Any citizen who would like to right the wrongs done to Property Owners John and Marcie Wert should sign this petition because they are suffering financial loss on two fronts: 1) a substantial business investment loss and 2) subsequent personal loss of their home of 12 years. The clover-leaf interchange between US27 and SR50 in Clermont, Florida is going to be a very valuable asset to the city and to our community. During 2003 and 2004 they purchased 6.26 acres of commercial property for $1,675,000. It had a frontage road that ran parellel to US 27 and intersected SR50 to the South. Highland Avenue is on the North side of the parcel. (Tax records show them listed as 3 parcels in Lake County Alternate Key #'s 3821671, 1592267 and 1509971) During 2005 and 2006 investors/buyers were ready to purchase the parcel for $2,400,000, but in completing their due diligence, discovered that Florida Department of Transportation had a plan to construct a clover-leaf interchange between US 27 and SR 50 that would BLOCK access to this property from Hwy 27 and consequently devaluing the property to the point the Werts will LOSE THEIR HOME as well as the money they invested in this property.   The Clermont City Manager, Wayne Saunders and the City Engineers did not want Highland Avenue closed, but they were overruled by the Department of Transportation. In 2009, the Werts and their attorney attempted to negotiate a "deed in lieu of foreclosure" with Old Southern Bank. They were in the process of finalizing the deed when FDIC closed the bank on March 12, 2010, and the new bank, Centennial Bank, was unwilling to honor this arrangement. Centennial filed a Deficiency Judgment of $1,432,792.72 and $495,000, the line of credit on the Werts' home used to make payments on the property since 2006. ENTITITES SUFFERING LOSS DUE TO PROPERTIES DEVALUATIONS Taxpayers City of Clermont Lake County Businesses Adjacent to property John and Marcie Wert Should property owners expect remediation in this situation? If so, vote YES! The Werts and adjacent property owners on the NW side of US 27 including the Crown Lounge received no remediation...Where is the fairness? We recommend that you intervene for the Werts!! Please share this petition through your email and Facebook!  Thank you...

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