[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Thank you Bogie.

The Villages ARE in it for the money. That is fine with me. I am a Capitalist.

I think they do a great job here and I like that the Morses do a good job with their big, BIG development. Many of us moved from lovely well maintained areas around the country and even Florida. I am not angered by financial success and I am not jealous of it. I don't think all rich people are good are all good people are rich. I think we are lucky to live here and I am glad this is the place we chose to live out our years.

I read posts above from people whose philosophies of life I am familiar with from having read their opinions on this forum for many years.. They haven't waivered and neither have I.

The facts are simple. Commercial properties in TV, as elsewhere, are occupied based upon a contract between the parties, with the terms agreed upon in advance.

If either party doesn't like the terms, they should not sign the contract. It is no time to complain about the terms after the signing.

If the lessor and the lessee are satisfied with the terms it's nobody else's business. Simple as that.

Any griping about the profits made by the Morse family appear to be attributable to jealousy.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by jeriteri

The Villages Development is a multi billion dollar venture which, in my opinion, is the best managed development I have ever seen anywhere. To try to pinpoint an area in which they are in it for the money is ridiculous. If you are a resident, just look around and see what you are enjoying because of their management. Do you have landscaping second to none. Entertainment, second to none. Recreation, second to none. There's golf courses, recreation centers, town squares and activities available no where else in the world. The roads, landscape maintenance, building maintenance and waters that are beautiful. Medical EMT that stand ready to serve you, I see them sitting in their vehicles ready to take off to save your lives. Yes you pay a HOA but will pay that anywhere and won't get a fraction of the amenities. Don't worry about how much the management is making on rent, How ridiculous, just live your lives and enjoy this beautiful area of which you are Blessed with.

Great post!

Naysayers, move to a place like Juliette Falls - that just went into receivership this week; do you want to be in a place like that or a place like The Villages? Thought so......

[rubicon]

I wonder if questioning and inquiring minds are necessarily negative minds or are they cautious minds who do not take matters at face value?

Take for instance any corporation that has vast financial and political control over three counties in a state. Would an inquiring mind probe such an arrangement, such as law enforcement , IRS, prosecutors, consumers, competitors and would such inquiry be only negative or perhaps cognitive in nature to understand the composition of it all.
what makes it tick and why?

[Aw Man]

Originally Posted by jeriteri

The Villages Development is a multi billion dollar venture which, in my opinion, is the best managed development I have ever seen anywhere. To try to pinpoint an area in which they are in it for the money is ridiculous. If you are a resident, just look around and see what you are enjoying because of their management. Do you have landscaping second to none. Entertainment, second to none. Recreation, second to none. There's golf courses, recreation centers, town squares and activities available no where else in the world. The roads, landscape maintenance, building maintenance and waters that are beautiful. Medical EMT that stand ready to serve you, I see them sitting in their vehicles ready to take off to save your lives. Yes you pay a HOA but will pay that anywhere and won't get a fraction of the amenities. Don't worry about how much the management is making on rent, How ridiculous, just live your lives and enjoy this beautiful area of which you are Blessed with.

Well said! I agree with you.

[pauld315]

Originally Posted by rubicon

I wonder if questioning and inquiring minds are necessarily negative minds or are they cautious minds who do not take matters at face value?

Take for instance any corporation that has vast financial and political control over three counties in a state. Would an inquiring mind probe such an arrangement, such as law enforcement , IRS, prosecutors, consumers, competitors and would such inquiry be only negative or perhaps cognitive in nature to understand the composition of it all.
what makes it tick and why?

Inquisitiveness is one thing and is an admirable quality. Disguising inquisitiveness to try to prove a preconceived notion or agenda that may not exist is quite another.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by pauld315

Inquisitiveness is one thing and is an admirable quality. Disguising inquisitiveness to try to prove a preconceived notion or agenda that may not exist is quite another.

Yeah, what he said!

[charmed59]

I don't really care what is in the business contracts for the Villages commercial leasing. I do care about the number of empty store fronts, especially right on the square at Brownwood and on Canal street at LSL. Was there any discussion of incentives or marketing plans to get businesses into those empty spaces?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by charmed59

I don't really care what is in the business contracts for the Villages commercial leasing. I do care about the number of empty store fronts, especially right on the square at Brownwood and on Canal street at LSL. Was there any discussion of incentives or marketing plans to get businesses into those empty spaces?

Yes.

[PennBF]

See the highlights below. This is what drives people nuts. It states "Every business in the Villages pays to the Villages Developer.." Then further on it states "it is completely false.." and then it states,"only after it exceeds a certain threshold.." This is a play on words when it states as some do pay. It is directed to the ones who are bringing in the most revenue. It is not completely false and should be accurate.

What’s the No. 1 myth being perpetuated about commercial leasing in The Villages? That every business in The Villages pays to The Villages Developer a percentage of every dollar they take in. I have heard this from the first day, and it is completely false. Some businesses do pay a percentage of sales only after they exceed a certain threshold that is predetermined and agreed upon. It’s a clause in their lease that kicks in only after sales reach a certain threshold; so it’s pre-negotiated. This is a common practice in retail leases nationwide. Within The Villages, only 7 percent of our businesses met this criteria last year.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by GaryW

A Myth always hides another Myth.... Just Saying. Especially if it comes from a good source of a Myth
Might Be like Robin Hood going to the king and telling him I hear you want all the Money, and the King say no just a Myth, just a good part of it.

I know a business that has been in The Villages a very Long time, and he tells a different story... alot more involved than just the money I knew this cat when he was knee high to a grass hopper. He has no reason to tell a MYTH.. LOL

A better myth would be to watch the video series on building Brownwood and hear the developer say it is not about money in TV. MYTH or NOT?? Might need to call the Myth Busters..

Gary. You seem bitter. Of course it is about the money. All successful businesses work on margins. In my whole life of almost eighty years I have not seen a successful business say....I have made enough money, I will continue running this but take no profit.

I suspect at this point that continuing to build is about something else. The Morses are investing a considerable amount of money in acquiring and developing the new areas. I would guess they could have watched that money and been able to maintain a very, VERY good lifestyle for several hundred years for ALL of them and their descendants.

It may be power. It may be risk taking. It may be showing a belief that a private business can do better than a government agency in building and running a small city. It may be building a legacy. It may be their jab at leaving a lasting chapter in history...or it could be about the money.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

LOL

I'm sure there is no self-serving purpose of the Director of The Villages Commercial Development Division, stating that none of the businesses leaving are doing so...because the lease rates are too high.

Nahhh, nothing here, because Renick and the Daily Sun have said so.

They know what they are going to pay before they sign the lease so how can they leave because the rent is too high? They knew the amount.

[sallybowron]

Originally Posted by jeriteri

The Villages Development is a multi billion dollar venture which, in my opinion, is the best managed development I have ever seen anywhere. To try to pinpoint an area in which they are in it for the money is ridiculous. If you are a resident, just look around and see what you are enjoying because of their management. Do you have landscaping second to none. Entertainment, second to none. Recreation, second to none. There's golf courses, recreation centers, town squares and activities available no where else in the world. The roads, landscape maintenance, building maintenance and waters that are beautiful. Medical EMT that stand ready to serve you, I see them sitting in their vehicles ready to take off to save your lives. Yes you pay a HOA but will pay that anywhere and won't get a fraction of the amenities. Don't worry about how much the management is making on rent, How ridiculous, just live your lives and enjoy this beautiful area of which you are Blessed with.

I agree completely. We have the choice to live here or not. We don't have control over businesses here any more than we do anywhere. Let's just enjoy!

[Mrs. Robinson]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Gary. You seem bitter. Of course it is about the money. All successful businesses work on margins. In my whole life of almost eighty years I have not seen a successful business say....I have made enough money, I will continue running this but take no profit.

I suspect at this point that continuing to build is about something else. The Morses are investing a considerable amount of money in acquiring and developing the new areas. I would guess they could have watched that money and been able to maintain a very, VERY good lifestyle for several hundred years for ALL of them and their descendants.

It may be power. It may be risk taking. It may be showing a belief that a private business can do better than a government agency in building and running a small city. It may be building a legacy. It may be their jab at leaving a lasting chapter in history... or it could be about the money.

Most people who go into a business of their own may be doing it in part, to satisfy their ego.

But along with their ego trip, the main criteria for doing so is the almighty dollar.
Being successful pads their ego and fills their pockets -- the more, the better.

Yes, the developers have done and are doing and will continue to do -- more developing.
Why not? They have a good product and a captive audience in the form of ongoing retirees.
And you "suspect" it isn't about money??? Surely, you can't believe that!

They most certainly aren't doing it for the betterment of mankind.
It definitely is about the money!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson

Most people who go into a business of their own may be doing it in part, to satisfy their ego.

But along with their ego trip, the main criteria for doing so is the almighty dollar.
Being successful pads their ego and fills their pockets -- the more, the better.

Yes, the developers have done and are doing and will continue to do -- more developing.
Why not? They have a good product and a captive audience in the form of ongoing retirees.
And you "suspect" it isn't about money??? Surely, you can't believe that!

They most certainly aren't doing it for the betterment of mankind.
It definitely is about the money!

We all know things based on what WE would do. How WE think about folks who have more money than we do. How we feel about capitalism etc. etc. Some people continue to work when they don't have to.

Money is a good way of keeping track. Many people that I know here in The Villages came alone and left their spouse behind for several years because he/she was reluctant to close the practice, the electrical firm, the pharmacy that employed long term employees.

There is not a damned thing wrong with making money if it isn't done illegally or immorally. If it was just about making money I would have encouraged our grandchildren to steal or deal drugs. Money is nice to have. You can feel secure when you have a goodly amount and you can help others too. Some do it so quietly that you would never know they did and some people are on PBS telling folks they funded this or that foundation. Both good.

Lot of jealousy of financially successful folks I have observed in my lifetime.

[karostay]

Originally Posted by pauld315

Inquisitiveness is one thing and is an admirable quality. Disguising inquisitiveness to try to prove a preconceived notion or agenda that may not exist is quite another.

yea what he said