Deisy Gomez, The Villages Comcast/Xfinity Account Manager, is available for virtual appointments every Friday by appointment from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Please use https://calendly.com/deisygomez1326/the-villages to make an appointment
As a friendly reminder, residents can continue to enjoy the convenience of GateAccess.net to manage guest access with ease. Whether you prefer the quick online option or a simple phone call, this system ensures your visitors are cleared efficiently and securely.
Option 1: Manage Guest Access Online with GateAccess.net
For those who like the ease of managing tasks online, GateAccess.net remains a reliable tool for handling guest access. Here’s how you can continue to use it:
1. Log In with Ease
Visit www.gateaccess.net. Select VGCC from the Community Code drop-down menu. By default, your primary phone number is your username (enter it without dashes or brackets, e.g., 4081234567). Enter the password provided during your initial registration, then click Login.
2. Add Guests in a Few Simple Steps
Click on the Guest List tab and select Add a New Guest. Fill in your guest’s last name, first name, and the start and end dates of their visit. Once complete, click Update to finalize the process.
This option is perfect for residents who enjoy managing their guest lists from the comfort of their own home, or even on the go.
Option 2: Clear Guests by Phone
For those who prefer a personal touch or need to clear guests quickly, you can still call the Public Safety Plaza at 408-223-4665. Simply provide your name, house number, and your guest’s name(s), and they’ll handle the rest.
Need Assistance?
If you have questions or need help, the Public Safety Administrative Office is available to assist you Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m at 408-239-5246. For after-hours or weekend support, you can contact the Main Gate at 408-223-4665.
Keep Your Guests’ Visits Hassle-Free
GateAccess.net continues to offer a hassle-free way to ensure your guests can access the community smoothly and securely. Whether you’re hosting family, friends, or service providers, this system keeps the process simple and efficient.
Additionally, please remind your guests to provide the front gate with the house number they are visiting, followed by their full name, when checking in. This helps expedite the process and ensures a seamless entry experience for everyone involved.
Take advantage of this convenient feature to manage your guest access with ease!
Proper Lightbulb Disposal Guidelines
Disposing of household lightbulbs correctly depends on the type of bulb. Here’s what you need to know:
Incandescent Bulbs
Old-fashioned incandescent bulbs can be disposed of in the regular trash. However, to ensure safety, wrap them in newspaper and tape or place them in a sealed bag to contain the glass. Note: These bulbs are not recyclable.
Fluorescent Tubes, CFL Bulbs, and LED Bulbs
These types of bulbs are considered hazardous waste and cannot be placed in the bins at The Villages. They must be recycled at a hazardous waste facility.
Monthly Recycling at The Villages (Trial Basis)
The Villages will host a trial program to collect a limited number of fluorescent tubes, CFLs, and LED bulbs for recycling. This service will take place once per month, beginning on Friday, February 28, alongside the household battery collection event. Watch for details
The Public Safety Department reminds Villagers of its Out-of-Town Record app—an informational tool the Public Safety team uses to assist in case of emergencies while you are traveling. This information helps our team differentiate between authorized visitors and potential concerns, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our patrols.
Residents are encouraged to provide details about any house or pet sitters and plant caregivers who may be visiting during their absence.
Key Information to Provide:
Benefits of Sharing Your Status
While Public Safety monitors all property at The Villages 24×7, the Record app provides an added layer of security for extra assurance your property is protected while you are on vacation or away from property. Sharing your plans provides peace of mind, knowing that your home is safe.
How to Share Your Status
To participate in the program, contact the Public Safety Department at PublicSafety@the-villages.com or phone number 408-239-5246 to register your out-of-town status. Our team will guide you through the process and ensure all necessary information is documented.
Commitment to Community Safety
This service exemplifies our ongoing dedication to ensure that our community remains a safe place to live. By working together, we can make your time away worry-free. Please provide your out-of-town status with us and travel with confidence knowing your property is in good hands.
Note: Out-of-Town Record app is part of The Villages current gate system.
Cutting Down on Food Waste: Take proactive steps to reduce food waste. For example, plan meals ahead of time and shop accordingly for portion sizes and servings. When you have leftovers, ensure they are stored properly – and enjoy in an appropriate amount of time. Find ways to use food scraps, such as saving vegetable scraps for broths or sauces.
The Villages community is fortunate to have Green Team Waste Services provide automatic recycling of food and organic waste through the normal garbage pickup at The Villages.
Food and green waste is taken to GreenWaste’s Renewable Energy Digestion Facility. This is an anaerobic digestion facility designed not only to compost organic material, and thus keep them out of landfills, but also to extract energy from the organic material during the process.
GreenWaste’s Renewable Energy Digestion Facility in San Jose is the first large-scale commercial dry fermentation AD technology in the United States, producing clean, green renewable energy, while simultaneously producing a feedstock for composting. The facility can process up to 90,000 tons per year of organic waste generating approximately 1.6MW of clean green renewable power and is the largest facility of its kind in the nation. As a net power producer, the first use of power is to run the facility, with excess power being sold to California’s Grid.
On January 7, The Villages received the certificate of recognition from the Firewise USA organization, making The Villages the first in San Jose to receive this honor and the largest community in Santa Clara County. This remarkable achievement comes after years of dedication from our Boards, committees, organizations, Villagers, management, and the GM’s Office. What was once a dream has now become a reality.
For many, you will remember the beginning of this dream to be a community ever mindful and prepared—as prepared as can be—for natural disasters that threaten The Villages. In 2022 the Fire Safety Committee was formed, which led to Carol Rice, an outside consultant, being hired to assess every village for fire safety. Those reports and a culmination of hours of thoughtful conversations, in March, initiated the epic idea to become a Firewise Community. Collaboration between organizations such as CalFire and Santa Clara County FireSafe Council was instrumental to The Villages team who, early in the Firewise process, completed the organization’s preliminary risk assessments. In conjunction, hours of volunteer training took place and a broadening of the vision to Fire Aside Defensible Space Evaluations were conducted.
Through these years, incredible progress was made—yet we’re not done. The Firewise USA program continues for the next three years—and then will most likely be ongoing. Meeting all requirements of Firewise’s annual reviews ensures that The Villages will remain a Firewise Community. Although the program is rigid, holding the certificate of recognition brings immense pride and peace of mind, with the opportunity to ebb insurance costs to The Villages and individual homeowners.*
Thank you to all who brought us to this point, and to the entire Villages for being a part of moving us forward. Although being “firewise” is a relatively new mission for us, keeping The Villages safe has a 50-plus year heritage.
See Firewise Recognition certificate below.
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles remind us of the importance of being prepared for emergencies. While disasters can be unsettling, The Villages Golf and Country Club is proactively addressing your concerns and working diligently to enhance community safety.
Key Actions Underway:
Evacuation Planning: Villagers’ safety is our top priority. The current evacuation routes are located on the member portal under public safety – fire safety and emergency operations plan tab or https://member.thevillagesgcc.com/static/fire-safety-and-emergency-operations/. In the event of an evacuation, clear procedures are being reworked to unlock secondary gates and notify Villagers swiftly. While no plan can guarantee absolute safety, these measures aim to minimize risks and ensure an organized response.
How You Can Stay Informed: We encourage all residents to stay connected by attending orientations, reading updates in The Villager Online, and reaching out to key contacts:
Together, we can foster a safer, more resilient community. Thank you for your continued trust and engagement as we work to protect The Villages and all who call it home
The Public Safety Department’s mission is to promote safety by ensuring that everyone who lives in and visits The Villages enjoys a safe and harmonious community experience. With that in mind, we would like to remind all drivers of important safety guidelines and rules when navigating our shared roadways.
Shared Roads: Respecting Pedestrians and Golf Carts The Villages is unique in that our roads are shared by traditional vehicles, golf carts, pedestrians, and cyclists. It is crucial to remain vigilant at all times and exercise patience and courtesy. Please remember that our community has limited sidewalks, which means pedestrians often share the roadways and crosswalks.
When approaching pedestrians in a crosswalk, reduce your speed and yield the right of way. This simple gesture of respect ensures the safety and comfort of everyone. Avoid honking or rushing through crosswalks; instead, allow adequate time for pedestrians to cross safely.
Traffic Rules to Follow To maintain safety and order, The Villages Public Safety Department enforces specific traffic rules that all drivers must follow:
Rolling stops endanger lives and lead to accidents. Always stop completely, check your surroundings, and proceed only when it is safe to do so.
Driving at a safe and appropriate speed is critical, especially in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic or sharp turns. Slowing down allows you to react more effectively to unexpected situations.
Be Courteous and Aware The spirit of The Villages is one of community and camaraderie. Practicing safe driving and being mindful of those around you reflects our shared commitment to this ideal. Whether you’re operating a car, golf cart, or bicycle, please prioritize safety and consideration for others.
By working together and respecting these rules, we can ensure that The Villages remains a safe and welcoming environment for all.
Thank you for your cooperation and dedication to safety.
When the lights go out unexpectedly, it can feel unsettling. The Public Safety Department wants to provide you with helpful advice to stay safe and informed during a power outage.
What Happens During a Power Outage
Power outages occur for various reasons, including severe weather, equipment failure, or accidents involving power lines. While these events are usually temporary, they can impact daily routines and, in some cases, personal safety.
When the power goes out, your first instinct may be to contact Public Safety. However, for immediate information about the outage, contacting PG&E directly with your address is the best course of action. PG&E’s system allows them to track and report on the number of units affected and provide estimated restoration times. This information is crucial for planning and ensuring your safety during the outage.
How Public Safety Responds
During a power outage, the Public Safety Department prioritizes calls for service with safety as the guiding principle. Emergencies such as traffic accidents or calls involving medical needs will take precedence. This prioritization may result in delayed response times for non-critical incidents. Rest assured, every effort will be made to address community concerns as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Helpful Tips for Staying Safe During a Power Outage
Contact Information
For outage details, contact PG&E directly. They can provide real-time updates on the status of the outage and estimated restoration times. You can reach PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 or visit their online outage map for updates.
If you face an emergency or need assistance from Public Safety, don’t hesitate to call. Remember that response times may be impacted during outages, but your safety is our top priority.
By staying prepared and informed, we can navigate power outages together as a resilient community. Stay safe!
Starting April 1, 2025, Villagers will notice a change in the way monthly statements are provided. To ensure compliance with Davis-Stirling regulations, members who reside in condos will begin receiving two separate monthly statements—one for Club dues and account charges and another for Association assessments.
If you live in a single-family home, your statement process will remain the same, with one consolidated statement from the Club.
With The Villages’ new online business operations system, the Accounting team provides breakdowns of each financial category, so you will have a clearer view of where your contributions are allocated. This update ensures compliance with the segregation of accounts as required by Davis-Stirling regulations while enhancing clarity for our members.
Delivery Methods Remain Flexible
Your preferred method of receiving statements—online, by mail, or both—will remain unchanged. This ensures continuity and convenience as we transition to the new system.
Stay Updated
More details about the new statement process will be shared in the coming months. Look for updates in The Villager, FastNews and other communication channels.
Questions?
If you have questions or would like to update your Membership accounting information, feel free to contact the Accounting team:
We trust that these improvements will provide a better accounting experience with The Villages.