Posted on 09/13/2002 6:50:55 AM PDT by TonyWojo
An East Bonita Springs family living on some of the most remote lands in Lee County could soon find themselves in court and eventually face forcible removal from a property they've live on for more than two decades if they don't move soon.
The South Florida Water Management District governing board voted Thursday to legally remove 78-year-old Maria Cantu and her son, Orlando Cardenas, from five acres the family formerly owned off Poor Man's Pass in rural south Lee County. Their home, a modest trailer, sits on land the district purchased in July 2001 for $36,500.
"If they think I'm going to sell my property for $36,500, they're crazy," Cantu said. "They're not going to move me from here."
The Cantu property, which legally belongs to the district, is located on lands the district plans to restore and add to the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed. The eminent domain project includes 4,600 acres and is located to the east of Bonita Grande Drive and north of Bonita Beach Road.
District spokesman Kurt Harclerode said the family will probably get one last chance before the district seeks a court order to have the Lee County Sheriff's Office physically remove them from the land. Harclerode said Cantu and Cardenas are the only East Bonita residents currently facing legal removal.
"What we'll likely do is give them one more chance by delivering a letter that says they have 10 days to vacate the property," Harclerode said.
Many families in East Bonita have already sold their land and relocated. Once the district buys the land, residents have one year to locate a home and move.
Cardenas, however, said he and his mother aren't leaving anytime soon.
"They ain't going to throw my mom out on the road," Cardenas said. "I'll tell the cops that when they come with the papers."
Cardenas said his mother wants more money for the land and home, although the district closed on the land 14 months ago. Under the removal program, Cantu would be given relocation money to cover moving expenses after she finds another home.
Harclerode said the district offered to pay $19,000 on top of the land purchase price and relocation money for an apartment in Bonita Springs. The money would basically allow the family to live in an apartment free of rent for two years.
Cardenas said his mother didn't like the location, although the family now lives without electricity, a phone or delivered mail.
"We've exhausted all the options," Harclerode said. "We hate to be in this position. We don't want to force people out of their land."
According to Cardenas, force is exactly what it will take to remove him and his mother.
"We're barely making it and I don't work because I take care of her," Cardenas said. "We're going to stay right here until they come up with something else."
Many police departments now routinely budget in future forfeitures the previous year. Lots of cities make a huge profit on “arresting” vehicles, boats, land and homes. Often the rightful owners are never charged.
This is our new Amerika. Heil!
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