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The home stretch
July 7, 2001 - Sarasota
Herald-Tribune - Harold Bubil
The final pieces of the puzzle are falling into place, which means Paul
Salter and his family finally should be moving into their new home
around the middle of August.
Salter is the Sarasota teen-ager who was left without the use of his
arms or legs after a football injury in 1999. John King of Rampart Homes
has been building the Salter family a house on Camphor Avenue that
is designed to meet Paul's needs for decades to come. The
2,200-square-foot house will give him a sense of freedom that he lacks in
the small home his family now inhabits. It has been a volunteer effort by
King and many other members of the local building community who have
donated labor, materials and expertise toward this most worthy project.
King said construction has been delayed because it has been difficult, on
occasion, to get tradesmen to work on the house because they are so busy
with paying projects. "People have the best intentions,"
said King. "I know they are coming from a good place, but when it
comes down to the time to do the work, it's inconvenient. Not only are
they giving up other jobs, but it's taking away their own time."
King has felt such pressure since ground was broken last fall. He has
spent countless hours managing the project and arranging for donations, at
the expense of his own booming business. "Unfortunately, I am
as busy as I have ever been in my life," he said. "There is not
enough time in the day."
King said the United Way has funds in an account for Paul, but the
builder has refused to tap into that money to hire out some aspects of the
job. "That money is for Paul's nursing care, and he also needs
a college fund."
In the next week the interior painting will be done, then flooring and
tile, landscaping and irrigation, cabinetry and the finishing touches.
"We're getting down to the nitty-gritty," said King. "It's
right there."
If you'd like to donate money, materials or labor for the Paul Salter
house, contact King at Rampart Homes, (941) 925-4835. Checks, payable to
Sarasota Bank, Paul Salter Construction Escrow Account, may
be mailed to the bank at 2 N. Tamiami Trail, Suite 100, Sarasota, FL
34236.
All
content © 2001 Herald-Tribune Corp. and may not be republished without
permission.
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