talk"toallotherhealthcarefacilities.Labresults,diagnostictests,diagnosisandtreatmentscanbesenttothenexthealthcareprovider.MuchtimeisnowwastedbyoverworkedERstaffhavingtore-interviewpatientsandre-runteststhatalreadyexistwithanotherhealthcareprovider.

4)WerecommendthatTheVillagesRegionalHospitalEmergencyRoominvestinoneofanumberofprofessionaldischargeplanningsoftwarepackagesthatareonthemarkettoday.Manyemergencyroompatientswithpainandtraumaarenotgoodatlisteningtodischargeinstructions-writteninstructionswouldbeagoodsupplement.

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Recycling:WhereDoestheMoneyGo?

ThecurrentrecyclingprogramisupandrunningthroughoutTheVillages.But,wehaveneverreceivedanaccountingofhowthemoneyisbeingused.

Forexample,at$1.47permonth,withanestimated40,000homesinTheVillagesparticipating,theadditionalrevenueforourtrashcollectionserviceisapproximately$700,000peryear.

Wheredoesthis$700,000go?

Weknowthatthetrashservicesincuradditionalexpensesfortherecyclingtrucksthatgoaroundforanextradayaweektopickuptherecyclingbags.Thecostforthesetrucks,fuel,andcrewsappearstobetheonlyextraexpenseforthetrashservice.

Ontheotherhand,dumpingfeesareprobablylessbecausewearetalkingaboutlesshouseholdtrashtonnagebecauseoftheabsenceoftherecyclables.Thereisprobablyasavingsherebecauselesshouseholdgarbageneedstobedumpedinthelandfill.

Wearesurethatthetrashservicedoesn'thavetopaysomebodytotaketherecyclables.So,whatotherexpensesarethere?

Thequestioniswhethertheadditionalexpensesoftherecyclingtruck,fuel,andcrewcosttheentire$700,000inadditionalannualrevenues?

Webetitdoesn't.Somebodymaybepocketingafewbuckshere.

Now,whataboutrevenues?

Wecan'tbelievethatthetrashservicedoesn'treceivesomesortofpaymentfortherecyclablematerials.

InLakeCounty,forexample,thecountyisrecognizingasubstantialincomefromitsrecyclingprogram.

TheLeesburgDailyCommercialrecentlypublishedastoryentitled:ProfitingFromPapers:LakeCountyLearningHowToTurnTrashintoTreasurewithRecyclingProgram.

ThearticleexplainshowLakeCountytookoverrecyclingandforecastrevenuesfromthesaleofrecyclablestobe$500,000inthefirstyearandmorethan$750,000startinginthesecondyear.Itsfirstmonthnetincomefromtheoperationwas$78,951.

CountyCommissionerJenniferHillsaid:"We'remakingmoney."

DarylSmith,directorofenvironmentalservicesforLakeCounty,saidtheprogramwillsavespaceinthelandfillaswellascreateadditionalcashflowforbusinesseswhichparticipateintheprogram.

"Wethinktherevenuewillbegood,"saidSmith."Yousaveondisposal

costsandmakesomemoneyrecycling.It'skindofadoublewhammy."

EvenhereinTheVillages,localchurchesrecognizewhattheyconsidersubstantialrevenuesfromtheirnewspaperrecyclingbins.And,theLionsprogramforaluminumcansisactiveandhealthy

So,exactlywhatisthetrashservicehereinTheVillagesrecognizingfromitssaleofourrecyclables?

Webetthenumberissubstantial.And,theresidentsshouldbetoldwhoismakingwhatintheprogram.

Thus,theannualfigureofapproximately$700,000thatwepayfortheprivilegeofrecyclingmayormaynotbeneeded.

And,therevenuesfromourrecyclablescouldbesubstantialandthemoneymaybemakingsomebodyrich.

Whynotreturntheprofittotheresidentsintheformoflowermonthlytrashbills?

Weaskthedeveloper,whodevelopedthistrashrecyclingprogram,topublishanaccountingfortheprogramthatwillshowrevenues,expenses,andanyrelatedprofit,andalsoidentifytherecipientsofthe$700,000andanyrevenuesreceivedfromthesaleoftherecyclablematerials.Thisinformationshouldcoveratleastestimated2008andforecast2009.

WealsoasktheVHA,whichhasagoodtalkingrelationshipwiththedeveloper,tolenditsweighttothisrequest.Thisisagoodcommunityissuethatcanbenefitwithsupportandfollow-upbytheVHA.

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CheersandJeers

Cheers-ThankstoVNN,TheVillagesTVstation,forshowingtheMarkMorseVHApresentation.Thatwasavaluablepublicservice.Inthatsamespirit,wewishthatVNNwouldbroadcastthemonthlymeetingsoftheVCCDDandtheSLCDD.

Cheers-ToalltheresidentswhowenttotheMarkMorsepresentationortookthetimetowatchitonVNN.Thatwasimpressivecommunityinvolvement.ThankstotheVHAandMarkMorsefortheevent.

Cheers-ToMarkMorseforacknowledginginhisVHApresentationthathedoesreadthePOABulletin.Mark,thanksfortellingusthatyouareareader.PleaseletusknowifyouwouldlikeanautographedcopyoftheBulletin.We'llevenpersonallydeliverit..

Jeers-Tothedeveloperforbanningthebuffalo.Wouldn'tyouthinkthatawaycouldbefoundtoprovideabetterfenceinrestrictedaccessareaswherewecouldstillfeedthemcritters?Ifnot,wesuggestreplacingthebuffalowithgoats.

Jeers-Tothedeveloper,theVCCDD,andtheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrict(SWFWMD,orSwift-mud)forstickingresidentswiththemuchhigher"waterconservationrate"onourmonthlywaterutilitybills.ThismeansthatresidentsarebearingthecostandinconvenienceofwaterrestrictionsrequiredbytheexcessivedrainsontheundergroundaquifercausedbynonstopresidentialdevelopmentinSumterCountybydevelopers.

Jeers-TotheVHAfornotofferingtojointhePOAtoaddressthehospitalissue.Also,JeerstotheVHApresident,RogerKass,forhisconflictofinterestsbyworkingforthedeveloperwhilealsopraisinghim.

Cheers-TotherecreationdivisionforitsrecentLuauNightThankYoueventforVillagesVolunteers.Thatwasgreatfun.ThanksalsotoJohnRohanforhisimpromptuHulademonstration--hewasagreatsporttoshakeitallaroundlikethat.

Cheers-Tothefiveresidentswhovolunteeredtoserveastheinitialappointedsupervisorsonthenewly-formedAmenityAuthorityCommittee(AAC).ThesesupervisorswillserveuntiltheelectedsupervisorscomeonboardaftertheNovemberelections.Thanksforyourdedicationandyourcontributiontoourcommunity.

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VillageGreens:UpcomingTours

WasteManagement,Inc.hasinvitedTheVillageGreenstotourtheirRecyclingFacilitynearOrlandoonJune10th.ThisisthefacilitywhereTheVillages'recyclingtrashisprocessed.

ThetourisFREEtothefirst40Villagerswhosign-up!WasteManagementwillprovideabusandaboxlunchfromTooJay's.ThebuswillpickupatPublixonHighway466at11:30a.monJune10thandwillreturnlateintheafternoon.

Thosetouringshouldwearclosed-toeshoesandwillberequiredtoweargogglesandcover-ups(supplied).

Thisshouldbeaveryinterestingandeducationaltripandwillclarifyforusalljusthowtherecyclablegarbageisseparatedandsentofftodifferentvendors.

Ifyouareinterestedincomingonthistrip,pleasecontactSueMichalson259-1426toseeifanyspotsarestillavailable.

TheVillageGreensJunemeetingisanespeciallyexcitingone.

Oneofourboardmembers,BobPine,hascompletelyturnedhishomeintoasolarenergyhome.

HehasthefirstfullysolarhomeinTheVillages.Youareinvitedtotourhisbeautifulhomeonthedayofourmeeting,June25th,from10a.m.to2p.m.

ThencometoourmeetingatLaurelManorat6:30forapresentationbyBobandthecompanywhoinstalledhissystem.

Bob'saddressis,2617SagHarborWay.

Formoreinformationcontact:SueMichalson,259-1426

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LettertotheEditor:KeepOneSumter

PassingOneSumterwasoneofthemostbeneficialvotersactionsinyears.Itreturnedthecountytoit'soriginalrootswhereinallcountyresidentsgottovoteforallthecountycommissioners.Theresultisevident.Commissionercooperationexistsagainandeachdistricthasitsvotesmagnifiedfivefoldforthegoodofthecountyasawhole.Taxeshavebeenreduced,selfservingprojectswerereduced,canalsdredged,wastefulitemseliminated,andeveryonebenefited.

Thecountyschoolboardhasalwaysselectedtheirboardandsuperintendentthisway,atlarge.

AllfivecountycommissionerspreferOneSumteratlargevoting.Theyoughttoknow.

Thevoterspreferredatlargevoting.

Whythefuss?

Ifitain'tbrokedon'tfixit.KeepOneSumter.

Theprogresshasbeensignificant.

RonaldEDurham

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ShouldGolfWinningsBePaidInCash?

Severalletterstotheeditorhavecometousregardingthegolfwinningspolicy.Mostoftheseobjecttothepolicyofawardingcreditvouchersratherthancash.Mostoftheletterscriticizethepolicyduetothehighcostofmerchandiseinthecountryclubproshops.

ThePOAresearchedtheissue,andlearnedthefollowingontheUSGAinternetwebsite:

Ingeneral,theUSGAsaysamateursshouldnotplayforcashprizesofanyamountinlarge,organizedevents[morethanafewfoursomes]whereplayingforthemoneyisnotoptional,therearenoprizesotherthancash,orthefactthatcashprizeswillbeawardedisadvertised.

Inviewoftheabove,theUSGAurgesgroupsnottoawardcashprizes.Byawardingmerchandiseorgiftcertificatesredeemableformerchandiseinsteadofcash,thiswouldensurethattheamateurstatusoftheplayersinthegroupwouldnotevenbebroughtintoquestion.

TheUSGAallowsamateurstoacceptprizevouchersforotherthancash(i.e.,merchandise)fornomorethan$750retail.TheUSGAseemstoholdthelinethatamateurscannotacceptcashprizesofanyvalue.

AnydecisiononthisissueinTheVillageswillbemadebyKenCreeley.Ifyouandmanyothersbeatthedrumsonthisissuewithhim,youmightgetsomeaccommodation.Itisgoingtotakeagroundswellofcommentsfromconcernedgolfersheretomakethepointandcampaignforchange.

Attheveryleast,thePOAwouldrecommendthatcreditvouchersbeacceptedthroughoutTheVillagesatbusinessesownedbythedeveloper,andthatdiscountsbegivenfortheuseofthecreditsatthedeveloper-ownedproshops.

But,thereareproblemswiththatcreditslipideaalso.Merchandiseinthegolfproshopsiswayoverpriced.And,golfersintheexecutivecoursescramblesoftendon'tplaythechampionshipcourses.

So,hereisarecommendedsolutiontotheseproblems:

-Whenthecreditslipsareusedtopurchasemerchandiseinthegolfproshops,allowasubstantialdiscountof,say,20%-25%onthepurchase.-Continuetoacceptcreditslipsforchampionshipcoursegreenfees,butalsoontheexecutivecoursesforequipmentrental(carts,etc),trailfees,andguestgreensfees.-Allowthecreditslipstobeusedatanydeveloper-ownedbusinessesinTheVillages.-Also,someresidentsmaybewillingtowaiveamateurstatusandacceptcashpayments,sowhynotaccommodatethem?-Asafinalpoint,weaskthatthegolfdivisionfollowupwiththeUSGAandgetclarificationabouttheamateurpolicyandwhetherthereallyminorpaymentsofourmen'sandwomen'sdayawardscouldqualifyforanexemptionfromthe

ruleaboutcashawards.Theawardsaresominorthattheyshouldnotcauseaproblem.

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RonaldReaganAFather

PattiDavis,daughterofformerpresidentRonaldReagan,wrotethefollowingaboutherfatherintheJuly16,2003,issueofNewsweek.Thishasbeencondensedforspacerequirementshere.

*******************************

SometimesIthinkweneedtolooknofartherthanthepatternoffootprintsstretchedoutbehindustounderstandtheliveswe'velived.

Wecanfollowthefirsttentativestepsofourinfancythroughthelong,defiantstridesofadolescenceandyoungadulthood--therunningawayyears,theyearsofputtingdistancebetweenourselvesandourfamilies,ofburninguptime--tothemoresolidfootprints,setdownaswegrowolder.

Thesearethetracksweleaveontheearth.Ifwelookcloselywecanalsoseeourparents'footprints,oftenclosetous,astheyguideandleadus,atothertimesfarbehind,astheywaitforustoturnandrememberthem.

Weslowdown,finally,tolooklongerandmorecarefullyatourparents.Myfather,whostrodeconfidentlyontothestageofhistory...wasalwayspolite-achinglyso-andeveninthedepthsofhisillness,still(was)....Ididn'tstoptolingeronthesweetnessofthatquality,ortolearnfromit.

Therearepeoplewhowouldsaythatmyfather'sfootprintsarelargeranddeeperthanthoseofotherparentsbecausehispoliticallegacygivesthemweight,creatingindeliblemarksinthehallsofhistory....Iseehisfootprintspressedintothewetsandofthebeachashewalkedtowardtheseatocatchsteepwavesandridethembacktoshore.HisstridewasassmoothandcertainasitwaswhenhewalkedintotheWhiteHouse,andontothestageofhistory.Iseeasmallgirlonthatbeachaswell,pressingherfeetintotheshapesthatherfather'sfeethavelefttoseehowmuchbiggerhisfootprintsare.

Ihavegottenlostinthosefootprintsduringmylife;Ihavefoughthardandbloodybattlestopullmyselfaway.ThesearethetracksIhaveleftontheearth.

ButnowIlookformyfather'stracksoneverybeach,everytrail.Becausetheymarkthewayhome.

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AccountabilityIsASweetThing

ArecentDailySunarticlesummarizedMarkMorse'sremarksatthelastVHAmeetingwhenhesupposedlystated"....accountabilityisasweetthing."WeagreewithMr.Morseandwouldadd"accountabilityistherightthing."

NowweaskwhetherMr.Morseisbeingaccountablewhenhe:

(1)takesmoneyfromresidentsforvinylsidinghomesanddeliverstothemhomesthathaveloosepanels,incorrectoverlaps,staplesthroughthevinyl,bellies.warpsandwaves,etc.,allofwhichaffectthevalueofresidents'homes;

(2)statesontheonehandthathetriestoenhanceTheVillageslifestyleandpropertyvaluesandtellsVillagersto"stayengaged"whileontheotherhand,hecriticizesVillagerswhoarelookingoutforeachotherandsaystheyare"stirringthepot"andthatsomeofthemhaveapersonalvendettaagainsthim;

(3)tellsanaudiencethatvinylsidingturnsbrittleafter3yearswhen,infact,mostmanufacturerswarrantthevinylitselfwellbeyondthattimeframe;

(4)tellsanaudiencethatTheVillages"buildhomesthatmeetorexceedallbuildingcodes"whentheFloridacoderequiresthatvinylsidingbeinstalled"inaccordancewithmanufacturers'installationinstructions;"yet,suchinstructionshavenotbeenfollowedinmanycasesbyTheVillages;

(5)brandsoneoftheVinylSidingCommitteemembersa"troublemaker"andlikenstheentirevinylsidingproblemtothatofthebuffalo,forwhichheclaimsnoresponsibility.Accordingtohim,thebuffaloproblemistheresultof"critters"thatcan'tbecontrolledandcausetoomanyclaims,andthevinylsidingproblemistheresultoftroublemakersandpersonalvendettasagainsthim.

(6)Mr.Morse,please,nomoreexcusesorfinger-pointingelsewhere.Justdothesweetthingandbeaccountable,withoutfurtherdelay,toVillagersfortheirvinylsidingproblems.It'stherightthingtodo.

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HomeWarrantyBackpedaling

Wethoughtwewerefinallystartingtogetsomecooperationwithregardtovinylsidingrepairs.Ourcommitteemembers,overwhelmedbythevolumeofhomeownerrequests,werestartingtoadvisehomeownerstocallHomeWarrantyfirst,togivethemtheopportunitytofixtheoriginalsidinginstallations.Afewoftheinstallationcompanieswereactuallydoingsomenicework.

Butnowitlookslikeourbuddingconfidencewasundeserved.Insteadofmakingprogress,nowitseemsHomeWarrantyandthecontractorsarebackpedaling.Wehaveheardtheyarerefusingtodorepairs,andtellinghomeownerstheyhavealetterfromamanufacturerauthorizingthemtodolessthanthestandardnailingpatternspreviouslyrecommended.

We'veheardthatthey'retellingresidentstheirhomeswilllookworsefollowingrepairs-anythingtoconvincehomeownersNOTtohavetheirhousesfixed.Andthistacticisverypersuasivewithelderlyhomeowners-nowthey'reafraidtohaveanyrepairsdone!

Nowonderresidentsareoverwhelmedandconfused.PerhapsHomeWarrantydoesn'tunderstandthataproperlydonerepairwillnotlookworse,butashoddyrepairprobablywill.Ifyourhouselooksworseafterrepairsarecompleted,thentherepairshaven'tbeendoneright!Seemssimpleenough,doesn'tit?

TheVinylSidingCommittee

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WhoIsNotQualified?

SomeresidentscontactingHomeWarrantyforsidingrepairshavebeentoldthatthePOASidingCommitteememberswhohavemadeobservationsaboutsidingflawsonVillageshomesare"notqualified."Notqualifiedforwhat?Forseeingtheobvious?Forseeingwhatallthearchitects,engineers,projectmanagers,contractors,sidersandinspectorshavefailedtosee,orignored,iftheydidseeit?AretheseHomeWarrantypersonnelthesameoneswhopreviouslytoldhomeownersthattherewasnothingwrong,andit'sjusta"troublemaker"fromthePOAmakingthesecomments?

SidingInstallationManualsareavailableinEnglishandSpanish.Anyonewhocanreadcouldeasilycomparetheinstallationmanualtotheactualinstallationsdoneonourhomes.Infact,therearesomanydiagramsinthemanual,thatyoudon'tevenhavetobeabletoreadtofollowthebasicinstallationtechniques.

TheseremarksbyVillagespersonnelarenothingmorethanfurtherevasionofresponsibility.Whatadespicableefforttounderminethegrowingsurgeofdissatisfactionamonghomeownerswhohavepaidforsomethingtheydidnotreceive.

Aswehavepointedoutmanytimesinthesepages,itdoesnotmatterwhoseesordoesn'tseeaproblem-it'sstillaproblemanditstillneedstobefixed.

And,asforqualifications,ourVinylSidingCommitteemembershavecombinedexperienceofmorethan125years.Infact,oneofourmemberstaughtconstructionfor30yearsbeforeretiringtoTheVillages.Wearenotclaimingtobeinspectors.Weareretiredmembersoftheconstructionindustry.Butwecertainlycanmakeobservationsandshareourknowledgeandexperiencewithourneighbors.

Ourobservationsshowmanyinstancesofshoddyworkmanshipandinstallationsdonewithnoregardfortheinstallationmanual.Iftheinstallersare"qualified,"whydotheykeepmakingthesame"mistakes?"Foryearsandyearsandyears.Whenthemistakesarepointedout,whydotheymakeexcusesandhavetodorepairsoverandover,forcinghomeownerstocallHomeWarrantyagainandagain?

Notonlyisqualificationanissuehere,soisintegrity!

Certificationisapieceofpaperthatismeaninglessunlessoneappliestherulesandinstructions.Thoseinstallerswhoare"qualified,"yetchoosenottofollowtheinstallationmanualandrefusetomaketheproperrepairs,shouldhavetheircertificationwithdrawn.Andifcertifiedworkersweredoingthejobcorrectlyinthefirstplace,therewouldbefewflawsthatanyonecouldfind,"qualified"ornot.

Andspeakingofcredentials,we'dstillliketoknowaboutthoseofHomeWarranty'sDennisStradingerandRobertLocke.Whatexactlyaretheirprofessionalsqualificationsandtraining?Whatrealworldexperiencedotheyhave?Iftheyhavebeenproperlytrained,howcantheypossiblynotseetheinstallationproblems?Ifthey'reuntrainedorinexperienced,whydotheyholdthepositionsthey'rein?Worstofall,supposetheyareindeedseeingtheproblems,yetdenytheyexist.

Likethe"troublemaker"label,usingthe"unqualified"labelreflectsbadlyonthosewhohavethequalificationsandaretryingtohelpfellowVillagers.Ifthesiders,projectmanagers,andinspectorshadbeendoingtheirjobs,wewouldn'tbeinthismessrightnow.Don'tblameitona"troublemaker,"blameitonyourselves.Youshouldhavedonethejobproperlytobeginwith,insteadoffoistingshoddyworkonunsuspectinghomeowners.Ifit"coststoomuchtofix,"that'sstillnoexcuseforabadfixorfornotfixingtheworkmanshipproblemsatall.

ThePOAVinylSidingCommittee

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Positivevs.NegativeIsinTheEyeoftheBeholder

Forthenumerousresidentswhohavehadtheirsidingrepairedbecauseofourvolunteer'sefforts,we'reapositiveorganization.Forthosewhodon'tneedorwantrepairs,wemayseemtobenegative,harpingonthesameissueallthistime.Butifwesavedyoualotofmoneyandoureffortsresultedinimprovementstoyourproperty,we'reprettysureyouwouldconsiderustobepositive.It'sallamatterofyourperspective.

WhenthePOAseesaprobleminthecommunity,andwespeakoutaboutitinaefforttomakeimprovements,that'sPOSITIVE.Whetherit'sthesidingorthehospital,wewantchangeforthebetter,toenhanceourlifestyleandprotectourpropertyvalue,justliketheVHA.Wedon'tneedtosugar-coatissuestofeelpositive-wetrytoaddresstheissuessocorrectionsandchangescanbemade.

Somepeoplemayfeelthatdiscussingproblemsisnegative.Wedon't.WethinkconfrontingproblemsandworkingtowardsolutionsisPOSITIVE,andbeneficialforallresidents,whetheryoufeellikeitconcernsyourimmediatelifestyleornot.

Take,forexample,ourSidingCommitteevolunteers.Retirees,likemostofyou,whocameheretoenjoyour"goldenyears."Instead,wearespendingourtimehelpingourneighbors.Thisiswhatcommunityspiritisallaboutandourmembersareproudtocontributetheirknowledgeandexperienceforabettercommunity.

InhisrecentVHAaddress,MarkMorsementionedTheVillagesold"triedandtrue"sidinginstallationtechniques.However,justbecausevinylsidinghasheldupduringhurricanesandamajortornado,itdoesnotfollowthattheinstallationjobwasdoneproperlyandthatnorepairswouldeverbeneeded.Obviously,TheVillagesrecognizesthisbecausetheirold"triedandtrue"techniqueshavebeenchangedinthelastyearandahalftomorecloselycomplywiththemanufacturer'sinstructionmanualandtheFloridaStateBuildingCode.Andmoreworkersarebeingtrainedtodoabetterjob.Inthepast,weweretoldbyonebuilder,theywouldhireanyonewithaheartbeat.Howdoesthatmakeyoufeelaboutthequalityofconstructiononyourhome?Wouldyouwantthatpolicytocontinue,orisitbettertohaveworkerswhoaretrained?Isn'tthisaPOSITIVEchange?

InsteadofscoffingatthePOAandTheBulletininanegativewayduringhispresentationtotheVHA,Mr.Morseshouldhavebeenthankingtheindividualswhohavebeeninstrumentalinbringingaboutthosechanges.Ifnooneevercommentedabouttheold,makeshifttechniques,ifnoonediscussedtheproblems,changesandimprovementsonnewconstructionwouldneverhavebeenmade.SurelythisisPOSITIVEforVillagers!

Butitdidn'ttakejustaremarkorasuggestion.IttookmonthsandmonthsofpersistencethroughmanyobstaclestoconvinceTheVillagesthatthesechangesarecorrectandnecessary.Althoughneveradmittingit,theyhaveacknowledgedthisbymakingthechanges.ButifpersistentattentionhadnotbeendirectedtotheproblemsbythePOA,TheBulletin,andtheVinylSidingCommittee,therewouldhavebeennochangesinthemethodsusedonnewconstruction.

Aswellasmonitoringthecontinuationofpropertechniquesonnewinstallations,whatremainsistodealwiththeexistingvinyl-sidedhomes,mostofwhicharestillinneedofrepairstobringtheinstallationsuptothestandards

thathavebeendescribedinmanufacturers'installationmanualsforyears.We'renotaskingforany"newtechnology"tobeused.Justthesameinstallationmanualformanufacturer'spartsandinstallationtechniquesthathasbeenaroundaslongaswecanremember.Weneedtoactto"protectthelifestyleandrealestatevalues"ofthecommunity,asMr.MorseandtheVHAhaveputit.AndwehopeTheVillages'responsetoourconstructivecommentsandobservationsistoactPOSITIVELYand"takethehighroad"bymakingrepairsrequestedbyhomeownersregardlessofwhodiscoverstheflaws.

ThePOAVinylSidingCommittee

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GoodRepairFirmsForVinylSiding

BelowisthecontactinformationforthetwosidinginstallerswhichwethinkhavedonegoodvinylsidingrepairjobsinthepastforVillagers:

NewLookExteriorsSteveJustice9860SE145thPlaceSummerfield,FL352-288-3040

Brix&StixTerryPoortenga,VicePresidentP.O.Box384Oxford,FL34484352-330-1817,352-516-0505cellwww.BrixandStixFraming.com

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LettertotheEditor:ShoddyWorkmanship

ThankyouforpublishingtheinformationaboutotherEmergencyRoomsandUrgentCareCenters.Theinformationishelpful.

MywifeandIappreciatetheeffortthatyouandotherPOAmembershaveputintofindingsolutionstothemanyproblemsthatexistinTheVillages.IcouldnotunderstandwhyMr.GaryMorsestillallowsconstructioncompaniestobuildpoorqualityhomes.SuchshoddyworkspoilstheimageofTheVillagesandalsolowersourhomevalues.ItistoobadthathecontinuestoallowthestandardofexcellenceforTheVillagestofall.

Ilivedinthesouthwesternpartofthestatebeforemovinghere.Theproblemsexistedinallofthedevelopmentsthatwerebeingbuiltinthatarea.Untilthisstatelegislaturepasseslawsthatfavorthebuyer/homeownerinsteadofthedeveloper,shoddyconstructionisgoingtobeawayoflife.Untildevelopersareheldaccountable,legallyandeventuallyfinancially,theywillnotchangetheirpractices.Theonlywaytocapturetheirattentionisto"hitthemwhereithurts"i.e.inthepocketbook.

AgainthankyouforallthatyoudotohelpthehomeownersinTheVillages.

PaulPowers

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FromthePOAWebsiteForum:OBGRestaurant

Apr26:ThegoodnewsisthattheOBGCountryClubRestaurantisgoingtogetanewfacelift.HURRAY....Chip,themanager,inconversationsaidthathehadrenewedhislease.HURRAY....Hewouldpaintthewalls,getnewchairsorpainttheold,fixthechaincushions,andgetnewcarpetandnewwallpaper.HURRAY...Thisisthebestnews.IwishChipthebestofeverything.Keepupthebestfoodandbestplaceintown.ThisisGOODNEWS!!HURRAYFORCHIPandOBGCOUNTRYCLUBRESTAURANT...

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LightningTipsForVillagers

TheauthorsaremembersoftheAdHocStudyGrouponLightning.LenHathawayisaretiredfireprotectionconsultant,BobFreeman,aretiredelectricalengineer,andJohnWright,aretiredcivilengineer.

AsTheVillagescontinuestogrowweprobablyhavemanynewresidentsthatdonotrealizethatFloridaisthelightningcapitalofthecountry.Meteorologiststellusthatthereasonforthisisourgeography.WeareonapeninsularwiththeAtlanticOceanontheeastandtheGulfofMexicoonthewest.Asaresult,daytimeheatingoftengeneratesseabreezesthatmoveinlandfromeachcoastduringtheday.Whentheairmassescollidethunderandlightningcanbetheresult.

Floridaleadsthenationwhenitcomestofatalitiesandinjuriesduetolightning.Playitsafe-whenastormisbrewingitistimetogetoffthegolfcourse,outofthepool,orotherunprotectedarea,andgettoshelter.Thisincludesgolfcartswhicharenoteffectivesheltersfromlightning.

Onceyouareathomeorsafelyinasubstantialbuildingitiswisetoavoidplumbingandelectricalequipment,cordedtelephonesandwindowsuntilthestormpasses.

Thisisalsoanopportunetimetohighlightthesubjectoflightningprotectionsystems.Includedinthedefinition"lightningprotectionsystems"areroof-mountedlightningrodsconnectedtoasystemofconductorstoground,bondingandgroundingbetweenothersystemssuchaelectric,telephone,cable,andgas,surgeprotectiononyourelectricsystem,andplug-indevicesforhighlysensitiveelectronicequipmentliketelevisions,computers,andotherappliances.Thisaddressesthehazardsofdirectlightningandindirectlightning.

Lightningrodshavebeenusedsuccessfullyforover200years.YoumayhaveobservedthatthedeveloperhasbeenproactiveandinstalledlightningprotectionsystemsonmanyofthepublicandcommercialbuildingsandpumpingstationsaroundTheVillages.Further,sincetheturnofthe21stCentury,lightningprotectionsystemshavebeenthesubjectofcomprehensivestudiesbythreeindependentpanelsofexperts.Allconfirmedtheeffectivenessoflightningprotectionsystemswithonemajorcaveat.Andthatisforalightningprotectionsystemtobeeffectiveitmustbedesigned,installed,andmaintainedaccordingtothenationalstandardknownastheNationalFireProtectionAssociation(NFPA)-780,StandardfortheInstallationofLightningProtectionSystems,2008edition.

Buthowdoyouknowifaprospectiveinstallerwillprovideastandard-compliantsystem?Thesavvybuyerwillselectaninstallerwhohasundergonethescrutinyofanindependentthirdparty.Forover100yearsthatthirdpartyisUnderwritersLaboratories(UL).Youcanfindthenameofthesefirmsthatspecializeinlightningprotectionsystemsatwww.ul.com/lightningandthenselect"RelatedLinks"andthen"FindListedInstaller"Whenthescreenopensupclickon"RefineYourSearch"andselect"Florida"fromthemenuofstates.Herearethenames,addresses,andtelephonenumbersofthe25firmscurrentlylisted.Tenofthesefirmsarelocatedwithin50milesofTheVillages.

AsasavvybuyeryoushouldbeawarethatsomeprospectiveinstallersmaycometoyourdoorandtellyouthattheyuseUL"approved"components.ThatisgoodbutyoushouldinsistonaninstallerthatiscurrentlyUL"listed"asdescribedabove.

Themostcommoncauseoflightning-induceddamageoccurswhenan

electricalsurgeentersyourhomeviaelectric,telephone,andcablelines.Onewaytoreducetheriskoflightning-inducedsurgedamageistoinstallvoltagesurgeprotection(commonlyreferredtoas"whole-house"surgesuppressionorsurgearresting)onthemainelectricservicepanelorattheelectricmeterasspecifiedbythenationalstandard,NFPA-780.TomeetthisrequirementyoumayneedtocontractwithalicensedelectricianoryourlocalelectricutilitythatcanvalidatethattheyareinstallingaUL"listed"device.Surgeprotectionisdesignedtoprotectmajorappliancessuchasstoves,refrigerators,garbagedisposals,dishwashers,heating&air-conditioningsystems,washers,dryers.

Next,youwillalsoneedtoconsiderprotectionforsensitiveelectronicequipmentliketelevisions,soundsystems,garagedooropeners,irrigationcontrollers,microwaveovens,andparticularlycomputerswithUnderwritersLaboratories"listed"plug-insurgeprotectors.Ifyouhavenoprotectionitisawisetodisconnectthepowerandtelephone/cabletoacomputerduringathunderstorm.

Thelightningstandard(NFPA-780)alsoembracestheconceptof"bondingandgrounding."Thisincludesallmetalroofvents,hotwaterheater,furnace,chimney,ventfans,andanyadditionalmetalobjectsontheroof."Bondingandgrounding"isalsoneededforhomeswithacorrugatedstainlesssteeltubing(CSST)gasmanifoldintheattic.Theentirelightingprotectionsystemshouldalsobeconnectedtotheexistinggroundwiresadjacenttoyourexteriorutilityserviceentrances.Proper"bondingandgrounding,"asjustdescribed,isimportanttokeepallequipmentatthesamegroundpotentialduringvoltagetransientconditions.Thisreducesthepossibilityofelectricalarcinganddamagetoelectricalequipment.

Ifanyonetellsyouthattheycaninstallalightningprotectionsystemintwotofourhoursfor$500to$1,200,itshouldraisearedflaginthemindofthesavvybuyer.ForaDesignerHome(2500to3000squnderroof)thecostofastandard-compliantsystembyaUL"listed"installerisestimatedat$2,200to$2,700,probablylessforVillasandRanchesandmoreforPremierHomes.Theseestimatesdonotincludethecostofthevoltagesurgeprotectionorplugindevices.

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LettertotheEditor:IsNorthBetter?

IamcompelledtorespondtoletterwriterGarvinBailey,whobelievesthePOABulletinshouldberenamedbecauseofallthecomplaining.IcanunderstandMr.Bailey'sthoughts,butaskthatheconsiderwhere"we"(thoseofusthatlivesouthof466)arecomingfrom.Iwillbetmylastdollar,Mr.Baileyisfortunateenoughtolivenorthof466,wherethedifferenceisnightandday.

Welookedatresalehomesnorthof466,andIamverysorrywedidnotpurchaseone.Thesizeoflots,placement/streetlayout,qualityofthebuilding

andtradesinsidecouldnotbeanymoreopposite,comparedtosouthof466.Thisisespeciallytrueofhomesbuilt/soldinlate2005through2006.

Nevermindthehomeswerecrammedontinylotswithonlythecountyrequireddistancebetweenthem.Theywerebuiltsuperquicklybecauseofdemand,anditshowed.

Irecallseeingsignsthatread:CABINETINSTALLERSNEEDED,NOEXPERIENCENECESSARY.Nodoubtmycabinetswereinstalledbyonewhoresponded.

Andthesamegoesfortherestofthehouse.Nothingisstraight.Walls,floors,windows,bathroomfixtures,andjustabouteverylightswitchiscrooked.Idon'tevenwanttothinkaboutthetroublesomeGEappliancesorTraneairconditionersthatrepeatedlymalfunction.Minewasnotworkingatclosing,andthatmodelwasalreadydiscontinued.Hadtowait3weeksforreplacement,thenthatonewentoutandwasreplacedagainwithin4months.Guessweknowwhytheywere"discontinued."

Backtothosetinylots.Myhome,andothersonmystreet,werebuiltwithnodooroffthelanai.Thehousesaresocrammed,thestepsrequiredforexitwouldbeinthecountyrequiredsetback/minimum.Inadditiontocloseproximity,evidentlytheydidnotusemuchinsulation,asIcanhearmywestsideneighborflushingthetoilet.

Icouldsaymore,especiallyregardingthewarranty(orlackofit)department,butamsureyoudon'twanttohearit.Again,beverythankfulyoulivewhereyoudo.Shouldyoudecidetoleave,sellingyourhomeshouldnotbeaproblem.Ihavetoldmyfriendsandfamilytodefinitelybuyonyourside,andnottoconsiderthenewarea.Webought"thesizzle"ofTheVillages,andamveryhappy.Justwishwelivedclosertoyou.

LizaAdkinson

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LettertotheEditor:QualityIssuesforHomesinTheVillages

WearemembersofthePOAandappreciateeverythingyoufolksdoforthehomeownersofTheVillages.Thefollowingisaletterthatwasemailedasfollows:

DearMarkMorse,VHAOfficers,Directors,Boards,Etc.

AsmembersandhomeownersweareverydisturbedbysomeofthecommentsMarkMorsemadeattheMaygeneralmeeting.Thisconcernsthesidingproblemswhicharetrueandreal,notunfoundedcriticismashestated.Heshouldfeeldisappointedandalsoembarrassedthathomeownershavefoundtheirhomesarenotthequalitybuiltstructurestheywerestatedtobe.

Itisnottruethatmostofushavedamagedoursidingbymakingalterations.Thehomeownersdidnotframethehouseorinstallthesiding.Ourhousehappenstobeoneofthemanythathadtohavesidingremovedandreplacedbecausethefewnailsthatwereusedwereput3and3½feetapart,installedbyacompanythathasbeenremovedfromworkinghere.Theoutsideplywoodonthegableendsofthehousehadtobereplacedalsobecauseitwasbulgingandinstalledwrong.

Thenailsinourdrywallarenot16"oncenter.Ourinsidedoorcasingswerechippedandgougedwheninstalledandjustpaintedover.Kitchencabinetshavehammermarks,dents,scrapes,someputtiedovertocoverup.

Wehavewallsthatarenotstraight.Ourgaragefloorconcretewasfinishedsopoorlythebuildertoldushedidnotlikethewayitlookedsohepaintedoverit.Hehadtochipawaylargepiecesofoverflowconcreteonourfoundationanditlooksterrible.

Thesethingswedidnotnoticesoclearlywhenchoosingourhousesinceweonlyhadanhourwindowtomakethedecision.Wealsodidnothavetimetomoveinandinspecteverynookandcrannywithin30daysandregisteracomplaint.Youbegintonoticethesethingslaterwhenyoustartthoroughlycleaning.Ourcarpetsrequiredre-stretchingalsowithamanyexcusesastowhytheywerelikethis.Well,weknowwhy,theywerenotinstalledproperlyinthefirstplace.

Youknowthesetacticsmakealotofmoneyforyourbuilders,contractorsandinstallersbecauseweashomeownershavetofindsomeonereliabletofixallofthissowecansellourhouseandupgradetoanewone.

Ihavelearnedthatyourfatherwasverydifferentfromyouandyourbrother.Yes,hecaredandwouldnotbehappywithalotofthehappeningssincehispassing.Aportionofcompletehonestyandintegrityhasbeenlostforthealmightydollar.

BillandJaneReeses

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LettertotheEditor:IsThereGoodtoSay?

I'vebeenreadingthePOABulletinandtryingtofigureoutwhatthePOAreallydoes.Astrongvoiceisneededtomakesure"TheRightThing"isdonewhenestablishingacommunity.IwonderiflookingattheglassALWAYShalfemptyreallyaccomplishesasmuchasPOAsetsouttodo.

Ibelieveinpeopletakingresponsibilityfortheiractionsandforlivinguptocommitments.ItseemstometheMorsefamily,"THEDEVELOPER,"envisionedaretirementcommunitywhereweallcouldenjoythesepreciousyears.OverallIthinkhehasdonethat.Hashemademistakes,sure,butonthewholewhataGREATplacetolive.

IapplaudPOAforstandingupforVillagersandbeingtheoversightwatchdogtotryandmakesurethingsaredonerightandfair.Butsometimeswecangetcarriedawaylookingforwhatiswrong.InyourMaypapertherewasn'tawholelotofgoodthingssaidinyoursurveycomments.YetIbelievethereisalotofgoodthingstosay.

Iboughtmyhomeherenotexpectingacustombuilthouse,butatrackhomethatIordered.Afteralltheywerebuildingatarateof200+/monthandtheseweren'tcustombuildersforthemostpart-andweallknewthisgoingin!Werethereproblems,yes,didtheygetfixed,yes,didIhavetopush,yes!

IcametotheVillageshopefullybuyingmylasthome,butIcametoenjoythelifestyle.Wherecanyouliveandpaylessthan$150/monthtohaveaccesstoover20swimmingpools,22reccenters,30+golfcourses,twotownsquareswithliveentertainment,over500clubstojoin,manicuredlandscapingwithfreshflowersevery6months,restaurants,shopsgalore,fishingandsomeofthenicestpeopleI'veevermet.

Howdoesthiscomparetofaultysiding,andHospitalissues?Shoulditbefixed--youbet!Ifyouthinkhospitalsarebadhere,gotoanywhereinsouthFloridatocompare.

AgainIsaykeepupthewatch,buttrytokeepitallinperspective,andmaybeprintmorearticlesonwhat'sgoodhere.

PeteCapo

Editor'sNote:Yourcommentsarewelltaken.But,whatwouldyoudoifyoujustpaid$200,000foryourvinylsidedhomeandfoundthatthereweremajorworkmanshipdefectsinthevinylinstallationjob,andthedevelopertoldyoutojustacceptitbecauseyouhavethisgreatlifestyletoenjoy?IftheWarrantyDept.toldyoutobuzzoff,youcouldalwayscontractanindependentsidingcontractortofixthesloppyvinyljob,anditcouldcostyouupto$10,000.

Wasdeveloperwasrightwhenhetoldusthatpeopledon'thaveaproblemunlesswetellthemtheyhaveaproblem?Doeshethinkitisbetternottoknow?ThePOAbelievesyouwanttoandshouldknow.

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ShameonHessandHomeWarranty

InmidApril,oneofourSidingCommitteemembersvisitedthehomeofanelderlywidowintheRioGrandearea.Hefoundtheusualassortmentofdefectsinthesidinginstallation-loosepanels,incorrectoverlaps,staplesthroughthevinyl,etc.,etc.WhenthehomeownercontactedHomeWarranty,theysentthebuilder,Mr.Hess,tolookattheproblems.Hetoldthehomeownerthatnothingwaswrongandrefusedtomakeanyrepairs.

ThePOASidingCommitteethenhadtwomemberslookatthehouseagain,andtheyconcurredwiththeiroriginalopinion:itwasindeedasloppy,carelessinstallation,donewithoutregardforbasicsidinginstallationrules.

Thewidowtoldusthatseveralyearsago,atthetimeofherhusband'sdeath,ninesidingpanelshadfallendowninheavywinds.WhenshecontactedHomeWarrantyatthattime,theygaveherthebrushoff,andshehadtohavethepanelsreinstalledonherown,inthemidstofhergriefatlosingherhusband.Thisladywasintearsjustrecountingthestory.

Shameonyouboth,ContractorHessandVillagesHomeWarranty.

ThePOAVinylSidingCommittee

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FromthePOAWebsiteForum:Oh,GiveMeaHomeWheretheBuffaloRoam

May15:IreadintheDailySunthismorningaboutthesadnewsthattheBuffalo'saregoingtobemoveawayfromthepublicduetothreeinjuries.LastweekIsawacouplepeoplewithabagofcarrotsinhandapproachingthefence.Thebuffalowererunningsofasttowardthem,Ididn'tthinktheywheregoingtostop.Somepeoplejustdon'tunderstand,youarenottofeedtheanimals.Then,whenyouarebitten,youwanttosue.Therearealwayspeoplewhomakeitbadforeveryoneelse.Icallthosepeopleselfish.Whatwehadasabeautifulsighttoview,willbegone.GivemeahomewheretheBuffalo'sroam!!!

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LettertotheEditor:NoBuffalo=HoHum

IamincensedthatTheVillages"authority"hasdecidedtoremovetheBuffalo.Theirreasoningmakesnosense.Whydozooshavenoproblemkeepingpeopleasafedistancefromanimals.Withalittleinitiativeandsomeofthat"VillageKnowHow,"thebrilliantVillagesarchitectscouldfigurehowtokeepthebuffalowhereTheVillagesResidentscouldenjoythem.TheVillagesAuthorityhavetakenawayNewYearsEvemidnightcelebrationonTheSquare-nowTheBuffalo.NextitwillbetheHappyHouronTheSquare--thenwhat?TheVillageswillthenbecomeaHoHumcommunityjustlikeanyotherplace.

AnnaLPuett

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LettertotheEditor:Don'tNeedaTunnel?

[Aboutthelackofatunnelforthenewshoppingcenters],peoplecrosshighway441/27onmotorizedwheelchairs.PeopleshouldbeallowedtosimplycrossRollingAcresRd.inagolfcart....!?DonLloyd

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LettertotheEditor:HorseRacinginSumterCounty?

IthasbeenbroughttoourattentionthattheSumterCountyZoningBoard

[heard]apetitiononMay19,2008,toapprovealanduseproposalforapublichorseracingtrackandpokerfacilityinSumterCounty.Inaddition,asimilarballotquestionwillappearonaspecialelectiontobeheldonJune17,2008,toapprovesaidissue.

ThePOAshouldimmediatelythealertthecommunityofthisdeleteriouslanduseproposalinSumterCounty.Therearealotofreasonswhythisproposalshouldberejected.Ourcommunitydoesnotneedtheseactivitiesandthecommunityimpactsassociatedwiththislanduseproposal.

TomandDotBannar

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ThePOA

POBOX1657LadyLake,FL32158-1657

ContactInformation:POB1657,LadyLake,FL32158Phone:(352)259-0999

SENDE-MAILTOPOABULLETINAT:poa4us@gmail.com

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