In a story that the Daily Business News has covered extensively, the Ohio Manufactured Homes Association (OMHA) has provided an update regarding the battle with Ohio Governor John Kasich over the status of the Ohio Manufactured Housing Commission (OMHC).
According to the Dayton Daily News, Governor Kasich is calling for the OMHC to be disbanded, and its responsibilities delegated to the Ohio Department of Commerce. The call is part of the governor’s budget proposal pending before the Ohio General Assembly.
OMHA Executive Director Tim Williams has testified extensively before three different House of Representatives Finance Committees.
Additionally, OMHC commission members Ron Younkin of Greenlawn Homes and Evan Atkinson of Clayton Homes have also testified, along with Frank Pojman, President of the Association of Manufactured Home Residents of Ohio (AMHRO) and Jim Demetrus also of AMHRO and the former resident appointee to the MH Commission.
“The Swamp has risen up against our residents and industry. OMHA and AMHRO have united on behalf of our residents and businesses to oppose the Ohio Department of Commerce’s extravagant request for spending authority of 30% more to conduct the same program,” said Williams.
“Incredibly, the Department of Commerce not only wants more money but would drastically reduce the Commission’s 100% inspection of all new and used home installations, thus jeopardizing the safety of our homeowners and residents.”
Six of the nine members of the OMHC are appointed by the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate President appoints, each appointing three, representing various industry segments.
The Governor appoints the remaining three seats on the Commission.
The OMHA points out that the Governor has failed to appoint a manufactured home resident for two years and for the better part of five years has left the health sanitarian seat empty on the commission, appointments which are required by law.
In his written testimony before two House of Representatives Committees, Mr. Pojman made a very strong statement regarding the commission’s commitment.
“AMHRO’s view has not wavered in its support of the MH Commission. I urge any of your Committee to review agendas and minutes of the MH Commission meetings, to see the all-important issues that are discussed, for the benefits and safety of manufactured homeowners,” said Pojman.
“When you look at all nine members, who make up the Commission, you’ll see the most important segments of our industry, putting manufactured housing ideas and plans together, that will always make it better at ground level and above.“
Additionally, the Manufactured Housing Institute’s Rick Robinson testified in support of the commission, noting the National Fire Protection Association’s 2013 study regarding the excellent fire safety record of modern manufactured homes.
Further, Matthew Klein, an engineer and president of Criterium Cincinnati Engineers, having done over 1000 OMHC inspections, responded to an article in the Dayton Daily News written by Josh Sweigart that suggested manufactured homes were not safe. Klein insists homes installed since the formation of the OMHC are much safer, and that disbanding the commission will cost the state more money and result in less safe manufactured homes. For his letter, click here.
The Daily Business News will continue to follow this story and provide updates. ##
(Image credits are as shown above.)
Submitted by RC Williams to the Daily Business News for MHProNews
