Laurie McMann

My name is Laurie McMann, and I’ve lived in Pinebrook Village, which is owned by Sun Communities, for about 20 years. I lost my husband of 44 years in October, but I still do a lot. I have neighbors in the park who are widowed. If they need help, I roll up my sleeves and help. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty. 

In January I thought I had a frozen pipe, and so I called a local repair company. A few minutes after he arrived, he came and banged on the door. He said the pipe down by the meter in the ground was spraying water.

I called the emergency line for Sun Communities, and they sent the manager over. Immediately he started lecturing me about why you need to check your heat tape (I had) and that the repairman broke the pipe. I have the pipe that broke. It was all rusted! And this park is full of old rusted pipes. They’ve been having to tear up lots and replace pipes as the break. 

Then they said they were going to charge ME for 17,000 gallons of water! I went without water for 12 hours. I dealt with damage to my skirting. I’m paying repair bills, All because of their rusty pipes! And they wanted to charge me for 17,000 gallons of water? (How do they even know an amount of gallons if it wasn’t going through the meter?)

I was thinking to myself, Lord I don’t need this crap. It has not helped my diabetes or my blood pressure at all. I am a senior citizen!  I just lost my husband of 44 years. I don't have lots of money. I just wanted this fixed. When a man from Sun Communities called and said they would accept half of the water bill, I just took it. How am I going to fight them?