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Sun City Center residents take drywall concerns on the road

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By SHERRI LONON

THE SUN

Published: November 11, 2009

Even though they are separated by miles, families dealing with the uncertainty and financial expenses associated with having Chinese drywall in their homes don't stand alone.

That's the message residents of Sun City Center want to send by attending a Dec. 5 rally in Fort Myers. Dubbed the Toxic Drywall Rally, the three-hour event at the Shell Factory & Nature Park off U.S. 41 is designed to bring awareness to the plight faced by those who have discovered Chinese drywall contamination in their homes, explained organizer Richard Kampf.

"We're holding the rally because there are a significant amount of people in southwest Florida" facing this issue, Kampf said. "We're not sure we've got the full attention of the federal congressional members."

At issue is drywall imported from China that has been found to emit a corrosive gas. It is blamed for damaging appliances, corroding copper wiring and air-conditioning coils and might cause some health complaints. The extent, severity and implications of the problem remain under investigation by both state and federal agencies. Remediation costs for fully replacing a home's drywall, as well as tackling other forms of damage, are estimated to run as much as $100,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home.

"We're living it," explained Kampf, adding that the rally is meant to help officials put faces to the statistics. "This is a family day. We wanted to draw attention to the children."

Dee Giordano is a member of the Greater Sun City Center Chinese Drywall Coordinating Group. The group was created earlier this year to inform residents about developments in the issue and to lobby on behalf of those affected by Chinese drywall. Giordano is working with Sun City Center and Kings Point residents to bring a contingency to the rally.

Giordano said there is a need for people to band together on this issue whether they are personally impacted or not because the implications can affect an entire community in regard to property values.

"These people want to have a rally and we need to support them," she said. "People need to know the number - the sheer volume."

It is estimated that 75 homes in Sun City Center and Kings Point have confirmed cases of Chinese drywall.

Both Kampf and Giordano say there is a need for more research into the health effects of Chinese drywall exposure. They would also like to see some form of financial assistance to help homeowners remediate their homes.

"We really need them (legislators) to push harder," Kampf said.

Kampf said the rally is open to anyone who is affected by Chinese drywall or wants to support those who are.

Attendees are asked to bring 8-by-10-inch pictures of their families to show officials the faces of those living with Chinese drywall concerns. The rally features Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp as the guest speaker at 11 a.m. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has also been invited, Kampf said, but has not confirmed as of press time.
Sun City Center area residents who wish to attend are asked to contact Giordano via e-mail at deeg1@tampabay.rr.com. She is helping coordinate transportation to and from the event. If enough people show interest, a bus may be used to facilitate transportation.

The Toxic Drywall Rally takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to the guest speakers, it will feature activities for families, including tours of the Shell Factory and Nature Park, 2787 N Tamiami Trail, Kampf said. For more information about the rally, e-mail Brenda and George Brincku at bbrincku@gmail.com or Richard and Patti Kampf at seaisle7109@comcast.net. To find out more about the park and the costs of certain activities, visit shellfactory.com.

Sherri Lonon can be reached at slonon@mediageneral.com or at (813) 731-1976.

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