Think of it this way: The board is saying it can't do anything to help with the problem because it asked a judge to appoint someone else to deal with the problem.

Those are only some of the complications in a situation that's truly a mess.

If you believe Gnatek, the homebuyers and their attorneys are the ones standing in the way of an equitable resolution. In his view, the receiver and the Wayne County treasurer are attempting to help keep the properties from being foreclosed on and the people living in them from being evicted.

Among other things, Gnatek said, the receiver has offered to restructure the land contracts and "substantially" reduce the purchase price of the homes. 

The message we got from the homebuyers and one of the attorneys representing them is that, having been victimized once already, they are mistrustful of any offers being made at this point, and want to see some guarantees made in writing.

Reading between the lines of Gnatek's statement regarding what has been offered, it seems as if he and the board think these people are angling to get something for nothing here. Certainly they are failing to appreciate all that's being done to assist them.

"I'm listening to you and thinking, wouldn't it be nice if I could go back to my mortgage company and say, 'I don't want to pay what the contract calls for?'" he said.

In Gnatek's view, these folks are actually fortunate to be in the position they're now in.

As we noted, the preceding quote was prepared in advance. 

Which means that Mr. Gnatek is an astounding fellow, with the ability to look into the future and say exactly what it was he was thinking in response to hearing what hadn't yet been said.

Is it any wonder these people are leery of the supposedly benevolent offers it's claimed they are failing to take advantage of?

> Email Curt Guyette