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River City demolition halted over asbestos concerns

Saturday, July 19, 2008 12:29 PM PDT

By Erik Olson

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Demolition of trailers at the River City RV and Mobile Home Park must cease without proper permits for asbestos disposal, the Southwest Clean Air Agency stated this week.

The agency issued a field notice of violation because trailers in the park were being stripped of metal siding as residents prepare to vacate the park on California Way in Longview, said Paul Mairose, chief engineer for the agency.

The notice will go into effect in 30 days, Mairose said. Anyone that violates the rule after that time could face a fine, he said.

The 166-space trailer park had been scheduled to close on June 30 because owner Louie Gadini had been planning to raze the 26-acre spot and convert it to retail space. However, some residents claimed that Gadini began demolishing their trailers before the date, and a superior court judge pushed back the closure date until the two sides underwent mediation.

Gadini has argued that he only demolished trailers if the owners granted permission or if they presented a safety hazard. He said he hired an abatement contractor before he started demolishing to ensure proper disposal of asbestos.

“I’ve done everything I could do,” he said Friday.

The dispute with the residents, the clean air agency’s notice and the weak economy have all added up to a likely delay in developing the land, he said.

“It might take five years to sell it,” he said.

Related articles:

Some River City residents face uncertain future as park's run nears an end  (May 9)

River City trailers demolished before move-out deadline passes  (June 27)

River City residents granted temporary restraining order  (July 1)

River City owner, residents agree to mediation  (July 9)

Videos produced by tdn.com:

"Louie Gandini shutters River City"

"River City residents left with few options"

Previous

AnotherLameOpinion wrote on Jul 19, 2008 5:53 AM:

" Our "fine" government at work, don'tcha just love it!!!! "

concerned wrote on Jul 19, 2008 6:58 AM:

" OMG yet another way to get in the way of Mr. Gadini to do as he wishes with his land. Whens it gonna stop Cowlitz County and the State of Washington...When are you gonna leave this poor man alone to develope his land??? "

Billy Hill wrote on Jul 19, 2008 1:11 PM:

" Democrats doing what Democrats have always done...standing squarely in the path of progress until they can stop it or tax it. Look at it on the national level Biraq O'Bama has turned his "yes we can" campaign into "oh no you will not" NO to drilling, NO to nuclear, NO to the second amendment, NO to lower taxes NO, NO, NO Cowlitz county residents seem to like being treated in this manner, they keep on voting them into office OR they are so jealous of anyone with a dollar more than they have they just cant help themselves. "

mole wrote on Jul 19, 2008 3:09 PM:

" billy hill,I don't understand one thing your tangent,has to do with the developement/distruction of mobil homes!!!Rebublicans have been in power for 8 long years,when clinton handed over his term we had a balanced budget and extra,WHAT HAVE WE GOT NOW,thanks to BUSH!!!! "

DUH wrote on Jul 19, 2008 3:50 PM:

" RE: concerned... These are your own words from a comment made by you on another story..."hell you provide me with a place to move to and the funds to move and pay the extra amount of money it would take for rent and I will gladly move...any takers??? I bet NOT!!!! You see its not as simple as move when ever you want for some people." You sure seem eager to kick people out into the streets on this one. Sure they have had over a year to find new places to live but, You have had how much time since you moved into your place to find a new place? Pretty hypocritical of you if you ask me. "The dispute with the residents, the clean air agencys notice and the weak economy have all added up to a likely delay in developing the land, he said.
It might take five years to sell it, he said." You want the people out NOW so that he can take up to five years to sell it? Shame on you.
And what does this have to do with Democrats VS Republicans? The last time we had a Dem for president the economy was much better, the deficit was at $0.00, gas was cheaper, people were working, we weren't at war. You think we're better off now? "

just looking wrote on Jul 19, 2008 5:07 PM:

" Ya still missed it "mole", it's a democratic controlled house and senate. Yes we might of had a balanced budget, but a foreign policy that was sure to doom us! If ya don't believe me just go back and recheck history. I'm not neccesarily a democrat nor am I a republican but I can assure you, when a politician speaks it usually is coming out their backside. "

Woodlander wrote on Jul 19, 2008 6:15 PM:

" My retirement age mother lived at The Oaks for several years and has been telling us since Mr. Gadini purchased the place in 2004 that his intent was to sell the place for a retail business. The man has been upfront since the beginning about his intent. She has been preparing for over a year now due being notified of the park closing. My family gladly spent Mother's Day moving her out of that cess pool. She was paying rent to live in a dilapidated box that the owner should have been prosecuted for having anyone reside in. Mom is in her early 60's, single, her sole income is her earnings of $10 an hour and found herself a cute,clean duplex she can afford. Even though her new neighborhood is not the nicest in Longview, it is a huge improvement from The Oaks. Oh, and by the way, her trailer didn't get demolished until she was done moving out because she informed the owner when she was done moving. Everyone of my mom's children hated her living there and we are all so thankful that the place is finally shutting down. Louie was even helpful in relocating my mom. I think taking on the task of cleaning that place up is heroic. I don't feel sorry for the squatters that stayed till the very end. Anyone who does should have to live in that hole next to them. "

mole wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:53 PM:

" I feel the same way ,democrat controlled house and senate,brings the word veto in every session.BUSH'Sforiegn policy is shoot first see what crawls out the other side,it is mostly the backside talking politicians. that won't do anything, unless, somebody does something for them.You know I will scratch your back, if you do me first.thanks for the correction,you are right!!! "

My Kids' Mom wrote on Jul 19, 2008 10:48 PM:

" So let me get this straight and PLEASE someone correct me if you think I'm wrong and I know you will: those places were safe to live in but it's unsafe to demolish them? I'm scratching my head here...someone please explain the logic. "

loudly wrote on Jul 19, 2008 11:34 PM:

" To Mole and Billy Hill. First I don't see what the politics have to do with this situation. But....If we want to get technical then we need to agree that Washington and, more importantly, Cowlitz County have been controlled by Dem's for as long as anyone can remember. What is going on at the Oaks has more to do with State/Local Gov't than Federal Gov't. The Democrat controlled congress has even lower ratings than President Bush. That's just sad. Washingtonians seem to turn a blind eye to what has happened in our State and County with Democrats running things. Anyone think it's going smoothly here? "

FayeState wrote on Jul 20, 2008 12:16 AM:

" Asbestos is a dangerous material. Asbestos has not been banned in the United States. The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a bill to ban asbestos (it is already banned in 40 countries) and provide funding for medical research into asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen and chest, which have long incubation periods. Write your representative either at his/her website or at http://www.banasbestos.us to tell him/her to support the bill. A ban alone is not enough since it doesn't help people already sick, exposed to asbestos or who will become exposed in the future to asbestos already in place. "

AnotherLameOpinion wrote on Jul 20, 2008 5:42 AM:

" It is not neccesarily a democrat controlled house and senate as Bush has and will use his Veto power for his agendas. We are still very much under republican control until Bush is out of office!!! "

rs5 wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:17 AM:

" this is sure a fine parting gift that the former tenants of the oaks gave Mr. Gadini and everybody down wind, asbestos contamination. why didnt the clean air people stop the tenants from stripping the sides off of the trailers to start with. Why dont the clean air people make the ones who created this hazard clean it up? "

MOLE wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:24 AM:

" I was wondering what billy was referring to.The local political,fools also have jumped the fence into the liars category.Sorry,about that and also sorry that the ones we trust with our votes, generally, allways do exactly the opposite of what they promise!!!! "

DUH wrote on Jul 20, 2008 11:10 AM:

" Asbestos may not have been banned but, it has been classified as a hazardous material and there are rules and regulations in place governing its clean up, removal, and disposal. "

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