Article
Courtesy of the Venicegondolier.com
By
Tommy McIntyre
Saturday, August 28, 2004
At
least two homeowner associations have stepped up to the plate and relaxed
rules for displaced storm victims, but one condominium association in the
Plantation will not relent.
A condominium association within The Plantation
Community is reportedly making it difficult for Hurricane Charley victims and
relief workers to rent emergency shelter.
Robert Kopple, of Laura B. Kopple, Inc.,
Realtors, said all but one of the 27 condo associations in the community (Rockley
Road) do not charge for rental applications and accept a simple one-page
application form.
The apparent holdout is the Myrtle Trace
Condominium Association.
"I don't know when they went to the $100
(application) fee and I don't know if they did it to discourage disaster
victims," Kopple said, "but I do know they are the only association
that charges a fee for the rental form and the only one that sends out a
three-page application."
What's up -- besides the fee?
In an MTCA rental application obtained by the Venice
Gondolier Sun, the first printed line of the three-page application
reads: "A non-refundable fee of $30 must accompany this
application."
The MTCA's business affairs are handled by the
Lighthouse Management and Realty company, 16 Church Street, Osprey.
A woman named Irene answered the telephone and
said the application fee has always been $100.
She would not explain when the fee was bumped
from $30 to $100 or why it was not being waived to make it easier for storm
victims to rent.
Instead, she referred the reporter to Lloyd
Keith. The reporter left voice mails for Keith with no response.
When the reporter called for the third time, an
operator checked with someone, returned and said "We have no comment on
that."
Hang up
According to Kopple, MTCA refuses to waive the
fee and simplify the application in a time of disaster.
"I do not have the power as an individual
to change anything," MCTA president Leo Boudreax told a Gondolier
reporter. "And, I don't think I want to continue this conversation."
Boudreax hung up on the reporter.
"The stance that Leo Boudreax has taken in
the name of MTCA is, in our opinion, contrary to helping our fellow human
beings at a desperate time of need," Kopple said.
Kopple sent a fax to Gondolier Sun
publisher Bob Vedder stating:
"Laura, myself, and our entire staff has
been working seven days and nights since the hurricane trying to help people
get roofs over their head.
"We are unappreciative of those hindering
victims finding shelter. Most Plantation owners have been wonderful -- but --
there are some pompous people wishing to discourage "others" from
being their neighbor -- even for a short period."
The good guys
Two homeowner associations have waived or
relaxed rules regarding the emergency housing of Hurricane Charley victims.
In a letter to the newspaper, the Venice Isle
(Estates) Home Owners Association stated its board of directors has relaxed
the rules including age (55) and is allowing families with children and pets
displaced by Hurricane Charley to move into its mobile homes until Jan. 1,
2005.
"Our owners are calling from up north and
asking us to rent their homes for nothing or have the renter pick up the
utilities cost only," VIHOA park manager Donald DeMott said. "Other
owners are opening their spare bedrooms to the homeless,"
A previous Gondolier Sun report
stated that several condominium and homeowner associations have refused to
waive or bend age, minimum lease and vehicle restrictions for Hurricane
Charley victims and relief workers.
One Venice realtor said it should be mandatory
that homeowner and condo associations waive their rules during times of
emergency.
Generosity
DeMott said the VIHOA has donated more than
$11,000 to the homeless in food and money. Donations are still coming in,
DeMott said.
Park residents bought a busload of food at
Sam's Club and Kmart for stricken families in Arcadia.
"And, we have retired fire fighters and
volunteers who have gone to Arcadia and Port Charlotte and done whatever was
asked," DeMott said.
DeMott said the VIHOA activity club and park
church donated money.
Bay Indies
A reporter contacted former Bay Indies Home
Owners Association President and current honorary board member Glenn Eastman
to find out the park's emergency practices for storm victims.
"Our general manager and I do not believe
there is anything in our rules that prevents us from doing this (relaxing the
rules) under these circumstances," Eastman said.
Bird
Bay Village residents have called the Gondolier and said they have given
emergency shelter to many Hurricane Charley victims.
See
as well: Realtors:
Condo associations hindering hurricane recovery
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