My phone is ringing off the hook!
While many of you are thinking this is just the greatest thing to hit the Eastern Shore, many others are quite pissed off for multiple reasons and they're good reasons.
Lowe's told Extreme Home Makeover, piss off. And rightfully so! This group of yahoo's come into town demanding breaks on just about anything and everything and when they confronted Lowe's they said, why the hell should we do ANYTHING for you when you'll get on your show and thank Sears and partner with Sears. They are 100% correct.
They want FREE materials, FREE labor, Free impact fees, FREE 24 hour police security, FREE inspections, yet builders have to wait weeks, if not months just to get some of these services they're paying dearly for.
Tens of thousands of dollars are being gifted from the County and guess what will happen in the end Folks. Well, for starters this family is going from a 900 sq. ft. home to a new 2,700 sq. ft. home. That means their taxes will increase not just a little, it will increase a LOT. Are YOU going to pay the difference, (perhaps three times) when this family can no longer afford it. There's also the potential of neighboring property values going up, especially when and if this home is ever sold.
Who's going to pay their heating and air conditioning bills? Hot water bills, gas and electric, homeowners insurance and the rest of these nice feel good goodies?
Now they're asking for someone to donate a Goat Fence. Why do you think these professionals come into town pulling together local cancer survivors, boxing hero's and whomever else they can get to get behind their so GIVING proposition.
They hold these pep rallies to get everyone behind their quest and IGNORE the future realities before they're long gone. Here's another question I'd like answered. If anyone deserved a new home, (IMHO) why not Sarah Foxwell's siblings and the Aunt raising them. Mind you, perhaps they never asked but if there was ever a family that could use a great break like this, I'd think they would be better recipients.
Anyhow, there are a LOT of people quite upset over this entire thing. Mind you, I think the kid involved in this is one of the most spectacular young people I've ever seen, he truly is. However, you really have to know the background of what this ABC Show is doing to people. It may sound really cool, (and it is) but there's a whole lot more to this milti-million dollar money making show than meets the eye at first glance.
Yeah, you can come after me and attack me because I'm not a supporter of this whole thing. I have my reasons and not one of them is spite. Just remember, (all of you) NOTHING IS FREE! There's a reason you can't get anywhere near this project unless you're bused in.
To ALL of you volunteering and donating, God Bless you. Your heart is in the right place and I truly respect that. I'm simply asking you to look deeper into this, (as many callers have expressed to me today) and hopefully understand this is NOT what many of you think it is. What an idea, go to a Town, ask for FREE labor, FREE materials, FREE taxes and the list goes on and on, all the while your making millions of dollars on ABC at YOUR expense. Remember taxpayers, this is coming out of your pockets.
135 comments:
How is it coming from taxpayers?
Yep, all of us taxpayers and the volunteers and all who donated are helping to line ABC's pockets.
Someone came up with this show and found a way to cut costs all in the name of donating and volunteering.
No one is being forced to volunteer or donate. What taxpayer money is being used?
If you google you will find that though these houses look wonderful on camera they are not finished alot of times and what is finished is done shoddily. I don't care what anyone says you can not build a well constructed home in such a short period of time.
you have named almost every thought than i told my spouse when we heard about this..go for it, i totally agree. thanks for speaking out..
If someone wants to build me a shell of a house for free, I will gladly finish it myself.
Joe I agree- With things the way the are in this country we as a community don't need this extra burden. The idea is great so way doesn't ABC foot the bill????
Joe , look into some of the past recipients a large percentage have gone bankrupt. It is so hard to say what needs to be said. Are you aware that the boys moms work did a fun raiser for him to pay for his hand.
I still can't believe they had the nerve to bring in an out of town builder when we have so many excellent local builders.
The whole problem is the taxpayer money. This is a for profit business. Joe made good points. i would say to watch wboc tonight.
The taxpayer money being used is for the impact fees that were waived, the extra police protection and the county put on inspectors 24hr a day for this.
I hope the volunteers and the donaters are going to be around to help the family with their higher property taxes and heating costs this winter but you know that ain't going to happen.
My thoughts exactly Joe! If these people couldnt afford nothing but this small home , how are they gonna afford the electric, upkeep , heat and so on????? How about the taxes...I own two properties, and believe me its all I can do do keep my taxes paid.....These people are probley living off welfare, now what when the home make over pulls away...Give them more welfare so they can afford to live there..I dont think so...Sorry for the young mans problems he has but , everyone is having hard times right now..Do any of these folks work???? Are you folks gonna help pay the heat or electric...And damn it a Goat pen... They better fatten that goat up..gonna be a long winter....And no the community dont need all this extra burden...Wicomico has enough problems!!!!!!!!
i have seen many stories on about Ex Home Makeover, and how the homes go in to default because these poor people cannot afford rich people's taxes and utilities. I'm not at all for this kind of show. I think it's alot of b.s. I'll bet the house will be trashed in a year.
the taxpayers are gonna be supporting this family.They are already doing it now.This house is gonna be a White Elephant on them and we will be supporting it.The hell with Extreme Makeover
Grow up people. Stop being jealous.
anonymous 5:36, Jealous! It has nothing to do with being jealous. Did I not spell it out enough for you in my Post?
Look, this family was surviving in the home they had. This is NOT a family in which could just go out and afford a $300,000.00+ home, GET IT?
Yet they're going to now have the expenses of living in one. IF they should lose the home, they've lost everything. You can't just go out and sell the home a year later. There are contracts these people sign and they are stuck with it, period.
Again, it's all about pep rallies and feel good crap, getting every one believing this is the greatest thing on earth. In the end, the ONLY people paying the price is the family that loses these properties and MANY have done just that.
And I have to see how taxpayer money is used.
Who went bankrupt? Are you sure you're not confusing this with lottery winners?
They are doing 6 additional upgrades in the area too, one across the street from the boy's house.
The makeover in Milford, De. used local contractors to help and I'm sure the same is true here.
It's a solar powered house so heating and cooling bills should be lower than others.
The VOLUNTEERS are doing it because they want to. They want to help a LOCAL family. And it's more than one family.
Their reward will be in their heart and maybe a shot on t.v. And perhaps some advertising for local companies.
You people seem to forget who they are doing this for.
The whole concept would never work in Ocean City. There, they charged their local Catholic Church Parish ($1,000) for a charity raising booth at Sunfest while they paid a (former) employee $170,000 and give free bus fares to every Government employee organization that comes into town.
Salisbury is giving away a real deal.
You need to grow up 5:36 and realize the finanical aspects of this if you are intellectually capable of do so. Just check online what happens to a vast majority of these houses.
I though I was the only one. My daughter went and said Ty is a JERK with a capitol J. No one wants to deny the boy is nice but good god what morals is anyone learning.Thank you Joe for printing this even tho I am certain you will take nonsense for it.
It's a builder from Annapolis. The company is called Fusion Custom Homes.
Even if the police and inspectors are there 24/7, which I doubt, the whole thing lasts a week. Big whoop. Sell the fire boat.
If any fees, taxs, permits, whatever, are waived, there still is no loss. They never had the money so they can't miss it.
Do any of you know what the house will be appraised at? No one has any idea yet of what the property taxes will be.
I'm sure they will be a few thousand, YEARLY. Who can't come up with that if there is no mortgage? (that part I admit I am guessing)
Seems some of you are using math like Obammy used when coming up with his budget a year or so ago.
Yes it's feel good. Why the heck not? With all the bad crap we all have to deal with everyday, why not a little sunshine now and again?
I don't know these people from Adam, but I'm not going to be the one to rain on their parade.
More power to them. Stop worrying about 'what if's' so much. They haven't even slept in the house yet and most of you have them bankrupt, living on the street on welfare.
With all the crime, drugs, gangs, unemployment, and every other crisis going on, this should be a welcome break.
I hope these people are not reading this blog and seeing how 'their good neighbors' think of them.
Are you that heartless?
5:50 PM
I fail to see the connection to this.
The prudent and practical way to "help" this family would have been to rehab their current home and put the left over funds in an education fund for the boy.
But that wouldn't make for a very good TV show now would it?
As it stands now ABC does nothing more than use people who have these hard luck stories all for ratings which brings in advertising money.
they would be better off it Uncle Warren just gave them one of his new Clayton iHomes
this reality TV crap is the biggest scam going
they should just do a show about Amish barn building
Kind of reminds me of the time Oprah Winfrey gave away a bunch of Pontiacs to her audience members. They were happy until they found out they had to pay sales tax, title fees, etc.
Extreme Home Makeover is in business to make money and I would guess they make a lot of money w/ the TV show.
They went in front of the county council and got about $8,000.00 in building fee's waived. They claim they will be spending money in hotels for about a week. I am a local builder and I employ local people and local subcontractors all year long. I am also in business to make a profit do you think I will get my next permit & impact fee's waived, I would say no. I can tell you Extreme home Make Over is making a lot more off of one TV show than I made all of last year.
I can tell you from past experiences they will probably be one unhappy family in about three to five years. Lets watch and see. Oh in case you didn't know they can barrow money against the house or sell the house for profit after two years. You all have fun working for free for Extreme Home Makeover, I am sure they love it all the way to the bank.
Joe, I totally agree with you. The family has had many struggles, that cannot be denied. This show is setting this family up to lose everything. The upkeep on this home is going to be costly and who will pay for that? This boy needs help with educational costs, that will last him a lifetime, that is what is needed most. I applaud those that are volunteering, but there will be a downside to this at some time in the future. I sincerely wish this family the best.
6:01 says....."Stop worrying about 'what if's'"
Your thought process is why so many people are broke! You have to worry about the "what if's."
What if I lose my job? What if I'm down with a serious illness? Will I be able to pay my bills? Feed my family?
You really need to tune into Suze Orman and stop watching silly useless shows like this Extreme Home show.
Joe is right. If you don't believe him, all I can say is go volunteer. You will change your mind very quickly. ABC cares nothing for the volunteers and only 2 of the designers are really wanting to be around people anyways (and I promise you it's not ty, paige or michael). The ones who really seemed to care was the builders from Annapolis and the volunteers. What they are doing for the families in the neighborhood is nice and not over the top like the house. I used to love this show and it has totally made me rethink wanting to watch it anymore.
Tell them what the tax-payer paid for the hand.
I think the show really needs to do what they do but the houses on a way smaller scale. Joe's right, do your homework on the percentage that have had to lose they're homes because yea they were nice, but with all of the 'extra' bills for electric, taxes and things, they couldn't afford it before and sure can't after the build. And if you did your homework in the community, you would find where the controversy lies for this build and why.
When it sounds to good to be true, it is.
You soft heart dumb a-- people commenting about how well off these people are gonna be had better dip in your pockets and make huge donations so these people will be able to afford their new home. All this solar stuff is cool but its a rich mans game and at this point in time not a good alternative for these folks. The longevity of the system is very expensive to maintain in the future and will most likely end up being scrapped due to money issues when trying to repair it.
The most disgusting part is that ABC will claim theses contractors are local and its common knowledge by now THEY ARE NOT LOCAL!
Someone else pegged it earlier that you cannot build a quality house in a week.
Folks may bash Joe now but I wonder what they will be saying in a year when he posts I told you so. I hope for this family's sake Joe is wrong but I don't think so.The only real winner in this whole deal is ABC.
The annual maintenance costs will be high after the first year(out of warranty) There are many expensive components that make a home solar system. I also believe they are using the high efficiency heat pumps with ground loops. Once again many expensive components after warranty.
6:31 PM
Sorry, I don't watch Extreme makeover and I don't know who Suze whateverhernameis is either.
Your 'what ifs' are totally different. They are yours. They are real to you. And you have a justified concern for your 'what ifs'.
The 'what ifs' of others in not your concern. They are not real to you. And you have no justified reason for having them.
I am having an intelligent conversation with others on here about this. If you want to contribute, great.
But do so without hostility or innuendo's. Or don't bother.
6:33 PM
Did you volunteer?
When you say the county council gave away $8.000 the real cost is not known. Also only five council members voted to give your hard earned tax dollars away. Joe Holloway and Bob Culver asked the hard questions and voted against this scam. Rick Pollitt endorsed this and the cost when it first came forward was over $30,000 They gotcha again suckers.
Living large in Del.
6:37 PM
I did my homework. There were some who had trouble with the financial part.
But most were due to irresponsibility. One had no mortgage. He went and got two different mortgages for hundreds of thousands of dollars. That's why he lost it.
I could only find two. If you find more, post them. And since you think you know some 'controversy in the community', why don't you share that?
I don't see why the electric cost would increase from an old home to a modern and better built one. Could you explain that for me?
anonymous 7:05, SIMPLE MATH. 900 sq. ft to 2,700 sq. ft. HELLO!
and the whole while the CEO of ABC made over 29 million in salary in 2010 and ABC can't even reimbuse the county for this????
Thank you Joe Holloway and Bob Culver for not falling for this scam!
I think all points have been touched here already. I have watched the show numerous times and often wondered why, when the recipients, were living in a 1000 sq ft home, do they need a 2000+ home. I am sure they would be satisfied with a new home of the same size as their last home. Plus nice backyards with fire pits, bar-b-ques, etc. I sympathize with those that have fallen on hard times but we need to be resonable. I have said several times that I would like to see a show where they return to these homes to see the results after a year or so.
Granted this family will have more responsibility to upkeep this new home, however they will no longer have an electric bill courtesy of the roof lined with solar panels.
Joe if you feel strongly about the Foxwell family and that they are just as deserving, then you should nominate them on Extreme Makeover's website. Each family is nominated for the build.
Joe,
What you're saying is exactly what a lot of people have been thinking all week.
Frankly, i was amazed at all of the freebies expected by the producers of the show. Look at its Neilson ratings and the ad dollars it is generating for ABC and they should be paying the contractors and the suppliers to put this up, not expecting it to be done for free.
It is sad that everyone knows that the family will lose the house to taxes or super high maintenance costs in a few years. The mid cycle reassessment will kick in NEXT YEAR withe massive increase in size.
7:25 Great Idea. Wonder why someone hasn't suggested them.
You just can't line a roof with solar panels and expect the same results you get with electricity. Solar energy is a lifestyle change. You can forget leaving the computer or TV on for long periods of time or lights or washing too many loads of laundry in one day.
If anyone deserves a makeover its Scott and Amy Ness.... They have adopted 10 kids and have 3 of their own.. Why? So the adopted kids and all their siblings didn't have to be separated. These 2 folks are some of the most selfless and unselfish folks I think anyone has ever met. God Bless them
Anonymous said...
Tell them what the tax-payer paid for the hand.
October 3, 2011 6:36 PM
B.S. my work paid for it.I help lead the charge during the fund drive.
the structure is PREFAB! seriously.
and yes, i will back up joe on the increase in electric. 2/3 of electric in home is HVAC. Even though it will be geothermal. the more square feet, the more TONS of cooling required. 1 ton cooling = 1.5kVA = 1.4 kW. so for a house 3 times larger, you will be paying approximately $500 per ton increase. so that means $1500 more per year! easily an extra 150 per month.
I appreciate joe posting the information I told him. Regular, hard working people are against this.
There is a burnt house still standing (barely) since the fire in January on South Division St. I was told by the County that due to all the cuts that has been going on money wise and staff wise, it was taking longer to rid of the dangerous structure. But yet, the county comes up with $8,000 all of a sudden after hearing them cry "poor" just a little over a month ago to fund a house for Extreme Makeover. Am I missing something?
Just a question or two.
Is disability, medicaid, food stamps, welfare, et al, affected negatively by the value of one's possessions? Also, will the occupants have to pay any kind of taxes (federal, state) on the value they receive "in kind" for this house? I mean, they went from a home worth essentially nothing to a home worth 100K or more. Is this considered taxable income? Like when you win a car or the lottery, etc? Do the feds and Uncle Martin just not care about this opportunity to grab some cash? ...and Delaware, if the feds get no tax money from this transaction, they got you, too!
I just don't understand why this GEOthermal is supposed to be so efficient. I have a 4700sq foot home that is 2 yrs old and has 2 electric heat pumps. The whole house is electric no gas. Now granted I do have 6 inch walls which helps. The most my electric bill has ever been summer and winter was just under $500 a month and that was only one month last winter. My heat is kept on 68 at all times and A/C is usually on around 74. Usually it's around $300. I do cook at least 2 meals a day and do alot of baking. One thing I hardly ever do is use the dryer though.
local (wicomico cty) contractors were asked but the three names given to extreme all turned it down. So...they tried local guys but the three they asked said no...i've been on site everyday...talk with all the people that are in the know...
Why are the Foxwell's more deserving than the Goslee-Johnson family? Do you know their story? The Goslee-Johnson family is hard working and not on welfare. They have gone through a traumatic experience as well and is very deserving. Nominate the Foxwell's so we can have round 2 of Extreme Home Makeover!!
7:25 they will still have an electric bill. Going totally solar IS a lifestyle change and most people are not willing to give up just flicking on a switch at will. On some days solar panels don't produce one kilowatt of energy. Solar is supplemental not a replacement for electric.
If you relied totally on solar during these past few dreary days you would be out of luck.
they built one in Delaware recently, I think. house and "cafeteria" to feed homeless. joke was, she doesn't have the inspection or licensing to feed the homeless and the homeless can't get to her, so she got 2 buildings for free. looked good on tv, but is was all an illusion.
7:11 PM
Is that supposed to mean they have electric heat or something, in a solar house?
Or they gonna use more lights?
HELLO.
Where did you people hear it was a Geothermal system? Just one example of people saying things they have NO clue about.
To 7:25
Most people don't know what happened to the original solar company that was installing solar panels in Delaware - Delaware Renewable. They were responsible for a house fire and then filed bankruptcy and set-up shop under another name. I am pretty sure that this company is the same one - (now assuming a different name) - that installed the solar on the extreme makeover house up in Delaware. This leads me to believe that Extreme Makeover isn't the best vetting entity around.
9:18pm Go take a look for yourself and you will see all the solar panels on top of the roof. And, yes I do have a clue about it.
9:18pm Go take a look for yourself and you will see all the solar panels on top of the roof. And, yes I do have a clue about it.
October 3, 2011 9:35 PM
Obviously you don't if you think geothermal is from solar panels. Be quiet for awhile.
I do not understand why the inspectors cannot be there 24/7 as I believe there are only 4 new homes that are presently under construction in the entire Wicomico County.
It wasn't all that long ago that I remember that number to be about 100 new units.
Bottom line - that is an indication of how bad off our local construction is.
6:57 yes I did, which I told you to go do the same so you and everyone else could make your own opinion and stop talking about what if's or I wonder.
8:03 I'm not buying what you posted. Fusion was choosen because they are certified "green" eco friendly builders something ABC is all into-you know global warming, green house gases and all that stuff.
7:05 You obviously didn't do your homework because if you would have talked to those other than the family that left on vacation or done financial digging and you would have found it. ABC doesn't do their homework either.
Just because that roof is lined with solar panels does not mean it is completely solar!Get your facts about the production of electricity from solar panels.If they are using an inverter system then it requires a power source from the power company.I do not know what system they are using however it is hard to believe that they have storage batteries which are required in a system like that for storage.Most solar panel system installed now days are passive which means they just supplement the power company power.In a house the size they are building they would need more then just the roof covered with the panels.Take a day like today and the panels do not produce as much as a day when it is bright sunny all day.Trouble here is that most of the recliner engineers commenting here have no clue as to what they are talking about!
9:51, A GEO thermal system and solar panels on a roof are two entirely different things. Geothermal is generally used for heating whereas solar is used for energy as a supplement to or replacement for electricity.
Congrats to the family and enjoy your new home. I have a problem, like many of the comments, with the county waiving the permit fees. Several builders in the past asked the council to waive the impact fees until after their houses were complete before paying the fees, but were denied. Kudos to Bob Culver & Joe Holloway for trying to protect the taxpayers.
10:15 PM
No kidding. Talk to the self described electrical engineer. lol
Low class people.
They only waived the fees because they were star struck 10:25. I wonder if they will give the same consideration to Habitat for Humanity next time they built a house?
SU gave the family scholarships so stop worrying about the education of these kids.
well, I know I can stay right at home and feed the men...don't need to volunteer to do it.
This program preys on peoples sympathy . In turn they will make millions , from sponsers. You are right , nothing is for free. The people won't be able to pay the taxes on this place.
Joe move this to the top of your page today a lot more people need to see this.
anon 4;55 your are a liberal dumb%$#@. You donated when your tax dollars were given away.
JT, go back to bed. No one gives a crap what you have to say on here.
6:33 AM
That's why you're funny. No tax money was used.
Damn free scholorships too! Really .Maybe SSU, needs to help some of these kids here in Salisbury , whos parents are struggling and working 2 jobs to pay for their child to get educated...And a goat pen..HHMMMMM.. Anyone taking up donations for clothing or a new car!
woops
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20111004/NEWS01/111004007/Decision-Jusst-Sooup-site-delayed
Joe, I'm glad you wrote posted this info and Lowe's is not catering to them nor should anyone but Sears. They are the only company that gets credit.In fine print the show will list names of other companies that donate.
Needless to say, my parents donated $50,000 of landscaping for this show in PA and it was nothing but a nightmare.
Your soooooo right, in the end TAXPAYERS do end up paying for it.These people cannot afford the maintenance, electric, etc and get govt help through welfare, shore-up, etc. Therefore, that $ does essentially comes from taxpayers in the end. It's like people that win a car and cannot afford the taxes or insurance.
The moral of the story is Extreme Home Makeover is getting rich on someone elses $, and I wish that would take the show off the air. I believe Habitat for Humanity makes more sense.
8:18 AM
??
Thank You Lowes and piss on Extreme Makeover
Thanks for the link 8:18.
It looks like they pulled a fast one on Sussex county by filing the special use exception on the day of the "reveal."
Didn't the inspectors notice the building was being built w/the intent to feed people on site?
The Sussex county Board of Adjustments should not grant this special exception for this soup kitchen just on principle and the fact that this show did and is trying to pull a fast one one them.
If they do grant this it will set a precedent for future builders to build then apply for special exceptions.
If I remember correctly all the publicity billed the building as a soup kitchen. I may be wrong, but if not why wasn't the construction stopped until this was resolved?
I must agree w/someone who posted around 630 last nite - I too was (operative word here -'was') a big fan of the show - but once I showed up on Friday to volunteer, my opinion changed. The builders and contractors are the ones who deserve all the credit - ABC is just in it for the ratings...I am happy for the Johnson/Goslee family and I wish them only the best, I just hope Fusion and the other contractors are still available to them when things start needing work because I suspect a fancy, green system such as this will be costly to upkeep...
Jennie lead the charge for the new hand, Custer lead the charge for, oh heck.
quit complaining at least someone got some sort of help.
maybe we all should get together and help ourselves and our neighbors. we all have skills that can benefit each other.
did any of the local fire departments go out and volunteer? aside from salisbury because salisbury isnt allowed to do anything that helps other people. the chief told the fire fighters at the last minute they couldnt do the fill the boot campaign after it was set up to go. but i would expect to see the fire fighters out helping
It's another "Chicken Flop Live"!
Who cares if any fire fighters went out and volunteered? There are tons of organizations that could benefit from volunteers who operate on a budget a fraction of what ABC is worth.
Where are all these so called charitable Christian helpers when these other organizations need help like Habitat for Humanity?
I have no use for people who fell for all the hype surrounding this show because most only did it for the hype, because they think they are going to get TV and because they are star struck.
I've always hated this show. I can't stand the way the people are running around like goof balls and the buzz words like "reveal" and "more that bus" are just plain stupid.
Then everytime the people see the new dwelling for the first time the show must coach them to say "Oh My God!"
It's a great thing these people do for others But------ It just isn't logical thinking at all on their part!!!!
From the very first show I ever watched---My question to my husband that night was--How the heck do they think these people are going to afford the upkeep on these homes????????????????? Simply put---They can't .
Glitz & Glamor are good & it sure makes the show muct more interesting to watch---- but these people would be satisfied with just a simple well built home----one they could afford to pay utilities & tazes on. I would imagine if we went back to all the people who've received new homes----most aren't able to stay in them & have had to sell!
for your information, volunteers
usually keep working around the
jobsite around the clock. i know
a few of the volunteers, they are
just happy to be helping. also,
another thing to point out, this
show offers financial counseling
almost all the time!
My question, why wasn't this house condemned long ago - no bathroom, no running water?
Was no one of any authority ever at this house after the boy's accident in December to report there was NO RUNNING WATER? Maybe it was reported, just no one in authority did anything about it?
Any information about that?
financial counseling is great
but if there is not enough income to meet the needs of the new home what then?
I agree that the next Habitat Build needs to have this much hype and help. They aren't in it like ABC for the Hollywood side and money. They truly are helping people. And doing it so the family can afford it.
I'd hate to have the young man with no hand to hear people say you don't deserve a house but E.M. has it wrong despite good intentions.
I live a double-wide that is quite comfortable and affordable although not glamorous. Who NEEDS a glorious spacious home?
I've also read of many sad aftermaths of E.M. pople selling the homes or even fraudulently exaggerating their hardship in a couple of cases.
There is Habitat for Humanity that has done and is doing homebuilding and renovations in a responsible way. Trinity UMC in Salisbury on Division St. has such a participation contrary to anon 10:29.
And I worked on one occasion, along with church members,alongside students from SU. We had a great time.
I'm worried about good intentions spoiling things. There are no hyped rallies for Habitat's building projects in Salisbury.
BTW, Habitat's houses are built well and are modest with carefully chosen recipients. Good intentions with good results.
11:28 you are right Habitat is the real deal they provide a realistic solution for people in need,not like these self centered narcissist from Extreme False Homeover.
There is a sucker born every minute. - P.T. Barnum
Yeah I agree 11:28. Let's see if Fushion builders can uproot themselves from Annapolis and come here for the next Habitat build?
That Soup Kitchen the show built in Sussex is turning into a real mess and now the show is gone and the poor woman is left to deal with it.
The question the board needs to be asking is when the builder was aware that the building was actually being built to serve food and not just for cooking purposes.
I believe it's the Wall Street Journal that's always been critical of this show and it's becoming apparent why.
10:55 What financial counseling can be offered besides to not refinance the house?
It's not like money is suddenly going to be growing on the newly planted trees and the family will need counseling on budgeting and investing.
8:01PM... ABC "leases" or "rents" the property from the family for the 7 days it takes to complete the build. They are using a loophole in tax laws so the family won't have to pay a "gift" tax. A loophole that allows for the tax-free "improvement" of rental property.
This show is nothing but "Emotion Porn". They feed you with emotional stories about these families so you will volunteer to help or make a donation. That way they don't have to foot the bill.
As for the people that volunteered to help.... Kudos to those of you who have helped this family just because that is what you do and you have helped countless others. As for the rest of you, you just wanted to be on television and see celebrities and there is nothing "in-kind" about that.
And yes, I volunteer. For Habitat.
Habitat builds used to be a great thing.
They were a great thing at one time in this area too until the greedy and dishonest Board of Directors decided to start foreclosing on the homes so that they could sell them to regular homebyers. They could have put new HFH families in those homes.
Greed ruined HFH here in Wicomico County!
I been reading up on the Juust Sooup Kitchen fiasco in Sussex county.
It does appear that the special use exception was requested on the day the new structure was to be revealed.
Now that is a crock because it is my understanding that before these exemptions are considered the neighboring property owners are notified so they can have a chance to offer their opinions to the board.
If ABC and Extreme Home Makeover's
executives really and truly cared about any of these people who they build for they would start all over with this project and rebuilt it at their own cost on a property already suited (even if they have to purchase it themselves) and with the proper zoning for a soup kitchen.
What??? SU gave the kids scholarships? Now, my child goes to SU and we pay full price. Which, by the way, included a 6% increase this year so that SU would have EQUITY with the other state universities. EQUITY would be my family not paying for other students' tuition.
It's a sad day on Delmarva when no one can even be the least bit happy for the poor family getting a new house. Our tax dollars ALWAYS go to something. Whether that be welfare, unemployment benefits, disability, etc. We have to give that money up anyway so why can't it go towards giving these people a brand new house? I know the house is more extravagant than what they need but all plans have flaws and it is what it is. I just don't understand the negativity. How do you know they are going to be broke and foreclosed upon in a year? You don't. It may or may NOT happen. Be happy for them! Quit spouting off who would have been a better selection. How would you feel if it was you who were chosen and had this blog bashing the hell out of you? I just do not understand all the negativity. Quit being jealous and bitter and learn to actually be happy for someone else! Whatever happens, it truly does not affect YOU. You will still come home to your house, go to your job, drive your car. If any of those are applicable to you, the predicament that the Johnson-Goslee family may or may NOT be in a year form now will have to affect on your daily lives whatsoever. Let them be happy while they are happy. And if you cannot do that, then the sad situation is not EM. It's you.
I was planning to put my two cents' worth in, so I scrolled to the bottom of all the posts and then began to work my way up. 1:05 said it all! A wonderful comment; I cannot add a thing. This morning, when I saw the headline about "pissed off" (not a term I would have used), the first thing that hit my mind was "jealosy." Sure enough, someone early on had used that word, and Joe had a comeback for him/her. But isn't it really about jealousy when it's all said and done? The question should be, How can we as a community help this family to keep their house? Shouldn't we rejoice with them as they have been given this wonderful opportunity? Instead, most of the commenters appear to be jealous of the good fortune of this family, though, of course, the jealousy is an unstated feeling.
anonymous 1:29, Please enlighten me for a moment.
Do tell me what I would or should be jealous of. I own multiple properties, ALL of which are all paid for, no mortgage.
I am proud to have been able to work hard enough to place myself and Family in a position in which, (God Forbid) I should pass on one day, my Family will be quite secure.
That being said, one of the keys to my success financially is to have managed that money wisely and trust me, this is not an easy task in today's economy.
Putting a family into a home three times its original size, (when they couldn't even afford running water, so we're told) while it may seem to be a good deed, (and it is) how do you or anyone else expect this family to manage this investment properly?
You, (and some others) have thrown around the word jealousy and quite honestly I take offense to that. It's common sense, not jealousy.
I'll close with this. I know of several, (yes several) local people who give from their heart and NEVER ask for any recognition. I'm not talking chump change, I'm talking anywhere from $35,000.00 on up. They don't need a television show to make things like this happen. Look at the Chuck Campbell fundraising. Look at the Habitat for Humanity projects. No jealousy, just hard working volunteers fundraising for those truly in need.
This Home Makeover syuff is a load of crap. They prey on those people who could never say NO to one of their builds. You think about that for a little bit, then try to deny it.
Agree with you Joe and I too am not jealous as between myself and my husband we own mulitple properties which are all paid for also.
The comments of those in favor of this are the same people who are always screaming corporate greed and CEO's are paid too much money blah blah blah.
They can not see or refuse to see that this shows does nothing more than prey on people who are down on their luck.
ONE family losing a home that this show has built is ONE too many.
ONE family struggling to paid the excessive bills and taxes these home cost them now is ONE family too many.
This is a prime example of corporate greed not the fact that a CEO may be paid too much money.
If you are unable to afford the cost of fixing what you already have how are you going to afford the higher cost of things to come associated with this upgrade? I have to agree that instead of an entire new home fix up what you have, there may not be so much "sticker" shock later. Yes the mom works but again be real if you can't afford to fix up what you have how are you going to afford something bigger? Good luck!
1:05 and 1:29.
The head of Extreme Makeover show made 29 Million dollars in salary in 2010. That's 29 MILLION.
Don't you think that's a shame for that to occur when some of the recipents of these homes lost them due to the added expense of utilities and taxes?
Geez had the CEO just given them the small pitance of $100,000 they most likely would have been able to keep the homes.
Our local Sears says they had nothing to do with this Build, I called and asked because I know they purchased items for the build in Delaware...I personally am happy for the family.
Way too Many negative people in this world!
And now we got a soup kitchen sitting idle in Delaware due to the irresponsiblity of this show.
The money meter is running on that already and the lady can't even use it as intended.
Joe, I'm sure they signed a contract saying they can't sell the home for at least 5 years. That's what I heard and it makes total sense.
This from Fusion builders own website. So they were "asked" to participate. Why not a more local builder?
"When the Fusion Companies were asked to participate in Episode 911 of ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition, we were honored and thrilled that we could fulfill this call to action!"
Amen Anon 1:05!!!Very well put!
Why don't you all just get over yourselves and be happy for the family and stop worrying about the what if's. You should all be ashamed of the negative post you have been putting up here.
Joe, we all know how successful you are financially and how many properties you own. Whenever someone dares mention that you are jealous of someone you are quick to throw out how much money you have. We all know and I truly am happy for you. However, I do not peg you as a jealous one per se. I think you are more of a person who likes to have things happen to people in your circle. Example is Sarah Foxwell. In a previous post you claimed that her aunt would have been a more suitable person to have been picked for EM. I think that shows a lack of respect to the one who actually did get picked for EM by even saying it; however, are you talking about the aunt whose BOYFRIEND was the one who actually raped and murdered Sarah? If so, I do not want that woman getting one red cent of mine. She, with her stupidity of even being with a creep like that, does not deserve it. You mention financial management as one of your keys to success. I agree. How do you know that the Johnson-Goslee family is not competent enough to successfully manage their finances? Everything on here that you and others have put seems to mostly be going off hearsay. Hearsay, as many know, is grossly unreliable due to the fact that the information gets altered along the communication chain. You said it yourself that you were told they could not afford running water. By who? Which member of the Johnson-Goslee family told you? Anyone else, in my opinion, is hearsay which I said earlier isn't too reliable. I too know of people who give money to the community annually and receive no recognition. I too know of people who give 35K or more every year. You are correct in that they do not need a television show to make it happen. But let me ask you this.....were they going to donate that 35K or more to the Johnson-Goslee family so they could fix their house, get a new house, or even get running water since you say they had none? I'm betting no. A TV show was necessary to make this happen with the Johnson-Goslee family because apparently no one in Wicomico county was willing to step up to the plate and help them. Habitat for Humanity and the others are all great organizations but I believe EM has some merit also. Notice that people who are now bankrupt and were previously on EM were people who took out mortgages on the houses built for them and could not make the payments resulting in loss of their house. It was poor decisions on their part; however, you should not be able to prevent others from benefiting from the same organization. Not ALL people are that stupid. There have been happy endings to EM also. I also disagree that people could never say NO to EM. Yes they could have; however, no one wants to live in squalor like they have been. Habitat for Humanity should have taken up their cause if they are so much better than EM. It is obvious that we will not agree on the subject and that is okay with me. The project is near completion and there is nothing any one of us can do about it even if we wanted to. I am happy for the family even if others are not. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I wanted to voice mine. Thank you.
That does not make total sense 2:21
What you heard is just plain old nonsense.
No one can deny Ms Goslee the right to sell a property that was deeded to her esp if she does come into financial hardship and needs to sell.
That's the problem with all you people. Common sense to you equates to negativity and jealousy.
I think some JT comments are slipping by you Joe. His word du jour these days is "negative."
He must have heard someone say "negative" and decide it sounded clever and now he uses it all the time himself.
anonymous 2:25, Please forgive me if I seem somewhat repetitive. I was simply trying to make the point that you have to manage life, not get by in life with gifts you have no way of knowing how to manage. An example/examples are the only way I know how to express such.
As for the Johnson-Goslee family, I never stated they weren't worthy. From all I have heard they are wonderful people. Perhaps we should wait until the TV Shows leave town and we can discuss that further, ok?
In closing, I don't think there is a single person who is not happy for this Family. I think we all wish them well. I'm just sick and tired of what EM does by making millions of other peoples misfortunes.
Joe, I always appreciate your insights, but I think that you ought to realize that at least one of your facts are not accurate.
You point out that the family is moving from a 900sq.ft. dwelling to 2,700sq.ft. What you don't mention is that in their prior home the mother and two children lived. In this new home the grandparents who formerly lived nearby will also be living. Also part of the increase in square footage comes from having a new basement. I don't know the families economics, but it seems that where the residents lived prior in two separate dwellings that the cost increase in taxes are not going to be as much a hardship as you suggest. We also do not know if the residents have been offered any opportunities for a new job, or training or a business which the people on the show often help with.
I also take issue with any debate over the worthiness of one family over the other. As you say the young man is amazing and has devoted his young life to helping anyone in his path in any way he can. I do not know about the rest of the family, but I'm sure they are as deserving as anyone could be. Having raised a young man like this, they must be quite amazing themselves.
For sure, ABC and the production company make a ton of money. They are by no means a charity.
I have heard of some of the stories that have occurred in the past, where people were not able to keep up with their home heating bills, etc. Hopefully the folks at EMHE have learned from that and have that exact awareness in mind with this family and any family they choose. I do think the combining of two families into one will help alot. But we don't know yet, if the contractors have included any efforts to reduce fuel costs through solar and/or other "green" efforts.
My main concern is that none of the dissent or upset over this come the way of the family whom you have already designated as not the best choice. An unfair assumption for sure. Makes no sense to compare those struggling in poverty to one another.
Take care,
Al
2:25 read further in the EHM show and you will find that some of the shows recipents were forced to either try and sell the home or abandon it all together due to the higher costs of upkeep, utilities, insurance, taxes.
I believe what Joe is trying to convey is the show is not what it's cut out to be. In light of the fact that one show makes millions off of advertisers there is no reason why anyone should have lost the homes. The show could have helped these people.
The show has realized this and have now cut back on some of the extragances put in previous homes.
But what the show does not do is sit down with these people and have someone of knowledge go over income and what the projected monthly bills will be to determine if the home will be affordable to them.
Alvy, I have NEVER stated the Family wasn't worthy.
The Mother knows who I am and how willing I was to step up to the plate immediately following the Son's unfortunate accident. How do you think I got to know this Family.
There are several Families in which would be worthy of such a generous gift.
One thing every single person I have spoken with has agreed to, this group from ABC chooses those families in which they cannot say NO. That's all I have to say about that.
My wish, ENJOY IT IN GOOD HEALTH.
Joe, while you did not say the Johnson-Goslee family wasn't worthy-- did indeed say that that they weren't as deserving as noted by this quote from your blog:
"Here's another question I'd like answered. If anyone deserved a new home, (IMHO) why not Sarah Foxwell's siblings and the Aunt raising them. Mind you, perhaps they never asked but if there was ever a family that could use a great break like this, I'd think they would be better recipients."
It is clear you feel that the Johnson-Goslee family was not the most deserving. You opened the veritable can of worms by making the above statement which was not fair at all.
The large reality you ignore here is that families apply for this show. Perhaps you or someone should have done so for the Foxwell family or any of the numerous struggling families on the shore.
I know that you do a lot of great work for the community. I am an avid reader of the blog. But we ought to wait and see how this all comes out. I bet there will be answers to your many concerns.
And please, please no more references about whom is most deserving.
Alvy, DON'T YOU EVER PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH!
I never compared the two Families, ever. I never said one family was more worthy than the other. I'm done with this conversation with you.
I'm happy for the family and give credit to Extreme Home Makeover and Sears for making this happen. There may be some problems or issues, but at least THEY stepped up and helped,that's more then most of you people can say. God bless all involved, the builder, volunteers and the Extreme Home Makeover crew. This is typical redneck jealousy.
1:05 PM
FINALLY. Someone else with some common sense and can think for themselves.
I felt so alone before. Thanks for sharing.
Most of the others could be writers for a t.v. show. Fiction/drama seems to be their forte.
Even the blog owner offers no proven facts. But he got them all riled up and got the hits he wanted.
Can we say narcissistic?
I think the home built on this show are just to extreme. They decorate children's rooms in ways they will soon outgrow. They don't have to be so extravagant in the design and size. They just need to be practical. Recently I saw a show about a makeover for a Marine's house. Why didn't they just move into military housing like all the other family that were shown packing care packages. How did the other military families feel. So they had mold, get rid of the mold, repair the house. Why demolish it? That home was better than many could ever hope for.
1:29 How about ANGRY!!?? Do you understand that word? ABC and the "celebrities" on the show make more money on this show than you or I together would make in two lifetimes, yet they still squeeze every nickel they can out of the locals in tax breaks, donations and free work. Add to that all of the other breaks they (ABC & associated celebs) get from the state, the feds (and I'm sure there are others to add to the list we would never have even dreamed of) at the expense of many productive, hard-working people and there's plenty to be ANGRY about. Jealousy does not enter into this at all. I wouldn't trade places with these unfortunates for anything. The anger some are feeling is for the blood-sucking, greedy people at ABC.
I am so tired of hearing all the crying because someone received a new home. I am from the local area and I have seen so much support for this. People need to stop judging and assuming they know what they can and can't afford. Sure they are having trouble but if you have been though what they have been though with medical bills then you would be struggling too. If you want to be angry then lets look at everything.. They were not on welfare or food stamps or energy assistance..NOTHING.... for once I think this is a family that should be using the system. Not like all the ones that keep having babies or they don't have to work. So many people that need the assistance can't get it but because of the lazy ones that don't want to work. So please leave this poor family alone. You are making something wonderful sour for them. This family deserves a lift up after everything they have gone through.
All I can say is if you general volunteered, you didn't see half of the junk that went on. Including the 3 designers who wouldn't even wave to all of the people helping. 2 were right in the middle of them most of the time and I'm sure you can figure it out because they were photoed the most. ABC and their crew were complete jerks. They talked down to volunteers and were only willing to talk to you if you were the 2 snotty PR girls or the builders. I don't think anyone is jealous about the family or what is going on. But I do think Joe and others are trying to show that ABC is not who they are projecting they are and what they are really about on their show. Neither are the designers. The volunteers and crew did all of the building, restoring and everything. They came out long enough to do their takes and back to their tents they went. They didn't care one thing about helping out. And the show makes it look like they are they right in the middle from dusk till dawn. Glad I got to volunteer, I found out what it really is all about (just a hint, they could care less about the family other than they will get them good ratings and some more money) and I won't be watching it again. So many hard working people came out and volunteered their butts off. The show would be true if it was centered around that.
I worked an overnight shift Friday into Saturday with 11 of my employees, where we also provided the volunteer meal at 2am after the crazy rain storm. I also worked inside the house for 10 hrs on reveal day. I can tell you that one of the designers was a total jerk; nasty and condescending. If you were there, you know exactly which one. The contractors and skilled workers were there for countless hours; one fell asleep in the bathroom next to the room I was working on. The designer who supposedly designed our room (Renee's room) was gracious enough as they shot their scenes in that area, but they were not the room's true designer. The true designer of the room was running around like a mad man just like the rest of us trying to tie everything together so the on-air personalities looked good. I never expected the show to be "just like it is on TV", but it was eye-opening to see just how fake everything actually is. The only real thing I saw at the build were the big hearts and good intentions of everyone at that site that did not receive a dime from it's taping. With the amount of resources and man hours that went into that one house, they could have rehabbed all of San Domingo.
Thanks for this post. I remember watching this show when I was younger thinking "aww man that's awesome I'm so jealous" but now that I know the real life implications of taxes and utility bills, it pains me to see the aftermath of some of these families.
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