Valley Residents Forced To Pay More For Unsafe Conditions

NEAR INDIO – Ester Canobar says there won’t be any Christmas gifts this year because of the increasing rent and service fees at the Arabian Gardens Mobile Home Park where she lives.

“With the economy the way it is,it is impossible for us to survive, “she said. “I can’t give anybody a Christmas gift, not even my children.”

Canobar isn’t alone. Hundreds of residents who live in an unincorporated area of Riveside County near Indio have lost their jobs during the tough times, and many saythey are paying more rent and service fees these holidays.

According to management, the fees are a result of electric and pool safety upgrades that total more than$600,000. Although the upgrades were made to half of the park, the operations director believes all residents should pay for those changes.

“Arabian Gardens has power brownouts because people demand air conditioning, microwaves,” said Clay Hage, the operations director. “The demand exceeded services. Required new transformers.”

Tthe residents aren’t only worried about the rent increase, but the dangerous conditions like this sink-hole behind this home that strstretchesto Fred Waring Drive.

“There’s no lights here,” complains Belinda Alvarez.”Especially where the pool area is at. It’s completely dark. You can’t even see the stop signs anymore.”

Meanwhile, Ester Canobar says the residents in Arabia Gardens won’t stop until they get better living conditions.

“We’re ready to fight because we’re sick and tired,” said Canobar. “I’ve been living here 12-years and it seems every year it gets worse, instead of getting better.”