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Plug in: Chinese drywall news and resources
11:32 A.M. — The Cape Coral City Council in February may consider a resolution asking Gov. Charlie Crist to declare a state of emergency to help homeowners dealing with the economic and health effects of having defective drywall.
Richard Kampf, a Cape Coral homeowner who has the defective product and represents a grassroots organization of about 350 homeowners, made the request to council Jan. 12.
He also sent a proposed resolution, patterned on similar resolutions passed by the City of Parkland on Jan. 6 and by Broward county commissioners on Jan. 12. In addition, State Sen. Nan Rich sent a letter asking Crist for the declaration on Jan. 8.
Kampf and others equate the drywall problem to a silent hurricane. The emergency declaration could open the conduit for state and federal assistance, including FEMA help for homeowners, who in many cases have abandoned their homes and suffer health effects. The homes must be gutted and taken down to the studs to remove the drywall. Many homebuilders are not responsive and insurance companies refuse to help.
"Homeowners are not asking for a handout; we did nothing wrong, and now without your help we can lose everything," Kampf wrote.
