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.
Slaves like Scott and his family are not parties to the contract for slavery, yes — nor is the young child a party to that contract of the HOA’s. But both are harmed directly by such contracts and thus must be given standing in considering the validity of such contracts.
FWIW, their home has only been on the market for this past year. They held out hope that their daughter would get her act together, but she didn't and the time came that they knew they'd have to move and raise their granddaughter themselves. What more does the HOA want at this point? The house is on the market, the price has even been lowered, and they WANT to move. I think the HOA should back off and allow these people to deal with the realtors and potential buyers without having to also deal with frivolous lawsuits.
I know...I raised 3 of my own children, took in 2 boys who were totally abused. Took in another boy part time because his mother decided her new husband was more important...My children ages are 29, 28, 25, 24, 20 and then the surprise of my life a daughter at 41 yrs old. The other boy I took in part time is 19 yrs old. After dealing with my daughter I made my house a drug/alcohol free home. Nobody is allowed to drink even a beer here. I told my boys I don’t ever want your 7 yr old sister to see any of you drunk. Sometimes things happen for a reason & it has pulled my boys together, none do drugs and I think seeing their sister waste so much of her life showed them what drugs do. It was hell for all of us. They boys aren’t too forgiving to their older sister but I am hoping with time they will give her a chance. They sure do love her son though.
Oh please I’m aware of the real estate market in parts of Florida, and the piddling amount they lowered the price sounds like a joke. The HOA has an obligation to its other members to enforce these restrictions, and from I can see, they’ve bent over backwards trying to accomidate these people. Personally I think the main issue here is that these people want to sit things out until they get the price for their home that they thing they deserve for it reguardless of current market value, so I don’t have much sympathy for them.
So what if their home never sells. If a family with kids moves into the neighborhood, how long do they have to sell their new home? I mean it seems unfair to let one family have kids but deny another family that right
Which begs another question: Should people be allowed to live in neighborhoods where there are no children?
Exactly...they’ve already set a precedent.
Which in no way negates a person's right to make them.
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They are ANTI-SOCIAL.
So imposing your own brand of socialism is the answer.....Brilliant!
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Such laws and contracts are as void of any authority as are contracts for murder, for illegal activities, for slavery -- and for the same reasons.
No, murder is a violation of someones right to live, there is no right to have a child.
If you believe there is such a right, then you must also advocate adoption by homosexual couples.
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Are you channeling Nancy Pelosi?
Strike three. I never attempt to have a rational discussion with someone who:
(1)Is so irrational they cannot post a intelligible rebuttal
(2) thinks gratuitous insults contribute anything to their side of an argument, or
(3)thinks they are the sole interpreter of the intention and will of God.
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I bid you a final good day.
I was always mad that I was born before Big Wheels came out. I’d love to have a grown up version of one of those.
Actually, it's not clear, and it's been extensively litigated. In addition, federal law creates an exemption from discriminilization laws for seniors only housing.
The fact that you don't agree, and spin some argument against it, doesn't change those facts.
You're wasting our time. Children can never be a party to a contract. Adios.
I remember when my childhood neighborhood had a clause about blacks. By the time I was in college, there must have been a legal ruling that outlawed such clauses. I wonder what the difference is between banning races vs. banning children.
Well, how many final good days do you have? Maybe an extra final bid me good day will be next ....
Yes, they seem to be interested in running the clock as long as they can. Three years is time enough.
Ouch! You are one mean mama to assert such conservative values on this thread in the face of all the liberal 'save the children' nonsense that is getting posted here, lol.
I’m not aware of real estate market in Florida, but 179K sure doesn’t sound like much for a house to me -— and I’m in the Midwest. From what I’ve seen, property values on the coasts are higher. Maybe they can’t pay off their loan if they go any lower. Maybe it is all the silly HOA restrictions that are scaring away buyers? Who knows? It looks like they put the house up for sale, just as the market cooled. I live in a very nice neighborhood and I’ve seen houses sitting for over a year now.
Wow! It is so nice when someone with a heart like yours can share your perspective. Your grandson is lucky.
LOL! I've always thought I was rather a nice person.
When I see someone suffering from a terminal case of stupidity, I point it our to 'em!
(grin)
Hmmm ... might suggest you talk to someone who has been involved in divorces and child-custody cases to get your mind straight in that matter.
One of my deeds had a clause against selling to ‘undesirable foreigners’, but obviously things of that nature are unenforceable these days.
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