Upcoming Events

June   9        AMHRO Board Meeting at Lodi Library  1:00 P.M.
July              AMHRO Board Meeting at Lodi Library   1:00 P.M.
Aug.   11     AMHRO Board Meeting at Lodi Library   1:30 P.M.
Sept.  18     AMHRO Annual Meeting at N. Olmsted Library  1:30 to 4:00 P.M.
Oct.  20-21   MHOAA Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah  All Day

TAPS Military Funeral

Here is something every American should know about "Taps" played at a military funeral. Until I read this, I didn't know. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field.  Not knowing if it was a Union or a Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. 

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock.  In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. 

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. 

The Captain chose a bugler.  He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. 

The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals was born. The words are: 

Day is done. Gone the sun. From the lakes  
From the hills. From the sky. 
All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh. 

Fading light. Dims the sight. And a star. 
Gems the sky. Gleaming bright.   
From afar. Drawing nigh. Falls the night. 

Thanks and praise. For our days. Neath the sun   
Neath the stars. Neath the sky 
As we go. This we know. God is nigh. 

What is the Purpose of the OMHC?

                       THE OHIO MANUFACTURED HOMES COMMISSION

   It is believed that most problems with a new home result from defects missed during the factory final inspection or improper installation at the home site.  The Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 requires HUD (the Federal Housing and Urban Development Department) to establish new standards for installing manufactured houses and implement a dispute resolution program.  States may elect to institute their own programs as long as they meet or exceed HUD’s regulations. In 2004, Ohio legislators established the Manufactured Homes Commission to replace and improve the federal programs. 

   The Ohio Commission has nine members, one representing the Health Department, an expert on building standards, another six people from the manufactured housing industry, such as a homebuilders, retailers and installers. The ninth member is a manufactured home resident.  The Governor of Ohio appoints all members and requires each Commission member to take an oath of office, and sign a pledge of ethical conduct.  Commissioners are expected to act not only in their own interests but act for the good of everyone in Ohio.  The Commission Executive Director, David Zofko is a mechanical engineer with extensive construction and building code enforcement.  Monthly meetings of the Commission are usually held in Columbus and are open to the public. 

   The Commission trained and licensed all installers and certified inspectors of manufactured housing in the state of Ohio. An area of more interest to present and prospective manufactured home owners is the Dispute Resolution Program. For new home buyers, during the first year of ownership, a manufactured home owner with an unresolved house defect can contact the Commission to report the problem.  The Commission will help resolve the problem to the satisfaction of the home owner.  House defects can include poor workmanship, improper installation, damaged or missing parts of the home.  HUD has developed a very extensive set of rules for the construction and installation of manufactured houses, and those will be the standards by which the homes will be judged.

   The procedure is as follows: a residents’ complaint will initiate an inspection by a trained specialist, employed by the Commission, to determine the extent of the problem. The second step is for the Commission to work with all parties to resolve the problem.  If a resolution is not reached to the satisfaction of the home buyer the next step is to bring in a neutral mediator initiate nonbinding arbitration.  The Commission will review the report of the independent arbitrator and then issue orders to dismiss or repair the defect.  In the event the responsible party fails to comply with the Commission order, the matter will be enforced through the courts.

   The Ohio Commission is working to advance the manufactured home business and improve the home buying experience for the consumers.  Anything we do to reduce the uncertainty from that purchase will raise the image of manufactured homes and manufactured home communities.

   What would you like to see the Commission do in the future? The best way to make government work for you is to express your wishes to our lawmakers. The best way to get the legislators attention is to be organized, such as a home-owners association and AMHRO.  There is strength in numbers. As a member of the Ohio Manufactured Homes Commission and AMHRO, I am interested in your questions and concerns; I can be reached at 440-465-8236.    

James Demitrus

13 Reasons to Join AMHRO

1.  NUMBERS COUNT - The power in numbers of home-owners cannot be
     over emphasized. . There are enough manufactured home residents
     in Ohio (approximately 250,000), who, once organized, can and will make
     a difference.
2.  UNITY COUNTS - As a team we can AND will make a difference in
     the laws, rules and regulations that affect your everyday life.  Why
     feel powerless and alone?
3.  NETWORKING THE STATE  - Why reinvent the wheel? Networking
     with home owners in communities across Ohio is a terrific way to gain
     insight into problems. For every issue, there are many who have already
     invented that wheel.  Let’s take advantage of them.
4.  NETWORKING THE COUNTRY -  We just joined the national 
     advocacy group MHOAA and will network with other state organizations.
5.  NETWORKING THE WORLD - We network the world.  We have
     discovered groups in the U.K. and Canada and we intend to team
     with them to reach common goals
6.  MONEY COUNTS  - Groups can afford to do what individuals
     cannot afford to do.  When you join AMHRO, your dues are nominal. 
     Any financial burden is spread out among thousands of residents. We
     also give you periodic accountings about how your money is being spent.
7.  KNOWLEDGE  - When you are our eyes and ears, we know
     what’s happening across the state. We are a terrific resource for
     information.  If we don’t know something, we have the resources
     to find out about it.
8.  RESPECT & TRUST  - AMHRO has now almost a four year history
     providing members information and advice.  We answer our phones
     and reply to our e-mails quickly, and in a professional manner. 
9.  COMMUNICATION  - We communicate with you more than any
     other advocacy group in Ohio.  We publish the Residents' Advisor.  This
     is critical. We want all manufactured home owners to know what’s
     happening.
10. WE LISTEN TO YOU -  In fact we want you to call, write or e-mail us. We
     listen to your suggestions and comments.  We try to address your issues 
     and we often ask you questions in our “surveys.”  You count!
11. WE DO NOT CENSOR - We do not censor the information we publish
     to make us look good or to benefit our leaders or friends.
12. NO SUBJECT IS TABOO - We write about anything that
     affects manufactured home residents. We write the truth - we can back
     up anything we write.
13. WE ARE HONEST.  YOU CAN TRUST US.  WE ARE ALL RESIDENTS
      of a manufactured home.

Whistleblower Protection Ohio Revised Code 3733.09

(A) Subject to section 3733.091 of the Revised Code, a park operator shall not retaliate against a resident by increasing the resident’s rent, decreasing services that are due to the resident, refusing to renew or threatening to refuse to renew the rental agreement with the resident, or bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession of the resident’s premises because:

(1) The resident has complained to an appropriate governmental agency of a violation of a building, housing, health, or safety code that is applicable to the premises, and the violation materially affects health and safety;

(2) The resident has complained to the park operator of any violation of section 3733.10 of the Revised Code;

(3) The resident joined with other residents for the purpose of negotiating or dealing collectively with the park operator on any of the terms and conditions of a rental agreement.

(B) If a park operator acts in violation of division (A) of this section, the resident may:

(1) Use the retaliatory action of the park operator as a defense to an action by the park operator to recover possession of the premises;

(2) Recover possession of the premises;

(3) Terminate the rental agreement.

In addition, the resident may recover from the park operator any actual damages together with reasonable attorneys fees.

(C) Nothing in division (A) of this section prohibits a park operator from increasing the rent to reflect the cost of improvements installed by the park operator in or about the premises or to reflect an increase in other costs of operation of the premises.

Effective Date: 10-07-1987