Posted on 04/03/2007 6:15:39 AM PDT by ShadowDancer
Community Sues To Oust 3-Year-Old
Child With Drug-Addict Mom Lives With Grandparents
POSTED: 3:04 pm EDT April 1, 2007
LARGO, Fla. -- A Florida homeowners group wants 3-year-old Kimberly Broffman to take her Big Wheel and hit the road.
They've banded together to oust the toddler from their Tampa-area community, which bans residents under 18.
The child's grandparents, Judie and Jimmy Stottler, admit Kimberly's been living there in violation of homeowners' association rules for three years. They said her mother has a drug problem, and isn't capable of caring for the child.
The grandparents said they live on a fixed income and can't afford to move until they sell their house. So far, there have been no takers to buy their house, even after they lowered the $189,000 asking price by $10,000 six months ago.
They also said they can't afford to hire an attorney.
Judie Stottler supports the family with her $18,000-per year dishwashing job because Jimmy Stottler is disabled and is unable to work.
Judie Stottler's friends told the St. Petersburg Times that they are worried.
"It is so ridiculous that this has gone so far," said Keith Tinsley, a cook who works with her. "She's trying her best to sell her house. It's like they are trying to force her to put Kimberly in foster care.
"These people keep batting her down and batting her down. They're just mean."
Judie Stottler said she is scared that she wil lose her house before she is able to sell it.
"We don't have any family to take us in," Judie Stottler said.
The Lakes homeowners association filed suit to oust Kimberly last month.
why not? states already paying for that kid anyway. and if granddad is on disability how able is he to take care of a kid?
family is not always the answer in raising children. sometimes fostercare is a better choice for a child.
All due respect but why would anyone want to read or post this article? it is overwhelmingly adolescent in it’s approach. The writer does an overwhelmingly poor job of reporting what is going on.
It is a poorly written, purely emotional piece that leaves the reader not knowing what exactly is going on.
Oivey.
OK — but we don’t know what the circumstances are. Was the child in their legal custody for three years, or did it start out as a temporary situation that they thought would resolve itself and then it turned into something longer or what? I’m not saying they shouldn’t be expected to leave — just let them sell the house.
You can relly tell the demographic of the Freepers in this thread. Surprising how many are crotchety old bastards. As I age the sound of Big Wheels and children playing in my neighborhood are one of the things that comfort me, not listening to Frank Sinatra and playing Canasta with the Wilson’s.
Yes it is, but apparently the sellers here feel their potential for a loss on the sale of their property should take precedence over the legal restrictions they willingly agreed too. Screw 'em.
Chickens are involved...
I now live in a age restricted condo and let me tell you, it is almost like living in heaven...
I agree with EVERYTHING you said.
I’d much prefer if our area did NOT have an HOA .. When we purchased here I was a little concerned over it .. then read the “restrictions” most have to do with size/set back of the house to the property.. and things like “no livestock”. There’s no restriction as to style/color of house, etc.
The reason I joined was because I did NOT want to be one of the folks that seem to be around here and complain - but are not part of the solution. I also realized to have a pool at my family’s disposal for 48.00 a YEAR is a deal and a half. Of course for the past two years we’ve been the ones volunteering our time to maintain the pool.. for the good of the community.
The grandparents should never have voluntarily gotten involved with a HOA. Those things are pure, unadulterated evil. Now they have to live with their decision.
On the surface, that is an easy comment to make, and sound, easy advise to follow in certain parts of the country.
But in many others it is literally impossible to buy a new home without an HOA. Even many older homes.
It is HOA’s that should be reigned in. How is age discrimination okay but race & religion illegal?
My daughter is in the 3rd grade along with her entire softball team and they are well behaved young ladies and I believe part of this is due to the older folks in our community setting an example as opposed to this place that does not.
Umm... you need to look again- your post #9 in reply to #1;
People in these associations have NO discernemnt!!! The child NEEDS to be with the grandparents...what do they want to put her in a foster home? Yes...that IS what they want.
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no, I;m not pshyic and yes, you have no heart.
My heart is fine, thanks. So is my brain.
That's the reason I believe people who think feeeeeeelings trump law and legal agreements are just liberals in conservative clothing.
Whether you benefited from your education or not - it still remains that many people other than your parents paid for your education by taxation. To state otherwise is ridiculous.
Just curious, but what's different about banning people from a community based on age versus say, race or religion? If HOA's can do this then what's to prevent them from doing it for the other reasons?
whaaaaat? O_o
Yeah, you have a point.
not listening to Frank Sinatra and playing Canasta with the Wilson’s.
**LOL
Good point, Child. Thanks for the reminder.
Maybe they should rename the place “Darwin’s Acres.”
After all, none of them seem intent on reproducing. :p
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