A Letter to Mobilehome Park Residents

By Ellen Pirie

Ellen has worked with mobilehome residents for many years, and understands the importance of preserving affordable housing.

The voters in the 2nd Supervisorial District will soon be selecting a new County Supervisor to replace the retiring Walt Symons. Your vote is probably the most important vote that you, as a mobilehome owner, will cast in this year's election. This is because it is only the County Board of Supervisors who can continue to protect your home by enacting strong ordinances to preserve affordable housing and to protect you from excessive rent increases and from unwarranted park closures. How should you choose amongst four candidates who will all promise to protect your interests? We think that the answer is to look behind the promises # to choose the candidate who has a record of advocating for mobilehome park residents. There is only one candidate running in the 2nd District who has a record of fighting for justice on your behalf # Ellen Pirie.

Ellen has been the Directing Attorney at Senior Citizens Legal Services (SCLS) for the last 12 years. SCLS is a law office that provides a free legal services to the elderly. In addition to handling a variety of issues facing the elderly, SCLS has a long history of advocacy on mobilehome park issues including the drafting of rent control and conversion ordinances for local jurisdictions.

Ellen and her husband, Terry Hancock, have represented literally thousands of mobilehome residents over the past several years. They have successfully prevented exorbitant rent increases, park closures, abuse and inadequate maintenance in parks such as Aptos Knolls, Aptos Pines (pre-resident purchase), Blue Pacific, Pacific Cove, Colonial Manor, Carriage Acres, Fall Creek, Old Mill, and Mountain Brook.

Ellen is supported by persons you can trust to support the rights of mobilehome residents. So, before you cast your ballot, take a look at the endorsements below. You may recognize names of some of the people who have been fighting for years to protect your rights. They're supporting Ellen and they think you should, too. Ellen is a common sense candidate who has spent a lifetime protecting the little guy in fights with the bureaucracy. She will fight for you and she will continue to protect your interests while serving on the Board of Supervisors.

Stephanie Harlan, Capitola City Council Victor Wright, Monterey Vista Will Constantine, Mobilehome Residents Attorney Dorothy Meinert, S.C. County Mobilehome Commissioner, Yacht Harbor Maxine Pfeiffer, Chairperson, S.C. County Mobilehome Commission (1987-99), Homestead Gary Carlton, John Beran, Linda Martin, Blue Pacific Darell Burns, Aptos Knolls Robert Taren, Former Chairperson, S.C. County Mobilehome Commission Rick Halterman, Castle Curt & Ellyn Johnson, Turner Lane Martin & Lucille Pine, Loma Vista Paul Wagner, Wharf Road Wayne Emerson, Tradewinds Randy Ratto, Cabrillo Estates

Titles are for the purposes of identification only.