My family friend Harold desperately needs our help and support. Harold, now 80, has been in my life since I took my first breath. He taught me the proper way to sweeten my coffee. He is one of the most meticulous yet calm and cool people I’ve ever known. His laugh is infectious. His taste in music and movies is unparalleled. He certainly tells a story like no one else I know. He was a world-class cricket player in his day and is a proud member of the Jamaican Association of Louisville. As a family, we attended his daughters’ weddings, his beloved wife’s funeral, his 80th birthday party this past year, and so much more. Harold IS family.

Harold owned a two-story multipurpose building on West Broadway in Louisville that included a storefront and back apartments. The building sustained a fire back in February, and although firefighters apparently contained the damage to the middle of the building, the city opted to demolish the building. Harold, who is originally from Jamaica but has lived in Louisville for more than 50 years, had personal property in the building but city officials would not permit him to enter after the fire. He was told it was unsafe and under 24/7 watch. Meanwhile, someone broke into the building and stole everything that wasn't nailed down.

Harold had wanted to sell the property before the fire occurred, but there were liens on the property. People in the zoning and planning office knew Harold well and said he visited often to make payments they had set up for him to get caught up. It appears though that as soon as he would pay one lien, the housing inspector would slap him with more liens and fines. He was trying in good faith to make things right but then the fire occurred. His insurance had lapsed, as no one was occupying the building and he was trying to get caught up so he could sell it. Now between the fire, the liens, the stolen property and the lapsed insurance, he has lost everything. Harold purchased the property in 1998 and the building is currently assessed at roughly $55,000, but he has been left with nothing to show for it.

The upstairs had two bedrooms and a bathroom with a living room area. The downstairs had the storefront and a bathroom, along with 15 x 15 and 15 x 20 areas in the back. The vacant land is now under contract with Real Estate Unlimited to basically sell to pay liens and back taxes. Harold will yield very little if anything from the sale as the payoff is $43,000 plus fees and court costs. He was never told the property was set for demolition, but after the fact, he was presented with a $35,000 invoice for the demo.

Please consider donating $20 so we can help Harold turn the page on this part of his life and recoup some of his lost investment in this property. No amount is too small – every penny is much appreciated. Please share this post as well! Patience and I thank you for your time!