I have been following the articles that have been written about the First Baptist Church in Waterville. I attended the First Baptist Church growing up and was baptized in the Church. I understand they need more parking, etc., to grow but the way in which they have handled the situation I can no longer stay quiet.

My daughter lived in 5 Park St. with her 4-year-old daughter. We helped move her in, and we helped move her out to another apartment. She moved there in November 2022. I have pictures of her apartment after she got settled. The apartment was beautiful. New kitchen cabinets, granite counters, newly painted throughout. A stackable washer and dryer.

She got an eviction notice in September 2023 and was told the church had bought the property and the building would be torn down as well as the 3 Park St. building. She had to be out by Dec. 25. My daughter had made friends with Kim, who lived in 3 Park St. and said her apartment was very nice. She was also evicted and was quoted in Amy Calder’s article earlier in the Morning Sentinel.

It was a stressful time to try and find another apartment, especially one that is safe, affordable and will take a pet.

What bothers me the most is the minister of the First Baptist Church said no one was evicted and the buildings were uninhabitable. That is totally false. William Cripe also said the apartments were uninhabitable and should have been condemned. Had he been there? Did he see the apartments? I know the minister was in Kim’s apartment in November 2023 while Kim was living there and said what a nice apartment it was.

I know things change and people as a rule don’t like change but what bothers me is the lying that is taking place to convince people what they want to do is justified.

 

Nancy Bickford

North Anson

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