On or about the middle of August, after 2 weeks with no rain, a large amount of water began to flow from the street in front of our 1925 home in Old Town, Anacortes WA. This tragedy continued for over a month, and finally ceased in the middle of September. Meanwhile, I had to hire people who later ripped me off to help me with caring for my 102 year old mother as I underwent surgery for glaucoma to save the sight in my right eye, having already lost the sight in my left. If anyone has ever gone through glaucoma surgery, you know you are not supposed to bend over or lift anything heavier than a milk carton for several weeks after surgery. However, I had to buy two sump pumps and run them 24/7, as this leak did what no floods had ever done, it took out the front seal in my daylight basement between the concrete floor and the cinder block foundation.
In addition to the health risks from mold, the city water person was notified and he told me it was just ground water. I informed him that there was not that much water around our house even in previous flood years. Despite my informing him that I had been a city assistant engineer in the 70s, it took over 3 weeks and numerous threats of lawyers I could not afford before the he finally checked the meter on the house next door at 814 5th St. and saw they must have a leak because their water usage had tripled in one month. He left a notice on their door, but they were only renting and I had to call the management company myself the next day. They were very quick to send someone to fix the leak, and did so several times over the next week. However, when they turned off the meter to that house the water level in my basement and the amount of water flowing through went up, not down. Finally, after a month of suffering, the water stopped. I filed a claim with the city, but they sent someone all the way from Hood Canal who later lied about everything I told her and the claim was denied, Later, in March 2014, my mom passed on at home, and I began to ask for freedom of information records about city water repairs, and then the insurance person called me up and threatened me about talking to the new mayor about this problem. She said i had to talk to her only. I wish I still had a copy of the message she left on my phone. I have numerous witnesses to this travesty.
Then, with no money for lawyers, I started to gather information to do a superior court case on my own. The management company refused to give me the name of the owners, but I obtained their names from county records, but only a PO Box was listed. I sent them a letter, but they never replied. I cannot do a subpoena because i do not have their home address. (They live in Oregon). Without help from a lawyer, I do not know if I can get any justice or surcease in this case.
I am attaching various letters mentioned above for reference, and I am seeking redress and repairs for this property and health damages.
The owners next door and the city and the insurance company agent are all responsible for this distressful state of affairs. I had thought the new mayor would be more understanding and compassionate about these issues, as she ran on a ticket promoting more help for locals and opposed to outside interests. We lived here 31 years and never had such a problem before with uncaring and irresponsible city officials.
Thanks for your understanding. i am going to send this letter to news services worldwide very soon, as media seems to provide more justice than the justice system in a country where rich and poor no longer "stand equal in the light of freedom's day." I have relatives who have fought for freedom since the beginning of this country's history, both religious freedom and equal justice for the poor who are always among us but have not always been so persecuted for being victims of poverty as they are today.
I am ready to proceed on this case but I need some help. What do you think?
Comment here via email to let me know if you know a lawyer who might help me. abowe@csiri.org or call me @ 360-941-0459. Thanks!