NEWS RELEASE

WEIR AND LOUDIN RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR WORK AT HOPEWELL MANOR APARTMENTS

Hagerstown, MD June 11, 2007 –  Ms.Virginia (Ginny) Weir, Site Manager and Mr. Richard Loudin, Maintenance Manager were recognized by Congressman Roscoe Bartlett and Ms. Marlene Elliott, USDA Rural Development State Director for their work at Hopewell Manor II Apartments located on Pepperbush Circle in Hagerstown.

The two are employed by Case Edwards Management Company based in Annapolis to manage a federally financed property that is home to some 53 residents.

 Congressman Roscoe Bartlett said, "It is important that we recognize the hard work and dedication of Ms.Weir and Mr. Loudin.  These noteworthy individuals have worked tirelessly for the residents to make their apartments better places to live.  I'm sure everyone who lives in an apartment wishes their managers were more like Ms. Weir and Mr. Loudin."

Each year, Rural Development recognizes a site manager that makes sure the day-to-day operations go smoothly.  Nominations for site managers and maintenance managers are submitted by the tenants of the property and are rated on 3 factors: 1) The level of tenant satisfaction with the manager; 2) The curb appeal of the manager’s property; and 3) The manager consistently doing more than the job requires.

“Apartment managers play an important role in the success of USDA Rural Development’s Multi-Family Housing Program,” said Elliott.  “They ensure that the properties are a safe environment, well maintained, and meet the needs of the residents.”

Elliott added, “Both Ginny and Richard are deserving of this award that was documented so well in the glowing nominations that were received from the tenants.”

Hopewell Manor II is a 32 unit apartment complex serving individuals and families.  The apartments opened in 1985 with the support of a USDA Rural Development loan in the amount of $1,103,900. 

Before becoming site manager of the property, Ginny Weir was the first tenant to take occupancy of the apartment complex when it opened.  “This is a great honor for me to be recognized by my tenants,” said Weir.  When asked, what is the best part of her job, she replied, “To be able to give low-to-moderate income people a nice place to live, a clean place to live, and a nice environment, because there are few places in the area that can provide all that for people who are on a fixed budget.”

Ms. Weir became site manager of the property in 1990 and received her first Site Manager Award from USDA in 1997.  This is the first award to be received by Mr. Loudin who maintains everything on the property from landscaping to snow removal. 

USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities.  Last year the agency returned over $185 million of the people’s money to rural Maryland.  For more information about Rural Development’s housing, business or community facilities programs, contact the Rural Development office located in Hagerstown at (302) 797-0500 ext. 5 or visit their website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.  TTY users should call (302) 857-3585.

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