Fri Feb 03 2012
by Tim Troglen
Reporter
Hudson -- A Florida company filed a foreclosure complaint in Summit County Common Pleas Court Nov. 21 against Lee Bishop American Legion Post 464, alleging the group is behind $587,356 in mortgage payments, including principal and late fees.
Carrie Brosius, a Cleveland attorney who filed the suit on behalf of CapFinancial Properties CVI LLC, of Coral Gables, declined comment.
Post Commander Jim Maurer said "we all knew this was happening,"
"We were behind on the mortgage and had problems paying the bills," Maurer said. "The main reason is we have not been able to rent out the social hall to the degree we expected."
Maurer said when the legion moved into its present location, 5790 Hudson Drive, four year ago, members expected that booking the hall would bring in the needed money.
"We could always meet our monthly operating expenses, but the mortgage and property taxes have been a problem," he said.
CapFinacial Properties is asking for payment, plus court costs and attorney fees.
Jody Roberts, Hudson communications manager, said the city was not aware of the situation "until the complaint was filed."
"We regret that the Legion is facing foreclosure," Roberts said. "The American Legion has long been an outstanding organization that has given a great deal to the community."
Roberts said the city "hopes that they can find a way to prevent foreclosure.
"And we are willing to work with them in any way that we can to help them stay in Hudson," she said.
Maurer said while the group has tried to sell the building and move to a smaller location, the future is uncertain for the legion post.
Maurer added that with the post being zoned as a meeting hall and not restaurant has made selling it difficult. Maurer said the "smoking ban has not helped either."
"We bit off more than we could chew," he said. "We thought that being the only social club in town, we would have a lot greater turnout."
Maurer said the post has 500 members, including the woman's auxiliary and the son's and daughter's group.
He said "it is a common problem" that posts are selling their halls.
"It's happening more than people realize," he said.
The American Legion moved from its former location on Clinton Street near First Street in 2003 to make way for the First & Main development.
The city gave the legion three acres and $325,000 as part of the deal. The legion also received $50,000 from Tom and Joy Murdough, lead developers of the First & Main project.
Maurer said while the outlook is grim, he still wanted to thank the members.
"I would like to personally thank all our members who have committed their time and money to make our post a success," Maurer said. "And we are sorry it has not played out the way we had hoped."
He added that the kitchen and canteen will stay "open as long as possible."
E-mail: ttroglen@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3146
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