Saturday, October 17, 2009

Suits claim housing bias in Fort Lauderdale

Article Courtesy of The Sun Sentinel
By Mike Clary
Published October 17, 2009

FORT LAUDERDALE - As she closed in on her dream of home ownership, Teresa Henderson had the money and she finally had the place she wanted: a one-bedroom, first-floor unit at Imperial Point Colonnades, a 552-unit complex on Northeast 67th Street in Fort Lauderdale.

The neighborhood was quiet, shopping was nearby, and the condominium was not far from her workplace at the Broward School Board.

But Henderson, 28, was denied the right to complete the $55,000 purchase, she said, after Imperial Point officials saw that she was African-American. "It was very upsetting," she said.

Henderson filed suit today in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale claiming the condo association, property manager Terry Miller and association president Robert Miller committed housing discrimination based on race.

"Her dream was shattered, and she was left feeling humiliation and shame," attorney Shawn Heller said at a press conference today. Heller is with the Miami-based Florida Justice Institute, which filed the suit.

Tamar Shendell, an attorney representing Imperial Point Colonnades, could not be reached for comment.

In another suit filed in federal court today, a second Fort Lauderdale housing complex was named in a complaint of discrimination based on familial status. The Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence, known as HOPE, sent testers to the Mandalay Apartments at 2129 Davie Blvd. and found that managers refused to rent a second-floor unit to families with children under the age of 10.

The apartment manager declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Hope president Keenya Robertson said refusing to rent to families with young children constitutes a violation of the Fair Housing Act.

"We want to raise awareness that discrimination still exists," said Robertson, "and it is unacceptable."

Both lawsuits seek compensatory and punitive damages.

Social Security

You might all want to read this....just great!

Subject: Social Security

For the first time in history, Congress will not allow an increase in
the social security COLA (cost of living adjustment). In fact, the
Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation predicts there may not be any COLA
for the next three years. However, the per person monthly Medicare
Insurance premium will be increased from the 2009 premium of $96.40 to
$104.20 in 2010 and to $ 120.20 for the year 2011.

Let's send this to all senior that you know remind them not to vote
for the incumbent senators and congressmen in the 2010 and the 2012
Elections.

And don't forget - CONGRESS MADE NO ATTEMPT TO STOP THE AUTOMATIC PAY RAISE FOR THEMSELVES THIS YEAR.

Pay Raises for Lawmakers Anger Watchdog

Pay Raises for Lawmakers Anger Watchdog Groups
Each lawmaker is due for a $4,700 cost-of-living wage hike starting in January, which will amount to a total cost of $2.5 million for taxpayers

By Stephen Clark

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Margot Steavens "call the police" must resign from the CDD Board

You people that voted for Margo sure made a huge mistake. CDD board has had nothing but lots of complaints ever since she was voted in by very poor voters. Like I said earlier, there are a few sick people here at Lake Ashton. See news release below.

Lake Ashton Restaurant, is no longer 4 stars

Lake Ashton was hit with three health violations. You are indeed taken a chance eating at the restaurant. Yes, three health violations, and Do nothing Joe Hunter never told you. You could have been very sick but he just don't give a damn. Would I have lunch there, hell no, the food is poor, the prices are high, the service is lousy. No way would I eat there, do you need more proof?

Call the police its Margot Steavens again in the news.

CDD Meeting, and Margot Stevens
...
Sun, October 11, 2009 10:43:32 AM

To: lakeashtontalk@yahoo.com
Ed, you miss one of the most important CDD Meetings of the year. A female resident of Lake Ashton, told Margot Stevens, that she has (Conflict Interest) in the CDD Board, her husband get free Golf time, and he has an Ad on the Internet that he works for the Lake Ashton Developer. Salvin revealed, that the Lake Ashton Restaurant was hit with 3 Health Violations, so they should put it, in the Restaurant Board.