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Neighbors upset over Goodwill's intent
Goodwill wants to house a work-release program in a former motel that backs up to a mobile home park.
By Times Staff Writer
Published December 20, 2007
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"It's a bad element, and it's right next to us," said Daniel O'Connor, who lives in the Embassy Mobile home park in Largo. About 200 park residents lined up along the U.S. 19 frontage road north of East Bay Road Wednesday, in protest of a work-release facility Goodwill administrators want to put nearby.
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[Jim Damaske | Times]
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An estimated 200 residents of three mobile home parks turned out along U.S. 19 on Wednesday to protest the possible purchase of a longtime Church of Scientology dormitory by Goodwill Industries-Suncoast. Goodwill administrators are thinking of moving a work-release program for more than 200 nonviolent inmates into the building, originally a motel, near East Bay Drive and U.S. 19. Mobile home park owners fear that having the program nearby would devalue their property and threaten their safety. "We're backed right up to it," said Daniel O'Connor, 65, a resident and manager of the Embassy Mobile Home Park. The Embassy park is home to about 800 residents and sits just west of the Scientology property. O'Connor said the building's second-floor landing overlooks the bedroom windows of park residents in their 70s and 80s. "It's a retirement park, more or less, and we don't think it's right," he said. "It's a bad element, and it's right next to us." But the sale is not a sure thing. Goodwill spokeswoman Michael Ann Harvey said Wednesday that the purchase is still "uncertain." The nonprofit won't know whether it will buy the property until next month. Goodwill has not received all building inspection reports from its due diligence, she said. And some completed reports show potential problems with the condition of the buildings. The 3-acre site, assessed at $3.06-million for tax purposes, is listed for sale at $6-million. The proposed purchase price has not been disclosed. "There will have to be some price negotiations," Harvey said.
[Last modified December 19, 2007, 21:34:28]
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by lippy
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01/09/08 11:41 PM
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I believe that there was a "sex offender" search done for the vicinity of the trailer park, and at minimum of 4 sexual offenders found to live in the park. So let's do the research. Nice thought Frank.
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by Frank
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12/20/07 03:25 PM
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Would those residents rather that they not be rehabilitated or have a place to live?
By the way has anyone done background checks on them?
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by Hoshi
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12/20/07 12:54 PM
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It is not only the elderly, I live in an apartment complex within walking distance and I am a single woman - sorry but I don't want them either.
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by amused
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12/20/07 11:30 AM
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There are already criminals in that neighborhood, have been for years and years.Look whats across the street and to say it in in there back yard is alittle misleading, there is a large vacant lot, construct a fence.
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by WTF
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12/20/07 11:28 AM
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How come some comments are posted while other are ignored? Times, post ALL comments or NONE!
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by Garbanzo
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12/20/07 11:10 AM
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What a bunch of cranky old farts. They should see this as a great opportunity to help their fellow man. Merry Christmas to you, too. Bah Humbug!!
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by C
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12/20/07 09:38 AM
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I know they have to put it somewhere. However, the elderly are always getting victimized by violent and non-violent criminals. They need to be protected. Don't bring criminals to their neighborhood where they can watch them and possibly harm them.
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