Palm Bay employee Joseph Poteat creates death-bed Will to steal money.

Palm Bay city utility worker Joseph Poteat created a fake Estate Will and used it to defraud Evelyn Karwel out of her life savings. It is assumed that Joseph Poteat stole up to $80,000 dollars. His wife Sherry Poteat sign's the back of the fraud check. By all means, we need a "new" Palm Bay City Manager. We need to terminate Lee Feldman due to all the corruption, and hire a new manager of honest. Look at what happened to my Mother.

Pay to the order of: Chase Bank, which is Joseph Poteat's credit card institution.

Palm Bay employee Josesph Poteat was trying to pay off his credit card [pay to the order of] Chase Bank by using Evelyn Jane Karwel's personal checks. Because the signature did not match, Chase Bank sent the check back to the deceased Evelyn Karwel.

Evelyn Karwel died April 3, 2007, three months before the date on the check.

At a recent speech given by Wayne Ivy, (FDLE, Florida Department of Law Enforcement) at the Palm Bay Democrat's meeting: Wayne Ivy said it was not fraud because Joseph Poteat wasn't using Evelyn's name. THEN WHAT WAS IT, PRAY TELL? He told Sondra Karwel (twin sister) that if he agreed to see the documents (seen below), then she would agree to never bring up the matter ever again. Sondra declined his offer. At the Palm Bay Democrat's meeting we were told that we interrupted Wayne Ivy's speech by asking him questions. He further told us that we were not nice to him. Can you imagine that! Joseph Poteat went into my mother's hospital room while she was in IC and created a Death-bed Will without the consent of the hostpital, the doctors, or the family. After which he proceeded to make funeral arrangement, withdrawn money from her checking account and acted as if he was a family member. It took almost 2 years to stop Joseph Poteat because the Palm Bay Police refused to investigate after finding out Poteat was a Palm Bay employee. One thing about being a victim, you never forget and the crime never goes away. Furthermore, since we were at the Palm Bay Democrat's meeting in front of a whole room full of witnesses, Wayne Ivy (FDLE) can't claim he has never heard of this case before. When files (see below) were submitted to the Florida State Attorneys Office the paper work (see below) keep getting lost and/or missing.

Sandra Karwel in 2008 filed as a candidate for Palm Bay City Council to protect the rights and property of elderly residents (that are presently so poorly represented in Palm Bay), remember Evelyn Karwel was 82 years old.

Monday, August 7, 2017

I told David Isnardi in 2010 that he and others from the City of Palm Bay would be facing a GRAND JURY. He laughed.

I told David Isnardi and others from the City of Palm Bay that they would be facing a GRAND JURY.

They laughed.

But David Isnardi is only the very "tip of the ice burg" what is below the ice burg is the bigger and more lethal interest, just like what is the real picture behind the corruption of Palm Bay and the perpetrator of fraud like:

Employee ANDREW LANNON - Palm Bay City Attorney

and

Ex-employee Lee Feldman
Ex-employee, x-chief of police Doug Muldoon

and then the 👉core👈 of the corruption:

Brevard County 18 Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office
City of Palm Bay's Attorney, and now Assistant State Attorney Greg Hansen (pictured below)

👇

PALM BAY — Deputy Palm Bay City Manager David Isnardi has taken a temporary leave from his duties at City Hall as the state and federal investigation appears to be heating up.

News of the Isnardi leave — officially accrued vacation time — comes after it was learned that a federal grand jury will be hearing testimony related to David Isnardi's business dealings and also City Hall's receipt of a subpoena for related records.

On Thursday, City Manager Gregg Lynk, when questioned by FLORIDA TODAY about Isnardi's status in City Hall said: "As of late last week Mr. Isnardi has chosen to take accrued personal time. It was agreed on by all parties involved that Mr. Isnardi separate himself until further details are available regarding the investigation."

More: Feds subpoena records from Palm Bay

For his part, Isnardi said in a text to FLORIDA TODAY: "I'm not allowed to talk with you guys until all this is over. Please direct your questions to the city."

The developments on Thursday are part of the latest chapter in a controversy that has been surrounding Palm Bay since it was learned several weeks ago that the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have been looking into various aspects of the operations of Palm Bay city government.

More: What happened to Space Coast Paratroopers Association and how did it land in controversy?

Isnardi, a former U.S. Army paratrooper drill instructor, is the husband of Kristine Isnardi, a Brevard County Commissioner, representing District 5 in South Brevard. Kristine Isnardi replaced Andy Anderson as District 5 county commissioner when Anderson could not run for re-election in November due to term limits.

David Isnardi, prior to becoming Palm Bay deputy city manager, was chief of staff in Anderson's County Commission office.

Anderson was hired as Palm Bay's economic development administrator in May 2015, soon after David Isnardi was hired as deputy city manager.

Isnardi currently earns $108,225 as deputy city manager.

Check back with FLORIDA TODAY for updates to this story.

Contact Price at 321-242-3658 or wprice@floridatoday.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Fla2dayBiz.

👇

A federal grand jury will be hearing testimony related to Deputy Palm Bay City Manager David Isnardi's business dealings, and City Hall has received a subpoena for related records.

According to a subpoena sent to Palm Bay's custodian of records, the FBI is seeking records related to grant funds and loans from the city to Isnardi and two former business partners, Stephen and Penny Hamrick. At one time, they operated Hoppers Designated Drivers.

The upcoming grand jury hearing is the latest twist in the political drama that has enveloped Palm Bay City Hall since state and federal audits of grant programs earlier this year turned up questionable management practices, as well as lax accounting. The findings prompted a rift on the Palm Bay City Council and a public outcry.

More: Palm Bay veterans group disbanding after controversy

More: Exclusive: Explosive allegations leveled by Palm Bay veterans chief

The FBI is seeking "applications, receipt of funds, disbursement of funds, default on payment, forgiveness of loans, as well as related supporting documentation and correspondences."

Isnardi was not a city employee at the time he was in the Hoppers Designated Drivers business. He became deputy city manager in May 2015.

Stephen Hamrick in 2014 received a house through Palm Bay's Homes for Warriors program targeted for veterans with disabilities.

Hamrick told FLORIDA TODAY earlier this year that Isnardi called him in 2013 — “out of the blue” — about the Homes for Warriors program in Palm Bay, and asked if he would be interested. Isnardi, according to Hamrick, told him: "I'm going to put you into a free house."

Isnardi denied promising the Hamrick a house, saying that he only encouraged him to apply. Isnardi added that the city of Palm Bay was responsible for approving all applicants.

Palm Bay City Hall has come under scrutiny in recent months. Here's what you need to know. Wochit

The FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have been looking into various aspects of the operations of Palm Bay city government.

The subpoena to testify and request for documents is the first concrete indication that a federal grand jury will be hearing testimony in Orlando related to Palm Bay.

Hoppers was a designated-driver businesses started in 2001 by Steven Hamrick; his wife, Penny; and David Isnardi.

They received a $15,000 microloan, via U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development community development block grants, administered by the city of Palm Bay.

The three eventually sold the company and were responsible for repaying the $15,000.

Isnardi, now the assistant city manager for Palm Bay, said he doesn’t know what the FBI is inquiring about with its subpoena about Hoppers.

He said he left the business in September 2001, several months after the business started. Isnardi said he repaid his $5,000 portion of the $15,000 loan in 2005. The Hamricks sold the business much later, according to Isnardi.

After learning about the subpoena last week, Isnardi said he met with his attorney, former Brevard County Judge John Murphy, to discuss the issue.

“When the FBI and the FDLE are looking at you, then you need to talk to a lawyer,” Isnardi said.

Isnardi said he hasn’t spoken with the FBI or FDLE, and he hasn’t been asked to speak to a grand jury or to provide any documents.

That the FDLE and FBI are looking into operations in Palm Bay also is concerning, Isnardi said.

“Yes, I’m concerned. It bothers me a lot,” Isnardi said. “But what can I do? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Hamrick would only acknowledge to FLORIDA TODAY that he spoke with the FBI about Hoppers.

Officials at the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI said they could not comment on any grand jury activity.

Contact Price at 321-242-3658 or wprice@floridatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @Fla2dayBiz.

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649 or dberman@floridatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at facebook.com/dave.berman.54

Thursday, June 29, 2017

SS Steve Shytle's criminal Home Invasion, Palm Bay, Florida from Sandra Kane Karwel on Vimeo.

Sunday, June 25, 2017

YEAR 2017 CITY OF PALM BAY UNDER INVESTIGATION

PALM BAY INVESTIGATIONS

Palm Bay city employees Joseph Poteat and Sherry Poteat redirected 82-year old Evelyn Jane Karwel's Allstate hurricane insurance money to their home address at 1027 Canton Street. Evelyn's insurance money was deposited into Palm Bay city employee's personal Space Coast Credit Union checking account in an endeavor to steal, money launder, and defraud.

Holton gives back money to veterans group
Gabordi: Nothing 'shameful' in Palm Bay reporting
Palm Bay veterans' chief fears loss of county funding
Councilman: 'I categorically deny any wrongdoing'
Exclusive: Explosive allegations leveled by Palm Bay veterans chief
Palm Bay City Council censures Mayor Capote
Palm Bay to consider probe of ex-official related to grants
FDLE investigating 'several allegations' inside Palm Bay City Hall
Emotions high at Palm Bay City Council meeting
Palm Bay's 'Homes for Warriors' program under state scrutiny
HUD slams running of Palm Bay program
Palm Bay mayor still seeks to replace city manager

Lannon's investigation comes as Palm Bay has fallen under scrutiny for the way it has handled grants and the filing of reports to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Also in question are state funds used in a local program that provides housing to disabled veterans called "Homes for Warriors." The latter involves a somewhat murky relationship between the city and a Palm Bay-based veterans group formerly called the Space Coast Paratroopers Association. Contact Price at 321-242-3658 or wprice@floridatoday.com.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Website: www.yhinsfr.blogspot.com

https://youtu.be/S1rcI3whi6M

STEVE SHYTLE of the Palm Bay Police did criminal HOME INVASION by ramming Sandra Kane Karwel's front door to her warranty deed home of 48 years. Then Shytle stole everything of value from inside her home, and filled-up realtor Robert Lemke’s car with Sandra’s private property. These retaliations against the Karwel family can be traced back to an event in 2007, when Sandra Kane Karwel did discover the City of Palm Bay's involvement in a Insurance Fraud scheme that defrauded Sandra's 82 year old mother Evelyn Jane Karwel out of nearly $72,000.00 dollars.

Monday, December 12, 2016

2016 a Year in Federal US Middle District Court, Orlando, Florida

The Karwel have lived in Palm Bay since 1968.

1142 Bianca Drive, NE

Palm Bay, Florida, 32905

Friday, December 17, 2010

I hope this never happens to you. Here is our story.

With this website I will define what our family had to go through in order to protect my mother's estate; however Joseph Poteat (a Palm Bay city employee) was able to steal my mother's jewelry, and empty her bank account. We hired Joyce U. Ballack from O'Brien Riemenschneider Wattwood & Cantwell PA to defend my Mother's estate. We were successful at a high cost. The courts decided in our favor, but Joseph Poteat had already stole my mother's money. The Legal bill are over $5,000.

On 04/17/2007 Joseph Poteat (Palm Bay City utility worker) filed with the Brevard Clerk of Court a Death-bed Estate Will in his pursuit to take possession of my mother's estate. He assigned himself as the Estate Administer, in so doing he would have been able to cover-up to a greater extent all his activities. Moreover, as Estate Administer Joseph Poteat would have received a total percentage of the entire estate.

Almost two years later, and after Joseph Poteat had emptied (cleaned-out) Evelyn Karwel's personal checking account, stole jewelry, broken in to the house, and caused havoc, on 12/02/2008 Joseph Poteat was forced out as Administer and withdrawal his Petition for Administer with the Brevard Clerk of Court all the while working as an emplyee for the City of Palm Bay.

Please look very closely at the Will. Joseph Poteat had his wife Sherry (also a Palm Bay employee) act as witness, and their daughter Alysha Arpan.
Joseph Poteat hired Charles Nash for $5,000 dollars (from my mother's money) from the firm of Nash, Moule , and Kromash-Attorneys At Law.
So frankly, we paid (and owe) $5,000 for our lawyer to talk with Poteat's hired lawyer: Charles Nash. The money paid to Charles Nash by Joseph Poteat came from Evelyn Karwel's bank account. I still remember Charles Nash telling me sarcastically in the begining: If you continue your lawsuit you'll pay for my children to go to collage. What a horrible thing to say! We had sent Charles Nash many certified letters stating that Joseph Poteat was not, and has never been a member of our family.

The Palm Bay Police failed (refused) to acknowledge a Fraud Crime, but one thing about victims of crimes they never forget. I hope this never happens to you, so here is my story so anyone can protect there family from FRAUD!

When the Palm Bay Police found out that Joseph Poteat was a Palm Bay City Utility worker they said they would not investigate Joseph Poteat any further. For the past 4 years the city of Palm Bay and the Palm Bay Police Department have been protecting Joseph Poteat.

I have personally talked with John J. Mazziotti about this topic and all he had to say is: "I hope he (Joseph Poteat) isn't doing this to anyone else."

In 2007, I personally talked with William Capote about this topic and he wanted me to join his campaign team for 2008, which I did. He promised he would address the problem after he was elected. At this date (03/26/2010) William Capote has not address the issue.

Friday, November 26, 2010

The Judicial System in Florida needs correcting to stop FRAUD.

Innocence Project of Florida

I have live in Palm Bay, Florida (Brevard) since 1968; in 2005 I started to notice that too many people were being arrested, some people because of CODE ENFORCEMENT. But people were being accused of thing that did not make any sense, too many arrests, it was this thing that was too noticeable, newspapers have pages of arrests. Up until 2007, it was just something that did not make any sense; but when my mother was defrauded by Joseph Poteat a Palm Bay City Utility worker we stated to see why there are so many arrests. (Joseph Poteat created a fake Estate Will). For my mothers case we contacted the Palm Bay Police; the Palm Bay Police told us that since Joseph Poteat was a Palm Bay City employee they would not get involved. The police threatened us that if we continued to question the City of Palm Bay and go to city council meetings that they would make-up crimes against us. Make this very clear: back then the Palm Bay Police told us that they worked for Lee Feldman, the City Manager; and that he was their boss. MAKE THIS CRYSTAL CLEAR: THE POLICE SAID THEY WORK FOR THE CITY MANAGER, NOT THE CITY OF PALM BAY! I did attend city council meeting, up until the threats got out of hand, our vehicles were stopped by the police at gun point, we were told by the Palm Bay Police that we could be knifed, shot or stabbed if we continued to attend city council meeting, so we stop going, and we have been accused of all kinds of crimes, made-up, crazy, and insane crimes ever since. Arrests are no longer about actual crimes; it’s about power of the city, money, and the bullying of police. It does not matter if a person is innocent, even if there is evidence of innocence, the courts will ignore it, the counts want convictions, not innocence, and the money is in the conviction. I attend court proceeding and one thing is too obvious: you will hear is ….and $250 paid to the Palm Bay Police. …and $150 paid to the Palm Bay Police …and $350 etc. We have a real problem in Florida, arresting people for made-up crimes to generate money; we have an even bigger problem with suppressing valid evidence of innocence. BUT MORE THAN THAT WE HAVE AN EVEN BIGGER PROBLEM, IN THE COURTROOM, WHEN THE STATE ATTORNEY IS RUNNING THE SHOW, NOT THE JUDGE! As I watch more and more Brevard courtroom procedures; I watch as the Judges ask favors of the State Attorney, the Judges even ask the State Attorney how to run their own courtroom, and what ruling to make. I can not imagine how horrible it must be for people to have lost their lives (be incarcerated) by this break-down in Constitution Liberties. I encourage everyone to get involved, speak-up and stop this abuse.

Sandra Karwel — November 19, 2010 @ 9:09 am
http://floridainnocence.org/content/?p=3178&cpage=1#comment-9697

http://www.floridainnocence.org/

Joseph Poteat stole jewelry from our family, we want it back!

Palm Bay city employee Joseph Poteat broke into our house and stole (STOLE!) my mothers vintage and unreplaceable jewelry from her bedroom bureau. Here is whats left of his thief.

However on the bottom drawer unknownst to Poteat my mother keep my Dad's vintage 1950 tie-clips and cuff-links, so they were saved, but he stole all of my mother's vintage 1950 jewelry.

OUR FAMILY WANTS MY MOTHERS JEWERLY BACK!

WE WANT THE CITY OF PALM BAY ACCOUNTABLE FOR HAVING TWO CITY EMPLOYEE: (JOSEPH AND SHERRY POTEAT) TAKING SUCH MEASURE AS TO DISRUPT OUR LIVES AND STEAL MONEY, IMPORTATNT PAPERS, JEWELRY AND CREATE A FAKE ESTATE WILL TO DEFRAUD OUR FAMILY OUT OF ITS PROPERTY!

Sherry Poteat plays games while working for the City of Palm Bay.

Evelyn Karwel died 04/03/2007. On 04/19/2007 (six days after my mother dies) Sherry Poteat without authority turns off the water at Evelyn Karwel's residences at 1142 Bianca Drive. She had NO AUTHORITY to tamper with decease’s Palm Bay Utility Account; moreover the Karwel family was living inside the house.

The city of Palm Bay allowed Sherry Poteat to play with Palm Bay Utility accounts, and the electric bill. Sherry Poteat also called Florida Power and light and said she was Evelyn' daughter and requested that the electric be turned-off at 1142 Bianca Drive, which they did. It took 4 days to get the electricity turned back on, which it was then turned on in my name. I had to file a subpoena with the Brevard Sheriff Office to Florida Power and Light requesting the documents of how the electicity got turned off.

This is unacceptable behavior. Evelyn's daughters: Sandra and Sondra Karwel still resided in the house along with their pets and two aging cats that belong to Evelyn Karwel.

The daughters are dealing with the passing of their mother and Palm Bay employee Sherry Poteat deliberately turns off the water to Evelyn Karwel's house.

Even now as I write this I'm stunned at the amount of corruption going on and allowed at the city of Palm Bay. Moreover, I am reminded that this behavior is directly related to the management style of the city of Palm Bay, and the city manager: Lee Feldman.

If the city of Palm Bay "had" a clean and honest city manager, then Sherry Poteat and Jospeh Potest's actions would have been nullified.

Sherry Poteat uses the City of Palm Bay's facility to do illicit acts.

Sherry Poteat took it upon herself to turn-off the electricity at 1142 Bianca Drive. She called “Florida Power and Light” and told them that she was Evelyn Karwel’s daughter and that she was also the Administrator of Evelyn’s Estate Will.

It took a subpoena to verify that indeed it was Sherry Poteat; the phone number was shown to be from the city of Palm Bay. Remember she was doing this while she was at work, same as when she turned of the water. Sherry Poteat used the City of Palm Bay’s phone lines (government property) to do these illicit acts. After 4 days of negotiations the power was turned on, but Evelyn’s elderly cat “Baby” died from heat exhaustion because of Sherry Poteats illegal act.

Letter sent to PB City Council, Doug Muldoon-PBPD, and State Attorney's Office

At the Code Enforcement Workshop Mayor John J. Mazziotti asked for public comments: I tried to speak about a code enforcement issue; but the Mayor knew the topic and he turned off the microphone as I was speaking.

Joseph Poteat-a Palm Bay city employee and his wife Sherry created a fake Estate Will and hence set-off a long history of litigation such that no human could keep up with all the paperwork, crime, court douments or code issues. So at the Code Workshop, the member laughed hysterically at Palm Bay residents who try to rectify their cases by asking for time extensions.

The Code Enforcement Board though it was so FUNNY; but this is what happen in my case, sometime it takes years to fix a situation, especially if it is a Palm Bay City employee who is the perpetrator.

However, while the rest of the Code Enforcement and other members laughed to their hearts content, at least one person volunteered to speak to me, and that was Jimmie Glover. So of all the member that attended that night, only one person tried to help. Here is his suggest.
------------------------------------------------------

DATE: 04-30-2010

Dear Palm Bay City Council, Doug Muldoon and State Attorney's Office:

It is by the recommendation of Jimmie Glover-Code Enforcement Advisor Board Member that the following procedure be followed.

Mr. Glover requested that a copy of the attached Estate Will be sent to Doug Muldoon PBPD, Palm Bay City Council Members, and the State Attorney's Office which I will be sending US mailed to Mr. Muldoon and State's Attorney's Office.
Here I have attached the Will in this email along with other supporting documents, and it can also be view on my website: http://www.sandrakarwel.blogspot.com/

Likewise, I would like to add that Mr. Muldoon has meet and has know Evelyn Karwel and her late husband Joseph Karwel since 1978. In fact Joseph & Evelyn Karwel held Doug Muldoon in the highest esteem, and at a period in time they prided themselves in thinking Mr. Muldoon was like an honorary son to them, and they truly adored him.

Attached please find a copy of the Estate Will that Joesph Poteat (a Palm Bay City Utility Worker) filed with the Brevard Clerk of Court.

Also note that the Will was witnessed by Poteat's wife Sherry who is also a Palm Bay city employee and their daughter Alysha.

Mr. Glover could not believe that a Palm Bay employee could create a fake and fraud Estate Will to steal monies and properly from an 82 year old senior citizen.

Moreover, I have added a few more documents: #1.) Poteat wrote a check in the amount of $445 dollars to payoff his credit card the date on the check is 3 months after the death of Evelyn Karwel, #2.) An Objection to the Will, #3.) An Injunction against Sherry and Josph Poteat.

Hence code enforcement could not understand why code issues could not be processed with in a few months. Well by the Poteat's filing the Estate Will with the court system and our family contesting it: the Brevard Court System decides the outcome of the property which in this case is still in probate and already 3 years old.

Reminder: the Mayor and William Capote are already aware of this FRAUD ESTATE WILL. William Capote promised that as soon as he was in office he would address the issue and the Mayor remarked that he hoped Josph Poteat wasn't doing this to other senior citizens.

Sincerely,
Sandra Karwel
4 attachments — Download all attachments AR-BC320_20100330_160549.pdf87K View Download BC320_20100330_160621.pdf118K View Download BC320_20100330_160952.pdf563K View Download BC320_20100330_163738.pdf1276K View Download

Reimbursement for the broken automatic garage door
Reimbursement for Pop-a-lock door keys and service Reimbursement for the cat food removed from house
Return jewelry removed from house
Return house paperwork removed from house
Return Father's Annuity money stolen from bank
Reimbursement for dry food removed form house Reimbursement for food removed from freezer Reimbursement food removed from refrigerator
Sod and plant re-placement for the front and back yard for turning off water and destroying the plants
Return personal items and jewelry stolen from the
Funeral Home
Joseph Poteat took the jewelry from my mother's dead body at the funeral home.

Taken from funeral home:
- Platinum solitaire with diamonds 1949 vintage engagement ring
Platinum vintage 1949 wedding ring
- Fathers gold vintage 1949 wedding band on gold necklace
- gold chain with Cadillac charm
- Family gemstone ring-with children’s birthday gemstone
- 8 gold necklaces
-12 gold brackets
- $50.00 dollar safe keeping dollar bill in wallet

Return pictures and house items stolen from the house Reimbursement of attorney fees paid
Reimbursement all filing fee paid
Reimbursement for mileage driving to Titusville for Court Hearings and Injunction
Restitution for BCC college course
Reimbursement for pain and suffering
Reimbursement for the telephone being shut off and reconnected
Reimbursement for the cable being shut off and reconnected Reimbursement for the for the water being shut off and reconnected
Reimbursement for the electricity being shut off twice and reconnected
Reimbursement for the instant camera Reimbursement for film for Polaroid camera
Reimbursements for 2 file folders
Reimbursement for missed work days for Sandra Karwel Reimbursement for missed work days for Sondra Karwel Reimbursement for food allowance for Sandra Karwel Reimbursement for food allowance for Sondra Karwel Reimbursement for living expenses for Sandra Karwel Reimbursement for living expenses for Sondra Karwel
Returne the $5,000.00 you took from Evelyn's checking account to pay-off "your" Attorney Charles Nash

Sherry Poteat stalking house.

The following pictures are of Sherry Poteat stalking our house and trying to break in; she is using a City of Palm Bay vehicle.
These pictures are not digital, but film and where scanned into the computer so no editing has been done. Note that we will qualify the time from the non-existent jungle gym from across the street. We will futher show that she was on the property even after we applied and was granted an injunction against Joseph Poteat. And the Palm Bay Police "refused" to do anything.

QUOTE
By Jennifer Stahl
Staff Writer

PALM BAY - As the 2006 hurricane season looms forbiddingly on the horizon, many area residents are still recovering from damage incurred during the 2004 season.
But one local woman may be able to put some of the horrors of Hurricane Jeanne and her wake of destruction in the past as she opens the door to a new home, provided in part by Palm Bay.
Prior to the summer of 2004, Evaline Karwel had lived in the same home in Palm Bay for nearly four decades. But Hurricane Jeanne made short work of that. The storm spawned a tornado that obliterated 40 years of history in mere seconds.
"Jeanne was the one who destroyed everything, but she did me a favor - a wonderful one," Ms. Karwel said.
Ms. Karwel and her daughter were sheltering in the home with two dogs, nine cats and two birds when furious winds blew in the front window in an explosion of glass. At the time, it was raining so hard visibility was almost nonexistent.
Ms. Karwel called the fire department, but during the height of the storm, there was little they could do to help her.
"They just told us to hunker down and pray," Ms. Karwel said. "My daughter didn't think we would come out of it alive."
The two sheltered in an interior bedroom of Ms. Karwel's home, cowering under blankets and mattresses. They tried to stop the influx of rushing water with sheets, towels and blankets. It was no use.
Water flooded the home, and damaging winds blew everything helter skelter.
"When it was over, everything was high western crooked," Ms. Karwel said. "With my clothes I was pretty lucky, but everything else was kaput."
City officials condemned her home. Now, at 80, Ms. Karwel was homeless. She was insured, but the payout of $52,000 was less than half the amount she needed to rebuild.
But a friend of hers wasn't able to accept that. He offered her a solution.
Joe Poteat, a former crew leader and heavy equipment operator for the Palm Bay Utilities Department, put Ms. Karwel in contact with Palm Bay's Housing & Neighborhood Development Services Department. Ms. Karwel and Mr. Poteat met when Ms. Karwel needed repair to a water main outside her home.
In December 2004, officials with the department applied for a state grant through the "Home Again Program."
Normally, the state administers the Home Program, which is designed to make affordable housing opportunities available to low- to moderate-income families. But after Brevard County residents suffered devastating losses from the hurricanes, the state appropriated an additional amount of the Home Program funds to help low- to moderate-income families affected by the storms, said Glenn Morris, the city's housing services department administrator.
The new funding program became known as the Home Again Program. Money was offered to every municipality in Brevard, but only officials with the county and Palm Bay applied, Mr. Morris said. Each received a $500,000 grant to help families repair or rebuild their homes.
The assistance is over and beyond assistance made by insurance claims, Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, and Small Business Administration claims, Mr. Morris said.
Palm Bay city officials said they decided to target those who where hit hardest. Uninsured or underinsured low- to moderate-income families whose homes were either destroyed or substantially damaged would be first in line for grant money.
Ms. Karwel received $50,000 to rebuild, the maximum amount the city can provide. With the combined insurance and grant money, she was able to finance the construction of a new home on her old lot.
Ms. Karwel's home was damaged so extensively it had to be razed.
Dave Avchen, owner of Custom Homes of Port Malabar, built her a new home with a few extra amenities.
For example, Ms. Karwel's former home was 900 square feet, and was not in compliance with the city's current minimum building standards. However, her new home, which she received the keys to last week, is 1,200 square feet with a two-car garage, storm shutters and all new appliances.
Ms. Karwel said it will take time for her to learn how to operate all the new, fancy gadgets outfitting her new home.
Looking inside her sleek, black refrigerator with water and ice dispenser, Ms. Karwel said, "I don't even know how to operate this. I'm going to have to learn how to use it."
And after 19 months of displacement, Ms. Karwel said she has quite a few special people to thank for her new home, including Dave Avchen, the Housing & Neighborhood Development Services Department and her friends, Joe and Sherry Poteat.
"I thank them from the bottom of my heart," Ms. Karwel said. "If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have a home."
END QUOTE