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The Villages, Florida |
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Disney for Adults? Some think so. |
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As a newcomer to Florida I was surprised to find that Florida has quasi- government operations called Community Development Districts (CDD's). Most of these districts are controlled by an owner, developer or large corporation. Community Development Districts are getting more and more popular among politicians, developers and the whole connected industry. In these districts no one is elected, they are appointed by the developer, owner or corporation. The public or residents have no say in the politics of said districts. |
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Disney for Kids
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Local politicians love them, figuring they get all the future property taxes without having to invest anything. Developers can create their own little kingdoms without being supervised. They can write their own ticket and make huge profits without any big risks to them. The |
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To read more----> |
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public bonds will finance all the necessary investments and if financial losses can't be avoided the homes of the people are the collateral for possible losses. Miscalculation from developers can be covered with money from the homeowners.
The Villages in central Florida is one such developer operated CDD. The developer calls their district The Village Center Community Development District (VCCDD) which is based in Lake County. Because development is so lucrative in central Florida the Villages Developer has expanded his operations in Marion County and a large portion of Sumter County. The new expansion in Sumter County will be under the control of a new CDD that is named Lake Sumter Landing Community Development District (LSLCDD).
Since the VCCDD and LSLCDD districts are controlled by the land developer, the developer can and does make all policy. The developer controls what builders can erect homes, the placement of covenants and the use of amenities.
In the case of The Villages VCCDD and LSLCDD they own and operate the local newspaper (The Villages Daily Sun), TV station, (The Villages News Network, VNNTV), radio station (WVLG/640-AM). This leads on to believe that the news affecting the residents of The Villages would be hard pressed not to be biased in favor of the developer. |
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The Villages being one of the biggest land owners and having the largest population in central Florida they have the political clout to gain control of the local fire and rescue service, have a joint venture in the local hospital, own the Trash Buster Waste Management Operations, the Little Sumter Utilities Water and Sewer district and now want to place thier own people on the board of the Sumter Electric Cooperative, inc., (SECO) the local power company. |
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To Read More |
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