Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Mobile home park residents fight back
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Mobile home park residents fight back
Fair Valley Mobile Home Court residents have hired a group to help them get more time -- and maybe a better deal -- to move.
By GREG GROSS
For the Daily Record/Sunday News
Updated: 09/08/2009 11:34:16 PM EDT
Some Fair Valley Mobile Home Court residents after fighting back after learning they are being evicted from their York Township trailer park.
"This is not how we treat our neighbors. This is not how we treat our elderly," said Cheri Honkala, a member of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, a Philadelphia-based group that fights for people living in poverty.
Residents and their supporters held a rally and news conference before the township commissioners meeting Tuesday night outside the township municipal building.
Honkala asked township official to hold a public hearing so commissioners can hear residents' stories. She also said lawyers are looking into the legality of the process used to evict the residents.
The park was sold recently to the Maryland development and property-management companies Multi-Properties Inc. and Multi-Ventures.
The park boasts 39 lots, 35 of which have homes on them. Honkala said about 100 people's lives are being disrupted because they are being forced to move.
About 30 residents and their supporters attended the meeting.
"All we want is more time," said Deb Rothrock, a park resident and campaign member.
A letter sent to park residents in July stated they would be given $2,000 to help cover the roughly $6,000 bill to move their homes. Residents also have the option to collect $500 if they choose to leave their trailers at the park when they move.
Residents must leave by Jan. 15.
However, many of the trailers are too old to be moved, Honkala said, and some would likely be destroyed if they were hauled.
During the rally, one resident pleaded for help from anyone with a truck who can help him move his home and belongings.
Justin Watkins, a youth pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Millersville, said he has created a Facebook page to garner support for the residents.
"For a people of faith, this is not right," Watkins said. "This is unjust. People don't treat people like this."
If you go
What: A "reality tour" of the Fair Valley Mobile Home Court
Where: 2505 S. George Street in York Township
When: 10 a.m. Sept. 29
Fair Valley Mobile Home Court residents have hired a group to help them get more time -- and maybe a better deal -- to move.
By GREG GROSS
For the Daily Record/Sunday News
Updated: 09/08/2009 11:34:16 PM EDT
Some Fair Valley Mobile Home Court residents after fighting back after learning they are being evicted from their York Township trailer park.
"This is not how we treat our neighbors. This is not how we treat our elderly," said Cheri Honkala, a member of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, a Philadelphia-based group that fights for people living in poverty.
Residents and their supporters held a rally and news conference before the township commissioners meeting Tuesday night outside the township municipal building.
Honkala asked township official to hold a public hearing so commissioners can hear residents' stories. She also said lawyers are looking into the legality of the process used to evict the residents.
The park was sold recently to the Maryland development and property-management companies Multi-Properties Inc. and Multi-Ventures.
The park boasts 39 lots, 35 of which have homes on them. Honkala said about 100 people's lives are being disrupted because they are being forced to move.
About 30 residents and their supporters attended the meeting.
"All we want is more time," said Deb Rothrock, a park resident and campaign member.
A letter sent to park residents in July stated they would be given $2,000 to help cover the roughly $6,000 bill to move their homes. Residents also have the option to collect $500 if they choose to leave their trailers at the park when they move.
Residents must leave by Jan. 15.
However, many of the trailers are too old to be moved, Honkala said, and some would likely be destroyed if they were hauled.
During the rally, one resident pleaded for help from anyone with a truck who can help him move his home and belongings.
Justin Watkins, a youth pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Millersville, said he has created a Facebook page to garner support for the residents.
"For a people of faith, this is not right," Watkins said. "This is unjust. People don't treat people like this."
If you go
What: A "reality tour" of the Fair Valley Mobile Home Court
Where: 2505 S. George Street in York Township
When: 10 a.m. Sept. 29
Labels: Cheri Honkala, Deb Rothrock, Fair Valley Mobile Home Court, Justin Watkins, Multi-Properties Inc., Multi-Ventures, PPEHRC
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