Ohh WOe is me... Whys everybody pickin on me???
Posted on 01/03/2009 4:55:35 PM PST by bruinbirdman
RESIDENTS of a model housing estate bankrolled by Hollywood celebrities and hand-built by Jimmy Carter, the former US president, are complaining that it is falling apart.
Fairway Oaks was built on northern Florida wasteland by 10,000 volunteers, including Carter, in a record 17-day “blitz” organised by the charity Habitat for Humanity.
Eight years later it is better known for cockroaches, mildew and mysterious skin rashes.
A forthcoming legal battle over Fairway Oaks threatens the reputation of a charity envied for the calibre of its celebrity supporters, who range from Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt to Colin Firth, Christian Bale and Helena Bonham Carter.
The case could challenge the bedrock philosophy behind Habitat for Humanity, claiming that using volunteers, rather than professional builders, is causing as many problems as it solves.
April Charney, a lawyer representing many of the 85 homeowners in Fairway Oaks, said she had no problems taking on Habitat for Humanity, despite its status as a “darling of liberal social activists”. She said the charity should have told people that part of the estate had been built on a rubbish dump.
One man pulled up his floorboards to find rubbish 5ft deep under his kitchen. Other complaints include cracking walls and rotting door frames that let in rats and ants. Many residents have complained of mildew and mysterious skin rashes.
One resident said her children were suffering from skin complaints. “The intentions are good, but when the politicians and big-shot stars have left we’re stuck with the consequences. This house looks pretty but inside it either stinks or sweats,” she said.
Judy Hall, the charity’s local development director, said recently that it had been dealing with about 30 complaints. She added that skilled work was carried out by professionals.
Some residents dismiss their neighbours’ worries. Diennal Fields, 51,
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
Case closed.
Liberals might look pretty but they either stink or sweat.
Then I haven't heard the story. But to tell the truth, I wasn't paying a lot of attention to politics back when he ran.
I’ve worked on a few HH homes. All were subject to building codes. Those of us who are “professional” trades contractors did our work as we would on any project. To the best of my knowledge, none have been condemned for poor construction.
This was quite a while back. It may have been Andrew that identified the problem, and caused the toughening of contractor requirements.
This is a story from a year ago, plagiarized from a New York Times story six months earlier. The NYT should sue the London Times.
Really. Do you have links to the earlier story?
I was about to post the question, How long before the propaganda ministry (formerly known as the US media) publishes a story about this?
I have my doubts that the New York Times, or any other media outlet in this country, would publish anything negative about Jimmy Carter.
Did you see the Pitt feature in Architectural Digest?
Habitat for Humanity in the Atlanta area is definitely not a Hollywood Liberal or any type of Liberal organization. In fact it’s not politically or motivated.
Clark Howard, a local radio show host who is nationally syndicated and is somewhat conservative is a big supporter of Habitat for Humanity. This group builds homes for people who otherwise would not be able to afford them, and as far as I know it has been very successful. The people who get the homes have to help build them, and must agree to other requirements. Certainly, it is a charitable organization, and if you are offended by charity, then that is another matter.
Habitat for Staphylococci
This is what happens every time someone tries to create an Arthurdale.
Ohh WOe is me... Whys everybody pickin on me???
coulda been worse... 
From the original artticle:
“The Fairway Oaks owners took their complaints to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, and of 56 who answered a survey for Legal Aid, 41 reported cracked concrete slabs, 22 had cracked walls and 48 said their houses were infested with insects or rodents, presumably because of the cracks. Others reported mold or mildew, nails popping out of plasterboard and other problems.”
Cracked slabs and walls and popped nails are construction issues, not maintainance issues. The bug thing is quite possibly a combination of the two, although a recent landfill would sure make bugs and rodents a much more likely problem.
And with 85 homes built in 17 days, I’d personally question the quality of any inspections. It’s not like the regular construction in the area came to a halt.
Having read through this string, I can now conclude that maintaining a home is key to keeping one. Many poor folks simply do not have the skill, resources or willingness to do so.
Now, extend this analogy to health care, and many other social issues, and you can see where all this is all leading.
Many HC pros will tell you what appalling condition many people allow themselves to fall into. Maintaining a body nd addressing chronic illness in the face of environmental factors is a similar problem, requiring displine, intelligence and at least some resources to address and resolve.
More money than brains - Hollywood. And more prizes than common sense - Jimmah.
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