Three New Residents Call Chupco’s Landing Home

By Shelley Marmor

FT. PIERCE, FL — On Oct. 20 Tribal citizens Sheree Sneed and Sylvia Tommie received keys to their new Chupco’s Landing homes. Mary Lucy Tommie was out of town and did not attend the ceremony, however also received the keys to her new home.

Utilities department Construction Manager Don Rufrano acted as ceremony emcee. He attended on behalf of Utilities department Director Susie Kippenburger, who was busy preparing for Hurricane Wilma.

Rufrano discussed a few formalities with the new homeowners, including the role of the Seminole Police Department at the Chupco’s Landing guard house. He then brought up Lieutenant Jerry Meisenheimer, the head of Ft. Pierce SPD, to meet and greet the two ladies.

He introduced his fellow SPD officers who will assist at Chupco’s Landing. He said they will stop every car at the entrance into the complex as a precautionary safety measure. Residents, however, will have a barcode on their car which will allow them entry without stopping.

“We’re just here to make sure your new community is a safe place to live in,” Meisenheimer said.

Rufrano also introduced a few members of what he called the “project team,” including Keith Samuels from the Housing department. He let the two ladies know that the Housing department, though predominantly located in the Hollywood Headquarters building, is always available to assist.

“We at Housing want to give you what you need,” he said. “We don’t want you to feel like you’re on an island because you’re out here in Ft. pierce.”

Ft. Pierce Liaison Sally Tommie spoke next. She thanked her Tribal elders, the Tribal Council and Utilities Director Susie Kippenburger. She said she was happy to give the keys to three women who can use their homes to raise and spend time with their families.

Tommie told the new homeowners that their homes are located in a “model community” for future Tribal new home projects.

One of the features unique to these homes is an installed back-up generator. According to Tommie, these are not luxury items, but necessary items due to Florida’s often tumultuous weather. Another hurricane precaution in Chupco’s Landing homes are hurricane resistant windows that can withstand up to 140 mile per hour winds.

As the ceremony wrapped up, Tommie handed out what she called “your Bibles to your home” to both Sheree Sneed and Sylvia Tommie. These leather portfolios contained pertinent information on the homes, including appliance warranties, the rules and regulations of Chupco’s Landing and insurance information.

These portfolios also contained the paperwork Sheree Sneed and Sylvia Tommie had to sign in order to make it official that they owned the homes. The two both signed and joined the other 10 homeowners who received keys to their homes on Sept. 13.