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Left to right, Rafael Garcia, Margaret Ann Juell, Alex Gadini (Louie's father) and Sherrill Carpenter listen to discussion in the courtroom regarding the residents of the former Oaks Trailer Park. Greg Ebersole / The Daily News

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River City residents granted temporary restraining order

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 8:40 AM PDT

By Thacher Schmid

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Longview’s River City RV & Mobile Home Park residents received a reprieve from a judge Monday afternoon, a day before those still living at the trailer park were to be evicted.

About 70 current and former residents of the park packed a Cowlitz County Superior Court hearing — complete with handpainted signs and dozens of noisy children — and won a temporary restraining order against owner Louie Gadini.

Two separate lawsuits were filed by attorneys representing River City residents, who formed a new group called the River City Mobile Home Park Owners’ Association.

Attorneys Alex Thomason and Lisa Waldvogel said residents did not receive proper notice of the closure, that Gadini has been destroying mobile homes before the stated June 30 deadline — some which were still occupied, though not during demolition — and has ignored parts of the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act.

Judge Stephen Warning granted a temporary restraining order, conditional on payment of $10,000 bond, and set a hearing for Wednesday, July 9. The order prohibits Gadini from demolishing more trailers — unless he first checks the unit number with Thomason — and Gadini is not allowed to turn off water or electricity.

“We had no intention of getting them out today, we were going to work with CAP, give them some money to help relocate the ones who are left,” Gadini said at the Hall of Justice. He said 15 people were still living in the park, and showed a reporter dozens of photographs of trailers with exposed insulation, missing doors, windows and siding.

“When you have a trailer like this, what am I supposed to do with it?”

Gadini said he gave 12 months’ notice to city and state authorities as well as park residents and that fires were becoming regular at the park. He called the suit “a waste of money and time.”

Inside the courtroom, residents stood along the walls and filled the seats. Children were sent outside because of noise. Several carried signs with messages like, “Rules & Regulations — Not Home Demolition!” and “I had a home, now I just roam.”

The majority of the residents in attendance spoke only Spanish. A young woman named Maria Bueno, still living at River City with her family, interpreted for the group, though Judge Warning ordered a certified interpreter for Wednesday’s hearing.

Bueno said she was scared during recent, late-night demolition of trailers because the heavy machinery was very loud, created lots of dust that came in through her open window, and she was afraid her trailer would be crushed while she was still inside.

“They would back up really close to my trailer,” Bueno said. “I was scared that they would just hit the trailer, or maybe they got confused.”

Her father, Jose Bueno, found a new place for the family of seven, but they can’t move for another week.

Thomason, who represents the residents’ group, spoke with an assembled group of 50 residents while Bueno interpreted. A show of hands requested by a reporter indicated that 10 are still living inside the park.

“We’re going to get you some sort of settlement, which is help, or money,” Thomason said.

In a separate case that could be combined later, Waldvogel won a ruling from Warning that her client, Raymond Jackson, could move his RV back onto River City property from its temporary, illegal location on the side of California Way. Jackson said he was told by Mike Castor, who he said is an agent for Gadini, that he had to move his RV off River City last Thursday.

Waldvogel, a Longview-based attorney for the Northwest Justice Project, said she is working the case for free, but Thomason’s Seattle firm Stanislaw Ashbaugh would keep a portion of any financial judgment. Thomason learned of the River City situation through a newspaper article Friday, he said in court, and Waldvogel said the common thread in their involvement was litigating on behalf of trailer park residents.

“Mobile home litigation is near and dear to our hearts,” she said. Jackson’s suit asks the judge to award damages, and the residents’ group is also seeking damages for alleged violations of residents’ rights.

Donna Elke is one of three “officers” of the new residents’ association. She said her single-wide trailer was too old to move, that as a licensed nurse she makes too much money to qualify for public assistance, and after her husband died last year she was left with three cats, a dog and lots of bills.

“I have big questions,” Elke said. “I don’t have a place to go.”

Her statement echoed something Warning made after briefly reviewing the two lawsuits:

“I have developed at least as many questions as answers.”

kelso mom1 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:07 AM:

" I agree with Mr. Gadini, he gave the residents 12 months notice about what was to take place and they still did not listen to him. Many did not pay their rent and many left their homes in terrible shape. It is all about the money, greed is a terrible thing. It is a shame that these residents are taking advantage of Mr. Gadini. Good luck to you!!!! "

FiscalConservative wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:14 AM:

" The residents have had a year and a half to move their stuff. Enough already. They aren't paying rent, so leave. I am tired of the crying people do when they can't get their hands into someones pockets... I don't blame Gadini, I blame the deadbeats... "

Cowlick wrote on Jul 1, 2008 1:56 AM:

" I don't live anywhere near there and even I knew this was coming for a year. "

momto1 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 3:45 AM:

" Now that is totally bogus. How long was Gadini suppose to give these people before they moved? I think a year was enough notice. This just makes me ill. What have these people done for a year, sit around until May then tried to find somewhere to live? This man does not owe you a place to live, you owe yourself that. My landlord can give me 20 days and the law is on their side not mine. "

roudy russ wrote on Jul 1, 2008 5:18 AM:

" This is stupid! I like the statement that the residents did not recieve proper notice of closure, What a year is not long enough? I wonder how many of the spanish speaking people are illegals? Gadini needs to call INS. Yes, he should not have destroyed any trailers intill the deadline but at the same time the trailers he destroyed were dangerous. Gadini could also call out building inspectors and they could condemn all the trailers and have them deemed uninhabitable. Another example of lazy, people leaching off the system! "

1980mustang wrote on Jul 1, 2008 6:43 AM:

" What I don't understand is they had a year to move. That place has been a eye sore for years. I used to live there when it wasn't a bad place to live but, over the past 15 years drugs and low lifes have taken that place over. I understand rent at other places are high but thats just a fact of life, let the owners clean up the place. The folks that are sueing for money is a joke for the most part the old trailers were to old and broken down to move. "

Cheney119 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 6:52 AM:

" We had a saying in the service; Excuses are like $%&%&^%*, everybodys got one and they all stink. I didn't read one reasonable argument why the residents couldn't be out with 12 months notice. Is anyone questioning the owners right to do what he wishes with his property? If the residents wanted to work with CAP to help shouldn't have they thought about that in January? What did the residents think when the bulldozers started knocking down buildings? I will be so glad when this place is leveled and something productive is eventually put in the place of this pathetic eyesore. There is no other description for the Oaks Trailer Court than blight on the community. "

concerned wrote on Jul 1, 2008 6:58 AM:

" Oh this is SO BOGUS the man gives them over a year to move out, so what do they do a few days before they have to get out they get a restraining order so they dont have to move...what crap!! Now the lawyers want the owner to pay for damages how ridiculous, the man is loosing every day due to these deadbeats! As for Mrs. Elke she has had a year to save for the move but from the sounds of it she didnt and now wants someone else to pay for her move, how sad since she has a job!! "

mommy6 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:12 AM:

" So let me get this straight.......A year is not enough notice for these poor, mostly non english speaking residents to find a new place to live?? I find that realy hard to beleave. They didn't do anything about having to move over the last year and now I as a tax payer have to foot the bill???? "

LongviewRez wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:14 AM:

" Too bad they didn't form a homeowner's association long ago to fend off crime and drugs....always the 11th hour before people wake up. "

duckguy wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:23 AM:

" I love the fact that a law firm in Seattle scans small newspapers like the Daily News and when they see an article like the one last week they rush down here and claim they are fighting for the residents. Bull, they are looking for a quick buck.

I remember the first article in the Daily News about the park being shut down. It was like a year ago. These people have had plenty of time to find a new place to live. "

Kelso wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:52 AM:

" It's a shame that this is allowed to happen. The residents had far longer than most people would have. For example, you get a month notice if rent goes up. You get 60 days if apartments are changing to condos. A whole year is ridiculously long! "

Girth VonPhister wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:52 AM:

" Just more proof that we have way too many blood-sucking lawyers in this country.. "

AnotherLameOpinion wrote on Jul 1, 2008 9:10 AM:

" They're soooo poor, yet one of them orders delivery from my restaurant almost daily???!!! Perhaps if they weren't ordering so much delivery and spending a little more wisely they could afford to move out. "

crguy wrote on Jul 1, 2008 9:38 AM:

" A years notice is way more than fair. These people are mostly disfunctional leeches looking for free rent, and the Seattle lawyers are your basic ambulance chasing scum. "

klb65 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 9:57 AM:

" Any ideas about how these folks can find a new place to live? Yes, they should have been looking but many have little resouces> Do you recall the recent LDN story about the waiting list for rent assistance? If you're typing on your computer in the comfort of your home or office, I'm guessing that you don't know or have forgotten how difficult it is to get the money together for a deposit on a new place when your children are hungry and growning or the medicine you need comes before food on the table.
If this was your Norwegian grandma who spoke almost no english and had little income would you be so quick to judge? We've only begun to see poverty and things like this and it is a shame that the greatest country in the world has come to this. Have you seen the stock market lately? Gas prices, food prices, medicine, health care and on and on..but then, we do have a war to fight! Hopefully none of you making these comments will ever have to worry about your next meal or where you are going to live and by the way, good luck with that! "

kelso mom1 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:04 AM:

" So they hired a seattle law firm, that is so crappy. Here is a up-standing business man and he has to put his project on hold because some cry babies are trying to get money out of him, because they are to lazy to work, or did not look for a place to move to and want Mr. Gadini to foot the bill. I say "KICK THEM OUT" and let this man get on with his project!!! "

Girth VonPhister wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:08 AM:

" Let's not forget our spineless judge's involvement in this fiasco. I have no sympathy for these people and by their actions with these lawyers, I am sure any support from the public that they did have is rapidly dwindling. "

buggymuffin wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:42 AM:

" I agree they were given more than enough notice. However, Mr. Gandini had no right to take it upon himself to start demolishing homes. If the were unsafe or abandoned, there are legal steps that can be taken to have them inspected and condemned. That wasn't his decision to make. How would all of you feel if you were trying to find a place to have your home moved to and you showed up one day to find a pile of rubble instead. "

Rural Citizen wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:46 AM:

" Mr. Gadini has been to this kind of party before. He knows that the court's hands are tied and the HAVE to give these folks a reprieve. He also knows that legal fees reduce his profit margin. He will fight this and he will win and they will have to move. This is just an expensive stall tactic. Expensive for Mr. Gadini of course, but from the comments above I surmise it is expensive for the soon to be EX inhabitants of this blight they call a neighborhood. To those fighting to keep the blight: Think twice, the locals will see your stall tactic and NOT want it for their own rental property. Hence they WILL NOT RENT TO YOU and you are REDUCING your future doing this.

There is always a cost. Mr. Gadini has a business plan and as harsh as the beginnings of it look to a town not used to this, he is doing the right thing. "

CONCERENED wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:56 AM:

" to all the belly rubbing whiners, pleaseeeeeee take these people in, IF your that concerned for them, they had a notice, bbut, the owner/landlord started demolishing homes prior to the deadline date he set. go back to the ( tdn) archives and read some of the stories!!!!!before ya spout off about what ya know noting about, boooo hoooo!!!! shame on you "

Local Resident wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:58 AM:

" Granted they had a year but that did not give the man the right to start destroying homes of people before the deadline. If he is any type of buiness man he would have known that. He should know he is in the wrong. You just can't go in start tearing apart people's homes when they still have time to get out. He is getting what is coming to him. He wasn't the best landlord to begin with. He allowed the ones that were in the drugs that were previously kicked out to move back in that's his problem. BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO THE RIGHT TO DESTROY THEIR HOMES BY NO MEANS. About time someone stood up and took action against this man. "

greenbean wrote on Jul 1, 2008 11:27 AM:

" If you read the previous article, the homes that were demonlished were abandoned, missing windows and doors, and were a safety and fire hazard. So, yes he did have the right and the responsibility to destroy them to keep the rest of the park safe. Mr. Gadini seems to have bent over backwards to try and help these people. They need to grow up and move on. "

Commenter wrote on Jul 1, 2008 11:54 AM:

" I can't believe how many are defending these people. They're lazy slobs. If they would have started looking for ways to move a year ago, this wouldn't be an issue now. They knew this was coming, he even extended the deadline so the children could finish school. Plenty of time to plan for a move as soon as school was finished. As for the demolishing of the homes... How many of the demolished homes were not abandoned? Did these people leave contact information? My guess is most sat there for weeks while they were stripped. Water mains break and so he shuts off the water, what else is he suppose to do? All these places are becoming hazards to the remaining residents and children. What happens when people start getting injured from these hazards on site? Then people will start sueing and complaining that he did not remove the trailers that posed a hazard and people will expect him to be able to tell the difference because he was given no contact information for the previous tenant. I say kick them all out, put them in the community house or something. If they have kids, take their kids away from them. It's obvious they're unfit parents if they can't find a new home for their children when given a year. If you're one of the people that feel they should be allowed to stay, then you can put up the money that it's costing the owner, or shut up. "

lucky1 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 1:01 PM:

" This is why I dont own any rentals. Now they are trying to figure out a way to make him pay them to leave. How terrible. What a scam "

Louie wrote on Jul 1, 2008 1:03 PM:

" Before pointing fingers at the residents who thought they had until the 30th of June to vacate, according to the paper, I would say that these lawyers are the reason lawyers have a bad reputation. They are for sure just after a quick buck at Mr. Gadini's expense. Unless the judge knows something that the rest of don't, and most likely he does, this seems unfair considering the length of time they had to vacate this rat hole of a trailer park. Mr. Gadini should have been more cognizant of the fact that it was considered a den of drug users and dealers by the community and tried to clean it up years ago. Maybe then the problems wouldn't have existed for any of the parties involved.
As for the fact that they are Spanish speaking...that has nothing to do with the situation. There are many fine citizens in town that are Spanish speaking so quit with the racist remarks...it makes YOU sound rather stupid. "

lucky1 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 1:05 PM:

" klb65 If it was my grandma I would have her live with me. Why should everyone else suffer because they are waiting for assistance. "

My Kids' Mom wrote on Jul 1, 2008 1:48 PM:

" Here we go again. You folks know that "these people" don't know what else to do with there time than to spend tax payer dollars. Lucky1: Yup, this is why I've sold most my rentals and keep the good ones just so I have good stories to tell.
I just love it when people don't pay there rent and then take the guy to court that they owe. I don't care who ya are, that's funny stuff right thar'. Can't wait until that place is bulldozed. "

klb65 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 2:15 PM:

" Lucky1, I would have my grandma live with me, too. But the fact is, not all grandma's are as lucky as ours...the world is not a kind place these days.. "

Atrucker wrote on Jul 1, 2008 2:17 PM:

" What a bunch of heartless Jerks !
Yes they had over a year to move To
Where, if you have no where to go?
That is the big question . How many of you abla espanyo, not enough I am sure,and that is part of the problem.
Money is the other issue with rent being ridiculous , and you talk about greed , a run down slum house goes for $500.00 to $900.00 A month . A lotta folks can not come up with that kind of cash.
Then there is the race thing . And don't say racism does not happen, WRONG !
So ya see the deck is stacked before these people do any thing and they see it the same as I do.
Sure that bone head bought the place , and it has been a mess for years .
Bu he just said get out and I do not care where , and I will use a bulldozer to help you move .
A slum lord in Longview moved her out 3 days before Christmas, with no warning . So do not tell me about nice guys . "

longview citizen wrote on Jul 1, 2008 2:47 PM:

" Well my how convenient. The lawyers have found a way to get rich once again. This is absolutely ridiculous and the state should step in and say it is over. This man gave notice well in advance and as far as I can see he was with-in his right and the laws. I do however feel he should have waited to start bulldozing until after the deadline. These residents should have been pondering their circumstance long ago. I truly think if they would have started their group sooner and helped the owner to clean this hell hole up he probably could have and would have kept it as was. It is so sad that we have so many people that expect the government and others to pay their way. I for one am tired of the deadbeats.....Get a life and get a job!!!!!!! "

My Kids' Mom wrote on Jul 1, 2008 3:46 PM:

" Us heartless jerks are tired of feeding other people's children and paying other people's rent and buying other peoples booze and cig's. Rent is rediculous because renter's don't take care of property and the rent has to cover the rediculous property taxes and the rediculous homeowners insurance not to mention the rediculous water bill that they are going to stick you with when they bail out on last months rent, if I would be so lucky to not have to evict them in the first place. I have had one or two good renters and I will reward them with a good reference. Don't worry, there will be a day of reckoning for all us heartless taxpayers as well as for the poor non-paying renters. By the way, I really don't care if your skin is purple, if you have references and follow the agreement, I will leave you alone to live in my house in peace, and that is "main-stream" landlords, otherwise we'd see only colored people on the street at Community House. By the way I'm not all heartless...I actually paid my tenants' water bill anonymously even though they are late on there water bill every month and have been late on rent many times. I did it because she was having a medical problem at the time and wanted to help without there being an "expectation" of future help with future problems. "

Atrucker wrote on Jul 1, 2008 4:26 PM:

" OMg , My kids'Mom , you sound like I singled you out , and your not even the party I mentioned . It was A GUY.
That booted my daughter out 3 days before christmas with no warning . It is nice you paid the water bill, Lots of renter houses come with water, garbage and sewer paid, so what makes you so special? Property tax and insurance is the burden you took on , If you handle that with high rent , more power to you. There was a day you did not need reference and background bull crap.
I have met ,or known of 2 slum lords in Longview and dislike them both.
Have a nice day. "

onaprayer wrote on Jul 1, 2008 4:34 PM:

" klb65-everybody is feeling the crunch of the economy, poor or not. We are all being affected by gas prices, food prices and medicine, poor or not. It is sad to say, but is is survivial of the fittest. I am a single mom of 4 kids, work two jobs and barely make ends meet. I recently had to move and it took every penny I had. Never mind it is approaching time for school clothes-for 4 kids. I do worry about my familys next meal and if I will be able to pay rent next month. If I recall, over 70% of HARD WORKING AMERICANS are one pay check away from homelessness. "

onaprayer wrote on Jul 1, 2008 4:38 PM:

" Oh, and CAP is offering assistance with finding housing, help with deposits, moving expenses and can even reimburse for moving expenses that have already been paid. Yes, this is exclusively for current and former residents that have move out in the last few months from Oaks Park. There is help out there. "

Girth VonPhister wrote on Jul 1, 2008 6:35 PM:

" Atrucker is off his rocker. It doesn't matter what situation these people are in. Rich, poor, black, white, boy, girl,young or old. The fact it that they don't own the property and they were given well over a year to move. Period. The owner of the property is not responsible to consider all the various sob stories these people have. It is his property and he has the right to do with what he wants. It's not his problem if these deadbeats have no place to go. And by the way, Longview Fire Dept responded to that dump 3 times on Sunday to put out miscellaneous fires. Perhaps they should let the whole place burn to the ground next time and save everyone a lot of trouble... "

JMKelso wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:38 PM:

" They have had a year to find a new place and haven't done it. Sounds like they are waiting for someone to come take care of them instead of going out and taking care of it themselves. It seems to be a mentality of some people to think other people that do work hard OWE them something, and that they should just be able to sit around and collect. Welcome to America folks- the 'American Dream' takes HARD work. Lazies need not apply. "

Carsick wrote on Jul 2, 2008 7:33 AM:

" What are these people waiting for? They had plenty of notice that they were required to move, yet chose not to comply, so I have no sympathy for their situation. The fact that they "have no place to go" should not be anyone's problem but their own. They made the choices in life that put them where they are and no one else should have to assume the burden of taking care of them. The property owner should be able to move forward with the demolition. "

Cahuita wrote on Jul 2, 2008 1:25 PM:

" I think it is interesting how quick many of you are to judge the residents of Oaks Trailer Park. How many of you have actually been there not just driven by and turned your nose up in scorn? Having been privy to an inside track for much of the discussion around the closure of the park I am in disagreeance with the majority of the people who posted here. Mr. Gadini made numerous unkept pormises to the residents, he did give notice, then verbally retracted. The assistance he provided was minimal and he threatened the residents. I lose respect for people who don't respect others based on economy, race, or living situation. Wake up, this is Longview, there is a population of poor and instead of judging perhpas some of you should consider helping, it may open your eyes and you would then be able to see th eother half of the story. "

Plato wrote on Jul 2, 2008 3:37 PM:

" The way I read it, Mr.Gadini gave a year's notice to the space renters they would have to move as he was closing the trailer park. When someone mentioned that these people would have to move before school was out Mr. Gadini said he would not kick out renters until the end of June. The notice to move date wasn't changed, just that he would not enforce it. "These people" have a habit of not paying rent when notified they must move. They also leave the place a mess and fail to notify the landlord they have moved. When the place looks more abandoned than it when the renters lived in it, the landlord has a right to assume the place has been abandoned. Note to Trucker, truckers make good money, couldn't you help your daughter rather than expect the landlord to do it? "

underwoodml wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:29 PM:

" he could have been an A** and just gave them all 72 hour eviction notice for their properties not being up to par with building codes. but he was nice enough to give them a year. "

Girth VonPhister wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:09 PM:

" Cahuita is barking up the wrong tree. There is very little sympathy for these people who have known for over a year that they would have to move. Whether Gandini followed the rules of not, they still knew they probably should be looking for alternatve living arrangements. Instead they procrastinated and now blood-sucking lawyers are involved. So they may get some sort of token settlement, but in the end, they will still have to move and they will still be the same sort of people who want a free ride... "

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