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Resident Beulah Thomas alleges inadequate notice and improper deed sale in Florence Villa
Summary
During public comment, Beulah Thomas said the city executed three deeds conveying a right-of-way or parcel in Florence Villa without adequate notice and that adjacent property owners were not informed; staff agreed to research the deeds and follow up with her.
Beulah Thomas, who gave her address in Florence Villa, used her public-comment time to press the commission about three deeds she says were executed by the city conveying rights in Florence Villa (including a parcel at 111 Avenue P NE). She accused the city of operating "in the shadows," said adjacent owners did not receive notice and asked why the parcel was conveyed for $100. "Why did my city Winter Haven engage in aiding and abetting one citizen in Florence Villa in a collusionary scheme or strategy to acquire, buy, or steal the property of his neighbor?" Thomas asked.
The mayor asked staff to follow up; city staff recalled that adjacent property owners had been contacted in at least one instance and agreed to research the specific deeds Thomas cited and get back to her with findings. Staff committed to contacting Ms. Thomas to review records and to report back to the commission.
Why it matters: the comment raises process and public-notice concerns about local property conveyances. Staff agreed to verify the public-notice and deed records and to respond to Ms. Thomas directly.
