Post by crudo on Dec 15, 2006 2:23:38 GMT -5
Mobile home protester given notice
But anonymous benefactor offers to pay past-due rent
Lawrence
By TIM MORAN
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: December 14, 2006, 05:11:53 AM PST
Judy Lawrence, whose plight was featured in a Modesto Bee story Sunday on rapidly rising rents in several Stanislaus County mobile home parks, was served with a notice Tuesday to pay her rent or vacate her property.
Lawrence, 65, said the notice was put on her back door and a copy was left in her mailbox.
In Sunday's story, Lawrence said her rent at Coralwood Mobile Home Park in Modesto had risen from $395 in 1999 to more than $800. She had been juggling payments to stay afloat and had reached a crisis point.
"This is the month I either pay my bills or I pay my rent," she said.
Lawrence said she was 12 days late with the rent when the notice was posted Tuesday, giving her three days to pay it or vacate the property within 60days.
Fortunately, she also got a call from someone who offered to pay her rent, Lawrence said Wednesday. Her benefactor wishes to remain anonymous, she said.
"It's wonderful. I can't imagine a Samaritan like that," Lawrence said.
A mobile home park can post the three-day notice when a tenant is 10 days behind in rent, but Lawrence thinks the notice came because she spoke about her problems.
The manager at Coralwood said she couldn't comment because it was confidential. A regional representative of Equity Lifestyles, the Chicago-based company that owns Coralwood, did not return a phone call Wednesday.
Lawrence, a bartender and waitress who also worked for the state as a receptionist, retired after injuring her hand a few years ago.
She recently had surgery and hopes to find a job to supplement her retirement income so she can pay the rent.
"If I can get a job, I'll pay my rent. I'm not so far behind on my bills anymore," she said. "My hand is almost totally healed. I'll get something part time or even work temporary."
Many others in the park have physical problems that prevent them from working, Lawrence said. "Some people here can't even get out on their porch."
An ad hoc committee of officials from Stanislaus County and several cities is considering recommending a mobile home park rent control ordinance to the city councils and the county Board of Supervisors.
Modesto City Councilman Will O'Bryant, a member of the ad hoc committee, had talked to Lawrence and heard of the overdue rent notice.
"That makes me sick," he said. "She doesn't even have money for a Christmas tree."
The committee will meet in January to consider language for the ordinance.
In the meantime, a group of mobile home residents headed by Sharon Burch is planning a demonstration at the city and county administration building at Tenth Street Place in Modesto on Jan. 2 and 3.
Burch said she hopes to involve mobile home residents from several cities and public officials. The demonstrations are to begin at 8:30 a.m. both days, she said.
Bee staff writer Tim Morancan be reached at 578-2349 or tmoran@modbee.com.
But anonymous benefactor offers to pay past-due rent
Lawrence
By TIM MORAN
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: December 14, 2006, 05:11:53 AM PST
Judy Lawrence, whose plight was featured in a Modesto Bee story Sunday on rapidly rising rents in several Stanislaus County mobile home parks, was served with a notice Tuesday to pay her rent or vacate her property.
Lawrence, 65, said the notice was put on her back door and a copy was left in her mailbox.
In Sunday's story, Lawrence said her rent at Coralwood Mobile Home Park in Modesto had risen from $395 in 1999 to more than $800. She had been juggling payments to stay afloat and had reached a crisis point.
"This is the month I either pay my bills or I pay my rent," she said.
Lawrence said she was 12 days late with the rent when the notice was posted Tuesday, giving her three days to pay it or vacate the property within 60days.
Fortunately, she also got a call from someone who offered to pay her rent, Lawrence said Wednesday. Her benefactor wishes to remain anonymous, she said.
"It's wonderful. I can't imagine a Samaritan like that," Lawrence said.
A mobile home park can post the three-day notice when a tenant is 10 days behind in rent, but Lawrence thinks the notice came because she spoke about her problems.
The manager at Coralwood said she couldn't comment because it was confidential. A regional representative of Equity Lifestyles, the Chicago-based company that owns Coralwood, did not return a phone call Wednesday.
Lawrence, a bartender and waitress who also worked for the state as a receptionist, retired after injuring her hand a few years ago.
She recently had surgery and hopes to find a job to supplement her retirement income so she can pay the rent.
"If I can get a job, I'll pay my rent. I'm not so far behind on my bills anymore," she said. "My hand is almost totally healed. I'll get something part time or even work temporary."
Many others in the park have physical problems that prevent them from working, Lawrence said. "Some people here can't even get out on their porch."
An ad hoc committee of officials from Stanislaus County and several cities is considering recommending a mobile home park rent control ordinance to the city councils and the county Board of Supervisors.
Modesto City Councilman Will O'Bryant, a member of the ad hoc committee, had talked to Lawrence and heard of the overdue rent notice.
"That makes me sick," he said. "She doesn't even have money for a Christmas tree."
The committee will meet in January to consider language for the ordinance.
In the meantime, a group of mobile home residents headed by Sharon Burch is planning a demonstration at the city and county administration building at Tenth Street Place in Modesto on Jan. 2 and 3.
Burch said she hopes to involve mobile home residents from several cities and public officials. The demonstrations are to begin at 8:30 a.m. both days, she said.
Bee staff writer Tim Morancan be reached at 578-2349 or tmoran@modbee.com.