SPEAK YOUR MIND, #1

These comments and responses were made before I remodeled the blog, on posts now deleted.  I’ve bolded the original post’s title.

I APOLOGIZE!  (I’M EMBARRASSED)

I apologized for not looking at the blog in weeks and missing comments.  I asked for suggested improvements.

“Mel somewhere in Maine” commented:

Hi David:

The site is a great idea, but it's way too complicated--too many posts! Like should I gripe about rent on "Rent" or on the page for my park?? And there's too much "Getting Started" to wade through!

How bout giving the site a trim?

Thanks

I replied:

Thanks, Mel. I think you've got a point. When I have time I'll get out my trimmer.

RENT?

I asked about rent, how often it goes up in your park, etc.

Shandra in Durango Regency answered:

We pay 580 a month. Just went up January 1st from 555. we get trash, water and sewer. I have only been here a year but my parents lived here about 8 years back and paid 530 a month. i do think all residents here pay the same, i am in contact with a few.

I replied:

Hello, Shandra,

I hate to correct a lady, but I'll bet you're wrong about what your parents paid 8 years ago. If they're still alive, you might ask them. Churchill owners are NOT the kind of sweethearts who would raise rent so little in 8 years. Annual or every-other-year rent boosts seem to be routine in their parks.

I won't bother to say $580 sounds outrageous--because that's like saying a black cat isn't white.

PLEASE SAY HELLO

This post asked people to say they had visited the blog.

Anonymous commented:

Hello David thanks for the letter yes you are so right there is a lot of unhappy people at Regency Manor in Des Moines Iowa over priced rent slow to no maintenance..

I answered:

Thanks for commenting. Nice to know SOMEONE looked at the blog! I hope things improve in Des Moines. The range in parks is huge, but even the best could use help

Ed in Minnesota wrote:

Hey David, thanx for starting this blog. Us 'trailer trash' need all the help we can get!

I answered:

Ed, how right you are! Trailers are sensible housing for lots of us; and for some just about the only affordable housing. Yet we're made to feel crappy about living in them. People who would never use "the N word" or belittle other minorities don't hesitate to be snide about mobile home dwellers.

Anonymous (who is probably Shandra in Durango) wrote:

Hi David, Thank you for doing this! Getting these things up and running is always a tough project. I agree with Ed, we need to stick together and we need to stay informed! I am at the park in Durango Colorado. I just finished writing a 2 page letter of complaint. I may eventually post it here so that my neighbors may have the benefit of all the facts. Thank you again!

I answered:

You are most welcome--now that I've seen a few replies, I feel way better about the whole project. I hope you post your 2-page letter. I'm wondering if you're the same person who signs another comment as "Shandra," since she also speaks of such a letter.

Before I trimmed, each park had its post.

DURANGO REGENCY, CO.

I mentioned that I thought Durango might be one of the best parks.

Janet straightened me out:

One of the best? We're in a beautiful area. But our roads are HORRIBLE with ice and have been for weeks. MUCH worse the lights by the mailboxes are lousy. . And this is BEAR COUNTRY!! My husband won't let me or the kids pick up mail after twilight, except in the middle of winter when the bears are asleep.

And Shandra wrote:

Hello Neighbors!

Thank you David for putting this blog up. i am circulating your letter. Janet is right, our road plowing situation is deplorable. if you dont have 4 wheel drive you might not be able to get out of the park in the winter. Our management is horrible! i just finished a 2 page complaint letter. i am curious if it will do any good, but i have to try. i will put updates here :)

I answered:

Hi, Shandra,

Thanks for circulating the letter. I'm curious about why you say management stinks. 

I added a few lines suggesting she use an alias, since “Shandra” in Durango would be easy for any bastard spying for Churchill to track down.

B & R MOBILE HOME PARK, ROCKS SPRINGS, WY.

Jane Doe commented:

Helloo.. I ran across this blog on fb someone shared it.. I lived out in b and r in wyoming for a few years... a few years of hell!!!!

I wrote back to ask her to be more specific, but she hasn’t replied.

ALPINE REGENCY, SC

Anonymous wrote:

Why don't you just move if you don't like it? I have always wondered why people love to bitch but they do nothing to fix their situation!!!

I should have ignored him, but tried a polite reply:

I HALF agree. A lot of people would rather bitch than do anything. 

BUT some people flat out can't afford to move. Or there may be some special family or job situation that keeps them in a place they hate..... And I have no idea what housing in your area is like.

from Durango, “La Plata Larry” gave a better answer:

David: What you said was ok, but you were WAY too nice to this knucklehead. Articles in our paper (Durango, CO) about our great local soup kitchen say that there are families who have to get some meals there though the parents hold down two jobs EACH. If that kind of family gets into a park, they aren't going to get up and move very damn easy. But if maintenance sucks they have a right to bitch.