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Patients benefit, city pays tab after sewage backup

A chiropractor chased from his office by foul water sees patients under the "big top."

By JACKIE RIPLEY
Published February 6, 2007

TEMPLE TERRACE - What started as a routine sewer line fix behind a strip center on N 56th Street has forced a chiropractor to vacate his office and rent a tent.

"The smell was phenomenal," said Michael Stangherlin, who was forced out of his office by raw sewage last week.

Stangherlin was one of a handful of business owners affected by the backup.

Now he's treating patients from inside a red-and-white-striped tent erected in the parking lot of his office.

And he's doing it for free.

"I want to give back to the community," said Stangherlin, who has worked from his 8834 N 56th St. office for 15 years. He won't charge until he's back in his regular office, he said.

Stangherlin said he treated 57 patients under the "big top" Friday. And on Monday, he and two massage therapists were kept busy by a steady stream of people needing massage and manipulation.

The state's Department of Medical Quality Assurance does not prohibit chiropractors from working in temporary structures such as tents, said public information officer Lauren Buzzelli.

City officials, meanwhile, said the sewage problem started around Jan. 26 as workers attempted to clear a clogged sewer line in the 8800 block of N 56th Street.

It was then that the sewage spilled into several offices, said Michael Dunn, a spokesman for the city of Temple Terrace.

"Four other businesses sustained some damage, but they stayed open," Dunn said.

The city, which has accepted responsibility for the mishap, offered to let Stangherlin use a recreational vehicle for his temporary office, Dunn said.

In addition to paying for the cleanup, the city will pay Stangherlin's employees for lost wages, Dunn said.

The city anticipates the cleanup and employee compensation will cost about $15,000.

The problem should be resolved by the end of the week, Dunn said.

Jackie Ripley can be reached at ripley@sptimes.com or 813269-5308.

[Last modified February 6, 2007, 06:12:14]