Concerned Neighbors of AshCreek mobile Homes

Park Closing Date Extended!

2007-01-11T18:57:00.000-08:00

City Attorney, Jennifer Ritchie, has given the owner, Steve Crossett extended time to close the Park. Mr. Crossett asked for the extension so that residents would have more time to make arrangements to move.

The Ash Creek Mobile Home Park closing date will NOW BE - APRIL 1, 2007.

This notice is met with mixed feelings - good and bad - but at least residents will have a tiny bit of extra time to make complex decisions about moving.

Ash Creek Closing??? Why??? Opinion Letters

2007-01-07T13:51:00.000-08:00

Dallas Morning News Sunday Letters: Jan. 7, 2007

Ash Creek Action Deliberate by Earl Ashe
Response to: "Landlord failed the park," Sunday Letters. (see below)
.....We at Save Ash Creek Homes object to Ferguson Road Initiative president William M. Coleman's recent characterization of what happened to Ash Creek Mobile Home Park.
.....The park began its sense of history and place in 1949 and was incorporated into the city in 1952. It was granted a grandfather clause in the 1960s. In the 1980s, the city did something to hammer grandfathering, but the owner was never notified. We were blindsided in 2005 by Dallas City Council member Leo Chaney's Ferguson Road Initiative.
.....Although the City Plan Commission voted unanimously to give the owner an opportunity to correct problems, Mr. Chaney made sure that the owner would never be given an honest chance. He sent FRI warriors to lay siege to our community.
.....The park's owner needed to be held to account, not nuked. Mr. Chaney sent Assistant City Attorney Jennifer Richie to finish off the owner with a growing list of unreasonable code demands.
It was Mr. Chaney and his FRI agents who destroyed our unique community.
Earl Ashe, Save Ash Creek Homes, Dallas

Letter above referenced the Sunday letter below:

Dallas Morning News Sunday Letters: Dec. 31, 2006
Landlord Failed the Park by William Coleman
Response to: "Fight over mobile home park ends with eviction .... residents call move unfair" Dec. 16 Metro.
.....We at the Ferguson Road Initiative object to recent press concerning the closing of the Ash Creek Mobile Home Park. We work hard to improve the standard of living for everyone in our area. Since 1998, we have aggressively improved and removed businesses that fail city code requirements. We have never shied from confronting landlords who do not maintain their properties.
.....Our efforts to clean it up have been mischaracterized as an attempt to remove the park. The owner failed to take responsibility for his property. We are sorry that he did not care enough about his tenants or his community to be a responsible landlord by rectifying problems at the park and following the same rules we all have to abide by. Unfortunately, he made the residents victims.
.....Upon learning of the owner's eviction of the residents near the holidays, we established a fund to aid residents in relocating. To help, visit our Web site at www.fergusonroad.org.
William M. Coleman, President, Ferguson Road Initiative, Dallas

TIMING TERRIBLE to force Park Closing

2006-12-30T18:02:00.000-08:00

AshCreek residents, Benito and Dwayne in April getting ready for the Protest at City Hall

All efforts to save the AshCreek Mobile Home Park seem over. The owner has given up after more than a year of hearings, upgrading and rezoning efforts. Now the owner has notified residents of a closing date of FEb. 9; (this date is partly due to a timeline set by Dallas City Attorney's office related to a recently requested requirement that the owner install a very expensive concrete drive thru the park (to meet firecodes). The road would replace an asphault road thru the park that the owner repaved a few years back at the request of the city. This concrete road requirement - with a cost of possibly over $150,000 is causing the owner to give up the fight to save the Park, but now the closing date gives a drastically unrealistic time period for residents to make plans for relocation.

FEB. 9 is the date (as of now) for all to be moved with all possessions removed from the Park, including their mobile home. Residents were notified only on Dec. 9. It is most difficult during this holiday season (many offices are closed and weather is unsure). Even with the help now being offered by City services, it is most difficult during this time period to make all the necessary arrangements and decisions for relocation. Many residents say they need to remain close to city bus lines, children's schools, and their work in this area - (but where to move?) The only close MobileHome Park (on Lawnview) does not have available space. Offers from Parks in far Mesquite, Seagoville, Hutchins does'nt work for most. Besides "money" for moving costs - TIME is critical most of all..... hopefully the City Attorney's office and the owner can agree on an extention of time.

The people at AshCreek simply need TIME as well as financial help to make this move. Let's hope the extended time comes forward very soon.

Would any of us want to be in these shoes? Deciding where to move, including trying to sell our home even, maybe having to move our children from their schools - all right during Christmas break and the New Year and the coming January winter weather!

Come on DALLAS, come on EVERYONE involved - what are we thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Concerned Neighbors of AshCreek Homes

c-noah@sbcglobal.net

Christmas Gifts for MHPark Residents

2006-12-30T17:15:00.000-08:00

Garden Angel and AshCreek home decorated for Christmas 2006

Two days before Christmas area Neighbors of AshCreekMHPark delivered Christmas gifts and food gift cards for resident families with children and senior adults in the Park. Donations included Minyard and Walmart Gift Cards, toys, sleeping & atheletic bags, volley balls, dolls, cars, games, baby clothing, food and misc. gifts for adults.

As several neighbors arrived at the Park Saturday afternoon, children (expecting the arrival) run up to greet us. We wish all who donated so generously could have heard the gracious thank yous from parents and seen the smiles on small faces.

Hopefully these gifts from MANY Concerned Neighbors will bring a small amount of help and cheer to a gloomy holiday season for AshCreek residents.

Christmas donations for MHPark Residents

2006-12-20T13:32:00.000-08:00

Deliver by Saturday - Dec. 23: Gifts or Minyard gift cards for AshCreek M H Park residents being collected by area Concerned Neighbors. Here are two types of donations:
*Donate $$ for Minyard Gift Cards or purchase the Gift Cards yourself
Minyards is the closet store to the MHPark
*Donate - Wrappped (or unwrapped) gifts – indicate if for adult or child (gender & age appropriate)
Deliver to 8166 Barbaree. Neighbors will deliver everything Sat. afternoon(day before Christmas Eve) to families with children and adult seniors of the Park .
Ages and gender for gifts: Senior adults, on fixed incomes, men & women - size range L to 2XX . Children: Girls ages 18, 14, 8, 4, toddlers & newborn Boys, ages 16, 14, 12, 11, 4 & toddlers.
Email c-noah@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions.

LOSERS & WINNERS in the AshCreek Battle

2006-12-12T05:56:00.000-08:00

Christmas lights at AshCreek MHPark, by resident Jack Loughead

TRUTH about the "Battle of the AshCreek Mobile Home Park" must be spread; it has been a disgraceful handling by some of the powerful in the community. At a time of goodwill and cheer, those that live at AshCreek will lose their homes and community as they are forcefully moved from AshCreek Mobile Home Park. But who are truly the LOSERS and the WINNERS in the end of this story?

LOSERS – here are certainly at least (4) to make note of:
(1) Mr. Leo Chaney, City Councilman who supposedly represents the people who live at AshCreek MHPark. He mostly hid from them and would not meet with them. He showed no courage to try and address this situation, avoided speaking to the residents or anyone who did not agree with his political friends (of FRI) who started the effort to "get rid and fueled the continued fire to get rid of the MHPark along Ashcreek. Mr. Chaney is not a winner in this issue!

(2) The FRI (Ferguson Road Initiative) a community group trying to better the area near Ferguson Road. They failed this community (and certainly the residents of AshCreek MHPark) Within this group, the seed and networking began to "get rid of the MHPark", as they had identified the site long ago for big high‑dollar development. They went along with untrue crime and code claims against the Park, allowing every 911 call associated with the Park to stand for a criminal act; they never called for a true community meeting on the issue or invited the residents of the Park to speak with them, and never contacted the owner of the Park with any of their complaints before they went full force to "get rid of the Park" with a petition to the Board of Adjustments. In their zeal to find land for expensive real estate development, they forgot to consider the less fortunate and less powerful members of our community. They say they wish to "help" now ‑ why did they not try conversations and communications earlier to see how they might "help" rather than just trying to wipe AshCreek off the map in this community?

(3) Another loser? A Dallas lawyer (for FRI) ‑ Ms. Wolfe, has shown questionable ethics in the case against the MHPark, disregarding the ethical behavior of her profession ‑ not checking details of claims of crime and code issues before turning them in as overblown and untrue statistics in a legal filing to the Board of Adjustments of Dallas.

(4) Another real LOSER ‑ the Dallas City Attorney's office of Code Enforcement ‑ seemingly unable to be fair and reasonable in demands against the landowner/business owner of the AshCreek Mobile Home Park. This office through an assistant attorney has thrown unreasonable and costly Code issues against the owner in a demand for major $$ items to be taken care of in an unreasonable amount of time. One example, a demand that the current asphalt road thru the park be redone as concrete – a cost of more than $150,000. This not even a Code issue for AshCreek before the Board of Adjustments took the Grand fathered zoning away from the MHPark in Dec. 2006 (and that very decision is under appeal at this time). But City Attorney’s office demands this of the owner instantly. How can a landowner/businessman fight a multi-million dollar budget of the City Attorney's office ‑ their time and funds is never‑ending to continue the legal battle ‑ an individual business owner does not have unlimited funds to pay for lawyers and legal fees.

WINNERS:
WINNERS? Could it possibly be that the RESIDENTS of the MHPark will somehow come out the real WINNERS in some way down the road, in the future? They will certainly lose their community and homes, but maybe, MAYBE, they will ultimately be the WINNERS ‑ they will surely have better times and luck awaiting them in time, and they certainly do come to the end of this battle with their INTEGRITY and HONESTY still INTACT. They will be able to think back on the GOOD fight they gave to try and save their homes. Underneath it all, the RESIDENTS of ASHCREEK MHPark are the HEROS in this battle – which has been and continues to be a disgraceful story for the City of Dallas.

Marty Ray
One of Many Concerned Neighbors of AshCreek Homes - C-NOAH

TERMINATION of ASH CREEK MHPark

2006-12-10T19:24:00.000-08:00

LETTER, RECEIVED BY U.S. MAIL
TO ASH CREEK MOBILE HOME PARK RESIDENTS

December 8, 2006
Dear Tenant:
As you are well aware, the Ash Creek Mobile Home Park has been the subject of several legal proceedings in the past year. On December14, 2005 the Board of Adjustment of the City of Dallas determined that the park would have an adverse effect on nearby properties. On February 15, 2006, the Board of Adjustment determined a date for the cessation of the nonconforming use. That date was November 15, 2006. I filed a lawsuit appealing the Board of Adjustment's decision in state court. Due to a procedural mechanism, the lawsuit was removed to federal court, where it remains pending. On June 2, 2006, I was served with a lawsuit filed by the City of Dallas. That lawsuit alleged that there were several violations of the Dallas City Code on the property. At this point, after spending a year trying to resolve the matters, I am financially unable to continue to do so.

Please be advised that the Ash Creek Mobile Home Park will cease operation as February 9, 2007. I sincerely regret that Ash Creek will be closing. I always planned to continued to operate the park. That plan, however, is no longer feasible under the circumstances. This letter shall serve as written notice of termination of the Lease, effective as of 5:00 p.m. on February 9, 2007 (the "Termination Date").

You have a month-to-month lease that is being terminated. Please take appropriate action to vacate the Leased Premises by February 9, 2007. Everyone residing at this address must vacate. You will also need to arrange to remove all of your property from the Leased Premises in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Lease no later than the Termination Date. Your Lease provides that I have the right to dispose of mobile homes and other property that you leave on the premises. After that date, you will have no further right to occupy or use the Leased Premises.

Very truly yours,
Steve Crossett
(owner of Ash Creek Mobile Home Park)

Christmas Lights at AshCreek Mobile Home Park

2006-12-03T18:51:00.000-08:00

Jack Loughead, homeowner resident of Ashcreek Mobile Home Park, found these Christmas lights and decorations at homes of his Ashcreek neighbors, up very soon after Thanksgiving. The dreaded Nov. 15 date given by the Board of Adjustments to "shut down the Park" has passed. Decisions are up in the air and in the courts related the MHPark's future.

Santa's reindeer stand bright in front of a home at the AshCreek Mobile Home Park.
(photo by resident Jack Loughead).

Residents of AshcreekMHP decorate for Christmas....trying to find something "Merry" during another holiday season filled with worry about a forced move away from the place they know as home.

CRIME CLAIMS at MHPark were FALSE

2006-08-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

Here is a statement read at the May 18 Plan Commission Hearing; permission was given by Sgt. Dillon, Dallas Police Officer:

"A review of criminal offenses and calls reported occurring in the Ash Creek Mobile Home Park over the last three years revealed nothing unusual or any excessive number of criminal offenses'."
Sgt. R. C. Dillon, #4535Northeast Patrol Division

In the original petition filed to the City against the MHPark, Ferguson Road Initiative (FRI), the Enclave of White Rock Lake, and the Enclave of AshCreek were among several groups that signed a FALSELY prepared petition which alledged the AshCreek Mobile Home Park was a "hotbed of crime." Much of the petition has now been proven to be abosolute exaggerations, including false claims of terrible crime ocurring at the MHPark property.

Several neighborhood leaders wrongly used ALL 911 calls with the MHPark address, as proof of crimes by residents or on the Park property. It has been found that two things were NOT CONSIDERED by these unfair community leaders:

1. Many 911 calls from the MHPark were from residents REPORTING activities of suspicion in the creek and RR areas that surround the Park; these were NOT crimes committed by anyone at the MHPark or at the property. A close reading of the 911 data would have told those preparing the statistics against the Park this information easily.

2. Many 911 reports associated with the MHPark address, were for "crimes" that did not happen on the MHPark property, but at locations nearby without street addresses (the creek, the RR area, or empty lots along Highland Rd). Often the MHPark was the closest street address, and therefore was listed on many 911 calls that did not involve the MHPark in any way.

Those who stirred up these FALSE claims against the MHPark regarding CRIME never looked carefully at their information. However, they worked hard to spread their false information throughout the neighborhood and at legal City hearings. The first hearings against the Park, at the Dallas Board of Adjustments in 2005, proved that even BOA members did not pay close attention to the 911 details either. However, the City Plan Commissioners, on May 18, were not fooled by the overly exaggerated crime claims. And the statement that was read from Sgt. Dillon helped determine the real truth on the matter of Crime at AshCreek MHPark.

C-NOAH (Concerned Neighbors of Ashcreek Homes) has recently been informed that at least two (and maybe more) of the original signers of the petition, have now backed out of that petition and along with C-NOAH and others in the area are backing the Plan Commission's suggestion of a 2 year SUP to allow the owner and residents to do needed upgrades to the MHPark.

FInaLLY, individuals and neighborhood groups who signed on to this false information may wish to do the right thing, and support the City Plan Commission recommendation of a 2 year SUP (with conditions) for the MHPark. The Plan Commissioners - 13 in all - voted unanimously on May 18 to recommend the SUP to the City Council. (At this time City Planners must approve a pending site plan for the MHPark before it can go to the Council).

The least one might do (if they backed the original petition with false exaggerations) is to extend an apology to the AshCreek resident/homeowners of the Park. No one should be proud that they helped spread this damaging information about the good people who live at the AshCreek Mobile Home Park.

If you as an individual or Homeowner's group have questions or wish to extend apologies, please do so by contacting c-noah@sbcglobal.net or saveashcreekhomes@gmail.com

ELECTRICAL UPGRADING at ASHCREEK

2006-07-16T10:08:00.000-07:00

Electric contractor began July 13th to accomplish major work to upgrade highwires, poles and service outlets throughout AshCreek MobileHomePark. The Park is buzzing with work to upgrade the property in accordance with SUP and code guidelines.

New poles are going up, high wires are being raised, trees are being trimmed as needed!

Proud residents upgrade homes at AshCreek

2006-07-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

Hanging baskets, potted plants and a shady porch make this a really "cool" place at AshCreek MHPark - even on a hot Texas summer day!

AshCreek home with new sky blue paint and gravel drive.

Residents are upgrading their homes & addressing recent detailed code requirements. Hopes are high that the MHPark will remain through an SUP zoning status. City Plan Commission paved the way for the SUP in the May 18 hearing. Owner must submit & gain approval of a site plan. Surveyors began work in late July. City Council must give final approval of the SUP once site plan is complete.

Show support for the residents and the owner's right to upgrade and keep his Mobile Home Park - the "land use" for this property since 1948 has been for a Mobile Home Park! Contact Concerned Neighbors of AshCreek Homes at c-noah@sbcglobal.net and add your name or make a comment in support of the MHPark efforts. Or LEAVE A COMMENT here!

AshCreek MHPark Plants Thrive in Hot July

2006-07-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

The planting of the entrance flower boxes was a joint community project with help from Walton's Garden Center, Concerned Neighbors of AshCreek (C-NOAH) and AshCreek children and residents. Plants include Fountain Grass, Cone Flowers, Sedum, Gaura, Silver Mound, Ephorbia, 3 varieties of sweet potatoe vines and various grasses.

AshCreek MHPark Community Project

2006-06-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

Neighbors and residents joined efforts on May 31 to replant flower boxes in front of the Mobile Home Park. A big job was to remove sandy soil and replace it with good fertile soil!

Dallas Observer, Jim Schutze article - Miracle on Marilla Street

2006-05-27T06:26:00.000-07:00

Respect was finally given on May 18th

Read Jim Schutze's article

"Miracle on Marilla Street" - Someone at City Hall Cares!

http://www.dallasobserver.com/Issues/2006-05-25/news/schutze.html

Email Concerned Neighbors of AshCreek Homes

c-noah@sbcglobal.net

Resident group at MHPark at

SaveAshCreekHomes@gmail.com

Vegatable Garden of AshCreek MHPark CAN KEEP GROWING!

2006-05-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

Strawberries, tomatoes, squash and okra are growing in this small garden at the AshCreek Mobile Home Park. With the Special Use Permit unanimousily approved by Dallas Plan Commission on May 18, its likely that this garden will be around for a good while to come. Watch this site for an update on the garden and more!

Richard weeds his garden at the AshCreek Mobile Home Park.

Video Series Schedule - When McMansions Attack Dallas - SaveAshCreekHomes!

2006-05-22T19:15:00.000-07:00

Bill taping the Speak Out at City Hall
on April 15, 2006

Below Duane speaks out for fairness and the future
of his home and AshCreek Mobile Home Park!

Residents and supporters of AshCreek MHPark, Dallas City Hall

See video of The Speak Out/Protest-Dallas City Hall,

When McMansions Attack Dallas - Episode 9

5/22/2006 Mon 10:00 pm, Channel 15B or 75
5/23/2006 Tue 9:30 pm, Channel 15B or 75
5/24/2006 Wed 10:30 am, Channel 15B or 75
5/26/2006 Fri 2:30 pm, Channel 15B or 75
5/28/2006 Sun 12:00 am, Channel 15B or 75
5/29/2006 Mon 10:00 pm, Channel 15B or 75
5/31/2006 Wed 10:30 am, Channel 15B or 75
6/2/2006 Fri 2:30 pm, Channel 15B or 75

See other episodes of:

When McMansions Attack Dallas:

Episode 5, The second hearing is interrupted by
outbursts of civil disobedience
5/22/2006 Mon 4:30 am, Channel 15B or 75
5/29/2006 Mon 4:30 am, Channel 15B or 75

When McMansions Attack Dallas, Episode 7
Call-in show on ACORN Radio Hour, KNON. How Dallas
"appropriates" land in the White Rock area, for big developers.
5/21/2006 Sun 12:00 am, Channel 15B or 75
5/22/2006 Mon 3:00 pm, Channel **** 27A ***** (27A is the best of DCTV)
5/30/2006 Tue 6:00 pm, Channel 15B or 75

To comment on video series email: saveashcreekhomes@gmail.com

To send comment to this site email: c-noah@sbcglobal.net

PLAN COMMISSION supports an SUP

2006-05-19T06:49:00.000-07:00

On May 18, the City Plan Commission saw a sea of yellow buttons worn by residents and neighbors in support of the Ash Creek Mobile Home Park.

Residents of AshCreek Mobile Home Park, Duane, Melissa and Benito, with sign in support of zoning for a Special Use Permit (SUP).

May 18, 2006, the Dallas Plan Commission voted UNANIMOUSLY to support an SUP - Special Use Permit for the MHPark. This will give the owner 6 months from time City Council may approve to bring the property up to Dallas Code standards. Conditions include fencing, landscaping, open space for playground, creation of stricter "Park Rules" and other improvements.

At the May 18 hearing before the Plan Commission, Eleven speakers and at least 35 supporters were there for the MHPark. The opposition numbers were visibly slim with only four speakers and only a handful of people opposing the MHPark. Those that spoke in opposition did not live in close proximity to the MHPark, whereas those speakers in support of the MHPark (other than residents) lived within a few houses or few blocks from the property.

The Dallas City Council must approve the SUP at a future hearing.

CRIME CLAIMS PUT DOWN! A Dallas Police officer and Crime Watch officer of the area, gave permission for the following the be read at the Plan Commission hearing:

"A review of criminal offenses and calls reported occurring in the Ash Creek Mobile Home Park over the last three years revealed nothing unusual or any excessive number of criminal offenses'."
Sgt. R. C. Dillon, #4535
Northeast Patrol Division

As supporters and residents have been claiming, the opposition has over-stated issues related to CRIME from the beginning of their petition against the MHPark!

The experience of working together has been personally rewarding for many. It shows how important it is to be involved in your community - to always speak when something matters to you, and TRUTH MATTERS!

We were NOT afraid to SPEAK TRUTH to POWER and so far, we have WON for now!

Comments? Email: c-noah@sbcglobal.net

Petition SUPPORTING Mobile Home Park signed by MANY

2006-05-08T18:19:00.000-07:00

The Petition below was signed by many individuals in support of a Special Use Permit (SUP) for the AshCreek Mobile Home Park and is part of records for the Plan Commission hearing of May 18. Homeowners living in nearby neighborhoods such as Forest Hills, Little Forest Hills, and Forest Meade signed the petition. Support has steadily grown for the MHPark as more facts have come forward that claims of crime and code violations within the Park have been extremely exaggerated by those opposing the MHPark.

The Petition:

To:Dallas City Plan Commissioners
and Honorable Chair
City of Dallas
1500 Marilla Street, Room 5 BN
Dallas, Texas 75201

IN SUPPORT of the AshCreek Mobile Home Park
RE: Zoning CASE #Z056-183

1. I support approval of a Special Use Permit (SUP) to allow the owner and homeowners within the Park to meet conditions for improvement & management over a specified period of time.
2. I support a 2 year review of the SUP to see that conditions are met in timely fashion.
3. I support conditions for the MHPark that will insure safe, healthy, and improved living conditions within the “Park”.
4. I support diversity of cultures and housing options for varied income levels in our neighborhood and feel the MHPark meets these goals.
5. I support honest and direct communication between the AshCreek MHPark owner, management, Park residents and neighborhood groups in near proximity.
6. I suggest this parcel of land is fitting for a MHPark, wedged between a creek and a railroad track and within a rural-like setting.
7. I support truth and honesty in all matters related to the MHPark. We are against prejudice, rumor and distribution of false information against the owner or residents of the MHPark.
Sign:

Name.................. Address..............Neighborhood

For more information contact Concerned Neighbors of AshCreek Homes

c-noah@sbcglobal.net

MAY 18th Hearing at City Plan Commission - Support the AshCreek MHPark

2006-05-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

Peaceful Dove at the AshCreek MHPark

On May 18, the Dallas Plan Commission will review a Special Use Permit (SUP) proposal for the AshCreek MHPark. The owner & residents plan to meet several conditions to upgrade the Park over a set period of time with approval of the SUP. Neighbors in the area should support this effort. To learn how to help, contact Concerned Neighbors of AshCreek Homes at c-noah@sbcglobal.net . You can sign our petition to Save the MHPark, attend the hearing to stand or speak in support, or write to the Plan Commission.

Should they be KICKED out of our neighborhood?

2006-04-23T05:44:00.000-07:00

Richard and his daughter Susan at the rally at City Hall April 2006

Richard Grahmn, 87 yr old honored WWII veteran, is a resident of Ash Creek MHPark. Along with two daughters and other residents, he will be forced to move out of the Park by November 15. He and the other residents have been labeled a NUSIANCE to the NEIGHBORHOOD!

Richard and 47 families OWN their homes and pay city property taxes, but some of the homes (due to age) cannot be moved. When the City voted in December to shut down the Park - based on false evidence (read about this in our March Archives), the city Board of Adjustments gave ZERO consideration for financial assistance to the Park homeowners who lease the land. NOR DID THE BOA ALLOW FAIR TIME for the residents to make new living arrangements and recoup financial losses. THESE MHPark residents OWN their small homes and are working with the owner to "Save the Park" which is close to work, schools and friends.

Join other Concerned Neighbors in the area at the City Plan Commission Hearing on MAY 18 at 1:30. Show support to allow Park upgrades to be made within a set period of time. Support the owner and the resident HOMEOWNERS of the Ash Creek MHPark. They do not deserve to be kicked out of our neighborhood!

Read further below and in our Archives to see more of this SAD Neighborhood story.

City Hall Protest includes children of the MHPark - April 15, 2006

2006-04-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

Cecilia, 8 yr. old rally speaker, and brother Jose protest efforts to shut down the Ash Creek Mobile Home Park. They go to an excellent school just down the street from the Park.

Ash Creek Mobile Home Park familes, friends and supporters held a "speakout" in front of Dallas City Hall on April 15 to protest a City ruling to shut down the Park by Nov. 15. ACORN organized the event and was there in full support.

The residents of the MHPark OWN their homes and pay City Taxes. Many will not be able to move their homes off the site and the City has offered no reimbursements for any losses!

At the "speakout", an eight year old latino girl, Cecilia, spoke about losing her family's home to big developers. She has already touched the hearts of many with her comments on WHEN McMANSIONS ATTACK DALLAS (MONDAYS at 10 P.M. Comcast cable 15B and 75 Digital ). Speaking in both ENGLISH and SPANISH, this young lady worries about losing her home and her school. What a kid! Her SINGLE WORKING MOM can be proud of her!

Read more in the April archives on WHO Started the ACTION against the MHPARK! Read about the FALSE code and crime statistics used in this case to remove a "legal" grandfathered zoning permit. This all ocurred at a Dec. 14 Board of Adjustments hearing! See more in the Archives of this site.

Join newsletter saveashcreekhomes@gmail.com (214) 320-0969

ACORN sponsor contact: Allison: 214-455-9115

Concerned Neighbors: c-noah@sbcglobal.net

Where are the Criminals?

2006-04-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

The residents of Ash Creek Mobile Home Park include families with children, retired seniors, hard working adults. A few upper income people in the neighborhood claim the MHPark is a hot bed of crime! Where are the criminals!

The real crime seems to be coming from outside the Park from those who used false information to bring this City action against the MHPark. Join the newsletter about this issue. Contact saveashcreekhomes@gmail.com

AshCreek Residents Protest Efforts to Shut Down the MHPark

2006-04-02T19:46:00.000-07:00

Residents of the AshCreek Mobile Home Park OWN their homes and rent their lot at the MHPark. They worry about where they will live if the MHPark is shut down by the City of Dallas.

Some have trailer homes that cannot be moved due to age, children fear having to change schools if they are forced to move. Most do not like the idea of living in an apartment. No. 1 - they OWN their homes! Several have animals that apartments would not allow. They love having a small yard and living in this wooded environment.

These residents live and work and go to school in our neighborhood!

Why do we want them removed?????????

If you take our home away.......

2006-04-01T18:00:00.000-08:00

Ash Creek Mobile Home Park residents and the owner are working together to try to save the "Park" that has existed in this spot since the late 1940's

City Plan Commission will listen to a new zoning proposal from the owner for a new Special Use Permit - SUP. Support this effort on May 11 at the City Plan Commission!

E-Mail if you want to help!

2006-04-01T06:03:00.000-08:00

c-noah@sbcglobal.net
Concerned Neighbors of Ashcreek Homes

HOMES & GARDENS at AshCreek Mobile Home Park - March 2006

2006-03-26T16:28:00.000-08:00

Photos taken during a quick walk around the AshCreek Mobile Home Park on a sunny day in March. Man with the newly prepared garden plot (above) is Richard, 87 yr. old WWII veteran; Richard was proud to show us the newly prepared spot for his vegatable garden just behind his mobile home. Richard lives with his daughters here at the MHPark. One daughter is a hospice nurse.

Watch for more MHPark home photos to come!

Who Supported Actions Against the MHPark?

2006-03-15T20:13:00.000-08:00

Thirteen neighborhood groups supposedly supported an application to the City of Dallas that included exaggerated and false claims against the AshCreek Mobile Home Park and residents! Are you a member of one of these groups? *See below - some have backed out as of summer, 2006.

Neighborhood Organizations listed on the Application
Several over 2 miles from the MHPark

Enclave at White Rock Association (166 homes)
Highland on the Creek Assoc. (107 homes)
Enclave of Ash Creek Assoc. (66 homes)
Forest Creek Association (16 condominiums)
Forest Hills Assoc. (637 homes) (8/12/06, Pres. of FHAssoc sent letter stating FH Assoc. no longer supports petition against the MHPark and pulled their name off this list)
Casa Linda Forest Assoc. (426 homes)
Forest Hills Security (learned in July '06 this group never voted on this petition and they have pulled their name off, are NOT opposing the MHPark)
Lakeland Hills Crime Watch (649 homes)
White Rock Village Crime Watch (330 homes, 5 apart complexes)
Forest Oaks Crime Watch (100 homes)
Hillridge Crime Watch (661 homes)
Harry Stone Crime Watch (796 homes)
FRI – Ferguson Road Initiative (20 Homeowners Associations)

Many people who live in these neighborhoods knew nothing at all about this action against the MHPark. The evidence in the application was gathered by Dolores Wolfe (Enclave of AshCreek) and Linda Madeley (Enclave of WhiteRock).

Ms. Madeley or Ms. Wolfe nor any of the neighborhood groups ever contacted the owner or manager of the MHPark to try to suggest solutions to their concerns. Instead the issue was sent straight to the City with unjust claims that the MHPark was a "magnet for crime" and a nuisance to the community. Every 311 and 911 call made from the MHPark was used as the evidence to prove this! The Board of Adjustments voted on Dec. 14, 2005, to take away the legal zoning status of the Park and has given Nov. 15, 2006, for all residents to be moved and the owner's business closed.

A lawsuit has now been filed by the owner (see Lawsuit). Main points include that at no time during the hearings was there any testimony proving crimes committed in the Park.

Did your Neighborhood Group sign onto this application? If so, did you vote to do so? Did you or anyone in your group truly review the evidence within the application?

*As of August 2006, only 11 signers of this petition remai, maybe less? And only one is directly adejacent to the MHPark. Some of members of these groups may not even know their Assoc signed on to this false information.

Lawsuit

2006-03-14T05:51:00.000-08:00

To: The Residents of Ash Creek Mobile Home Park

On Monday February 27 a law suit was formally served against the City of Dallas Texas AND the Dallas County Board of Adjustment. The suit states that the BOA erroneously determined that "The Park" was having an adverse effect on nearby properties with NO indication that the Park could be seen from nearby areas and that the only testimony about criminal activity in the area was that no criminal activity was attributable to the residents of the Park. The board further erred by neglecting the cost of closure to those most affected by the decision. . .The Park Residents...

It further states that Mr. Taylor Brannon, who moved to have this action taken, was disqualified from serving on the board at that time.

The City failed to take into consideration the costs for any residents to move. There is case law REQUIRING the resident's cost be taken into account.

In summation, the City actions constitute an unlawful taking of property of both the land owner AND the Park residents. The Fifth and the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution have been violated, and Article 1, Section 17, of the Constitution of the State of Texas has been violated.

A permanent injunction enjoining the City and the Board from enforcing the unlawful order to prohibit the lawful use of the property as a trailer park has been sought.

Hang in there folks. WE WILL WIN!!!!

Steve Crossett, Owner
Ash Creek Mobile Home Park

Letters to Editor

2006-03-14T05:43:00.000-08:00

Letter to Dallas Observer 12/29/05:
Divided we stand:
As a resident of The Enclave at White Rock, I want to let you know that there is a group of us that were/are strongly opposed to presenting that petition to the Board of Adjustment. It was far from a unanimous decision on the part of the homeowners association to do so.

We moved to the neighborhood in the spring, far after the wheels had been set in motion to have the trailers removed. I think you would be deeply saddened by some of the e-mails that floated around our Yahoo group describing the park and allegations of behavior about the people who live in it. In an offline e-mail, I was personally told that I had to "agree to disagree" on the topic of the petition by the person who constructed it, and it was inferred that I should stop further communications regarding my dissenting opinion. There were several of us who thought if anything at all should be done, we should help them clean it up and let the powers that be handle the rest. Unfortunately, that petition was going to be filed regardless of what some of us said, and I'm honestly not sure if we were in the majority or minority. I don't think we as a group did enough to try to stop it, and I regret it.

I don't feel like those of us in the Enclave with a dissenting opinion were represented at all in your article or by "our" homeowner's association. The article portrayed ALL of us as the haves picking on the have-nots, and that was not the case at all. Nobody wants the families in Ash Creek to be exposed to raw sewage or electrical wires as the inspection stated but, as an affluent community, together we had the ability to handle the situation differently. There have been huge, heated debates within our community that I am sure have permanently divided us.
Ashleigh Marcus, Dallas
Dallas Observer 12/29/05

Letter to Dallas Morning News, Letters - 12/26/06
Spare us the tears now

Re: “Will they be driven away? Trailer park in jeopardardy amid code violations, neighbor complaints.” Tuesday Metro – Dallas Morning News

I am one of the residents of the Enclave at White Rock who begged Linda Madeley not to proceed with her crusade to do away with the trailer park. Why is she tearful about the residents now, when she would not listen to those of us who tried to make her realize she was dealing with human beings, not just a trailer park?
Mary Canterbury, Dallas
Dallas Morning News – Dec. 26, 2005

Letter to Dallas Observor, 1/12/06
Zing
Anarchy in the trailer park: In regard to the letter by Matt Henry of the Enclave (Letters, January 5), your insensitive stereotyping and callousness toward the residents of Ash Creek Mobile Home Park does more to bolster that written in the Schutze article ("Board of Scrooges," December 22) than to defend you and your neighbors. Well done. I especially like the image of the gun-totin' trailer-park yokels whooping it up on New Year's Eve. Hey Matt, watch for stray bullets.
Holly B. West, Dallas
Jan. 12, 2006 DallasObserver

Letter to Dallas Observer, 1/5/06
McMansioned to death:
I wonder whether the builders and buyers of the houses in the Enclave at White Rock who are discomfited by the proximity of their less fortunate neighbors in Ash Creek Mobile Home Park ever gave a thought to those of us who have lived for decades on the pleasantly unpretentious streets adjacent to their invasive McMansions. For years we enjoyed an unspoilt view beyond Highland Road and the fun of watching from our front porch as fireworks exploded over Fair Park. These "puffed-up" houses have rendered such pleasures a thing of the past.
Tessa Oglesby, Dallas

Letter to Dallas Observer, 1/5/06
Up on the hill:
Wonderful article on those "up on the hill," cell phone surgically attached to their faces, keeping up with the Joneses, we don't care about anyone but ourselves idiots. I would like to know where the Ash Creek Mobile Home Park is so that I can judge for myself what the heck these numb minds are thinking. I think using the law to this end is immoral and unjust. But money is more important than people.
Lisa Hall, Dallas

See more letters and informaton - go back to the top and hit March Archives

City Runs Amok - Letter to Editor

2006-03-13T18:47:00.000-08:00

Letter to Editor, Dallas Morn News

Dishonest Claims used to Shut Down Mobile Home Park
Re: State: Dallas ran ‘amok’ printed in Dallas Morn News, Mar. 4, 2006

Honest 311 and 911 calls made by citizens of a mobile home park have been used to suggest they are a nuisance and criminal threat to a neighborhood. Our city’s Public Nuisance Ordinance (under investigation by the State) has been used as a basis to shut down a long-standing business, the Ash Creek Mobile Home Park at 1801 Highland Rd. In a case to revoke the owner’s legal grand fathered zoning status, affluent neighborhoods including the Enclave of White Rock, Enclave of Ash Creek, Forest Hills, as well as Ferguson Road Initiative (FRI) have counted all 311 and 911 calls at this location as evidence against the property. The Board of Adjustments has used the misleading evidence in voting to terminate zoning for the MHPark and thereby force residents to move by November 15.

Sadly the 911 and 311 calls used against the MHPark were never reviewed for details. If the BOA, the City Attorney and the Neighborhood Associations had reviewed their evidence for fairness, they would have seen a different picture. Here’s a sampling of calls counted as nuisance and criminal: calls to repair street lights, requests for garbage carts, call to pick up a dead owl, calls reporting noisy dirt bikes in the creek as well as gunshots from the creek, report of a city truck breaking an electric line, calls to pay for extra bulk trash pick up . . . the list continues with almost half of calls being from citizens needing help from City Services or Police.

The Ash Creek Mobile Home Park is home to senior citizens on fixed incomes, working families and children, many Hispanics and several U.S. veterans of war. Their homes and lives are to be unfairly disrupted due to decisions by city officials based on deceptive information. The owner and residents are working to solve much needed property maintenance issues, however the people and this property are not a NUISANCE in our community. The real NUISANCES and problem makers live outside the MHPark in the form of community leaders and city officials “running amok” in efforts to see this property developed with expensive new housing. This goal was openly discussed at the BOA hearing, and the owner was badgered for not agreeing to sell his property to interested developers.

In the article Dallas ran ‘amok’, 3/6/06, Chief Kunkle acknowledged that practices related to the Nuisance Ordinance has become “arbitrary and unfair”. He sees a problem that our city can identify a property as ‘being a nuisance property without determining what kind of good-faith effort owners were making on the property.” This describes exactly what has occurred related to the Ash Creek Mobile Home Park zoning issue.

Every Dallas citizen should question the fairness and integrity used in the handling of this unfortunate issue. Neighbors who have supported this action should take a hard look at prejudiced attitudes and preconceived notions. These seem to be the MOST SERIOUS NUISANCES in our midst.

Marty Ray
Concerned Neighbors Of Ashcreek Homes, C-NOAH
c-noah@sbcglobal.net

Sent to Dallas Morning News - Letter to Editor

See Videos: When McMansions Attack Dallas

2006-03-13T12:02:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest schedule for When McMansions Attack Dallas, video series created by resident of the MobileHomePark

A Dallas Mobile Home Park becomes the focus of controversy concerning an ATTEMPTED END-RUN AROUND EMINENT DOMAIN and ZONING status. See Board of Adjustments Hearings with residents and neighbors speaking on both sides of the issue. Motivation for this attempt to "get rid of the Trailer Park" has been openly stated to see the land sold so that expensive townhomes (McMansions) can be built in place of trailer homes.

GREAT TELEVISION, EVERY MONDAY at 10 P.M.
Comcast cable channels 15B and 75 Digital

When McMansions Attack Dallas, is a continuing series
EVERY MONDAY at 10 P.M.Comcast cable channels15B / 75 DIGITAL

Lola's Letter

2006-03-13T10:37:00.000-08:00

Written to Mr. Steve Blow, Dallas Morning News, Feb. 26, 2006

Mr. Blow,
I am writing to you as a concerned citizen of the East Dallas community. This is in regards to recent actions ptaken by the City of Dallas toward a mobile home park (ASH CREEK) that is situated on Highland Road near Ferguson Road. Several homeowner associations have done a lot of homework to rid our neighborhood of this mobile home park. Some of the issues are accurate:

* The owner of the land has neglected to upgrade and the result has been a decline of the mobile home park.

* There are many maintenance items needed to be corrected, some serious and minor issues.
* The residents at the mobile home park are mainly Hispanic and low income residents.

The mobile home park is not the most pleasing to the eye. However, some of the charges brought against the mobile home park are unfounded:
* It is not crime ridden. The mobile home residents do call 911 on many issues to deter crime. We have researched the calls and know this as fact.
* It is not a haven for criminals. These folks work and are not on welfare. They can afford to live here and love to live here.
* There are wild packs of dogs roaming the neighborhood. If there are any wild animals it is the result of the enormous growth of gated community homes destroying this natural green belt and the animals have no place to go.
* They do not dump trash. Other folks not living at the mobile home park dump the trash.
* The owner has handled all city code issues when notified by the city. We have researched these violations and know this as fact.

I am disappointed in myself for not seeking the truth and knowledge before now and took the word of others that I thought were working for good. I also feel I have failed this group of my neighbors for not working with them sooner to save their paradise even though others do not see it as “their” paradise.

I am disappointed in the under handed ways others have used in getting rid of these people instead of speaking their truths which is they don’t find it pretty in their eyes and they want this land to better the economy and status. I am a member of a group of concerned neighbors that are willing to work with the owner and the residents of this mobile home park to bring this property in line with what would work for all parties. We call ourselves C-NOAH Concerned Neighbors Of AshCreek Mobile Homes. I could waste a lot of your time and mine presenting all the facts but I would like to invite you to visit with us and the opposition as well as the mobile home park residents and owners to see if you could find it a place in one of your columns. I just would like the facts presented in your open forum for both sides and let the wide community hear. Your column reaches a lot of good people. You have always stood for diversity and acceptance at all levels.

I am not opposed to progress but I am opposed to progress in the name of something that is not. We have requested meetings with Leo Chaney and several other folks to hear our position. Our opposition is strong and includes several large homeowners associations including Forest Hills Homeowner Association and the Enclave at White Rock. We are also not backed by our Forest Meade Homeowners Association for which I am member. The FRI (Ferguson Road Initiative) is also opposed to keeping this mobile home park as well as the adjacent Tennyson Golf Course. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Lola A. Bosher
Concerned Neighbor Of Ashcreek mobile Homes
C-NOAH@sbcglobal.net

Jim Schutze's "Board of Scrooges"

2006-03-13T10:04:00.000-08:00

Jim Schutze's article written right after the BOA Hearing of Dec. 14

dallasobserver.com News Board of Scrooges

Code Violations??? or City Service Requests?

2006-03-13T06:31:00.000-08:00

CODE COMPLAINTS used Against the Ash Creek Mobile Home Park

A TRUTHFUL Accounting of 154 listings all turned in as NEGATIVE evidence against the MHPark to the Board of Adjustments in 2005 by Ms. Dolores Wolfe and 13 Neighborhood groups. The BOA used misleading information about Code and Crime stats to revoke the MHPark's legal grandfathered zoning status on Dec. 14, 2005

Look at the DETAILS of each of the 154 s0-called code violations in the petition against the Park - all of these were counted as NEGATIVE EVIDENCE against the MHPark, even the duplicated entries and the simple citizen service requests. It makes one afraid to call 311 to ask for any City service as it can be counted against you in the future. Here is the real TRUTH and note at the end, how much difference from 2002 to 2005 which no one has thought to point out.

The 154 "violations" against the MHPark included all of the following:

Duplications and City Service requests (should not be negative code evidence)
24 - Duplicated listings, marked as “duplicates”or same date/request
42 - Requests for City Services – not “code violations”
5-20-02 – Request to City, limbs obstructing alley
7/29/02 - Oil/Chemical Spill “ upstream near St.Francis”- MHPark not faulted
5-21-03 – Plumbing report “no violation found…city property”
2003 - (2) requests for garbage roll carts
6/7/04 - Manager reported outsiders using MHPark BulkTrashArea
6/12/04 - Manager again reports outsiders using Bulk Trash Area
8/24/04 – (2 calls) Manager calls- trash not being picked up by city
6/7/04 – Manager reported city trash truck snapped elec. line
8/24/04 – request to replace street lighting
2005 - (4) calls for estimates to pay for extra bulk trash pick-up
(3) Calls to Animal Control to pick up a dead animal, front of MHPark (incl owl)
(1) Calls to Animal Control for animal trap to trap “strays” in park
(6) Calls to Animal Control about trapped (confined) stray animals (incl possum)
(17) Requests to Animal Control to catch stray animals (not Park animals)
66 – TOTAL listings that ARE NOT CODE VIOLATIONS

Remaining MINOR Code Issues (calls) within City records:
2 – Plumbing Issues (2002 only, no others in the 154 listings)
1 - Illegal Dumping (2003 only)
1 – Oversized vehicle (2003 only)
5 – Bulk Trash violations (putting trash out too early)
11 – High Weeds (2002-03 only) posted at individual homes
18 – Illegal outside storage (all in 2003 posted in a 2 day period to individual homes)
25 – Litter (all in 2003 posted in a 2 day period to individual homes)
5 - Junk Motor Vehicles (all posted on one single day in 2003)
8 – Litter (all posted in a 1 day period in 2004, posted to individual homes)
2 – Prohibited roosters
1 - Case reported to Animal Control of too many cats at 1 residence
7 - Reports to Animal Control about resident pets being loose
2 – Other misc. Animal related violations

88 Total minor Code complaint issues (not 154 as alleged in application against MHPark)

71 – Code Complaints are from 2002/03 – all cases closed
17 - Code Complaints are from 2004/05 - all cases closed

Prepared by Marty Ray, January 10, 2005
Review of these findings welcomed!

Truth Letter - Actions Against the MHPark

2006-03-10T19:10:00.000-08:00

It is truly sad that less than truthful information has been used to suggest that the AshCreek Mobile Home Park is a neighborhood nuisance and safety hazard within our community. With dishonest statistics regarding crime and code violations as a guide, the Dallas Board of adjustments voted to revoke a grand fathered zoning status and disallow the Ashcreek Mobile Home Park to continue operation.

It is striking that legal “evidence” presented against the MHPark apparently was never carefully reviewed by the BOA or neighborhood leaders who supported the action against the Park. At the December 14 hearing, a BOA panel member waved pages of alleged code and crime stats and said he had to vote against the MHPark because of the overwhelming evidence. He even questioned whether code cases (dating back to 2002) were “closed” or still open cases. Amazing! With all cases clearly marked “closed”, he had not reviewed the details of this case nor had other panel members or the City Attorney. Yes indeed, all code complaints to date had been cleared (all cases closed) – and most importantly – over 40% of the code issues were not VIOLATIONS in any shape or form – but were simply normal, common citizen calls for city services. Swayed by false information and with little time spent on facts, truth was not the winner of the day. The Dallas BOA set a Feb. 15 hearing to determine when residents must be moved and the owner’s business terminated.

Extensive Code Violation Claim Untrue: Ms. Dolores Wolfe representing 13 Associations, in her application to the BOA, stated that the Mobile Home Park is a “magnet for crime with extensive code violations.” She presents as evidence from the Dallas Customer Service Request System, 154 dated entries from 1/2/02 thru 7/19/05 for the MHPark on Highland Rd. In the application, she counts every single one of the 154 entries as negative ”code complaints” or violations. She fails to reveal that over 40% of these listings (66 of 154) are not code violations of any form. Sixty-six are either duplicate entries or normal calls for city services. AND, of the 88 code issues left, 71 date back to 2003, only 17 are dated 2004 thru July of 2005! A detailed review is attached with a breakdown of services requested. This is very serious information seemingly presented falsely against the MHPark, helping to sway opinions of Neighborhood Associations and influencing the vote of the BOA on Dec. 14.

Unfair Crime Evidence claims: Ms.Wolfe also insists in the application that the Park is a “magnet for crime” and again uses statistics falsely to make her point. She includes every single police call from the Park as proof of a “crime within in the Park”. This includes calls by MHPark citizens reporting loud dirt bike noise along creek banks or gunshots coming from outside the Park in the creek area or other suspicious activities occurring in the creekbed or the railroad track area. The “crime” reports given as evidence against the Park are very questionable. Sworn testimony from the hearing revealed that no arrests have ever been made at the Park for gun violence, prostitution, drug related crimes, or other abusive or violent crimes. Only one arrest was confirmed (arson by a troubled teenager in early 2005); the family has since moved. In direct contradiction to Ms. Wolfe’s dramatic crime claims, Park residents gave testimony over and over at the hearing that the MHPark is a quiet and safe place to live. An overabundance of crime is not an issue in this small neighborhood of senior citizens, single moms, and working families with children. Ms. Wolfe and others should apologize for unfairly stirring up overstated crime issues against his small long-standing neighborhood.

The Owner, slum landlord? The Park land has been used legally for mobile homes since 1949. With a legal grand fathered zoning status, one family has owned this business for over 45 years. Mr. Steve Crossett, is the owner; his 82 yr old mother, Sue Crossett is the Park administrator. Ms. Crossett and her now deceased husband purchased the MHPark in the early 60’s. Mr. Crossett is often degraded for living outside Dallas, and several community leaders have spread the word that he is only interested in the Park as a “cash cow”. Many have publicly called him a “slum landlord” who doesn’t care about his property or the people living there. It is very interesting that those making these claims had never met Mr. Crossett before the Dec. 14 hearing nor had contacted him at anytime about their concerns about the MHPark conditions. According to Mr. Crossett, calls from Dallas are primarily from someone wanting to purchase the Park land. Unfounded prejudices against this business owner have grown through slander and rumor and some continue to honor prejudices as fact.

Positive actions with the MHPark Owner: Myself and a group of neighbors on Barbaree Blvd, a street running into the Park, did contact the owner in Feb. 2005 and talked in person to him. We sent a letter listing concerns, including clean-up suggestions and ideas to improve looks at the Park entrance. The owner was 100% cooperative and this summer, he installed new lattice fencing at the Park entrance. Mr. Crossett has addressed every single code complaint that has come to his attention, a fact supported by Code Enforcement records. At the hearing he testified that Park water lines had been replaced recently; he also said that he welcomed suggestions and was willing to do anything necessary to improve conditions of the Park. In talking with him personally, he expresses concern for the residents, the manager, and shows a special interest in his mother’s work with the Park. Does this information spell “slum landlord”?

In Summary: Much recent improvement to Park conditions is evident. Note that of 89 “real” code complaints, 72 are from 2002-03 compared to only 17 in 2004 thru July 2005. These true statistics shed positive light on the MHPark and its owner yet have gone unrecognized by those who want only to see the Park closed down! It should be of great concern to all that respected community leaders have dealt with the MHPark situation in a most prejudiced way – not seeking solutions, but building a case on unfair rumors. Claims are that Park residents need to be moved away from unsafe, indecent and unsanitary living conditions! “Leaders” are busy deciding how to assist in their relocations, ready to save them from disgraceful living conditions.

Terrible living conditions? Let’s see what they are: no plumbing violations since 2003, 5 times in a 42 month period the Park has put their bulk trash out too soon, high weeds and illegal outside storage - all closed cases and only in 2003, one case of a woman with too many cats - case now closed! Has anyone known someone with too many cats in any other neighborhood? Junk vehicles – again only reported back to 2003, no recent complaints. Oh, let’s not forget the animals running all over the place. Look close, and see most calls to animal control were for “trapped” STRAY animals and for aggressive STRAYS who found their way to the Park. Very few animal control incidents are for actual “Park” animals. Again, look at the code complaint list in detail.

From the evidence presented from Ms. Wolfe, does her evidence when looked at carefully really prove a case of hideous living conditions and crime? What are the real motives here? The goal to develop the land with expensive single family housing was mentioned more than once by Ms. Wolfe at the BOA hearing. Can we see a glimmer of the real motives in all this? Every Neighborhood Association who signed the application against the Park should review factual information and reconsider. Whether one aesthetically likes the Park or not, no one should support dishonesty and half truths in a legal case involving such a sensitive social issue.

At the Hearing, one panel member said, we have to put emotions aside in making decisions regarding the Mobile Home Park. Are we seeing TRUTH set aside as well? Well meaning people of our community should take the right steps, the positive actions, and work (not to figure out how to relocate the Park neighborhood) but to assist them and encourage them to continue work to improve the very place they already call home!

Marty Ray, Dallas, Texas
Jan. 11, 2005

Marty has lived on Barbaree Blvd. for 34 years within 6 houses of the Mobile Home Park.
She is part of a neighborhood group who has worked with the Park to suggest improvements.

A growing network of neighbors in the area are joining forces to insist on Fairness to the Mobile Home Park and the owner in this issue! Many recent letters to editors also reveal that the neighborhood is divided on this issue.

Carol's Letter - Loss of Community-Loss of a Neighborhood

2006-03-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

LOSS of COMMUNITY - and LOSS TO A NEIGHBORHOOD

Dear Mr. Steve Blow,
I was hoping you might be interested in considering for you column "a tale of two communities"..... Here is the story: There is at the end of our street a small mobile home community that has been there for over 50 years...The residents of this community are;mostly Hispanic, working class, (working poor in many cases), single moms raising children, (there is an excellent elementary school within walking distance), senior citizens on very limited incomes, in other words non-affluent people. This community is old, not fashionable in any sense, and worn around the edges..is it a perfect community..of course not, but it is a community in every sense of the word...it is non-homogenized, it is not gentrified, it has diversity...in age, ethnicity, income level...and strangely enough it works...and has worked and has not been a bother to anyone...

Moving forward with the story....

At one time most of the area surrounding this mobile home park was undeveloped..the back side of this mobile home park abuts a golf course, the side to the left is a creek, on the right side is a railroad track...beyond the railroad track was undeveloped green belt land...for years..and years..and years... Then developers found this area, the proximity to white rock lake, the golf course and easy access to downtown, made this an enticing site...and soon the land to the right of the mobile home park across the tracks became a couple affluent gated communities... Pretty soon the persons residing in the gated communities tired of looking down (they literally and figuratively look down) upon the old, tired mobile home community..and plans were put into action to rid the area of this perceived blight upon the land....to do this they aligned themselves with the Ferguson Road Initiative (FRI) an organization with grand plans to revitalize this area of the city, to bring in rooftops, rooftops, rooftops and then hopefully encourage retailers such as Starbucks, the gap, etc. to locate in the near areas (apparently the persons who reside in such gated communities will frequent these well-known establishments) ...

Ergo..a petition was signed, and statistics gathered, mainly 311 and 911 records compiled from info. from the last few years...any code violation or complaint was also included in the report...This information was then provided to the city, action taken and a hearing date established.. The purpose of the hearing was to determine if the grandfathered zoning status of the mobile home park could be revoked...

The hearing.... really a civics lesson....at this hearing all of the above "stats" were presented...representatives from both sides of this issue were heard...but herein lies the "glitch" in the story....No-One on the board judging this case bothered to take the time to learn if these statistics were accurate, or if in fact they were even correct... one of the seated members of the board (co-chair as a matter of fact) found the proceeding so boring she slept through nearly all of it...so as is the outcome of many an issue when the numbers of those who have greatly outnumber those who don't have the fate of the mobile home park was sealed....the perceived blight will be removed from the land....and over 50 families find themselves in the position of possibly being homeless....Dallas being a typical city in that the number of low to moderate income level properties either currently available or being constructed is far less that the need.....Not only that, but a grave disservice was allowed..yes, allowed to happen....when you have a handful of concerned people facing a much greater number of persons determined to have their way...odds of a a fair and equatable solution are slim to none... what exactly would we like from you....a voice perhaps...a forum maybe... a chance to present both sides...and to also maybe wake up a few people to what is happening in our city...development can be good, bringing more tax dollars into the city coffers by way of more expensive homes, ergo, increased property values, higher property taxes...on and on and on....but at what cost....to displace these families does what... and what does it say about us as humans, should we not honor the credo that we are duty bound to treat one another as we would like to be treated....with respect, honesty, and be valued....

Thanks for your time; I look forward to hearing from you.
Carol Lyons
March 9, 2006

Dec. 14 Board of Adjustment Hearing

2006-03-05T11:14:00.000-08:00

Emailed to area neighbors 12/15/05

Dear neighbors,
Yesterday the Board of Adjustments of Dallas voted unanimously to revoke the Ash Creek Mobile Home Park legal grandfathered zoning status.

Lola, Bobbie, Cathy, Laurie and myself were in attendance in support of allowing the MHP to
stay within our neighborhood. Eight Barbaree neighbors have been active in a group that has been in communication with the owner and manager to make improvements - (I have
served as spokesperson for the group).

Anyway, be prepared for the land at the end of Barbaree to within a year become an empty lot - as 51 families from the Mobile Home Park will be displaced. At least 30 residents from the "park" were present, along with Mr. Crossett (the owner) and his 82 yr.old mother (the original owner who still manages the park). 15 speakers spoke to keep the Park and spoke to the allegations about crime and code violations against the Park. I have read the code violation report, more than 1/2 for sure are for bulk trash, high weeds (in the creek) and litter
- also stray animals. We pointed out that this land is right in between a creek and a railroad track and very vulnerable to having illegal dumping from outsiders (all the time) and wild and stray animals coming into or being dumped into the Park. The applicants in this case (to remove the Park) were ademant that ALL this Code violation and the calls about gun shots came from the Park itself - accused the nice people there of being mostly criminal and uncaring of their properties.

I wish you had been there to hear and see our "neighbors" down the road. We met and heard from a nurse who lives with her 86 yr.old father who is a WWII veteran, a single mother of two children who go to Sanger elem., a mother with a deaf son who has the opportunity of the programs at Sanger, a mother whos son and daughter are in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, a single man who researched places to move his small trailer and found the Ash Creek Mobile Home Park to be the most quiet and no crime Mobile Home Park that he could move to, also many others who testified that the Park was not an area of crime as accused by the applicants from area upper class neighborhoods. We met and heard from Mr. Crossett, a quiet spoken man who said he was willing to do anything necessary to bring the Park into compliance and has done so with every single code request all along the way. He was drilled by the "other" side - Ms. Dolores Wolfe, a resident of the Enclave of Ash Creek (at Lakeland and Ferg) She has lived there for 4 years and is interested in seeing more high-end development in our area and probably more "walled" neighborhoods - including at the end of Barbaree.

The "other side" did not hide the fact that they wanted to see the MHP be developed into townhomes of $300,000 price range. Mr. Crossett was badgered because he has not accepted offers from developer, Mr. Charles Magee, to purchase his land - Mr. Magee's name was used repeatedly as a developer who is willing to develop properties on Barbaree and at the MHP.

So, neighbors - sorry you could not hear all this in person - it is hard to describe. Lola, Bobbie, Kathy, Laurie and I saw with our own eyes the primary purpose behind all of this - to grab the land and rid our neighborhood of the lower income people. It is an outrage in so doing, that they made wrong accusations against a less powerful and poorer group that live at the Park. However, this group was very good in their speeches before the Board, showed respect and intelligence in their statements. They tried hard to show that this was the place they wished to live because it is quite and peaceful and has access to good schools, etc.

Be ready Barbaree - as the "Enclaves" and developers in our midst come back and begin to get zoning changes all around us to build more oversized "giraffe" houses behind walls. Mrs. Wolfe - the spokesperson for the "Enclaves" even stated in her rebuttal that it did not matter that the MHomePark land was in a floodplane (as I and others pointed out) she said flood plane lands CAN BE developed with proper filling.

The next Board of Adjustments hearing to set a date to displace all the people of the "trailer park" and close Mr. Crossett and his mother's business is Feb. 15.

Stay tuned!