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'But they can't kick us out - we own it!'

Stonehedge residents thank the "pioneers" Sunday who in 1988 bought their park, staving off redevelopment worries.

By JILL ANN PERRINO
Published March 28, 2006

TARPON SPRINGS - Tables of food. A special history presentation. And birthday wishes for 18 99-year-olds.

That alone made for a good party.

But the residents of the Stonehedge on the Hill mobile home park in Tarpon Springs had another reason to celebrate on Sunday.

They wanted to say thank you to their neighbors they call the "pioneers" - the ones who 18 years ago had the foresight to put their money down and buy the park.

Fifty-six residents at Stonehedge realized as far back as 1988 that by pooling their money and buying their park they could assure that the residents would control the park's finances, as well as its future.

That strategic decision provides a much appreciated sense of relief today to Stonehedge residents who are distanced from the pressures affecting many other mobile home communities in Florida. In recent years, developers have bought park after park, forcing unit owners to relocate in an environment in which affordable housing is dwindling.

"It is important to honor our 90-year-olds. It proves Stonehedge is a good place to live," said Naomi Dutch, 73, who was in charge of Sunday's event.

"Plus, it is important to honor the original residents who made the park ours. We are the ones who are benefiting."

Judy Scott, 65, said that when she bought into Stonehedge two years ago she was looking for a resident-owned park.

"It's the only way to go," she said. Since then her mother, as well as an aunt and uncle and another uncle have bought homes in Stonehedge, which is on the west of U.S. 19, north of Klosterman Road.

"It's good that we can get together and appreciate what we have," said Frank Barcus, 83, a retired minister. "We are very grateful to live in a resident-owned community. I thank those foresighted people."

Gladys Edwards, 73, who moved to the park after it became resident owned, is putting together a park history. "The people were wonderful," she said of those who bought out the owner in 1988. "They worked together from the beginning."

A key, she believes, is that the residents then had the necessary business knowledge. The park's strong community association also was a plus.

To buy out the owner, residents raised the down payment by offering shares for $18,000, she said. Those initial shares were optional, but since 2002, when the park was able to burn its mortgage, all new owners in the 265-unit park are required to buy in. A share today costs $35,000. Residents purchased the park for between $4-million and $5-million, Mrs. Dutch said.

Of the 18 nonagenarian park residents who also were honored Sunday, 16 were able to attend. They arrived limo-style, in the Lincolns belonging to other residents. They received corsages and had a special birthday cake.

Even Tarpon Springs Mayor Beverley Billiris and City Commissioners David Archie and Peter Nehr showed up to extend their wishes.

Many of the 90-somethings were among those who bought the park 18 years ago. Ruth Long, who turned 91 on Sunday, is one.

"What a party," she said. "It's beautiful."

Norma McIlveen, who will turn 90 in June, was another of the park's "pioneers." She is glad, she said, she and the others took that big step. "This is my Florida family," she said.

Billie Hilmes, who will turn 90 in April, also was twice honored. "I feel sorry for those who get kicked out of their homes," she said. "But they can't kick us out. We own it!"

[Last modified March 28, 2006, 03:01:29]