This is one of the most startling stories you ever will read about political corruption in Florida. It was written by Ryan Grim for Intercept.
“The Villages” is a huge retirement community in Florida that votes Republican. The family that started it controls the community newspaper and pipes in FOX News to all public facilities. It plans to expand, and it raised property taxes by 25% to finance the expansion. This made many residents unhappy. A slate of elderly rebels ran to join the board that makes decisions. The rebels won. The developers (aka “The Family”) had to put down the rebellion. The developers are big contributors to Governor DeSantis.
By the end of the story, one of the rebels was in jail, and two were removed from office by the Governor. The tax hike went into effect, peace was restored, and the new development went forward.
Read it.
It begins:
THE TROUBLE BEGAN in 2019 when residents of The Villages were suddenly hit with a 25 percent hike in their property taxes. In the master-planned retirement community of 130,000 across Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties in central Florida, many are on fixed incomes. The math they had done in plotting out their golden years had not accounted for a massive jump in taxes.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Goes to show that one can be a REBEL at every age.
Little Rock High School re-membered its courageous legacy. 1957-2023.
Friday 3/3/23 several HUNDRED students left classes and flooded the lawn.
Protesting Sarah Huckabee Sanders “Education” Reform Bill.
Student Council/Young Leftists Club/Black Student Union/Gay-Straight Alliance & Many Others.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/little-rock-central-students-walk-out-in-protest-of-sarah-sanders-education-bill/ar-AA18b3dC
This story makes me happy I don’t live in a community that can be hijacked by right wing extremists and a governor that does not believe in democracy. I own a single family home without ties to community living. While my FL home is flanked by conservatives that know my husband and I do not agree with their politics, we fortunately have never experienced any overt animosity from anyone.
Thanks for posting this, Diane. The Intercept’s “Deconstructed” podcast also has an episode on this.
This is just another fascist attack on the good people of Florida. If only someone would strip the special taxing district status of The Villages as was done to Disney. Maybe democracy might have a chance. The evilness and corruption of the rulers of The Villages are ensnaring innocent people.
If there’s ever been a case for Karmic justice, it’s here – at The Villages in Florida.
One of the most horrible things I have ever read. My heart breaks for all of these people. At the same time I am infuriated at these fascists, from the reporters doing neo Der Stermer to the prosecutors, that awful judge, the state government and if course these rotten developers
So I guess the Florida constitution simply reads, The governor and his rich friends can do whatever they want. Corruption with a capital C.
The governor and his pals have routinely ignored sunshine laws and the will of the people. DeSantis serves his wealthy donors and corporate associates. Every so often he tosses out a token like a week moratorium of taxes on school or hurricane supplies with great fanfare to average folks.
I read that a week or so ago and almost vomited. Another Flor-a-duh story that leaves me speechless in order to preserve my Global Entry .
“By 2100, large swaths of coastal land in Florida will be permanently submerged. In the shorter term, rising seas will increase the frequency and severity of coastal flooding. Statewide, three feet of flooding puts at risk: Future sea level depends on greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric / oceanic processes.”
Those shorter term floods may end up convincing voters to get rid of Dangerously Deranged DeSantis. But to blame Democrats, DDD will have his Putin style Puppet state legislature pass laws that blame “woke” culture for the floods. Mobs of MAGA RINO vigilantes will then violently attack anyone that is considered “woke” and hang them since the floods will be their fault.
I have been trying to get a reporter to cover a story about their Villages charter school. Get this. Your child can only attend it if you work in The Villages or your company does business in the Villages! If you quit, your child is sent packing. It is disgusting. They passed a special law.
Thank you for sharing Ryan Grim’s article. What happened to Oren Miller is a warning to anyone who dares interfere, contradict, or oppose the Developer. By the way, you’ll notice the word is capitalized (like God), which is how he’s portrayed in articles put out by The Villages. I’ve lived here 22 years–and here comes the dichotomy–it’s the perfect place to live if you’re interested in life-long learning, a lovely environment, and want an active lifestyle. But…it’s probably the most corrupt community of it size in the United States. So if you can tolerate dissidence, don’t cross us off your retirement list; come and help make this a better place to live.
Thank you, Marsha, for confirming what Ryan Grim reported.