House mold-free, but family moving

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http://www.phillyburbs.com/intelligencerrecord/article1.asp?F_num=1482768

Thursday, March 07, 2002

House mold-free, but family moving

By Moran

Staff Writer

The Clintons spent more than $100,000 to get rid of a toxic mold in their

New Britain Township home. Broke, they sold the house last week.

NEW BRITAIN TWP. - The Clintons finally got their house back, but they say

they can't afford it.

After living the last eight months with family, friends and in temporary

housing while specialists removed toxic mold from their Stonyhill Drive

home, the family has been given the clearance to move back in.

The news is bittersweet.

Though the Clintons dreamed of the day they could return to their home, now

that it has arrived, they say they can't because they spent too much money

trying to fix it.

Since July, the family has shelled out about $125,000 - all of it borrowed

from family - trying to get rid of the mold. Nationwide Mutual Fire

Insurance Co., the family's home insurer, has not paid for any of the mold

cleanup. The Clintons filed suit against the company in November, believing

that mold growth due to water damage is covered under their policy.

At the same time they paid specialists to decontaminate their home, the

Clintons also paid a mortgage on a house they didn't live in. It drained

them not just financially, but emotionally, too.

" Being on the brink of bankruptcy and for the long-term sanity of our

family, we have to find other living arrangements, " said Clinton.

The Clintons, after moving to Bucks County from Florida in November 1999,

have decided to return to the Sunshine State. They put their two-story

colonial on the market 2 1/2 weeks ago and sold it this week. Though Chris

said he and his wife, Lucania, sold their house for slightly more

than what they paid, said they didn't make a profit.

" We put in over $100,000 repairing it, " he said.

The decision to move wasn't easy, said, with so much invested in the

house and the relationships they've built in Bucks. But he said his family

" just wants to start life over again. "

The Clintons never wished their nightmare on anyone. When they decided to

sell, they disclosed their mold problems to potential buyers.

The house is now mold free. According to hygienists' reports, the air inside

is actually cleaner than the air outside.

" It just goes to show, if it's done right, mold can be remediated, " Chris

said.

The Clintons will stay in the Stonyhill home for about a week, but then will

leave for Florida with their sons, 3 1/2-year-old Noah and 1-year-old Dylan.

They plan to move in with 's parents in Palm Beach County and stay

there until they get back on their feet.

wants Pennsylvanians to know he isn't disappearing. He plans to

continue his campaign to get toxic mold legislation passed in this state. He

said he plans to mount a similar campaign in Florida.

The Clintons' lawsuit against Nationwide continues. Their attorney,

Wheeler, met recently with Nationwide's attorneys. The case will go to trial

in June 2003, exactly two years after the Clintons filed their claim with

the company.

The problems began last summer, when noticed leaks in his basement and

family room. He ripped out the walls and carpet and found black mold growing

beneath.

Experts told the family the mold was toxic. They immediately moved out of

the house.

A few types of molds are known to produce toxins. When concentrated indoors,

these molds can be harmful, some experts say. Growing numbers of people,

including the Clintons, have blamed these strains for illnesses, including

respiratory problems, headaches, memory loss and dizziness.