ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 30, 1997 TAG: 9701300034
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAG POFF
Greg and Diane Ulmer of Blue Ridge have settled their dispute with a special state compensation program over purchase of a new house.
Jim Echols, spokesman for Del. Richard Cranwell, D-Vinton, said the settlement with the Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program resulted Wednesday in withdrawal of a bill that would have given general fund revenues for the couple.
They had wanted the Virginia General Assembly to intercede and force the program to buy their house for $188,000. They said they would then use the net proceeds to build a new house that would better accommodate the disabilities of their three-year-old son, Brian, who has cerebral palsy.
Terms of the settlement were not immediately available Wednesday. Echols said, however, that the fact the relief bill was pending helped to bring about a settlement.
The family needs a house without stairs and on level ground so that his parents can carry Brian.
The program had been willing to give the couple $100,000 toward a new house, with the balance of the cost to be financed through the sale of their present home. But the house didn't sell, leaving them without enough money to build a new one.
The only purchase offer was for $40,000 less than the $179,000 that the Ulmers originally paid.
The program offered to build and hold ownership of a new house, but that was unacceptable to the rest of the family who would have to move if anything should happen to Brian.
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB