The Ravines has been sold????

Who's the new owner?

 Roy Lyons ? 

To the best of my knowledge, Pete DeBusk.  I am pretty sure the course will now be sold to someone who will make improvements.  What kind of improvements those will be, we shall see.

CC Clerk recorded a Certificate of Sale on 8-27-08 to a Autry O. V. DeBusk of Powell, TN for $1,206,587.00 from Bank of America.

Document states that was highest bid received and that the proceeds of sale are retained for distribution in accordance with final judgement of foreclosure.

That sounds like Bank of America is the only one that received their money back.

Ok,

 Now the course and all the land is still owned by the DeBusk family and for just about $3 million in total investment with all debt forgiven and a nice tax write off for someone.  Can we please let go of the small town mentaility and get on with this and let's get this community cleaned up and taken tot he next level.

Marsha, you and your supporters tried and we are now in the same boat we were in years ago- let go and stand behind our Community and let's rally togewther to get a beautiful course, some houses and an infusion of $25 million.

Yes it will cost us a few dollars howeverif you liveon the "course" look out your back window or walk ourt on your patio and tell me again how the "Infamous 30" have helped you and your propoerty values.  The only thing or person i see that benefitted from this is people with poitical aspirations were catapulted tot eh forfront ofy political scene using the Ravines as their sling.

You know who you are and now you need to show that you are a good citizen and want the best for ALL Ravines residents.  how you respond to this sale will be crucial in how you are viewed going forward.

 I welcome responses from the bloggers that were hugely against anything being done and were huge opponents to the DeBusk family or any development within the Ravines.  you seriously need to re-evaluate your priorities and if you were the figure head for a group of people I sure hope you have a gameplan in mind that is in the best interests of them as individuals.

Success:  Build a few houses, get a beutiful course/Community/pool, etc.  allow Ken and his family to make some money and go their own way

Failure:  Let's keep bickering about this because our feelings got hurt because we were kicked out of the club or we do not like Ken or anyone associated with him or we dfo not want a few cars in the neighborhood.  Again allow political aspirations to cloud your judgement and allow your monies to be used to apparently fight for your cause 

WAKE UP PEOPLE- THE RAVINES IS NOT THE CROWN JEWEL ANYMORE.  IF YOU LIVE ON A COURSE WITH OVER 2850 SQUARE FEET THE OAKLEAF PLANTATION IS A MUCH BETTER BUY RIGHT NOW AND FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT 5 YEARS OR SO- WHY WOULD I BUY IN THE RAVINES???  EVEN IF YOU DO NTO LIVE ON THE COURSE WE ARE NOT THE CROWN JEWEL OF THE AREA- OAKLEAF IS!  HOW CAN WE BECOME THE CROWN JEWEL- COMPETE WITH A LOT LESS COST THAN THE OAKLEAF AND A LOT LESS ASSESSMENT. 

It is almost wrth me paying the monthly dues myself for those that do not have the ability to do $90 a month so we can have an infusion of $25million.  Think about this very carefully Ravines residents!

DB,

Your diplomacy skills leave much to be desired for me personally in the way you presented your case. If it is "small town mentality" to not give into the bully or his cousin then I will gladly take that label. If it is "small town mentality" to believe that a homeowner has the right to rely on what they buy into then I am right there, and don't accept the negative connotation that you used it with. Those of us who don't want to see anymore residential development, nor the course changed, nor some of the most beautiful natural areas raped to build more homes that we don't need aren't going to change our minds. Because ,this place is still in possession of the same family that ran it into the ground in order to have an excuse to do what they intended to do all along which is develop it lock stock and barrel.

There is no "Me and my supporters", I have no "supporters". You're giving me credit for influence and/or power that I do not possess.

I would imagine you are making references about Roy Lyons, I have no clue what you mean by "infamous 30". I have only two things in common with Roy Lyons. We live on the same street and see eye to eye on further development. Beyond that what respect I had for Roy Lyons is gone other then a general respect for another human being, one of Gods Children.

I am not going to change my mind because of your implications that I somehow am not a "good citizen" if I don't think the same way you do. I stand by my convictions whether it's popular or not. I have found throughout my life that doing the right thing is rarely easy or popular.

I personally never saw the Ravines as a crown jewel of anything. It was and is a unique area of the county and even the state itself. On a professional level to keep comparing Ravines to Oak Leaf is like comparing apples and oranges, not to mention the market areas are different. If you cannot appreciate what is unique about the Ravines, golf course or not that is your choice. I'm not going to call you names or imply that there is somehow something wrong with YOU because you don't agree with how I see it.

We have the opportunity to not let this neighborhood get like all the others, crowded. Those that live on the course need to consider whether they'd like to see woods or another house at the end of their property line because they will not stop till they have developed it all. In order to alter the course the protection must be removed from the covenants, once that happens they will slowly develop it all anyway and if you believe otherwise it's my opinion you're only fooling yourself.

We've lost more value to our home then any other homeowner in here but I am not going to sell out on what I believe is right for the sake of money. It's not all about the money for me, and if it is for you, again, that is your choice.

I remain opposed to any further residential development be it detached or attached. For those of you who are all about the money attached homes will not increase the property values in the subdivision, on the contrary it will drive values down even further. There has been no financial investment in fighting this at all as of yet. There has been only my right to my beliefs and my opinions and to pursue what I believe is right. I don't know whose political aspirations you're referring to but they certainly are not ours. Had Fred managed to stay in the race and get elected he would have had no vote on anything to do with the Ravines.

I am wide awake, and strong in my conviction that there be no mandatory fees and no further development. If 75% of the residents support changing the way things are then we accept the change and move forward. We will NEVER be part of that 75%!

The spin that more homes will make everything all better is like believing the BS about the beltway bringing in industry to the county. It's a hollow sales pitch that I don't buy.

Those that believe as I do, now is not the time to shuffle our feet and go "oh ok". If that is all the conviction you had then you should have just given in to begin with. Nothing has changed, let them pay dues on property that is bringing in no money till they choke on it, that is what they're attempting to do to us, choke us till we give in.

With the current economic situation development is only going to make matters worse then they are already. If your house goes on the market when newer cheaper homes are being built you will see your values drop further based upon the principle of substitution. No one is going to pay more for your older home when they can buy a new one cheaper. You cannot force the owner of the resort to do anything, and there will never been any guarrantees one single penny will ever be spent to ever enhance it. You have to just trust and hope, and these people don't have my trust, nor my confidence that they care about anything other then their own bottom line and they most likely never will. That bridge burned when they took that money from that young couple for their wedding knowing they were about to shut down and never gave it back.

Promote this all you like DB, I will be glad to stay out of your way so long as you leave the insults out of it and leave me out of it. Had you not spoken to me I would have not even bothered to comment on this thread. For me there is nothing else to talk about.........no further development and no mandatory fees, not then, not now and not ever! Talk to the people who are wishy washy or controlled every single minute of their lives by money and convince them. I may have to accept it someday. But, your odds of winning the lottery are better then the odds that I will ever change my mind.

75% of the residence would like to have a brand new pool, tennis courts, a restuarant, upscale rentals for their family to stay in when they visit, a beautiful golf course to look at.  It appears you believe whole heartedly in the Democratic system and if politicians can support one another after a well fought campaign I think you could either be on the sidelines or conform without quall.  

Tell me again how the residence overlooking the par three overlooking black Creek are going to look at houses versus a gorgeous golf course and river.  Tell me again how the residence overlooking the long par four that I think is 14 will be looking at houses, what about all the houses that will NEVER look at a house with the development being recommended however right now they are looking at a cow pasture.  what about the Houses on the main road, some of them strongly opposed to anything being done that look at the weeds and will also NEVEr see a house- this argument holds no water and i must say is a weak argument for no housing at best.

You argue here that your mind will NEVER be changed and that you are fully for a natural beautiful wooded area- the owners were looking to develop AROUND the course, not into the woods.

Why can we not make the development contingent upon certain criteria that they need to follow and make the developer accountable.

Why is it not beneficial to us to have 75 more LUXURY homes in our community, how is that overcrowding??  I barely see cars now when i come in.

There were a band of residents that got together when this thing first started and hired a lawyer to fight it- they know exactly who they are and if you are not one of them then ignore that thread. 

Marsha, there is a difference between running something into the ground and continuing to run an enterprise that cannot support itself .  If you are struggling financially you look for whatever method you can to survive- people would not allow it.  I have run many a business and there are times when you have to try alternatives to make it work and sometimes you even have to change the entire business model.  I saw De Busk trying this and people allowed themselves to be influenced by fear- overcrowding, sprawl, and all that crap that just isn't true however it is easy to tell someone that it is and have them fearful.

This has nothing to do with money or greed- this has to do with standard of living and reinvesting my money and energy into my own community versus going to Oakleaf to play golf, or Fleming Island.  It is embaressing to invite anyone into out community because of the mess and how badly it is run down.  who in their right mond is proud ofour Community is currently. 

This is a sad situation because a few people are really messing this up for the masses.  Please believe me when I say I did not even know your husband was running for soem sort of office however it can never hurt to get your way once you are part of the network in politics, business or life.

If people can build log homes in the Ravines then let's get our course back!

Spoken like a "pro" what DB?  Are you going to be a bully too because you can't get your way?  "If people can build log homes in the Ravines then lets get our golf course back"  What is that supposed to mean?  Are you going to take a pot shot at my home that made every home in this place worth more when it was built?  Are you one of those people who like rustic so long as it's adorned with stucco and manufactured materials? 

Are you going to be like the other fine upstanding residents who dumped their garbage in our lots when our home was being built, tires, oil from car engines poured in our lots or who pulled our stakes three different times because "they didn't think a log home belonged in the Ravines"  Are you like the woman who obviously lived here in the estate section who was against the newer cheaper homes on smaller lots in the back who stood up at a homeowners meeting and said "we don't need those kind of people here"? 

I don't care if you think my argument weak, I don't care if you want to question my motives or my integrity.  I've got a brand new baby in my family who is fighting to live and may not survive surgery, I have no interest in arguing with, or defending myself to you.  Insult me all you like with no further response from me, it will really prove what a big man you are. 

Heated discussion is never personal, did not know you owned that house and this forum has nothing to do with your well being or your families.  I will pray for your new baby and wish you well.

PS: I am one of those in the back

As a 50 year "true" resident of Middleburg, I have watched over the past few years as the great "battle" waged over the Ravines. One of the most beautiful areas in the state of Florida. As a child I had the honor to be able to walk in the woods, ride our horses, and swim in the creek- always of course watching out for alligators! Everyone fights about "their yards, their homes, their pool, and of course the wonderful golf course that was."  Well from the very beginning - the first time I heard noise and saw a bulldozer pushing down oak trees for the lovely clubhouse and clear cutting areas for the golf course, I thought "THE Ravines" is nothing but a curse to the citizens of Middleburg. I see that I was right. It has been downhill all the way.

So continue to battle over your homes with your tiny yards and oh my the weedy golf course. I mean no disrespect- but you folks are always talking about what has been taken from you.....  you have no idea how many memories were taken away from some of us.

thank you for some insight however we can all recall how the neighborhood of our childhood is no longer that way and how developed it has become.  Your comments are appreciated and respected.

what we are talking about is that this is the mess we have today and now we have to fix it or deal with the mess forever.

My prayers are with your family and your child for a good outcome......I know you are frustrated- but you have more important things to worry about.

I thought I needed to clarify what I said because it's obvious some are believing this to be something that it is not.  The baby I am talking about is not my child (I'm too old to be having babies) and it is not my Grandchild or I wouldn't even have been in the blogs.  This is my Cousins Grandchild, being born and raised in one of those "small towns" that you seem to think is a negative DB our family is tight. Time and distance matters little but blood ties us together forever. 

In the midst of responding to this Ravines issue with someone that I've already been around the block with over it I thought about this young couple, their first baby and the surgery she cannot survive without but may not survive the procedure loomed so large into my conscious thought I just lost all taste to argue any further over things that none of us will carry to our graves....so that is what came out.

For those of you who have the heart to take a moment for something that can bring some comfort to others I invite you to go to the site created for Elli.  Her parents, Cassi and Brian get comfort and strength from the good wishes and prayers of not only family and friends, but everyone.  Send them messages that there are people in Florida who don't even know them but are uplifting them with positive thoughts and/or prayers.

I've even received an email from Mrs D herself who has offered her prayers and the prayers of her Church and I am humbled by the generosity of her spirit considering the reality of our opposing sides.  I am not so set in my ways that I cannot admire an unselfish gesture when I see it. 

I am off to go hug my Grandchildren who just happen to be staying here while they renovate their new home, I have no stomach for hate and discontent tonight. People are suffering all over the world, people should look for what can bring them together not tear them apart.

MommyJ & DB, thank you for your prayers and good wishes, I appreciate it more then typed words can convey.

Baby Girl Reed

It's sad to learn the De Busk's are back again. I hope the county officials send him packing again. Talk about a bad penny!

What happened with the young "wedding" couple?  This is the second time I've heard it mentioned here.

Also, the Dunbar Reunion Group?

Thank you.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/061406/nec_22098252.shtml

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/062806/nec_22201857.shtml 

If my understanding is correct, the land-use change is a non-starter.

The bankruptcy trustee tried to force the county to change the land use, the county said "No!", and he warned the county that any future land use changes would result in the county getting sued by the U.S. government for money that the bankruptcy court would have received had the land use change happened this year.

So why in the world would the county refuse Ken Debusk's (and the bankruptcy trustee's) request to change the land use, only to tell Pete Debusk that the county WILL change the land use and wind up getting sued by the feds for hundreds of thousands (if not a couple of million) dollars?  Face it, folks: the land use change is NOT going to happen!  And even if the land use change WERE to be considered, it can't be brought up again for several months, since they put off talking about again for a year.  Why buy a piece of property now that you can't even TRY to get developed for almost a year?

Call me a paranoid conspiracy theorist, but it sounds to me like this is just one more way for the Debusks to stick it to the residents yet again.  Or, it could just be that anyone with the last name of "Debusk" is a functional economic illiterate.  I don't care if a Debusk makes money...heck, I wish they would!  But I also wish they'd make money doing it the way we know it can be done, rather than the way they wish it could be done.

I would just like for them to do a land use change by mowing frequently...That would be a great start in the right direction....

 Is the county going to do something about this. I had heard one time that some fines would be handed down...

Last night I decided to drive down to the clubhouse and see how it looks now, I could barely fit my car on the street because of the overgrown weeds.  This is the saddest thing I have seen when it comes toa golf course.  I cannot believe we let this happen for a few houses being built- we as a community are a bunch of idiots to think this is the way to go.

I am so @#^& frustrated with this nonsense.