HANOI: A Vietnam veteran plans to go before the Orange County Commission to ask them to rezone his former business, so he can live in the building. It was once the Isle of Pines Country Store, but now, Vietnam veteran Dan Shaw calls it home.
“We had to give it up after the economy went ‘kaput.’ We lost our business, and eventually we had to short-sale the house to pay bills.”
After losing their home three years ago, 65-year-old Dan and his wife, Sandy, started living in the building, which they still own. “It’s a one bedroom studio, full kitchen, one-and-a-half baths.”
Shaw said he had to stop working. “With my PTSD, I just couldn’t keep the business together,” he explained. Since it’s no longer a business, Shaw said he can’t afford to stay here. So he is asking the county to rezone it.
By changing the zoning from commercial to residential, Shaw said he will save thousands of dollars in taxes and licensing fees. “I could use the help. I’m a veteran. My wife’s ill here at the house, and it’s just a lot of money. It’s $5,000.”
Commissioner Jennifer Thompson wrote Mayor Jacobs a letter asking for the fee to be waived. For this veteran, it means the world.
“It’s a little bit of appreciation. We never got any appreciation. Vietnam vets, we were side-stepped for the most part, so yes, we’d appreciate it if they’d do something like that.”
