The Anniversary

Tomorrow will be the one-year anniversary of the fire that destroyed my aunt's condo - our home.

Granted, we are in a better neighborhood, in a house we like much better than the old condo. Granted, the community and our friends and family really stepped up and gave so much more than we could ever have expected. Granted, God is continuing to bless us all the time.

And we definitely do not take these blessings (and lessons) for granted.

But there is something wrong still. It's been a year since the fire completely destroyed Building B at Hidden Cedars Condominium complex. The one that left nearly 16 families, some renters and some owner/occupiers (such as my aunt), looking for a new home. So what's happened in a year?

Nothing.

The grass has grown over the old footprint of the building, but no ground has been broken to rebuild it. While we, and other families, had to move on out of necessity, those who owned units in Building B (such as my aunt) are still paying the price for a home that doesn't exist anymore. And will not exist any time in the near future.

The problem lies with the leadership - the board of owners at the complex. And the majority of the problem with the board is a man by the name of Herbie Howard. Mr. Howard is constantly in the news for various reasons (not all of them positive, which doesn't surprise those who've dealt with him), and is a major real estate "developer" in the region. I use quotations because, in our admittedly limited experience in dealing with Mr. Howard, we've found him to be a slum lord, pure and simple.

I'd go on and on, but there's no reason to set myself up for allegations of libel. Suffice it to write that I'm sure there's a really juicy story about Mr. Howard's business conduct if anyone had the courage to investigate.

Meanwhile, my aunt is stuck with paying for a home that no longer exists.