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Article Courtesy of WESH 2
News Orlando
By
Catherine Silver
Published September 23, 2024
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WATCH VIDEO |
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SEMINOLE COUNTY -- A Longwood woman who's being sued for plugging a stormwater
drain with concrete has been given a court order to repair a stormwater drain
pipe that she plugged and to pay for the fixing costs within 10 days.
The Shadowbay Club Homeowners' Association filed a lawsuit against Goglas.
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During a civil case hearing that resumed
on Thursday, a Seminole County judge sided with homeowners
who say the plugged pipe flooded their neighborhood and put
their lives in danger.
Goglas gave testimony explaining why pouring the concrete
down the drain that was on her land was justified.
"The [contractors] put cement to meet in the middle to fix
the two broken areas," Goglas said. "I was just trying to
make things right because I didn't understand – I just
bought a house, and I'm having all these issues with it."
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She says she's been having issues since 2013, and claims calls for help to the
county, code enforcement and her HOA at the time,
"I've been having issues with sinkholes, washouts, erosion, a gentleman's lake
went through the ground," Goglas said. "The fire department came out, and they
advised that it's been ongoing for 30 years."
Her neighbors say when she blocked the pipe with concrete in April, it hurt the
entire community.
Ever since, the attorney for the Shadowbay Club HOA says when they have rain
showers, streets, driveways and yards are flooding.
"It is interconnected stormwater drainage system that's meant to move water from
the roadway to the retention pond," said Barbara Stage, who is the attorney for
the Shadowbay Club HOA.
"The court does find that there was irreparable harm," said Judge Donna Goerner.
"At least one of the residents did not have oxygen tanks delivered to their
homes. This is a resident who could've died."
Goglas told WESH 2 News as she was walking out of the courtroom that "it's a
community thing; it should be a united thing."
Her neighbors say they're ready for a resolution.
"It's relief for all these homeowners who have been stressed, they have lost
sleep, they're worried about their own safety," Stage said.
Goglas must pay a $15,000 bond to the court within 10 days. The judge says it is
an estimate of the repair costs and attorney fees, but Goglas may be reimbursed
after the civil case is finalized.
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