05-10-2004, 07:44 PM
Legal Battle Over Naturist Park Takes Another Turn
By MONICA SCANDLEN mscandlen@tampatrib.com
Published: May 8, 2004
http://pasco.tbo.com/pasco/MGAZAGO3ZTD.html
HUDSON - The legal troubles continue for a man who wants to buy the Florida Naturist Park in Hudson and turn it into a family-oriented Christian nudist resort.
This week, members of the Gulvin family and the Naturist Religious Society, who own many of the lots in the run -down park, sued Continuing Care Inc., and Bill Martin, as well as several other parties.
Martin, of Venice, is a Quaker and a nudist who has said he is co-chairman of Continuing Care. He wants to develop the 60-acre park and rename it Natura.
The lawsuit asks a judge to cancel three deeds and a mortgage that Martin filed in court without the family's knowledge.
Martin has argued that a durable power of attorney form he and Arthur E. Gulvin of Dade City signed in August gives him the authority to file the deeds, demand membership in a homeowner's association and request that current residents pay road fees on behalf of the park.
But the lawsuit states Martin's actions in filing the deeds and mortgage were outside the scope of the power of attorney, which was revoked last month.
Dade City lawyer William F. Brewton, who represents the Gulvins, declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Neither Martin nor his attorney could be reached Friday.
He also is battling some of the park's residents, who have posted homemade signs on fences and trees and have staged two protests.
In March, Continuing Care sued residents Mike Thompson and Ray and Delores Cotton, alleging they refused to comply with deed restrictions and asking they be ordered to pay thousands of dollars in maintenance fees. Thompson and the Cottons say they don't owe fees. No court date has been set in that case .
By MONICA SCANDLEN mscandlen@tampatrib.com
Published: May 8, 2004
http://pasco.tbo.com/pasco/MGAZAGO3ZTD.html
HUDSON - The legal troubles continue for a man who wants to buy the Florida Naturist Park in Hudson and turn it into a family-oriented Christian nudist resort.
This week, members of the Gulvin family and the Naturist Religious Society, who own many of the lots in the run -down park, sued Continuing Care Inc., and Bill Martin, as well as several other parties.
Martin, of Venice, is a Quaker and a nudist who has said he is co-chairman of Continuing Care. He wants to develop the 60-acre park and rename it Natura.
The lawsuit asks a judge to cancel three deeds and a mortgage that Martin filed in court without the family's knowledge.
Martin has argued that a durable power of attorney form he and Arthur E. Gulvin of Dade City signed in August gives him the authority to file the deeds, demand membership in a homeowner's association and request that current residents pay road fees on behalf of the park.
But the lawsuit states Martin's actions in filing the deeds and mortgage were outside the scope of the power of attorney, which was revoked last month.
Dade City lawyer William F. Brewton, who represents the Gulvins, declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Neither Martin nor his attorney could be reached Friday.
He also is battling some of the park's residents, who have posted homemade signs on fences and trees and have staged two protests.
In March, Continuing Care sued residents Mike Thompson and Ray and Delores Cotton, alleging they refused to comply with deed restrictions and asking they be ordered to pay thousands of dollars in maintenance fees. Thompson and the Cottons say they don't owe fees. No court date has been set in that case .