City Doesn't Want 90-Year-Old Widow's House

SARASOTA, FL — Mary Louise Sikorski is in no danger of the City of Sarasota taking the home she’s called her own for 70 years.

That’s the official word from City Manager Tom Barwin after concerns arose related to Sikorski’s property and an estimated $150,000 in code violation fines her friends say the 90-year-old widow faces.

According to the city, Sikorski’s property was abandoned for six years and prompted its first complaints back in 2014 due to its deteriorating structure, its unkempt yard and a possible squatter living in the home.

“This has been an ongoing case for two years,” the city wrote on its Facebook page. “The City has met with the owner over 2 dozen times, extended multiple offers of help – which were declined.”

City officials say they’ve even talked to Sikorski’s daughter in California to try and resolve issues related to the property.

“The City of Sarasota has no interest in taking anyone’s home,” the post states. “And, we are in the process of setting up a meeting with the owner, once again, to resolve outstanding issues in a fair and compassionate manner.”

The story about Sikorski’s home broke over the Memorial Day weekend after a neighbor of hers stepped in to help bring the home into code compliance. The neighbor, Miles Gomis, has made a number of repairs himself. A GoFundMe campaign has also been started to help cover the costs related to repairs and code violation fees. Those fees, Sikorski’s friends say, add up to about $150,000.

The city has not confirmed amount of the fines imposed, but Barwin has said it is possible the fines can be reduced or eliminated, minus city labor costs, if the issues are addressed. He also insisted during a Tuesday news conference that the city was not picking on an elderly woman in her home, rather it was a “classic abandoned property case.”

While the city and Sikorski work on the issues related to her Webber Street home, friends of Sikorski are continuing the fundraiser to offset costs associated with bringing the property into compliance. The GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $7,000 since it began over the weekend.

Sikorski’s friends posted on the campaign page that a meeting between her and the city did not happen on Tuesday. They remain committed to bringing on volunteer contractors to revisit any code violations and pull necessary permits, a Tuesday update reads.

“Additionally, her plumbing is currently backing up,” the updated noted. “We are working diligently to find a licensed plumber willing to help us resolve this issue.”

Photo and video of Sikorski from YouTube. City Manager Tom Barwin’s press conference video from the city of Sarasota Facebook page.

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