The only statewide advocacy organization in Ohio representing the interests of manufactured home residents whose home is on rented land.
AMHRO helped us....NEW
Veterans....NEW
Health Issue Contacts....NEW
The Birth of AMHRO
AMHRO Officers
Our Mission and Vision
What is Intimidation?
From the President's Desk
Complancy is the Killer of most organizations
Who Are Residents?
Do you have leaky pipes? NEW
Contact AMHRO with Comments
AMHRO helped us!
A resident of a
The bottom line is that talking works and the residents are happy and still in their home. This family stated that he and his wife are very glad that they joined AMHRO and without AMHRO'S help, this could not have occurred.
The attornies that worked with AMHRO called AMHRO to state they “are happy and glad to work with a fine organization like AMHRO. We look forward to working together again.”
Veterans
Have you checked with your Veterans Service in your county lately? It might be of value to do so now. When you do, you will find that financial assistance is available for veterans in need. This is State funding and not the Federal funding program. If you served in peace-time and or during a conflict, its does not matter; service connected or not.
Please call and obtain the information that may assist you.
County Health Department Issues
Many times there are situations where health issues are of concern. The Ohio Health Department recommended the steps to take action. They are as follows:
1. Call your County Health Department.
2. Request a copy of the County Health Department's written report.
3. You should receive information within 30 days or less.
4. If not, send a written request to the
placed on their agenda for the next month. There you will be able to discuss
the lack of action or inaction by the County Health Department.
5. Any violation of Ohio Revised Code 3733 needs to be addressed with the
6. If the situation is not corrected, the next step is to the Ohio Department of
Health. (614) 466-1390 www.odh.ohio.gov
7. To find your local health department's phone number, go to:
The Birth of AMHRO
According to the 2000 census, nearly 8.7 million homes in the nation are manufactured homes (7.3 million in 1990). The majority of homes are in private communities. These homes can be single, double, triple or multi-section homes. In 2001, an estimated 7.2 million were occupied as a primary residence. A recent publication from MHOAA states that there are now 10 million living in maufactured homes.
There are approximately 1,800 communities of various sizes located in Ohio. Many homeowner associations were formed after their communities were sold to new owners who are out-of-state investors. Although there are individual issues, many homeowners face similar issues and battles in their attempt to maintain an affordable lifestyle. Protecting the security of their home is another issue of great concern.
How did AMHRO come about and why? The Cleveland Tenants Organization and VISTA volunteers held a meeting to discuss future plans for both organizations. This meeting was held in October of 2004. The result was an organization to represent the interests of the residents in manufactured home communities in the State of Ohio. There were 6 counties and 10 communities represented. Officers named are stated below. Our purpose is stated in our Mission and Vision Statement.
AMHRO does not have a paid staff. All of the officers live in a manufactured home in a community. All officers, committee chairpersons, board members and others who work on issues are volunteers.
There are always many costs involved in any new venture. We gladly accept donations which help us get us to Columbus where our officers can represent you and your neighbors. Donations may include office supplies or financial help.
AMHRO Officers
President Bill Geniella, 24 Birch Row Dr., Delaware, OH 43015
(614) 207-2800 bgeniell@columbus.rr.com
Vice-President Russ McPherson, 27202 Cook Rd. #138, Olmsted Twp. 44138
(440) 235-9279 r.pherson@sbcglobal.net
Secretary Lois McPherson, 27202 Cook Rd. #138, Olmsted Twp. 44138
(440) 235-9279 r.pherson@sbcglobal.net
Treasurer Kathleen Demitrus, 8974 Wood Thrush Drive, Streetsboro 44241
(330) 626-5941 kdblarney@aol.com
Assistant Vice-President Jim Demitrus, 8974 Wood Thrush Drive, Streetsboro 44241
(440) 465-8236 lacbobs@aol.com
Assistant Vice-President Brenda Kocevar, 7 Friendship, Olmsted Twp., OH 44138
(440) 235-9195
Assistant Vice-President Sherrie Sugrue, 102 Coen Rd., Vermilion 44089
(440) 936-0909 smomluvsu@aol.com
Membership
We need all residents to become members. Through numbers we become stronger and our voice now becomes a shout, not a whisper.
Legislation
We need laws to protect all, not just a few. We were able to have 2 pieces of legislation introduced (HB 290 & HB 309) but no new laws outlined in these bills have been passed as of this date. We are still working very hard on this process to make it happen.
Rule Compliance
Rules that govern our living in this type of housing are under the whims and ways of our county health department through out the State of
Enforcement of Laws
This needs changed. We are working with OMHA in drafting a proposal to remove the jurisdiction from the Department of Health to another agency that will enforce these rules to protect us as residents from the park owners ignoring them. In some cases, they themselves have no knowledge of the law.
What is
Intimidation plays a big role in the strategy of some community owners. But why do they do it? Here 1. To make timid; to fill with fear. 2. To coerce or inhibit by or as if by threats. The synonyms are: browbeat, bulldoze, bully, coercion, threatening, demoralizing. · Threatening to use power or control to get others to do what you want them to do. · Using coercion or force to get what you want from others. Making others feel like you are more powerful or forceful than what you really are. · Wearing a mask of being ‘untouchable’ so that people keep an emotional distance from you and yet do for you what you desire. · Using verbal and nonverbal cues to let others know you are not going to reward any unfaithfulness to what you desire them to do for you. · Using verbal, physical, sexually or emotionally abusive behaviors to get people to ‘stay in line.’ · Using physical size, statute and strength to get others to respect and obey you. · Using punishments such as seven day notices or threats of eviction. Using quick temper, anger or rage to get people to do what you want. · Acting in such a way that no one would dare question or stand up to you over any of your decisions, opinions or directives. · Using money, wealth or status to put others into their place so that your power over them is secured and not questioned. · Keeping others loyal to you by threats of pulling back your support, love, caring, interest or approval of them.
Using dictatorial, ‘Gestapo,’ or autocratic behaviors to get people to do what you want. The 1. Don’t go it alone. Management wins as long as you go it alone. Remember the saying, “Divide and conquer”? That’s exactly the strategy of management. As long as it’s one on one with 2. Knowledge is Power. Understand your rights. Understand the reasons for management to evict 3. You are first a human being. We are all Americans living in 4. Managers can’t take your power. You have to give it to them. So, DON’T GIVE THEM YOUR 5. We will support you in your community. But the first thing to do is start talking with your neighbors used by permission from CoMOCal in California www.comocal.org Do you have Leaky Polybutylene Pipes? The deadline is fast approaching for taking advantage of a $1.1 billion settlement fund for replacement of leaky polybutylene pipe systems, common in manufactured homes built in the 1980's and early 1990's. The deadline for filing a claim is May 1, 2009, and the leak must have been discovered by Jan. 31, 2009. For more information, visit www.pbpipe.com or call the Carolyn Carter 7 617 542 8010 ccarter@nclc.org
is the definition of ‘Intimidation.’
Intimidation implies the presence or operation of a fear-inspired force.
These verbs mean to frighten into submission, compliance or acquiescence.
Intimidation is:
affects of intimidation of residents in manufactured home communities are obvious. Residents are
afraid. They are afraid of making the manager upset, afraid of retaliation and ultimately afraid of
being evicted. They don’t dare question what management says or does. They don’t dare ‘make
waves.’ They try to live ‘under management’s radar.’ In essence, they submit to the will of
management. The management’s goal is then realized. So what should residents do?
management, management always wins.
you. Know when you are being intimidated.
POWER!
and friends. Form a small group. Meet in someone’s home. Form a homeowners association.
Take back your community now!
From the President's Desk
Dear Friends and Members of AMHRO,
The purpose of this letter is to bring you, the members of AMHRO, up to date on where we stand as an organization in as far as our Membership, Legislation and Association Assistance.
First, I would like to bring to your attention the importance of “Membership”. Without a strong membership, we would not be able to function.
We, as an organization, would cease and decease.
Without your membership and support we would not be able to further strengthen the laws that are already on the books or even consider any new legislation that might be necessary.
The point here is that a strong membership and active members willing to volunteer their time are both of vital importance to making sure that there is someone making sure our “RIGHTS” are not being cast aside because no one is watching.
We would like all of our members to help “FIGHT FOR THOSE RIGHTS” that we have worked so hard to preserve. Because in the end, you could loose what rights you have fought so hard to get if we do not have more members getting involved.
Complacency is the killer of most organizations and movements.
Our volunteer members keep an eye on what is going on in Columbus and Washington so that those “RIGHTS” we now enjoy are preserved. AMHRO holds regular meetings on the third Wednesday of each month and the meetings are open to all members and non-members. Your participation at these meetings will give you a better idea about what we as an organization do and the hurdles we have to jump over to get your "RIGHTS” preserved.
We need members to step forward and volunteer to sit on the Board as well as other duties. Members of the current Board have been working tirelessly to make sure your “RIGHTS” are not lost. However, some of those Board Members are considering retirement and we need you, the membership, to fill those vacancies. By starting to attend our monthly meetings, you will get a better understanding of what is required and be able to make a more informed decision.
We are a group that depends on a strong membership for many reasons.
“Remember, There is Strength in Numbers”
The second item I would like to bring you up to date on is “Legislation”. Your Senators and Representatives want to hear from you, their voting constituency. To your legislators “Numbers of Constituents” backing legislation or a proposal are what drives them to vote for and bring new legislation to the floor. The AMHRO Officers would like to extend an invitation to all of our current members to talk to at least one neighbor or friend about joining AMHRO. By doing this you will add one more voice to helping protect all people’s rights who live in Manufactured Housing in
The last item I would like to touch on is “Associations”. If your community does not have an association, then get your neighbors and friends together and form one. Give us a call. We can assist you.
“Strength in Numbers”
Volunteer representatives of MOTA would consider it a privilege to help you form your association. An association can serve you and your neighbors in many ways. An association would help unite members of your community and give you
“Strength in Numbers” when you need it.
People working together for a common good is very powerful and will generally result in providing a positive effect for the group as a whole.
Bill Geniella, President
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~Residents are the most important people in the rental management business.
~Residents are not dependent on management. Management is dependent on
residents.
~Residents are not an interruption of the manager's work, but the purpose of it.
~Residents do management a favor by choosing to live in their community.
Management isn't doing the residents a favor by allowing them to live there.
~Residents go to the community manager with their problems. It's the manager's job
to do something about it.
~Residents deserve courteous service. Without residents, managers would have
vacant homes and there would be no money for their paychecks. Managers should not forget this.
As published from Manufactured Homeowners Legislative Association of Michigan
Intimi
