by:
PHOTO COURTESY: RITA LOBERGER - Scars remain from where a massive tree fell
down an embankment into Sieben Creek behind Shadowbrook Mobile Home Park in
Clackamas at the end of last year.
When
a massive tree tumbled down an embankment into Sieben Creek behind the
Shadowbrook Mobile Home Park in Clackamas on Dec. 5, 2012, it took out
residents’ major water line and a 98-year-old’s backyard. The resident has
since been moved by her family for safety reasons.
Nearly four
months later, residents of the senior park at 13640 Highway 212 are still
struggling with an aftermath that they say has not been fixed by the park’s
management.
“According to
state law it is the duty of the owner (or manager) to provide a safe and
habitable condition for these land renters,” said Rita Loberger, vice president
of the Manufactured Housing Oregon State Tenants Association. “I did not, in my
opinion, feel this was the case for the residents along this embankment.”
According to
Loberger, some suspect that the landslide was caused by a leaking pipe at the
home of the 98-year-old resident. Loberger felt that allegation was unfair
because the resident was no longer there to speak for herself.
On Dec. 20,
concerned residents and members of the Clackamas County community, including
state Rep. Bill Kennemer (R-Canby), gathered at the park across the creek to
discuss the issue.
“Last I heard
things were working out with (Clackamas County’s Water Environmental Services),
and I thought that the relevant parties were working it out, so now I’m out of
the loop, and I haven’t heard anything for several months,” Kennemer said.
Kennemer became involved because he said he had heard from constituents that
the right people weren’t paying attention.
Up until this
point, it has appeared to Loberger that nothing is being done to correct the
embankment, which she said could be a safety hazard to anyone walking along the
property.
After the water
line was damaged by the tree, a garden hose was attached from adjoining housing
as a replacement until the water line was fixed on Dec. 28.
According to
property manager Jeff Wehrung, a Geotech official indicated that there is no
sinkhole on the property. “He has found no imminent danger,” Wehrung added.
There has been no
undercutting of the stream bank as residents and others have feared, Wehrung
said. There is a slight hole above the creek where the roots of the tree pulled
loose, Wehrung said. Management took steps to relocate the utilities to the
front of the home site, and removed the fallen tree from the creek, he said.
Wehrung also
emphasized that damage from the fallen tree wasn’t likely to threaten the
existence of a community that has been there for 38 years.
Loberger
emphasized that the incident was an example of problems faced by manufactured
home owners living in parks.
“In some cases,
if they cannot sell their homes,” Loberger said. “They have to walk away from
their homes.”
Loberger’s statewide
organization works with homeowners trying to resolve issues with management of
parks, even on minor issues. Information about the group can be found online at
mh-osta.org, or by calling 1-800-423-937
