From The Top (March 2025)

Have you seen the new and improved VHA website? If the answer is no, please check it out at www.thevha.net. You will be able to view information at a much faster pace. Our Resource Hub is finally up and running, along with a full 2025 events calendar.  Beginning in April, you will see a new feature. We will begin featuring VHA sponsors on our website. This project has taken a year to complete and would have been a daunting task without the dedication of Dave Fountaine, our Executive Vice President. Dave has worked daily with our web designer, Curious Minds Media, to make this project a reality. Thank you, Dave!

Also in my thoughts this month are the discussions regarding multimodal paths. I understand the safety issues. I also understand that we feel obligated to find a reason for perceived problems. Why are there cart accidents? We simply do not want to admit that we travel 30 miles per hour instead of a posted speed of 20 miles per hour. We falsely believe that the “Stop” sign does not mean stop – we believe it is only a suggestion. We do not want to admit that we fail to use a turn signal or signal for miles without turning. Could any of these be operator errors? Could we, the users, be at fault?

The multi-modal path discussion has taken place for years. The latest PWAC discussion ended on September 27, 2018. Safety features based on District Government engineers’ recommendations include adding reflective markers to make corners and divided paths more visible. The District Government is constantly seeking ways to make our lives safer and enhance our quality of life. One thing the District Government cannot do is change our driving habits. Until we, the residents, take responsibility for our driving habits, slow down, and drive with care, we will have this discussion repeatedly. It is time for us to be the residents who “Make a Difference.”

You can start the “think safety” process by attending a VHA Golf Cart Safety program, held free of charge every month. Even if you are a seasoned golf cart operator, your attendance at one of the Golf Cart Safety clinics could be beneficial. You may learn about new Florida laws or other safety features available. For a listing of the time and location of the clinic, visit the VHA website at www.thevha.net/events.

Recently I passed a cart displaying a Rhode Island vanity license plate on the front. It read “Be Kind.” Perhaps that motto is something we should all follow!

Peter Russell
VHA President