LAKEPORT — Members of Save Our Seniors (SOS), a group seeking fair rent practices in senior citizen mobile home parks, reacted to a decision made by the Lakeport City Council Tuesday night to opt for a report from an agency regarding the ordinance involving the proposed rent control initiative.
The city measure to limit rent increases in senior mobile home parks has already reached ballot status.
Leading the opposition to the measure was Doug Johnson, a heavyweight Sacramento lobbyist, brought in by local park owners, according to the leader of the SOS citywide initiative, Nelson Strasser. “When the park owners have to bring in a senior Sacramento lobbyist to defend their case against a pensioner in the council meeting, it has to be pretty weak,” Strasser said.
SOS Chairman Bill Eaton of the similar countywide initiative, quoted from an internal document from one park owner who stated his intention was to raise the rents as much and as often possible because the residents were largely ignorant and could do nothing about it.
Meanwhile the countywide initiative has surpassed the signature level needed to place it on the ballot next year, but signature collection will continue until the filing date to make sure enough valid signatures are obtained.
The council referred the initiative for legal consultation and will report back on the implications within 30 days.
