BRADENTON -- Advocates for Trail Mobile Home Park residents told county officials
Tuesday that they need to stop talking and start taking action.
The advocates attended Tuesday's County Commission meeting to press for money
to help residents move. But they left feeling frustrated.
"We're trying to light some fires," said Greg Schell, an attorney with the
Migrant Farmworker Justice Project. He's one of three attorneys representing
residents of the Trail Motel and Mobile Home Park, 3503 14th St. W.
Although residents received extra time in the dilapidated and crime-ridden park after a
code enforcement glitch, they have to move in a few weeks. Advocates said they're
trying to help residents find affordable housing and gather the money for rent deposits
but aren't getting much help from the county.
Last month, the county commissioners suggested using county funds to help residents
relocate. But county attorney Tedd Williams said it would be illegal for the county to
pass a law aimed specifically at helping Trail residents.
Williams said the county could create a general emergency fund to help
people in Trail, as well as others in similar situations. Staff members said they
will investigate the idea and consider putting it on a future agenda.
But advocates like Joan Mahon said the staff needs to take immediate action,
because time is running out for the remaining 100 residents.
"There is at this time no money allocated for helping these people move," Mahon said.
"These people are in a panic."
Attorneys for the residents acknowledge that the county isn't solely to blame.
Schell said the park's owners and prospective buyers are trying to wiggle out of their
responsibilities to residents. He said something needs to be done soon.
"Right now we're in a game of chicken, waiting to see who's going to blink first," Schell said.
Cheri Coryea, manager of the Manatee County Human Services Division, said she
is working on criteria for Trail residents to apply for emergency funding. She also
said she'd bring the plan to the commissioners at Tuesday's meeting.
Coryea also plans to go to the Trail park today to help residents apply for housing.
But Mahon said that doesn't erase the frustration of residents when county officials
don't fulfill their promises. Last week, Coryea was supposed to meet with Trail families.
Fifteen showed, but Coryea didn't. Mahon said many took valuable time off from
work to attend.
"Just one meeting may not seem like much, but all the little stuff adds up," Mahon said.
"It's the little nitty gritty stuff."
The county notified residents Dec. 29 that they had to repair their trailers or
move out by Jan. 30.
They got a reprieve last month, when Building Official George Devenport admitted in
court that he didn't give them proper notice. He allowed 30 days to fix building code
violations, not the 60 days required under county law.
Residents who own their aging trailers still have to move but they have said they
want to be compensated for their homes, which can't be moved.
"They understand it isn't a good place to live and want to move," Mahon said.
"The residents need a fair and just compensation for their homes."
Staff writer Scott Carroll contributed to this report.
Last modified: February 04. 2004 12:00AM