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Article Courtesy of The Tampa Bay
Times
By Megan Reeves
Published June 17, 2016
CLEARWATER — Just after her 80th birthday in March, Shannan
Johnson had what she calls an "episode." A combination of blurry vision,
confused thoughts and unsteady footing — it's something that happens sometimes
after the mini stroke she had in November.
With a fixed income that barely covers everyday necessities, Johnson knew she
couldn't afford to hire a professional for the in-home care her doctor
suggested. So her 47-year-old son, Terry Sean Hannan, came to live with her.
Three days later, she found an eviction letter taped to the door of her home in
Serendipity Mobile Home Park, a 55-and-older community at 29081 U.S. 19 N.
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More than two months have
passed since that day, but Johnson says she still hasn't been
told why her son can't live there. She's met the park's
requirements for moving in a non-primary resident — paying for a
background check and corresponding with park staff — and even
provided a note from her doctor. But the letters kept coming.
"You are hereby notified that you have violated (Florida
Statutes), and the Rules and Regulations (of the park) by
permitting the continued unauthorized occupancy of the home," a
May 18 letter to Johnson from park attorney Andrew J. McBride
reads. An almost identical letter was sent to her son, and both
said he had seven days to leave the park.
Hannan soon left, and
Johnson says she has lived in constant fear since.
"I'm a little old lady with health problems, and I need someone
with me," she said. "I never know when something is going to
happen, and without someone here, I don't have security." |
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Shannan Johnson’s doctor says she needs in-home care, but
her fixed income barely covers everyday necessities.
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Homeowners association president Ray Brooks, who has rallied a support group for
Johnson, says she doesn't need just anyone there, "she needs her son."
"By God, people get older, and when people get older, they have a right to have
their children move in to take care of them during hard times," he said.
McBride did not return repeated calls for comment, but the statute he cites in
the letters says a park can evict a resident who doesn't comply with park rules.
Serendipity declined to provide its most recent list of rules, but according to
the most recent set Johnson has seen, dating back to 2005, she doesn't think
she's violated anything.
"They just simply aren't allowing me the comfort of having my son in my home, so
I live with constant apprehension and just hope I can make it through the day
without an incident," she said, calling the ordeal a type of harassment. "Where
is the compassion? Where are my rights?"
Johnson said that after weeks of unanswered questions to McBride and property
manager Jeffrey Scott Hahn, who declined to comment several times, she and
Brooks started trying to figure out it out themselves.
It couldn't be his age, they said. The 2005 rules say as long as one resident is
55 or older, a second resident can be as young as 45, and Hannan is 47. The part
of the rule book that addresses eviction says a person could be asked to leave
if they have been convicted of violating a federal, state or local law that is
"deemed detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of other mobile home owners
of the park," but Hannan's state record shows only a string of traffic
infractions, including one felony charge for driving without a license, and an
eviction charge from 2005.
Johnson says she doesn't think those are the problem either, because according
to her bank statements, the $30 check she wrote to Serendipity for the
background check wasn't cashed until June 10, weeks after the last letter and
months after the first, which she got before staff ever mentioned the background
check.
Someone can also be evicted for failure to get approval to move in, rules say,
and in letters to Hannan, McBride says "your application has been denied. You
are not approved by the Board of Directors and/or Park Management to reside in
the Park." But Johnson questions if there was ever a vote.
Board president Bernie Lantiegne declined to say why Hannan's application was
denied or whether it ever came up for a vote. Board vice president Cliff Bittner
did not return calls for comment. Board treasurer Judith Mootsey said the board
did vote, but decided to refer the situation to McBride because "we always
involve legal counsel in any situation where there could be a problem." She
declined to elaborate. Board secretary Linda Taylor declined to comment on
whether the board voted and would not say whether the board takes regular
minutes.
Larry Stanley, one of five directors on the board, said he would he doesn't
remember voting for anything regarding Johnson or Hannan, "but that doesn't mean
it didn't happen." The rest of the eight-person board did not return calls for
comment.
Along with the group of about 20 park residents supporting Johnson, Palm Harbor
Civic Association member Jo-Ann Totty said her group plans to step in, too.
"She needs someone to speak up for her, and we have more voices," she said. "As
push comes to shove, we will stand behind her, get signatures, do whatever it
takes."
Resident Bob Hart, who is a shareholder in the resident-owned community, said
he's on board to help because he's tired of arbitrary park policies. He said if
Johnson's son was in fact denied, she has a right to know why.
"Seniors come to live in places like this because they need rest and help, and
that is not what they are getting anymore," he said. "So much for living in
peaceful serendipity." |
