We have some comments about articles about the Mobile Home protest (Record-Bee, May 17-18), and Mr. Christensen”s letter to the editor (Record-Bee, May 19).
In one article, Mr. Cavness is depicted as “appearing to be in a trance.” This was a silent sit-in, but the article implied this was only “his silent protest.” The article the following day indicated 10 to 20 seniors showed up. There were far more than that this was a protest from noon to 2 p.m. people came and went during that time.
In the following day”s article, a box with bold print gave the opinion of a Supervisor and quoted him extensively. He states Mr. Cavness is “unscrupulous and scaring people into thinking their rent is going to be jacked up so high that they”re going to be out on the street.”
In the first place, name calling is unnecessary, and he”s insinuating that those of us in mobile homes are too naive to see what”s going on for ourselves. We have experienced the high rent raises we don”t have to be told. Here at Sterling Shore, we experienced a 10% raise last year, (that adds up to one extra full month”s rent for the year) and were told in writing that there would be none this year. We are getting another raise in September because “the new owner wants it in the contract.” The new owner should have been told of that promise.
The Supervisor also says that no one has shown him any facts. If 10 or 15 percent rent hikes, aren”t proof of exorbitant rent increases in some cases twice yearly what does he want for facts? This Supervisor appointed himself to the task force, but he had already made up his mind. He is not now, nor has he ever been, impartial, and should not be on the Task Force for that reason alone.
In the May 19 opinion page, Mr. Christensen says “what about apartment houses & single family dwellings & motels and hotels?” What he doesn”t mention is that it is easy to move out of any of those it doesn”t cost from $15,000 to $25,000 just to move. It does in mobile homes plus $100,000 or so to buy a lot, hook up electric, etc … It is practically impossible to move by choice. Also, in a conversion, it is not “required by law” those expenses be paid. It has been proposed by the task force but there is no law now.
Rent control is working fine in at least ten counties and in over 100 communities besides those 10 counties throughout California. Renters are protected and owners are guaranteed a substantial profit on their investment. How many companies are guaranteed a profit? The Allen Survey in 1998 reported that the rate of return for most owners is around 14 percent. That seems like a pretty fair return to us!
There are lots of families living in mobile home parks, but the majority are retired seniors. Our income does not go up as the working force does. We may be mostly seniors that doesn”t signify that we are senile.
Jolene Gugel
Lorraine Koonce
Lakeport
