FYI Keepers
District Weekly Bulletins (prev from Welcome Wednesday News / VHA)
These FYI Keepers cover some important topics now from District.gov Weekly Bulletins and previously from Welcome Wednesdays meetings that are helpful to keep very handy (this page). Details for older Welcome Wednesday meetings can be found at: Welcome Wednesday
The year round conservation measures allow for twice-per-week watering, which gives residents additional flexibility for determining when to water. When there is not a Water Shortage, the Watering Schedule for CDD 1 & 2 are:
- Even Addresses (ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8) Tuesday / Friday 12 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 12 am
- Odd Addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) Monday / Thursday 12 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 12 am
Sign yourself up to receive Villages E-Notifications, here's how:
How Do I Dispose of ……??? (Updated Sept. 11, 2019 District Weekly Bulletin)
Do you have old paint sitting in the garage? An old propane tank or leftover gasoline? If so, these and other hazardous chemicals and items should not be placed in your regular household trash. Sumter County hosts two Household Electronics and Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection events per year, during the Spring and Fall. For more information please visit www.sumtercountyfl.gov.
Sumter County Citizens Drop Off Area
Sumter County Sumter County residents can dispose of the following items at the Sumter County Citizens Drop Off Area at
819 CR 529, Lake Panasoffkee:
Next Sumter County Public-Works Household Electronics and Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection event
Sat., Nov. 2 / 9-3pm - located at the Lake Okahumpka Park 6085 E. SR 44, Wildwood 34785. For more information on this and other mobile collections, contact Sumter County Public Works at 352-689-4400.
Do you have old paint sitting in the garage? An old propane tank or leftover gasoline? If so, these and other hazardous chemicals and items should not be placed in your regular household trash. Sumter County hosts two Household Electronics and Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection events per year, during the Spring and Fall. For more information please visit www.sumtercountyfl.gov.
Sumter County Citizens Drop Off Area
Sumter County Sumter County residents can dispose of the following items at the Sumter County Citizens Drop Off Area at
819 CR 529, Lake Panasoffkee:
- Batteries
- Clean Scrap Metal
- Used Oil
- Between 1 – 4 Oil Filters
- Tires and Household Electronics are accepted also, however there is a charge to drop off these items.
Next Sumter County Public-Works Household Electronics and Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection event
Sat., Nov. 2 / 9-3pm - located at the Lake Okahumpka Park 6085 E. SR 44, Wildwood 34785. For more information on this and other mobile collections, contact Sumter County Public Works at 352-689-4400.
SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform (Per Sept. 11, 2019 District Weekly Bulletin)
Information Provided by SECO Energy StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice or all three.
Visit StormCenter: https://secoenergy.com/stormcenter/ online and bookmark on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily.
Information Provided by SECO Energy StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice or all three.
Visit StormCenter: https://secoenergy.com/stormcenter/ online and bookmark on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily.
Resident Lifestyle Clubs & Contacts
Looking for a club or activity? Visit www.DistrictGov.org – Departments, Recreation – Resident Lifestyle Clubs & Contact and you will find an alphabetical listing of the clubs and the contact’s name and phone number.
Looking for a club or activity? Visit www.DistrictGov.org – Departments, Recreation – Resident Lifestyle Clubs & Contact and you will find an alphabetical listing of the clubs and the contact’s name and phone number.
Lost & Found
Depending on where items are found, inexpensive items will be held for one month at La Hacienda, Laurel Manor, or Eisenhower Regional Recreation Centers. Valuables will be turned over to the Lady Lake Police Department, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office or Marion County Sheriff’s Office within 72 hours. At the end of each month, unclaimed items will be donated to local charities. The Recreation Department is not responsible for lost items.
Depending on where items are found, inexpensive items will be held for one month at La Hacienda, Laurel Manor, or Eisenhower Regional Recreation Centers. Valuables will be turned over to the Lady Lake Police Department, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office or Marion County Sheriff’s Office within 72 hours. At the end of each month, unclaimed items will be donated to local charities. The Recreation Department is not responsible for lost items.
Sanitation Collection Schedule
Trash - TUESDAY & FRIDAY Recycling - TUESDAY Yard Waste: WEDNESDAY
(including: Alhambra, Allende, De La Vista, Hacienda, Harmeswood of Belle Aire, Palo Alto, Rio Grande, Rio Ponderosa, Rio Ranchero, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Summerchase, Tierra Del Sol (See Sanitation Collection Details (source Weekly Bulletin May 8, 2019))
Trash - TUESDAY & FRIDAY Recycling - TUESDAY Yard Waste: WEDNESDAY
(including: Alhambra, Allende, De La Vista, Hacienda, Harmeswood of Belle Aire, Palo Alto, Rio Grande, Rio Ponderosa, Rio Ranchero, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Summerchase, Tierra Del Sol (See Sanitation Collection Details (source Weekly Bulletin May 8, 2019))
Types of Pools
Temperatures will fluctuate depending on the weather. For more information visit www.DistrictGov.org or call 352-674-1800.
- Sports Pools (7:00am-Dusk) • For residents only 30 years of age and older. These pools have a specific schedule of activities: lap swim, water walk, water exercise programs, water volleyball etc. Be sure to check the sport pool activity schedule before you go. Schedules are available in the Recreation News. If you are interested in starting a water exercise program please call 674-1800.
- Neighborhood (Adult) Pools (7:30am-Dusk) • For residents and their guests 30 years of age and older • Intended for refreshing socialization & non-organized/scheduled activities. Regularly scheduled water exercise groups are encouraged to use the sports pools for this purpose.
- Family Pools (7:30am-Dusk) • For residents who have young family members visiting under the age of 30. Noodles, unbreakable masks, goggles & small buckets are the only items allowed in these pools.
(source: Weekly Bulletin May 8, 2019)
Temperatures will fluctuate depending on the weather. For more information visit www.DistrictGov.org or call 352-674-1800.
Smoke Detector Program
The Villages Fire and Public Safety Department offers smoke detector assistance to residents of The Villages as part of the Fall Prevention Program. This program is designed for residents of The Villages who are disabled or are unable to climb a ladder.
Smoke detector batteries should be changed once per year. Help with smoke detector battery changes and/or installations can be arranged by calling (352) 205-8280 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. If you call after hours or on the weekend, a recording will direct you to an alternate phone number. Residents are required to purchase the batteries or new units. There is no charge for this service. As a reminder, this assistance is strictly for smoke detectors. The employees visiting your home will not be able to assist you with non-related smoke detector issues or concerns.
The Villages Public Safety Department employees will arrive at your home in uniform, with a visible name badge.
If you have any questions or would like additional information on this program, please contact The Villages Public Safety Department at (352) 205-8280.
The Villages Fire and Public Safety Department offers smoke detector assistance to residents of The Villages as part of the Fall Prevention Program. This program is designed for residents of The Villages who are disabled or are unable to climb a ladder.
Smoke detector batteries should be changed once per year. Help with smoke detector battery changes and/or installations can be arranged by calling (352) 205-8280 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. If you call after hours or on the weekend, a recording will direct you to an alternate phone number. Residents are required to purchase the batteries or new units. There is no charge for this service. As a reminder, this assistance is strictly for smoke detectors. The employees visiting your home will not be able to assist you with non-related smoke detector issues or concerns.
The Villages Public Safety Department employees will arrive at your home in uniform, with a visible name badge.
If you have any questions or would like additional information on this program, please contact The Villages Public Safety Department at (352) 205-8280.
Recreation Events: (Recreation Events link to the current listings)
This is a resource on the DistrictGov.org Web site that you may find helpful. It has a a wealth of information. Topics will vary but these are sample items as of Nov. 2018:
This is a resource on the DistrictGov.org Web site that you may find helpful. It has a a wealth of information. Topics will vary but these are sample items as of Nov. 2018:
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CDD Orientation:
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Every Thursday at 10 am at the District Office, upstairs from Starbucks at Lake Sumter Landing, you are welcome to attend this session to learn about how the Districts operate and other important community information. For additional information, call (352) 753-4508.
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Navigating www.districtgov.org
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The What’s Happening section of the website is updated daily with information pertaining to what’s going on in your community: On www.districtgov.org select the what’s happening quick link on left side, view general information to learn about community wide information and view information specific to your District and closures occurring in recreation centers in your area.
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New Resident’s Night:
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This program provides important information for residents that are moving here or live here. We have speakers that give short descriptions of their responsibilities for everything from Law Enforcement, Tax Collectors, Property Assessors, Veterans Benefits, Community Improvement Council, Seniors verses Crime, Lifelong Learning College, Bicycle Safety, Master Gardeners, Library use to The District Government. We have Volunteer organizations who discuss how you can help the Villages Regional Hospital, The Sheriff’s Ranch for Children, CERT and others. The speakers all arrive early and stay after to answer your questions. It’s held on the second Tuesday Night each month at 7:00 PM at Colony Cottage Recreation Center in The Parlor.
https://www.thevha.net/all-2014-new-resident-meetings/ |
VHA Golf Cart Safety Meetings
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3rd Wednesdays - 9AM-11AM - normally at Colony Cottage The Study
https://www.thevha.net/all-2015-golf-cart-saftey-clinic-meetings/ Also see our Golf Cart Rules of the Road on this site. |
In the event of an emergency
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In the event of an emergency be sure to immediately call 9-1-1. When you call 911, answer the dispatcher’s questions (it will not delay the response!), do not hang up until either the 911 dispatcher or on-scene police or fire personnel direct you to hang up. If you call from a cell phone, it takes 5-6 rings before you call is answered…do not hang up…wait until answered and then tell them your location. Community Watch is a non-emergency service whose primary function is to observe and report.
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How to Stay Informed
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You and your neighbors can really stay on top of what’s going on in The Villages (including but not limited to Welcome Wednesday newsletters) just by going online to www.districtgov.org and in the bottom left corner of the homepage, sign up for E-Notifications. You can sign up for as much info as you want; from boil water notices to schedule updates & closings of streets, rec centers, golf courses; job postings; public safety; recreation; messages from the District Manager…..etc.
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Rumor Control
- Emergency Calls: A recent auto accident was reported rumored that the response time was 20 minutes. In verifying the dispatch log, the Public Safety Department chief verified it took 2 minutes and 15 seconds to dispatch help. When you are in an emergency a second seems like a minute and a minute seems like an hour but in 2016, our Public Safety Department responded to 14,032 emergency calls with an average response time of 4 minutes and 11 seconds 90 % of the time. Within 40 seconds of receiving the call, emergency units are being dispatched so please remain on the line with the dispatcher. If you are using a cell phone wait for the dispatcher to connect with your call (usually 6 rings) so don’t hang up.
- Roadway Right of Way: Another rumor that is SO dangerous. What is true is that no one type of vehicle has preferential right of way. All vehicles whether they are bikes, carts or cars are treated the same and must follow the same rules of the road.
Water Shortage - starting June 5, 2017*
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The water shortage restrictions from Southwest Florida Water Management District changes on June 5 so be sure to:
The water shortage restrictions from Southwest Florida Water Management District as of June 5: you can only water once a week (not twice) and it must be after 6 pm and before 8 am. Car washing is limited to one per week on the designated watering days as shown below, no pressure washing homes for aesthetic concerns, fountains and other aesthetic only water features may only operated 8 hours per day and there will be a 10% fee purchase on all water bills to encourage the use of less water. The water permit rates and rules are based on the rules and rates in the 2005-2007 permit which were set for water conserving and to protect the environment. There are some exceptions in Districts 9-11. For those concerned about future water permit issuance, the spokesperson assured the audience at Welcome Wednesday that “no new permit can adversely affect the current permit”. See www.thevillageswaterwisdom.com/irrigation-schedules for more info. Designated watering days are: Addresses ending in May only irrigate on 0 or 1 Monday 2 or 3 Tuesday 4 or 5 Wednesday 6 or 7 Thursday 8 or 9 Friday Rumor control: No, the surcharge is not permanent and it is 10% of base rate. It will end when the Phase III order ends which is tentatively August 1, 2017. No the developer did not set nor does he get the surcharge funds. The rate was set when the initial permit was issued and at that time the rate structure and the water management plan was set. Knowledge is Power: overheard at this Welcome Wednesday event after water situation was explained: “now I understand…until this, I was upset!” Come to Welcome Wednesday! Two sources confirm watering in our area: - http://www.thevillageswaterwisdom.com/cdd-1-10-irrigation-schedule/ - http://sumtercountyfl.gov/428/Watering-Restrictions * NOTE: To conserve water & most probably reduce your water bill, it is a good idea to apply the Rules above starting with 'only water once a week (not twice)' every year between June 5 and Aug. 31. This period is the rainy season in Central Florida and once a week sprinkling and other suggestions shown here would normally work. |
Hazardous Materials
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No hazardous materials should be placed in your household trash. Items such as chlorine, muriatic acid, pest control sprays, needles, etc. should be disposed of properly. Hazardous items create a safety hazard for the sanitation workers as well as the environment. Sharps containers can be obtained from the health department and other hazardous materials can be disposed of at the following locations:
Sumter County--Sumter County residents can dispose of items at the Sumter County Citizen Drop Off Area located at 819 CR 529 in Lake Panasoffkee. Please visit www.sumtercountyfl.gov for additional information. |
Emergency Management
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Emergency management and services related to preparation for severe weather, floods, hurricanes and other disaster response activities fall under the purview of the county in which you live. To sign up for the notifications in your county, visit the following links:
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