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It’s been two long years, but Mike Agolia of Pleasant Mount finally has his home. “It’s a miracle that it’s here,” he said, standing in his driveway, looking at his brand new Skyline home.
Agolia caught the public’s attention last year when he began picketing outside of Wyoming Homes in White Mills. The retired New Yorker had plunked down over $57,000 to Wyoming Homes, but never received the modular home. And so began a 105 day protest, lasting up to eight hours daily, carrying picket signs that read: “Got my $$$. No home.” The matter wound up in court.
A felony theft charge was filed by the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office against Dave Valenti, President and owner of Wyoming Homes, Inc., for taking Agolia’s money, then failing to deliver the home. The charge was later dismissed when Valenti made restitution. Agolia says he’s still owed another $29,000 for repairs to a cracked foundation, storage unit costs, and other expenses.
Agolia re-ordered his home, this time from Paulyn Housing, Lawton, PA. He was all smiles Monday, having taken delivery of the two bedroom/ two bathroom home on November 9.
The day they brought the home, in two halves, Agolia remembers, “When they sat the back side of the house down. And then they sat the front down, the cloud actually moved and the sun shone down on the front door. It really did, I kid you not ...I know there’s a God. I always knew there was God. And He’s been looking over my shoulder, taking care of me, for sure.”
Agolia says, “You can’t give up.”
Agolia thanked Paulyn Housing, Skyline Homes, and neighbors who’ve been there for him. Signs tacked to trees in his front yard say, “Thank-You” in large letters. Jeff and Doreen Durante, John Lacek, Jeff Nossinger, Mickey Barhite and so many others have stepped forward in a big way. “They’re just right here for me,” he says.
Agolia says they’re more than neighbors. “This is a family,” he says. Agolia says he’s told his neighbors, “You don’t even have to knock, you just come in my door.”
“My neighbors said, ‘You’re done camping, Mike.” Agolia had been staying in a cramped camper. A camper is great, he said, for camping in the spring, summer and fall, “but it’s not a place to live.”
Neighbors gave him a bed, kitchen table, sheets and pillow cases, and even cooked dinner for him.
It’s been two long years, but Mike Agolia of Pleasant Mount finally has his home. “It’s a miracle that it’s here,” he said, standing in his driveway, looking at his brand new Skyline home.
Agolia caught the public’s attention last year when he began picketing outside of Wyoming Homes in White Mills. The retired New Yorker had plunked down over $57,000 to Wyoming Homes, but never received the modular home. And so began a 105 day protest, lasting up to eight hours daily, carrying picket signs that read: “Got my $$$. No home.” The matter wound up in court.
A felony theft charge was filed by the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office against Dave Valenti, President and owner of Wyoming Homes, Inc., for taking Agolia’s money, then failing to deliver the home. The charge was later dismissed when Valenti made restitution. Agolia says he’s still owed another $29,000 for repairs to a cracked foundation, storage unit costs, and other expenses.
Agolia re-ordered his home, this time from Paulyn Housing, Lawton, PA. He was all smiles Monday, having taken delivery of the two bedroom/ two bathroom home on November 9.
The day they brought the home, in two halves, Agolia remembers, “When they sat the back side of the house down. And then they sat the front down, the cloud actually moved and the sun shone down on the front door. It really did, I kid you not ...I know there’s a God. I always knew there was God. And He’s been looking over my shoulder, taking care of me, for sure.”
Agolia says, “You can’t give up.”
Agolia thanked Paulyn Housing, Skyline Homes, and neighbors who’ve been there for him. Signs tacked to trees in his front yard say, “Thank-You” in large letters. Jeff and Doreen Durante, John Lacek, Jeff Nossinger, Mickey Barhite and so many others have stepped forward in a big way. “They’re just right here for me,” he says.
Agolia says they’re more than neighbors. “This is a family,” he says. Agolia says he’s told his neighbors, “You don’t even have to knock, you just come in my door.”
“My neighbors said, ‘You’re done camping, Mike.” Agolia had been staying in a cramped camper. A camper is great, he said, for camping in the spring, summer and fall, “but it’s not a place to live.”
Neighbors gave him a bed, kitchen table, sheets and pillow cases, and even cooked dinner for him.
