Disabled Veteran On Dyalsis Evicted From HHA

Sad, but true. My name is Mark Douglas and l am that 62 yr. old senior, recently disabled and on dyalsis since August 2021. I am a college educated veteran, with a background in social work and community service./activism. l have volunteered for so many community orgs. it's hard to keep count. From my internship at Bester Community of Hope, to Bester Neighborhoods 1st, Reach - cold weather shelter, Easter Seals senior center, (before they moved), over 500 hours at Soul Haven wellness & recovery, which also provides lunch for the homeless and activity groups; the local NAACP when they were active; and for the whole Pandemic, about a year, until August when l started dyalsis; volunteering my weekends with the Governor's Maryland Responds at the Williamsport Nursing Home. (Helping keep our nursing homes safe). I cant walk down the street in my community without running into people l have impacted with my Volunteer services. I had been living peacefully and quietly at Hagerstown Housing Authority, Potomac Towers. I am afraid it is my advocacy for a more fair parking policy and winning of a measely 4 parking spaces of 200+ units, that led me astray of the HHA administrators & their security team. On 2/1/22, the first day of Black History Month, they actually took me to circuit court- case #D-112-CV-22-007026. 2 top administrators & 2 top security reps. testified that although l had Zero arrest, charges or police calls or record of violence; (other than parking while Black or occasional playing Hip Hop music). But always being in compliant over 6+ years.

They were all "Afraid for their Lives". They and their secretaries, conveniently, have been in fear of their lives due primarily to private conversations held in the parking lot with the Executive Director in 2017 in which alledged the "F" word was dropped. In 2018 with the Director of Operations, again the F word was dropped. And in 2019 in the Director of Security office, the same thing. Leaving a former Hagerstown Police Officer, in fear of his life! Thank God he wasn't an active Hagerstown Police Officer and didn't shoot me. (This would be a very different GoFundme). Now they didnt mention the years. They just talked about menacing stance and aggressive posture, leading the Judge to conclude me being a "Bully, social worker". Who is the real bully?

I immediately appealed, which is a problem for most folks living in public housing. It cost about 300.00. 200 for the next court and 75.00 for the transcript and misc. court cost. Additionally, there is an optional box they had the Judge check for a 5000.00 bond to be paid or even under appeal the Eviction can proceed. I asked for a hearing. But again, most tenants would not know to ask for that. And if back rent was involved they wouldn't be able to even appeal. Impeaching their testimony is critical. And l have come to know that there is Video. However, l intend to argue that even if l used the F word in these private conversations, even in the parking lot, where l lived and had every right to be... That that does not violate HUD regulations and warrant eviction of a Senior Disabled Veteran on Dyalsis, on the the middle of winter, in the middle of a Pandemic. The irony is before August when l started dyalsis Monday, Wed and Friday mornings at 5:30 am. I never considered myself disabled. And for all my good community works l would just be considered another Angry black man who made these good folks feel uncomfortable by questioning them. And l would be on the outside looking at my belongings, sitting by the public housing dumpster.

Thank you in advance for any assistance l recieve. I need and am willing to pay for legal advice. If you don't know a lawyer who is willing to read my transcript, but you can send a few dollars for legal fees or just in case l am forced to move; with as little disruption to my dyalsis schedule as possible, l thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,

Mark Douglas