One person was worried he might lose his home. Another needed flooring and a new wheelchair. Both were on Help Me Howard, and what happened after they were on 7News is why we bring in Patrick and Howard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two remarkable people, both facing difficult problems<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stephen Miller: “It’s not there, I am like aargh.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And both vowing they have to solve their problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph Truscello: “It’s gonna hurt me to the point where I will not be able to afford to live here anymore.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s begin with Joseph, a Marine who was injured while fighting for America in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph Truscello: “Honestly, if I had to do it again, I would definitely do it again.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For his service, Joseph earned a veterans exemption, which lowered the property taxes on his home from around $10,000 a year to $325, and then the crushing roadblock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph Truscello: “They said I cannot keep my business unless I have an agricultural tax exemption.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When he returned from fighting in Afghanistan, Joseph opened a tree-trimming business called Sgt T’s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The town of Davie said he couldn’t park his two business trucks behind his house unless he had an agricultural exemption.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Joseph Truscello: “So I would have to basically forfeit my [Veterans Affairs] benefit for taxes to take on an agricultural exemption.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n By law, you can’t have a veteran exemption if you have the agricultural exemption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Davie also cited Joseph for a fence, tree-trimming materials, and other issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After we got involved, Davie gave Joseph extensions to try to solve the problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joseph Truscello: “I think the town of Davie is trying to work with me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our story aired. Joseph put in a new fence, cleared the land, uncovered two concrete slabs for parking his trucks, and resolved other issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then in early December, it was time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The town of Davie made their decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Board member: “\u2026Been cancelled, correct.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Board member: “Thank you. Canceled correct.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cancelled, corrected, meaning the violations had been resolved. Joseph could keep his veterans’ exemption and his house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joseph Truscello: “I can’t even explain how I feel, beyond relief.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Give the town of Davie credit for guiding Joseph along, and Joseph says it all started coming together when he called Help Me Howard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joseph Truscello: “I’m beyond glad. You guys are my friends for life.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking of a friend, we just had Stephen on Help Me, Howard, a couple of weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Miller: “I’m grateful, eternally grateful that help me, Howard was there.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen has cerebral palsy, his brother is mentally handicapped, and they survive on small social security checks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Miller: “It’s not easy, but I am working on it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen had called us to help find $9,200 that had disappeared from his bank account.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n We helped find it, and Stephen finally received the money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Miller: “That looked like a big relief.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The story aired, and more good news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brian Johnson: “I saw your story on the news, and it compelled us to want to be able to provide some help and assistance.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Help Me Howard, we mentioned that Stephen spent most of the money he got to repair a ceiling, a plumbing problem, and partially repair the bad flooring. We also pointed out that the small wheelchair he uses inside was falling apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brian Johnson, from the Broward Center for Independent Living, took care of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brian Johnson: “This is just a temporary kind of get you over, until we can get you the customized chair.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brian also says they will work to repair the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Miller: “I think they’re wonderful people, they’ve got a heart of gold.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Given a new wheelchair and a better floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to Joseph, who wants to give back to the town that helped him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joseph Truscello: “Anything going on tree-wise, it’s not a big deal for me to spend a day once a year, makes me feel good about doing something for the town I live in.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Great news for the holiday season. Congratulations, Stephen and Joseph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, if you need some tree trimming work from a reliable veteran like Sgt T’s, or you want to donate money to the Broward Center for Independent Living, so they can help more people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The links to contact them are under this story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A problem taken the joy out of your life? Wanna take a holiday from the headache? Wrap it up and give it to us to try and boost your spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For More Info:<\/strong> Center for Independent Living of Broward<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:<\/strong>
Sergeant T’s Tree Service<\/a>
954-865-0805<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com<\/a>
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com<\/a>
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"