To say the least, the small subcontractors that were once a part of a positive, major project to provide better living conditions for the men and women of the armed forces are now extremely dissatisfied with the progress being made in what many called a “scandal or scam.” In addition to liens and lawsuits, subcontractors wanted to reserve the option for the Lowndes County Sheriff Department to pursue criminal charges if fraud was committed in the county.

“I’ve had to settle lawsuits, personally, as a third party. Where has all the money gone that is not being paid to us? We need an option to pursue this criminally,” said Thomas Clayton of Clayton Cabinet Company.

Mike Speuler of MS Plumbing said, “As an American citizen, I’m entitled to rights under the Constitution and Bill Of Rights. I just want what’s coming to me and the right to go after my money that’s owed to me. Every time we try to go after someone and get some rights and some answers, people keep stopping us. And I have well over $25,000 worth of work per property out at Moody Family Housing that others are gaining interest on. Laws are being broke all over. Even our insurance companies are not willing to help, even in compliance with Georgia law. Is there any government entity that is willing to help us?”

Councilman Willie Head, who was present to represent a client, suggested the formulation of a legal team for the Valdosta subcontractors to allow everyone to work collaboratively to avoid reproduction of work and mistakes and reach a goal for all subcontractors involved. Many of the subcontractors seeking legal assistance have been turned down, and the ones that have managed to obtain legal help have spent $10,000 plus a $7,500 retainer fee for attorneys. And despite the court order that has been placed on filing liens, one subcontractor pointed out Judge Arthur McLane’s order is actually in favor to their situations, as without the order, no money at all could be obtained and there would be many forced foreclosures.

PLEASE HELP US

Rebecca Walker of All Around Roofing spoke about how many subcontractors have been affected where work ends and home begins. Walker has been forced to cash in her husband’s as well as her own 401K and her children’s college funds to pay people and avoid lawsuits. “The government is not helping. All we are requesting is some assistance,” said Walker.

“People have lost their whole lives around this. People in this room are hurting, and we are ruining our relationships with people we do business with,” said Seward Daugharty, owner of Southland Contractors. “There are ways to work around this. We may need to be more aggressive. I don’t like what I’m hearing as to how we can be helped and I’m very upset.”

The subcontractors who have been locked out of the project also wanted to know if stipulations on retrieving their work equipment not attached to the homes in Magnolia Grove, to which Kingston replied that he would check with Moody. Many subcontractors believe that the mistake was made on behalf of the Air Force, who awarded the contract.

“I will answer as many questions as I can get from the Air Force. I really want to help,” said Kingston. He added that notification of exactly where and what time the townhall meeting will be held at Moody Air Force Base on April 10, 2008 will be forthcoming.

After the beginning of a promising project in 2005, the Moody Family Housing project lies in ruins. No one can seem to find answers, despite the fact that the project is a federal one; money is gone without accountability or responsibility of how the project was even granted to Carabetta; a few dedicated individuals are fighting for the little people, the subcontractors, to no avail it seems while those subcontractors continue to lose out personally in the battle in the form of money, homes, and family; Moody AFB remains separate from the issue; and the Airmen anticipating the homes lose out too. So many questions, so few answers.