Posted on 10/23/2009 8:53:41 AM PDT by InvisibleChurch
Pinellas Park, Florida-- A six year old girl sent to live with her grandparents as a baby is now being evicted from her home, for being too young.
The grandparents, Jimmy and Judie Stottler, live in a Pinellas Park retirement community that doesn't allow children. The Home Owners Association now wants the child removed.
"For some reason, there's a few, just a few who don't want Kimberly. And I just don't get it," said Judie Stottler.
The granddaughter was taken from her home at just six months old after the state discovered her mother was abusing drugs. She's lived with her grandparents against the rules ever since.
The family says they want to move out of the neighborhood, but by the time they put their home up for sale, the housing market crashed.
"They have no more assets to go out and purchase a rental property," said attorney Robert Eckard who is representing the family free of charge. "If they sell the home they can move. If not, they're homeless on the street."
The H-O-A president has been quoted saying he is only trying to enforce the rules. And while some residents argue the rules need to be followed, others suggest a compromise.
Either way, it will be up to a judge to decide what happens to the six year old next.
If the grandparents are unable to sell their home, the granddaughter could be sent to foster care.
That's something the Stollers say they will never let happen.
"They will have to drag me out in handcuffs and tear her from my arms," promises Judie Stoller.
"I'm not putting her out on the streets."
If you don’t want a bunch of angry control freaks setting the rules that you will be required to live by, then don’t live under the heel of an HOA.
When you choose to move into a HOA dominated community, you really should understand you are surrendering most of your autonomy to make decisions to the will of the collective.
Good question. Ask around. Maybe any one of us knows of someone who is interested in buying such a home. The real estate listing is online. Check your freepmail.
Thank you for helping this unfortunate girl, NC.
Girl, shmirl. I just want those darn rules obeyed! ; )
Yeah, I had the same reaction.
You are exactly right. And I just posted to someone who sent a snarky email that it is shameful that couple is willing to exploit an innocent child by parading her in front of TV cameras while bemoaning that she isn’t wanted there.Shame on the grandparents and shame on them for gambling they could get away with it.
I am not a fan of HOA’s but it is MY choice to live where there is an HOA or not. It was also that couple’s choice.
This is not about the innocent 6 y o.
Hard cases make for bad law.
The HOA/neighbors should, ideally, work to help find a buyer. But it is not their fault that the family is in this situation, and they cannot be held accountable.
The family should have been working on moving as soon as the girl came to live with them 5.5 years ago. But they didn’t, and that can’t be helped now.
Legally, they don’t have a leg to stand on. And they shouldn’t. The HOA agreement is a contract - binding on both sides.
I wrote that but then deleted: that would legitimize your incorrect characterization as newbie. "people say that all the time"
Ah, so you are one of those "conservatives" that gives not a d--n to personal responsibility. People steal and cheat on their spouse, abandon their children all the time, too. I was not speaking of them but of and to you. You, just as I and the rest of us, are responsible four your own choices.
"get off that horse you came in on."
Nah, I wouldn't want to be on the same level as you and all those other people you mention.
"that statement was about 160 posts ago. feel free to read the rest of them."
Sorry, what people think of the situation in Florida has nothing to do with your attacking someone as newbie.
Please try to use logic.
"and if you agree with him, so be it. his inital statement was basically "rules are rules"
Correct; that was his statement. But what you say later is putting words in his mouth:
"not taking into account that there is an actual child involved in this case. seems to be going around a lot lately."
He did not say that. And I did not say that. I feel really badly for this girl, who did not deserve such life. My problem was with people assigning blame to the association, however, whereas it clearly lies with thoughtless grandparent that seemly neglected to address the issue for years.
If you were less emotional and though a bit, you'd see that you and I have a very little disagreement. My post to you had nothing to do with the girl or what any one of us thinks about the situation.
Have a good day.
Thank you for your post. It’s nice to know that there are at least two of us on this thread who think that way.
“The way I see it, “pro-HOA” means you are taking the side of the neighbors in the community, all of whom are presumably abiding by the rules they originally agreed to. Why is that a bad thing?”
I didn’t say it was a bad thing. I asked what a reasonble solution might be. The people have been trying to sell the house since 07. They’ve reduced the price and still no offers. The associated content article said they inherited the house. What should happen until they sell it. Should they be evicted.
“Legally, they don’t have a leg to stand on. And they shouldn’t. The HOA agreement is a contract - binding on both sides.”
I’m not sure how that works since they didn’t buy the house. i’m not sure if they signed a contract with the HOA after inheriting it or not.
I thought they had lived there since the child was an infant (pre-2007). If that’s correct, then it seems the “reasonable” solution from the perspective of the other tenants (a.k.a. HOA) has already been tried. Someone will buy the house if the price reduces enough. It may not be what they want, but it will be sold. As to the question of the HOA “setting the price”, I don’t know if that is legal.
"some FReepers" as opposed to ALL FReepers. "Anti cranky old people" as opposed to all old people.
Your statement was: "Oh, don’t worry about us “old cranky people.” (Including your elderly relatives by the way.) Obamacare will see to it we’re disposed of so the youngsters can pick our bones."
It may not seem different to you, but when you put "old" first, that appears to be your focus rather than on the cranky part. When you went on to point out my elderly relatives (and then later myself), you seem to have completely missed the point which is on the mental disposition of some in this retirement community. Not all of them. As we have seen from this article as well as this thread, opinions among the 55+ community vary on this subject.
Just as not every elderly individual hates to be around children (anti-child), not every elderly person can be described as being cranky. But it's probably a safe bet that those that can't stand to be around children and characterize them as screaming brats and wild driving teens probably fall within the cranky category as everyone knows that all kids don't scream, behave like brats or drive like drunken teens. Although...it's hard to tell which are worse drivers. The wild drunken teens or the eldery that can't see, react quickly and can't the the difference between the road and the sidewalk and run over your trashcans! lol I had an older man back into the side of my '67 Mustang once and his wife kept yelling, "I told you there was someone behind you!" lol
I saw one video wherein the reporter claimed the HOA was concerned about the reduced asking price. I'm not sure if the HOA actually told them to increase the asking price. In any case, the asking price for homes in that area seem to range from $124k to $136k, all of which are 2 bedroom 1.5 or 2 bath.
Isn't that the truth!
I have no doubt the HOA is concerned about the price; what neighborhood, anywhere, wants their comps lowered?
Love that idea...also love the idea that the local tax assesor has to buy your home if you cannot sell it for the apraised value...some states are out of their minds when it comes to taxing your property and home....
BS. their duty is to their family first and not someone who lives down the street...Let the HOA buy the house, problem solved......they can put their money where their mouth is.......
Nazi’s is right...property values before a child...the complainers can move if they are in a snit.......
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