Family Takes Action Against Builder Of Moldy Home
Maronda Officials: Company Wants To Complete Repairs
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The following is an exact transcript of Nancy Burton's report as it appeared on NBC 4 at 6 p.m. on May 18, 2006.
It was once their dream home, but now a local couple said mold has turned their lives into a nightmare.
They want the builder to do something about it. But today, the builder went to court in hopes of keeping those homeowners quiet.
Only NBC 4 was in court for that hearing. NBC 4's Nancy Burton reported that the judge had some pretty harsh words for that company.
Nancy Burton: The judge says he was shocked that Maronda Homes wanted the homeowners to take down signs around the house and not talk to anyone about their problems at home. The judge said that request was a clear violation of freedom of speech.
Jennifer Cosner, homeowner: It's unbelievable.
Burton: This is still home for the Cosners, but they don't live here because they say it's not safe.
Cosner: There's fungus in the vent.
Burton: And in the basement, too.
Cosner: Every time I come down here, I see more white fungus.
Burton: Three months ago, the Cosners paid for an independent inspection.
Cosner: They said there were five different molds.
Burton: Jennifer Cosner told Maronda Homes the mold was making her little boy so sick, they moved out.
Did they tell you they would pay for the hotel?
Cosner: Yes, they said they'd cover our expenses. They have not. Now they're refusing to cover the hotel.
Burton: The Cosners think water could be coming in through this window or steel joist. The Cosners say Maronda came and took down part of the stucco exterior, but that's all.
Cosner: They kept saying they'd fix the problems, but it's been 13 months and nothing's been fixed.
Burton: Although the Cosners have not been able to prove that the mold resulted from the way Maronda Homes built their house, they're so frustrated they put up these signs and hired an attorney.
Cosner: We've never been able to agree on what's wrong with the house.
Burton: For a month, Chris Cooper has been working with Maronda Homes. In a prepared statement, Maronda Homes says it's committed to resolving these problems to the Cosner's satisfaction and regret that the current dispute has escalated to the courtroom. Maronda lawyers came to court today to get a judge to order the Cosners not to talk about their house and take down these signs.
Judge Dale Crawford: Are you really serious? You want me to enjoin them from talking to the media? You want me to enjoin them from talking to friends and relatives about this problem?
Chris Conard, Maronda Homes attorney: No. That's not the scope, your honor.
Crawford: That's what you said in your motion.
Chris Cooper, attorney for the Cosners: A lot could be resolved if we dealt with these issues and my clients' ability to exercise their freedom of speech.
Burton: The judge denied Maronda's request. The lawyer for Maronda Homes says there is no toxic mold in the Cosner's home and an independent expert says the greatest concentration of mold was located outside the house. Maronda says it wants to continue to take steps to complete the warranty repairs for the Cosners and hopes the family will work with Maronda in a reasonable manner to allow Maronda to complete the repairs to their home as soon as possible.
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Jimmy McDonald
http://www.StartRemodeling.comJimmy@StartRemodeling.com
http://www.ToxicMoldUSA.comMcMoldMan@ToxicMoldUSA.com
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