more letters
Concerning my loan through the Gloucester City RCA/Small Cities Housing Rehabilitation Program, it is with regret that I am sending this letter to Mayor William James. I have tried to remedy the situation on my own but I have not been able to get any satisfaction. Frankly, I am at my wit\’s end.
Enclosed you will find a copy of a letter that at I sent to Mr. Eric Fetterolf in regards to a \” home improvement \” loan I received through the above- mentioned program.
I have had no satisfaction from Mr. Fetterolf, nor have I heard from anyone from A to Z Associates, although at this point, I will not deal with anyone from A to Z.
These contractors replaced windows in my home that should not have been replaced – windows that were actually newer windows on my third floor and in the basement. Yet, they neglected to replace the old, nailed-shut windows in my dining room and my two bedrooms on my second floor that should have been replaced.
Also, they replaced a sink I had in my bathroom ( which, again, was not supposed to be replaced) with an interior sink. The sink, along with a cheap toilet, were both improperly installed. The toilet moves and shakes every time someone sits on it.
According to the paperwork, I was charged $1,220 for materials and installation charges – materials that I have priced myself to be approximately $200 for both the sink and toilet. Plus I was charged another $980 on the paperwork to \”install new floor\” – but the only floor installed in the bathroom was a cheap piece of linoleum.
I have made many phone calls regarding the situation, and when I got no response, I sent the attached letter.
I finally heard from Mr. Fetterolf after he received my letter, and when he came to my home, along with the building inspector and two owners of A to Z, Warren and Brad Michaels, he promised me he would look into the matter, and even said he would have the fire inspector come out to check the third floor. I have not seen or heard from Mr. Fetterolf since.
If Mr. Fetterolf mistook my kindness and courtesy to him and his crew as an open invitation to walk all over me, he is sadly mistaken. I have no intention of letting this matter drop. I am dreading the coming winter, as my front steps are cracked and worse than they were before they were replaced, yet, according to my paperwork, this cost me almost $3,000.
My bathtub still leaks and the fire alarm still goes off every time I turn on the light switch on for longer than a minute or two. I am sick of living like this. As a matter of fact, Mr. Mayor, I would like to invite you to come to my home and inspect these \”improvements\” for yourself and to see if you honestly say that you would accept this kind of workmanship in your home. Somehow, I don\’t think that you would.
I have filed a complaint with the Consumer Advocacy Group of America and I am waiting to hear from them now. My next step will be to contact an attorney and the consumer advocates at the local radio and television stations. This is a step I hope not to have to take. However, I feel that I have been taken advantage of, and I have no intention of letting this matter rest.
I, a single mom trying to survive, will not be responsible for loans totaling $22,000 plus for these \”improvements.\”
There is one last item. It is an item that, admittedly, I should have questioned more thoroughly when I initially signed the paperwork. However, in my excitement over having my house finally fixed up, I took Mr. Fetterolf\’s word again and now I question my decision.
On the contractor acceptance sheet that I signed, I noticed that three of the bidders (including A to Z Company to which the contractor was given) noted their lead remediation costs. My question is this – what lead remediation work was done in my home? I can find nothing to this affect on my paperwork except the notation regarding it on the acceptance sheet. Does my home have lead-based paint or any other lead problem I don\’t know about?
Although Mr. Fetterolf assured me at the time my home did not have any lead-based paint problems, I want this situation addressed in writing. I don\’t understand why A to Z Contractors (and two of the other contractors who bid) would address this situation if there were no problem.
Well, Mr. Mayor, I am looking to you for your help. I have been getting the run-around now for almost a year, but this matter must be resolved. Gloucester City prides itself on its people, and I hope that its motto, \”where great things are happening\” is not, in fact, a fallacy.
Thank you so much for your anticipated attention on this matter. I truly appreciate anything you can do to help me.
Brenda Davis, Homeowner Gloucester City
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