To the editor:
One week ago, October 4, the situation at Wellington Mobile Home Park seemed hopeless and for some residents it was becoming desperate.
Two weeks earlier on September 21, 2021, the park had been officially rezoned and the developer, Middleburg Community, had agreed it would disburse the agreed upon $375,000 equally among those residents presently living in the park, and interested in receiving this money.
Immediately following the meeting, Middleburg’s representative, Jason Pfister, assured those residences attending that Triangle Family Services (T.F.S.) would begin dispersing checks and gift cards would be readily available for gas and other necessary items to help in their moves.
The residents at Wellington who received official closure of park notices in August knew that they needed to be out by January 19, 2022, and could now in earnest make decisions about their future because they would have money. The residents began to find places to move their homes, to rent, and to buy, but when they contacted T.F.S., they were told there was no check and were given no date of when the money might be available.
The town, it seems, expected Jason to transfer the money quickly and step out of the picture, but this did not happen. For whatever reason, Jason created a log jam so that residents, desperate for money to effect transactions that were needed for them to get on with their lives, didn’t know who to contact and were given confusing or conflicting information.
Then late last week the town met with Middleburg Community and T.F.S. to set down in writing the details of the agreement between them.
Finally, as of last night, three weeks after the rezoning, Triangle Family Services is in direct contact with the Wellington Park residents, checks are being written, and Jason is officially out of the picture. Now that the lawyer of a multibillion dollar development, Jason Pfister, is not attempting to do the work of qualified and caring social service professionals, residents can benefit from the experience of Triangle Family Services and the funds contracted to allow them to relocate.
Residents are helping one another by passing on information, sharing tips, and helping those without access to internet. The only issue still in question is exactly how much money each family will receive.
An agreed upon final list of residents to whom the money is to be equally distributed is still in the air, but that decision seems imminent. Joy was evident in Wellington last night.
Kenille Baumgardner
Wake Forest
Editor’s note: The $375,000 may be divided between 24 or more families and would mean a family would receive $15,625 each or less if more families are involved. The minimum relocation expense for the families is estimated at $20,000. You, the readers, can help these families as they deal with a wrenching situation by donating to the GoFundMe set up with the help of the NC Congress of Latino organizations and ONE Wake. Please donate at:
