WCSO and Housing Department help couple get into home
Two Wakulla County service agencies combined with persistent efforts to help a Crawfordville couple successfully get into a mobile home on Barber Road despite a bumpy start to their efforts.
The work of Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office Det. Sean Wheeler and Wakulla County Housing Director Alfred Nelson and his staff helped the handicapped couple overcome difficulties in meeting county building codes.
The couple is hearing impaired and county officials communicated with them by writing down their messages using pen and paper.
The couple turned to the sheriff’s office on Feb. 11 when they became frustrated with their inability to get into their mobile home. They visited with Captain Steve Ganey of the WCSO to determine if the couple was a victim of a crime.
They described their difficulties in getting their mobile set up for occupancy and eventually Captain Ganey turned the case over the Det. Sean Wheeler for additional investigation.
Det. Wheeler determined that the case was a civil matter between the couple and the individuals transporting and setting up the mobile home.
In the meantime, Housing Director Alfred Nelson sent his rehabilitation staff member Eddie Franklin to the scene to see what the county could do to help. Nelson said the county has spent approximately $13,000 worth of State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) program rehabilitation money on the home to connect water and sewer services, add electricity and fix leaks. There is still some work to be completed at the home, Nelson said of carpet and vinyl replacement.
Det. Wheeler continued working on the case even after determining that the issue was not criminal in nature. Wheeler contacted the business owners who were working to get the mobile home moved and set up to see if he could speed up the process.
He continued to stay in contact with the family and contractors on Feb. 12, Feb. 16 and Feb. 18 to make sure the work was being completed at the home. On March 3, Wheeler contacted the county building department and determined that the couple’s mobile home had passed a code inspection and could be occupied.
Nelson added that the couple has two children living at the home who also benefited from the solving of the housing woes.
“We’re working on quite a few notable projects,” said Nelson of his SHIP rehabilitation program. “We want to help as many citizens as we can.”
Det. Sean Wheeler said he was happy to lend a hand to the couple. “As a law enforcement officer it is our job to be compassionate and try to go above and beyond the call of duty to help those who can’t help themselves.”
Mary Dean Barwick, the Sheriff's Office Finance Director, is a Certified Public Accountant and the mission of the Finance Division is to provide professional finance, budget and grant assistance to the Sheriff's Office. In order to achieve this mission the Sheriff's Office must operate in a fiscally responsible manner, which includes linking strategic planning and the budget process for the organization as a whole.
