Harmony Horse Amenity Q & A - New Efforts at Openness
Geo
http://tinyurl.com/m8jknz ):
"Dave, what can we do to get the developer to open up the horse amenity to
any interested residents? What ideas do you already have?"
Dave has decided not to answer these questions so I will give them a try. If
anyone knows better, please speak up.
I think the answer is pretty obvious. Dave has no ideas. What he has is an
exclusive amenity that has served him and his family well for more than 3
years. It would appear that he therefore has no incentive to change it.
Here are a few ideas that I have been able to gather from some of our horse
loving neighbors (those not in on the special deal with the developer).
Perhaps it is time again to canvass the neighborhood for new horse people.
The opinion has been expressed to me that there are currently Harmony
residents with collectively "a barn full" of horses. If that is true,
perhaps Bob Geimer could be persuaded to finally follow through with his
stated 3 year old "equine facility" plans.
Also, many have noticed that there is now what appears to be a horse corral
at the main entrance to Harmony (photos below). As you can see, there are
even phony feeders and a half-barrel watering trough (Look, it's a prop. It
can't hold water or even grain). Of course, this is all just another
marketing gimmick by the developer. If you put up a fake corral, perhaps
unsuspecting people will believe that residents can actually have horses in
Harmony. It's all about creating an impression in the mind of your prospect.
But this impression has even confused Harmony CDD supervisors and generated
some discussion at a CDD meeting. From the November 20, 2008 CDD meeting
minutes:
Ms. Snyder stated I would like to see us put something in
the newsletter because everyone online is talking about
horses and no one really knows but everyone is wondering.
It is almost a negative feeling and people complain that
the developer never lets us know anything. Mr. Tome stated
until we know fully what we are doing and how we are doing
it, some things will be done when we decide where the line
is for the fence. We are not trying to keep information
from the community. Ms. Snyder stated that is what the
perception is. ... Now everyone knows there is going to be
a barn put up and horses will be there. ... Mr. Tome stated
I do not disagree, but we are not done with the picture yet
so let us get it done before we tell everyone what it is.
... You need to say something because we have been told a
barn is going there. Mr. Tome stated I am not sure who told
you that. Ms. Snyder stated I am trying to tell you what is
going on in the neighborhood. I would like to know. Mr.
LeMenager stated while we appreciate that there has been
great cooperation with the developer and the CDD, when we
do something as major as change our front entry, that needs
to be discussed first before we install a fence and get
everyone questioning what is going on. We are saying to let
us know before you do something that major to our property.
... Ms. Kassel stated I heard about the possibility of
horses being there because a neighbor went to the people
installing the fence and asked. Apparently the people
installing the fence mentioned horses. Mr. Tome stated if I
am putting up a three-rail fence and have done that for 15
years, he is going to think something will usually go
behind that fence. But that does not mean that there is.
Ms. Kassel stated if you do not want to start rumors, you
might indicate that to the person who is putting up the
fence. Mr. Tome stated we tell all our contractors not to
communicate with neighbors, prospects and guests. We have a
permit from the County to install a fence and that is all
we have. We wanted to see an enhancement to the entryway
and it was a vision of one of the owners, and that is how
it began.
The key words above are from Shad Tome, the current president of Harmony
Development Company:
"if I am putting up a three-rail fence and have done that for 15 years, he
is going to think something will usually go behind that fence. But that does
not mean that there is."
Again, it is all about creating an impression, not actually doing something
meaningful for Harmony residents.
But why can't this phony corral be turned into a real one? Why can't the
horses already in Harmony be moved into this corral? Then maybe we can add
the horses of other residents who are interested. This way not only can more
residents have their horses in Harmony, but also the developer can actually
have a real amenity to market rather than just a phony one.
Maybe someone can find some local horse drill teams or pleasure riding
groups to put on shows in Harmony. Don't they do this regularly for free
anyway? Maybe if this happens often enough, interest in the Harmony Horse
Amenity might develop enough to motivate the developer to do what they
promised so long ago.
Can't someone find local horse clinicians to put on regular seminars in
Harmony? This could be promoted to residents like everything else: via the
email advertising that the activity director already spends so much of his
time on.
Has anyone ever thought to contact the organizers of the Lipizzaner
Stallions? I remember seeing them as kid (my mother was quite a horse person
herself at the time). They are amazing to watch! I have heard that the
Lipizzaners are already being pastured somewhere in Central Florida during
the winter. Perhaps they might stable their horses in Harmony instead. If
this is possible, wouldn't that be a great selling point for the developer?
I am sure that if this could be arranged, we would see the Harmony Horse
Amenity open up to everyone else lickety-split!
What about the Budweiser Clydesdales? Is it possible that they need a place
to stay during the winter? Imagine the buzz about Harmony if the Clydesdales
stayed here, even for short time every year.
Did you, Kerul or any of the other horse folks ever pursue any ideas like
this Dave? Apparently not.
Any other ideas are welcome.
