Methinks she's been enjoying a bit too much of the grape
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:50 am
WATERLOO REGION — A friend of ousted board members at Sand Hills Co-operative Housing says the Region of Waterloo stole her bottle of grape juice — and she's seeking $25,000 in damages.
The claim was filed by Carolann Rowe in small claims court in Kitchener on July 16.
"I'll let people make their own decisions with respect to a lawsuit for $25,000 over grape juice," said Coun. Sean Strickland.
The five-member resident board of the Kitchener co-op was replaced by the region in April amid accusations of mismanagement.
Under the Housing Services Act, the region's role is to oversee management and provide funding to the 80-unit Sand Hills. The 2011 subsidy was about $486,000, the latest available figure.
In her claim, Rowe said the region's housing co-ordinator refused to give Rowe her bottle of grape juice from the co-op board office at 250 Chandler Dr. on April 17.
She said the incident "was degrading and caused me personal, emotional and physical distress."
Deb Schlichter, director of housing at the region, said officials immediately offered to replace the juice when Rowe informed them it was hers.
"We have made this offer several times," Schlichter said.
Rowe said she is on the Ontario Disability Support Program with medical and nutritional requirements and said she couldn't afford to buy more juice.
Schlichter and the five-member board appointed by the region are named as defendants in Rowe's claim.
Rowe provided her court documents to The Record, but did not respond to requests for comment.
"We'll let it play itself out through the court proceedings," said Regional Chair Ken Seiling. "The claim speaks for itself."