Power Problems At Salton Sea Trailer Park Have Residents Packing Up

With temperatures just beginning to soar, people at the Rancho Marina Trailer Park in Desert Shores have already dealt with a power outage this week and now, they’re being told they have to move out because of electrical problems.

“I’m mad as hell. I didn’t think they could do this that quick. I mean, they could’ve given us a little more time,” said resident Jean Zierden.

Residents say electrical repairs needed to be made at the park.

Wednesday, they say someone with Imperial Irrigation District came in and cut the wiring — saying it was too dangerous.

But residents say they’re mad at management — not the utility company.

“It’s not their fault we’re kind of idiots around here. Nobody wants to fix anything or do the right thing,” said Zierden.

“The owners of the park don’t want to pay the money to have the electrical problem taken care of,” said resident Lawrence Parker.

The park’s owners say that’s true.

Rancho Marina has been family-owned for 50 years. Speaking to News Channel 3 from their home up north near Redding, owners say with 19 units each paying $125 a month in rent — the park isn’t making any money.

And with it on the market, it’s not worth paying tens of thousands of dollars to fix the faulty wiring.

Owners brought in a generator to power the park. But only for a week.

After that, residents are on their own — possibly without power. And many of them have disabilities.

Owners say they’re not giving residents a deadline to get out, but eventually, they’ll have to. And many say they can’t afford it.

“I’m still in shock. What am I going to do? I don’t know. What do you do when you have no money and you’re homeless? Live in your car? That’s probably what I’m going to have to do,” said resident Deborah Depew.