Topics derived from residents' questions to their VHA representatives are discussed with The Villages and District Government Officials quarterly in a Town Hall Meeting format. This is a summary of this quarter's meeting.

Community Watch
Now that Community Watch has been reorganized, what changes can we expect? Community Watch in now under the leadership of Chief Mike Tucker and the Public Safety Department. CW is reviewing its services and procedures and taking advantage of new technologies available. Disney World security consultants are lending support in the review. While there are no major changes taking place, we'll see drivers more active and out of their vehicles more assisting residents and other public servants. CW is considered the backup to all other community responders. Can Community Watch issue "tickets" for violations such as watering inappropriately? CW has no enforcement authority. CW does have a hot list of violations and does give notices of violations to these offenders.

Deed Restrictions and Covenants
Deed restrictions have been turned over to the CDD's in Districts 1-4. What about Lady Lake deed restriction and compliance? Turnover has not taken place yet is subject to pending legislation setting when and how this turnover from the Developer happens. The desire is also to get Lady Lake included in this turnover to District Government. Deed restrictions seem to be arbitrarily enforced South of 466. Is this by design or due to under manning? Community Watch participates in the compliance by passing visible violations to deed compliance officials. However, the greatest input is from residents themselves. Response is largely based upon the severity of the violation.

Maintenance of Grounds and Facilities
Who determines when / which flower beds will be reduced or eliminated in a budget crunch? CDD Boards are responsible in their respective districts. Plants and flowers may vary slightly district to district, but the current rotation is four times annually. What is the purpose of the various solar panel installations at entrances of villages? The solar panels are for new lighting along the Village walls and signage illumination. What is Lady Lake or The Villages putting in at the Delmar gate? Lady Lake is conducting an engineering review of the intersection to see if it warrants a 4-way stop. The intersection is not under ownership of District Government but the District is also studying the intersection for possible ramifications and to give input on any action that may be taken by Lady Lake. There seems to be an unusual amount of water wasted by misadjusted sprinklers that water the roadways instead of the landscaping along the roadways. Sprinkler heads require constant adjustment due to normal wear and tear, as well as, damage from golf carts, autos, and lawn equipment. Why are so many reservoirs empty or nearly empty - irrigation and drought? We're in a four-year drought, which is the primary reason that the reservoirs are so low. While irrigation does come from reservoirs under normal conditions, during the drought, most of the golf course irrigation is from reclaimed water and the aquifer. Belvedere and Churchill plants appear to have been dead since the freeze. What's the plan for their replacement and who pays for the replacement of lost plants? All numbered districts just received bids on replacing these damaged plants. Approval for all contracts is in progress. Replacements are already in progress. The recent rain has helped tremendously. Some districts are being aggressive in the use of drought hardy, Florida friendly plants. Are we keeping up with AED installation are pools and recreation centers? There seems to be numbers missing in Region 6 and 7. AED's are installed in the regional recreation centers, village recreation centers, and sports pools, but not the unmanned neighborhood facilities. There are two AED ready for the next opening recreation centers. AED's were involved in saving six sudden cardiac failures in the last year! What's the status of Buena Vista and El Camino resurfacing? This is the responsibility of Sumter County and the information is available on their website www.sumtercountyfl.gov under the "What's Happening" link.

Development Planning
What commercial development is planned South of 466A and when might that be starting? Development South of 466A will be very similar in content as currently North of 466A. Brownwood with have its own theme, but have similar activities and out parcels as Spanish Spring and Sumter Landing. 466A and west toward Wildwood will include a shopping and commercial area like Colony Plaza with its timing driven by the market and housing growth. What is the intended purpose of family housing in Bison Valley, which has full golf-cart access to The Villages? Bison Valley was designed for working families that support the great demand for staffing the medical, professional, commercial and retail businesses within The Villages community, which in turn support The Villages' lifestyle. What is the schedule of turnover of Developer-owned facilities to the residents South of 466? The turnover of facilities south of 466 is delayed and undetermined as the financial and bonds markets remain very volatile and uncertain.
What are the current plans for commercial properties to upgrade the Mulberry region along CR42? The completion of the 99,000 square foot VA Clinic should help the current efforts to bring in more commercial activity. Most large retailers who are generally anchors in these commercial zones are delaying or even pulling back in this economy. The Villages' Commercial Properties division is actively pursuing all of the retailers requested by Villagers. What are the plans for filling the vacancies in the old Circuit City and Linens n' Things? Some suggestions include Costco, Crate and Barrel, William Sonoma, Lord and Taylor, Steinmart, Michaels, AC Moore, Home Goods. The Target commercial zone that includes these two vacancies is not owned by The Villages, but all of these recommended retailers are among those being pursued by The Villages.

Policy and Performance Venues
Are there any plans to upgrade the Scarlet O'Hara Theater at the Savannah Regional Recreation Center? Alternate seating (chairs types) are being investigated. District Government will look into the feasibility of improved sound. Numbers of residents have commented that The Mix is a good feature added to the Daily Sun, but are concerned that it results in some divisiveness between North and South. Comment? The Mix is a product of the Daily Sun in the Media Group. It is intended to bring an added feature, providing items of interest and exposure closer to the neighborhoods, complete with more pictures articles.

Postal Stations
Who owns the neighborhood postal stations and is responsible for establishing enforcing limits on postings such as decals on boxes? The ownership of the postal stations is either the District or the Developer, depending upon the status of turnover within a district. The postal boxes are owned by the postal service (USPS). So the Post Officer controls the maintenance and restrictions of the boxes and the responsibility for the overall "look" is currently under discussion as it has become a local issue in several districts. The District Manager is addressing the matter in her column Our Place in the Recreation News.
Is there still a plan to install an ATM at the Hemingway postal station? Yes, there has been, however, a three to four month delay due to an upgrade/change in proto call being installed in ATM's.

Auto and Golf Cart Traffic
Is there some expectation that the "pathway" along the newly constructed section of 466 will eventually bring non-resident golf cart traffic into The Villages from the rapidly growing apartment complexes? The biking/hiking pathway was a county road project extending from Rolling Acres Road toward The Villages. In order to access The Villages, this pathway would have to cross Cherry Lake Road, another quarter mile of private property and wetlands, which would all be very difficult to do.
The Belvedere Gate resident side, with two near entry/exit roadways to neighborhoods is an accident waiting to happen. Is this traffic area still under study for possible changes? There have been numerous studies and several modifications made at the Belvedere gate area. Sumter County has the responsibility for the gate and has demonstrated a willingness to receive and consider additional recommendations. Can you provide a Morse Boulevard improvement update? Phase I and II are available on the districtgov.org website, which estimates the completion date in December by Sumter County.