Mobile Home Listings & News

Effort against mobile home park intensifies
By: Elizabeth Piet/STAFF WRITER
06/21/2007


ARCHBALD - Borough police, officials and a representative of the Lackawanna County District Attorney's office visited Valley View Estates on Wednesday in a continuing effort to address issues in the blighted mobile home park.

Officials went door-to-door with questionnaires about the living conditions and legal agreements between residents and park owner Eugene Egan, of Douglassville. Efforts to reach him were unsuccessful Wednesday.

Park resident Charlie Smith is hoping the borough can force Mr. Egan to fix the road, which is filled with potholes. He has refused to pay the rent increase of $10 per month until he sees improvements.

"It's gotten worse," Mr. Smith said.

Residents pay $210 to rent the property, while some also are under "rent to own agreements" for their trailer homes.

There is concern that residents enter such agreements with Mr. Egan, but when they finishing paying for the property, they do not receive a deed or title. Many residents have said they are afraid to fight back for fear of losing their homes.

"I feel bad for these people," Councilman Brian Burke said. "He's scaring them."

Residents' complaints will be forwarded to the state Attorney General's office. There are other repeated concerns about the condition of the trailers, the roads and utilities service in the park. The district attorney's office is looking into whether Mr. Egan can be charged in relation to having a "nuisance property."

"Hopefully, if we get his back against the wall, he'll start doing things," Mr. Burke said. "This is definitely a start."
Resident Jeanette Himko purchased her mobile home in March for $2,000, but said she has yet to receive the title. Now, she is concerned about $5,000 in overdue taxes on the home, a fact she says she wasn't made aware of. She gave paperwork to borough officials Wednesday hoping for assistance.

"I'm hoping it's going to be positive and these guys are going to help us," she said.

Borough officials also explained or enforced zoning problems with individual residents.

On Wednesday, Chief Tim Trently and two officers walked the park to hear concerns. Police have been regularly called to the park for fights and problems, they say.

"As emergency service providers, we have to make sure it's safe," Chief Trently said.

Contact the writer: epiet@timesshamrock.com


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