Neverending Stories

Varner became an activist in an effort to change what he called the “gestapo-like behavior” of the homeowners' association's board of directors, and began organizing group meetings and distributing fliers (for which he was reprimanded by said board). Despite Varner's efforts, he says the situation has only gotten worse.

After the Alibi article was printed, three board members resigned in addition to property manager Evelyn Jensen, who was the second property manager to resign in the last year. Another board member was voted off after it was discovered that he “shared the same agenda with Varner,” according to Rip Harwood, president of the homeowners' association, although Harwood was unable to provide any examples of the kind of “agenda” that merited the member's dismissal from the board.

Harwood, who has been on the board for the last two years, said he's sick of Varner's antics and constant complaints. Claiming that Varner and his partner, Eloise Colocho, are verbally abusive to Towne Park's main office staff, Harwood banned the two from making any contact with the board or office that isn't in written form. Still, Varner said such accusations are preposterous and believes the real reason he and Colocho were banned is because they were asking questions about the association's finances.

Varner is also upset because he was recently prohibited from distributing neighborhood association newsletters within the community. Of the 485 homes, Varner says more than 100 are members of the neighborhood association.

Harwood considers the distribution of newsletters as solicitation, which violates Towne Park covenants. He threatened to fine Varner up to $120 per newsletter, which means that if Varner distributed letters to all 485 residences in the community, he could be charged over $58,000. However, Varner said that, although there is a covenant that prohibits solicitation within the community, he does not believe it is intended to include distribution of community-related materials.

“This breaches into the First Amendment; people should have the legal right to distribute an opinion that differs from that of a dictatorship,” he said.

Harwood said Varner is welcome to send newsletters through the mail if he wants to pay for postage.

Now attorney, and former District 6 city councilor, Hess Yntema represents Varner along with two other community residents. Yntema is helping them to gain access to Towne Park records, which should be available to all Towne Park homeowners.

Harwood said he has no problem showing the records to the two other residents, but said he cannot show them to Varner, as he is technically not a homeowner (his partner owns their house). Varner is working with Yntema to get joint status as a homeowner with his partner.

Varner and the other residents are suspicious that Towne Park's financial records aren't being adequately kept, said Yntema added that to his knowledge there was no balance sheet for 2004 prepared, and still no operating budget for 2005.

“We're hoping to find that the records are kept scrupulously and that all the money is accounted for,” said Yntema. “[But] it's hard to understand why they're fining so many people.”

Harwood said there is a budget for this year and that all financial matters are in order.

In the meantime, Varner said that dissatisfaction among residents is growing and that every week more people join the neighborhood association. “Every day people are harassed,” he said. “That needs to change.”

For residents of East Downtown, the continued presence of the Gaslite Motel has become a symbol of prolonged urban decay that is driving some residents, metaphorically speaking, nuts. On June 2, the Alibi reported (“Appetite for Destruction,” June 2-8) that the Safe City Strike Force, directed by Deputy City Attorney Pete Dinelli, had reached an agreement with the property owner to tear the motel down. The tentative timeline was 30 days, and local residents were more than a little pleased by the news. But, 60 days later, the Gaslite is still there.

Marc Ouellette, who had been renting a home near Central and Walter where the Gaslite sits encircled with razor wire, said a rash of burglaries accompanied by the inexorable buzz of a black police helicopter in the area forced him to move last month. He said the Gaslite continues to provide cover for illegal activity, including drug dealing and prostitution.

Karla Thornton, an area homeowner, said the number of burglaries this summer has been “outrageous,” but an even greater concern is a squatters' fire igniting and threatening nearby homes if the motel isn't professionally demolished. That concern, she said, has been elevated now that residents have learned the cause for the delay.

“(The property owner) gave us consent to demolish, but it turns out the roof is ’hot' for asbestos,” said Dinelli, adding that the original estimate for the demolition more than doubled to $100,000 once the asbestos removal cost was factored in.

“The bill will put a big dent in our money to do teardowns,” Dinelli said. “The owner will reimburse the city, and I'm very optimistic we are going forward. However, it's going to take a little more time to identify funding availability.”

In the same article, the Alibi also reported that The Daily Grind restaurant was slated to open across the street from the Gaslite. However, Kay Adams, president of the Huning Highland Neighborhood Association said the owners of The Daily Grind are no longer interested in leasing the newly remodeled building.

David Blanc, the representative for the Gaslite owners, did not return Alibi phone calls last week.