Page 4 March 24, 2010
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Real Estate Today
Two Planes Crash in Mid-Air
Near Williston
Good Screening Identifies Good Tenants
A Guest Commentary by Darryl Diamond
the FBI arrested the tenant while he was on
Williston, Florida-Debbie Phillips a resident of 215 NE 212 Court Williston called the Levy
a business trip to Califor-
John J (Not his real name) is an
County Sheriff s Office and stated that she heard what she thought was a
nia. Taking back the prop-
experienced real estate broker and proper-
gun shot, but when she looked out her window she discovered a plane had
erty at that point was very
ty manager. When he found a tenant for a
crashed in the field behind her house.
easy”.
4,000 sq ft high end home on 50 acres locat-
Levy County Sheriff’s Deputies, EMS and Williston Fire De-
The experience
ed in Marion County horse country during
partment responded to the scene on Saturday March 20 about 12 noon
lead this property manager
last summers slow season, he felt a dream
and discovered an experimental small airplane upside down approxi-
to be more careful, by set-
had come true. The tenant had an excellent
mately 300 yards from the above residence. Deputies have confirmed
ting a written “to do list”
credit report in hand and was willing to pay
that the 73 year old pilot of the Experimental airplane has been identified
that must be checked off, before handing
6 months rent upfront.
as Lee Hanley Sentman III, from Summerfield, Fl.
Hanley Sentman III
over keys on all future rental transactions.
However, it didn’t take long for
Upon further investigation a second airplane a Piper 32 was dis-
Checking with the previous land-
his nightmares to begin. Looking back
covered fully engulfed in flames approximately 400 yards to
lord is a must, having the checks clear before
Mr. J can recognize the mistakes he made
the west of the experimental plane. The Williston Fire Depart-
allowing occupancy is a must, and running a
which should be a lesson to other landlords
ment extinguished the fire with water and foam and discovered
credit check is a must, for the landlord that
no matter how much experience they may
two unidentified bodies in the second airplane crash.
wants to do a proper screening. I like that
have. Firstly he did not check that the new
Preliminary investigation reveals that the experimen-
almost all of the local power plant workers
tenant’s driver’s license matched the credit
tal airplane left the Ocala Airport Sat. morning and the Piper
have their criminal back round checked. If
report that was presented. Next, the prop-
32 left the Williston Airport. The two had a mid air collision
you do not have experience with renting,
erty manager skipped the reference check
around 11:45 AM and the weather condition was sunny with
you would be smart to get professional help
because the previous landlord and previous
clear skies. The Emergency Management Community Emer-
to find a good tenant, at least with your first
employer were unavailable. Mistake 3 was
gency Response Team (CERT) assisted at the scene which en-
one or two rentals.
that the property manager was fooled by the
compasses an area that is approximately ½ of a mile long and
I do property management, and
offer to pay six months in advance. Lastly
¼ of a mile wide.
there are several other good property man-
The keys were handed over to the tenant be-
The Federal Aviation Administration investigators are
agers in the Citrus, Levy, and Marion coun-
Experimental Aircraft
fore the rent and security checks cleared.
also responding to assist in the crash investigation. The flight
ties areas to assist you in getting a good ten-
Almost immediately “Mr. Hyde”
plan and circumstances of the crash are unknown at this time.
ant. If you wish to get into this residential
emerged and started making all kinds of
The Levy County Sheriff Dept. has tentatively identified the two in the Piper 32 as a 65 year
rental business the time will never be better.
threats, and only one of the tenants checks
old man and his 35 year old wife from Germany. Names have not been released pending
Have fun out there in the rental field, and be
cleared. Mr. J states “he started working me
notification of next of kin.
Inglis Works on High Water Bill Solution
careful screening your tenants. You can find
over like a pro”. Just a month later while
me at Diamond Investmentas Inc. 352-447-
Mr. J was consulting an attorney his luck
4442 I’ll see you around “The Campus”.
improved. “By a Miracle, I was saved when
The Inglis Town Commission held a workshop followed by a special meeting
Thursday night in an effort to find a resolution for people who have a water line break on
Clerk McCranie said the town was originally under Farmer’s Home Rule and we
their side of the meter and owe a large sum of money. Several water customers have had
had to abide by their rules and couldn’t wave late fees or dismiss paying for water. Now we
these breaks recently which caused a hardship, one in particular was $2000 and the owners
treat everyone the same, it’s up to the commissioners discretion to set up any new program.
had never lived in the house. Commissioner Bob Webb started off the discussion with his
Webb asked if new customers were given any written document explaining a break on their
concern for users with these large surprise bills trying to find a way to create a fund for these
side when they get service. McCranie responded if they are not given something written
break payments. Commissioner Gary Moser added he is the longest commissioner here and
then they are told. That includes when the bills are due, late fees, town not responsible for
“we have gone through this over and over.” Moser was concerned with a prejudice lawsuit
Continued on page 10
if special treatment were given to anyone. Clerk Sally McCranie explained that bills have
Coastal
Hair Port
never been given before but right now with an excessive bill of $300 or less the customer
can pay this in 3 payments. A high usage bill can take a year broken down into equal pay-
at Plaza 40
Carting
ments to meet the cost.
Continued in Next Column
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