Three New Brighton Homeowners Given Keys at Ceremony

By Shelley Marmor

BRIGHTON — On Aug. 10, Johnny Osceola, Pamela Jumper and Parker Jones and Rose Tiger, who reside together, received the keys to their newly-completed homes on the Brighton Reservation. Housing Department Senior Projects Manager for Brighton, Immokalee and Ft. Pierce Catherine Gavin, who also emceed the event, handed out the keys at a ceremony held in the Field Office Auditorium at 11 a.m.

Brighton Tribal Council Representative Roger Smith was on-hand to congratulate the new homeowners, along with friends, family members and Tribal employees. Smith recognized the hard work of the Housing Department, saying “We’re glad they’re here to work for us.”

“Before, we were having a rough time [getting houses built],” Smith said. “But now everything gets done just like in Big Cypress or Hollywood.”

He advised all the key recipients to remember how long it took to get some of their houses built — 23 long years for Johnny Osceola — and suggested they do their best to maintain their homes.

“I know it’s taken a while, but your houses are up now, so take care of it,” he said.

After Smith’s remarks, Gavin handed out the keys with the assistance of Housing Service Manager Jamie Loudbear-Wayka. In addition to receiving the keys, the new homeowners also received the warranty manuals to the appliances in the homes and a gift basket containing useful household items such as a flashlight and oven mitts.

The first name called was Parker Jones, followed by Johnny Osceola and finally, Pamela Jumper.

Brighton Tribal citizens Brown Shore and Johnson Gore also received gift baskets and a promise from Gavin that their homes would be complete by September of this year.

Eight homes have been completed on the Brighton Reservation this year since permits were received in March, according to Gavin. One of these includes Tribal citizen Reese Burt’s home. Burt said his home, on one and a quarter acres in Brighton, came equipped with many modern conveniences. These include all the common household appliances, and some modern upgrades such as hurricane-resistant windows and even a 25,000 watt generator, which he called “a necessity.”

According to Gavin, 21 homes are currently under construction in Brighton and 12 are in the bidding process with contractors. She said she believes all of these will be completed by the end of the year.

Gavin also informed those Tribal citizens who have not yet begun the housing process to start as soon as possible. She said the entire process from start to finish takes about one year; with the paperwork going through the proper channels for five months and then another six months for construction time.

Following Gavin’s remarks Pastor Wonder Johns offered a blessing for the new homes and the catered lunch the gathering was about to eat.