A/C problems at Floyd Manor likely not going away, residents say

CHARLESTON, SC - By Hatzel Vela  bio | email | Twitter

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Off and on, it has been about a week and half ago Sally Green has been dealing with air conditioning problems at Joseph Floyd Manor.

"Sometimes it's hard for me to breathe. I have three fans going in the living room but it's not the same as air conditioning," Green said.

Live 5 News wanted some answers about the situation, but Property Manager Stephanie Gladden said, 'no comment.'

Gladden said we needed to talk to the Charleston County Housing and Redevelopment Director Montez Martin, Jr., who wouldn't be back for another hour and half.

When Live 5 News told Gladden we would wait for Martin, the building's Fraud Investigator Donald Webb asked us why we were going to wait.

"We have to get answers," the reporter asked.

"Why?" Webb asked.

Live 5 News told Webb we had received several complaints.

He said, "so what?"

Webb got up from his seat and then told us under his breath told Live 5 News to mind our own business.

Minutes later, Webb came out and handed us a written statement that told us the A/C stopped working Sunday, but had been fixed in about four hours.

The statement mentioned residents were invited to one of the lobbies, but they didn't take advantage of the opportunity.

Live 5 News noticed the lobby wasn't very cool, but cold air was blowing inside the administrative offices.

The release also said all rooms had been checked and no problems were found. From outside, the windows of several apartments were left opened.

"It comes to a point in life, where you have to say, 'enough is enough.' These people are not being treated with dignity and respect," said State Representative Wendell Gilliard, who was at the building after he received complaint Sunday.

"You had elderly people in wheel chairs. I mean they were just overcome by the heat. It almost brought me to tears," Gilliard said.

He said many residents are too scared to complain.

"If you go to an outsider and it's known then you fear they'll find a way to evict you," Green said.  "I'm old. I'm poor. Where am I going to go?"

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