In a Hometown New article written by Staff Writer Jennifer Stahl (04/14/2006) she incorrectly wrote: "local woman may be able to put some of the horrors of Hurricane Jeanne and her wake of destruction in the past as she opens the door to a new home, provided in part by Palm Bay." This is completely false! Nothing was provided by the city of Palm Bay. Evelyn received a low-cost mortgage from the State of Florida and anyone who fit the criteria was eligible for the mortgage.

"But a friend of hers wasn't able to accept that. He offered her a solution, " wrote Ms. Stahl. But what "seem" a friend turned out to have offered a solution by stealing Evelyn's insurance money, estimated at $80,000.


"Joe Poteat, a former crew leader and heavy equipment operator for the Palm Bay Utilities Department, put Ms. Karwel in contact with Palm Bay's Housing & Neighborhood Development Services Department, " writes Ms. Stahl.

"Ms. Karwel and Mr. Poteat met when Ms. Karwel needed repair to a water main outside her home, " writes Ms. Stahl. However, Joseph Poteat later convinced Evelyn at age 82, that he was the City of Palm Bay's contact person for the reconstruction of her new house.

"In December 2004, officials with the department applied for a state grant through the "Home Again Program," writes Ms. Stahl. In contrast, the Home Again Program was a grant program in which the low-cost mortgage was obtained.

"Normally, the state administers the Home Program, which is designed to make affordable housing opportunities available to low- to moderate-income families. But after Brevard County residents suffered devastating losses from the hurricanes, the state appropriated an additional amount of the Home Program funds to help low- to moderate-income families affected by the storms, said Glenn Morris, the city's housing services department administrator," writes Ms. Stahl.

"The new funding program became known as the Home Again Program. Money was offered to every municipality in Brevard, but only officials with the county and Palm Bay applied, Mr. Morris said. Each received a $500,000 grant to help families repair or rebuild their homes," writes Ms. Stahl. To the best of my knowledge; no one received a grant, it was a LOW-INCOME MORTGAGE!

"Palm Bay city officials said they decided to target those who where hit hardest. Uninsured or underinsured low- to moderate-income families whose homes were either destroyed or substantially damaged would be first in line for grant money," writes Ms. Stahl. This is a very interesting statement where Ms. Stahl says the city of Palm Bay decided to target individuals, this was a State Program and the State of Florida decided eligibility.

"Ms. Karwel received $50,000 to rebuild, the maximum amount the city can provide. With the combined insurance and grant money, she was able to finance the construction of a new home on her old lot," Ms. Stahl states. To the best of my knowledge the city of Palm Bay had nothing to do with the amount of money given, again it was a State program.

"Looking inside her sleek, black refrigerator with water and ice dispenser, Ms. Karwel said, "I don't even know how to operate this. I'm going to have to learn how to use it," writes Ms. Stahl. The truth is Joseph Poteat chose the "black" appliances because in his mind he thought the house was going to belong to him. Moreover, he made Evelyn sign a clause that if and when she died the total cost of the new kitchen appliances would be eliminated. Our family believe this is solid proof that Joseph Poteat had preconceived Evelyn's death. After the new house was built Evelyn died very quickly. Another fact, Evelyn hated the black refrigerator.

"And after 19 months of displacement, Ms. Karwel said she has quite a few special people to thank for her new home, including Dave Avchen, the Housing & Neighborhood Development Services Department and her friends, Joe and Sherry Poteat," writes Ms. Sthal. Oh, yes, she can thank Joseph Poteat for swindling her out of her insurance money, creating a fake Estate Will and her untimely death.

"I thank them from the bottom of my heart," Ms. Karwel said. "If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have a home," writes Ms. Sthal. Evelyn Karwel died on April 03, 2007, where as Joseph Poteat filed a fake Estate Will for the total property and all assists of Evelyn Karwel. Joseph Poteat broke into Evelyn's house and stole jewelry, house papers, food, furniture and household items. The automatic garage door remains broken as Poteat left it (he cut the wiring). Evelyn's jewelry boxes remains empty. Her personal bank account emptied by Joseph Poteat who is a Palm Bay City Utility Worker.