Mobile Home Park Says Man Must Give Up Cacti Garden

(If anyone would care to chat with me on Yahoo Messenger, my yahoo ID is teracacti)

I have lived in Westwoods Mobile Home Park on Quarry road in Amherst since December of 1998. I have always paid my lot rent on time and have never had a complaint from management or from any resident. I keep my mobile home and my lot looking neat and clean.

In the spring of 1999 I added a garden along the driveway. I added a second by my shed that summer. In 2000 I installed one more garden in the front yard. Many neighbors commented about how nice it looked, and what a vast improvement I had made in the home and the lot.

In 2002 I started a cactus collection. I designed it in a way that was very neat and organized. Again, a lot of neighbors complimented me on this display, and I continue to receive praise from neighbors all over the park to this day. Some have said it is their favorite part of the park and that the walk by here just to see it. A couple have called it "an attraction" and said it makes the park more beautiful.

This brings me to May 24th, 2005. On that day, I received a Notice of Violation from the management of the park (Marilyn Cipolla). She stated that I would have to remove ALL of my cacti and dig up and destroy ALL of my gardens, or face eviction on June 24th. She said it looked "unsightly" in her eyes. She did not give me any option to reduce the number of cacti, she just repeated that "They ALL have to go". This is in spite of the fact that the gardens had been there for as long as six years and the cacti for three summers, all without any type of complaint from management or any resident.

I actually went through the park and was able to gather 65 petitions (everyone I spoke to) from people who liked my cactus display and wanted it to stay. No one can understand what the park's problem is. Some made comments like "this yard is my favorite part of the park" and "I walk my dog by there every day just to see his beautiful collection"

All of local news media in Cleveland did a feature on this story recently, including the local ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX news affiliates. The Lorain Morning journal put it on their front cover.

I have a detailed explanation of my situation on my website, along with links to all of these news stories. Please let me know what you think. My website address is: http://www.cactusweb.us/

I'm including one image that shows my collection. I have a slideshow of images on my website. Some of the newschannel websites also have pictures of my cactus garden.

I've added a second page of photos that show my gardens and cacti.
Here is the address: http://www.cactusweb.us/westwoods_2.html

Please let me know what you think.


If anyone would like to voice their support, I will provide a list of the reporters and television stations who did the story, along with their email addresses and phone numbers. I think it would help a great deal to hear feedback from people who think what the park is doing is wrong.

Here is the list:

Paul Orlousky-Action 19 news(CBS) porlousky@19actionnews.com, phone # 216-367-7322

Kathleen Cochrane from Fox 8 News kcoch579@foxtv.com phone # 216-432-4057

Barbara Gauthier from Channel 3 News (NBC) barbaragauthier@wkyc.com Phone # 216-344-3310

Leon Bibb from Channel 5 news (ABC) bibb@newsnet5.com Phone #216-431-4221

Scott Allyn from The Lorain Morning Journal news@morningjournal.com Phone # 440/245-6901 or 800/765-6901

Matt Keener from The Chronicle Telegram ctnews@chroniclet.com Phone # 440-329-7151 or the Chronicles main phone # (440) 329-7000.

I can also provide the number for the mobile home park office if anyone would care to contact them.

This message was edited Jun 4, 2005 9:08 PM

This message was edited Jun 5, 2005 7:32 PM

This message was edited Jun 5, 2005 7:35 PM

This message was edited Jun 5, 2005 7:37 PM

This message was edited Jun 6, 2005 6:38 PM

This message was edited Jun 6, 2005 6:39 PM

I love your gardens. I hope management makes the right decision and changes his/her mind!
darmadoll

There are always people that will hate some plant or all plants, except grass.
My son's FIL is one, he buys a property that has woods or other vegetation, makes the whole thing into a big lawn, then sells it, sometimes for less than he paid. In most cases, it is the fear of providing a place for snakes to live that drives these people. Others are just control freaks. (nothing will grow without my permission)

megacacti: Are you actually breaking a rule, or is the management company just really anal? I mean, gee willikers, it's an improvement to the place; it's not like you have a bunch of rusted out old cars or boats propped up all over the place (sorry, just looking across the road at my neighbours. LOL!)

Hope you get this worked out. I think they're being foolish, but you know how some people get when they have a smidgen of power; they like to milk it for all it's worth.

Good luck!

Rhonda

I hope that you will get this worked out to your benefit. The management is just being unruly. I don't personally like cacti myself (I have some wild ones growing now in my front yard) but one mans ugly is another mans beautiful. Kudos to you for sticking to your guns and not giving up!

Who is Cipolla's boss. If she is just the manager then she has a boss. Go to them and show them your petitions. If she owns the place then you may have a problem. Plus she should give you more time than that. I think that evictions take longer than that.

Also, make sure you have any correspndence (written) sent by registered and certified mail with a signature of the recipient. You may want to consult a lawyer as the gardens have been there for so long you may have a legal stand. Sometimes just a letter from a lawyer makes them back down. It also may be cheaper than to relandscape which I am sure you will have to do because I'm sure she won't stand for just dirt.

I just scrolled through your site and I see so much love and beauty in your garden. I could understand their angst if small children or pets had been maimed, if you gardens were inundated with weeds, if there were rotting plants laying around, if they were hosts to nasty critters, but all I see is gardens tended by a loving owner. Do you have a copy of your lease/contract? Is there anything listed as to the nature of gardens, what you can do with your own area or any limits and regulations? I could also understand an HOA kind of thing where things have to be a certain way (all front doors beige, shutters on all windows, etc.). Is there anything like that in your contract? I do not know which is worse-people that just aren't happy and like to bother others or people that cannot stand to see others happy. Life is so short!

Welcome to DG, megacacti! I see you just joined today and wish you the best of luck. :)

I think it's beautiful and very well kept..Even if you don't like cacti(I do), you have to see the work that is done here top keep this maintained.

Larkie

I would send the petion just the way someone suggested. And unless they can show you on your rental or lease agreement your cactus and gardens should have never been put in
and it has your signature. I would sit backand let them pay for all the legal.
Gather up everything you can and Maybe go to a free consult with a lawyer, but other than that., If they don't have a lease to that effect. Let them pay all the legal.

I don't think they could come on your property and do it themselves. If they do sue them for all the cost of plants and landscaper to put back in.

Without a paper, Just sit back and enjoy your gardens. I am not a lawyer,but the is ridiculus.

Keep us informed and welcome to DG.

Blessings,

Sandy †

Keep us informed.. hope they relent.

My MIL's sister lives in a park in Inver Grove Heights, a suburb of St. Paul, MN., I cannot beleive the stupid rules they have. They make no sense expect to the people that move in & out on a monthly basis. A lot do! Personally, I think most trailer parks are there only to suck all the money they can out of poor people. A park in Mankato was threatened to be closed because of probelms with water & sewer. Owner wouldn't keep it up! No recourse for the renters.
A park in Madelia, MN., has turned into a slum because of the lack of control & maintenanse by the owner.
I would fight them tooth & nail!
Bernie

I would also fight the manager. If you don't have a written rental contract, stick by your guns and make her go into court to try to evict you - then you can make her explain to a judge why she is discrimating against you. After all your yard is neat & tidy and sure can't be using too much water. Good luck. (The mobile home park I work for doesn't allow lawn in the front yards-the fronts have to be low maintenance and low water yards.) Dotti

Do other lots in the park have any flowers in their yard? IF not, what a boring place to live. Jo

Here is a picure looking at my gardens and cacti display from the back.

Here is a picture of the garden in my front yard.

I can understand why people walk by to view your gardens. Any response from the park? Any sign they might relent?

angele,

Absolutely no response from the park and no sign that they might relent. The park manager, Heather Burls, told at least two reporters that they were willing to "compromise" with me. But the only time I talked to the park owner (who is behind all this), her idea of a compromise was to "maybe let me keep one or two small plants" on my porch. Terrific! I assume that is still her view of compromise. I really don't know what else to do.

Here is another picture of one of my plants, a King Sago Palm.

That just makes me so sad. I have tried to understand from the other viewpoint but I just can't figure it out at all. I am really sorry. (but still hoping for you)
Angele

Get pictures of other peoples yard...take them to the City/County Attorney. Jo

Did you call the attorney and see if he sent the letter? When and how much time he gave her to respond.?

Would like to hear.

Blessings,
Sandy ^8^

Good luck! It looks VERY nice and well kept. They should be glad to have you there!

Good luck to you!

The pictures are very nice.
It is a shame that the person in charge is not a gardener.

I find it a shame they are not a people person. If you love you receive love. Sounds like a bully to me.
Some people just let their position go to their head.

Blessings,
Sandy ^8^

What a great collection of cacti you have and it is so nicely arranged in your yard. I hope all goes well for you.

*Bump*

Any news?

I was wondering what has happened too.

You know what's ironic? Your cacti garden is one which uses very little water. Your neighbors with impatiens and the like are probably running up big water bills for your landlord!

I would go to EVERY house and look for a signature. Cram it down the managers throat! I can't believe what some people will try and pull! Your yard is AWESOME and I totally wouldn't mind liveing by you! Be sure to keep us updated.

James

Megacacti,

How disgusting that they are trying to torture the individual that keeps his gardens up and looking sharp! What does your lease/rental agreement say in regards to the land? Also, what is the wording about renewals?? Is it perhaps new ownership or has it been the same company/group for all this time?

It is after their initial June 24 deadline, what has happened? Did you seek an attorney? Did they go to court? Ensure you have excellent photographs for the judge!

My family lives in Elyria. Maybe I can get a chance to stop by next time I visit, but would need very good directions!! Good luck and keep us informed! ~ Suzi :)

This is the agreement which I have come to with Westwoods Mobile Home Park. Personally, the four foot rule baffles me but that is just me expressing my own opinion. Anyway, I have fully agreed to this and plan to keep my word.

Amherst, Ohio -- After a face-to-face meeting and brief negotiations, the
Westwood Mobile Home Park and Troy Sigler have reached an agreement
regarding the cacti and other plants located on the lot leased by Mr. Sigler at
Westwood. Acknowledging Westwood's concerns that the location of certain
cacti may limit Westwood's access to utility services provided to Mr. Sigler
and neighboring residents, as well as other potential safety issues, Mr. Sigler
has agreed to remove some of the existing cacti and not to place cacti or other
plants in certain areas. Westwood has agreed that Mr. Sigler may retain many
of the existing cacti and other plants, with the understanding that all plants
over four foot in height (with the exception of a few existing cacti to be
located to the rear of Mr. Sigler's lot) will be removed from Mr. Sigler's lot.
Mr. Sigler has also agreed to remove two small green houses on his lot and
will downsize a garden that extends past his lot line and into the roadway
which hinders snowplowing.
The parties wish to express their mutual appreciation for the spirit of
compromise that each displayed in reaching the resolution of this matter. The
parties also have agreed that any future landscaping changes or additions will
be made in accordance with applicable park regulations.
Jeffrey H. Weir, II, Esq.
June 28, 2005
Page 2
131988.doc
The parties request that any further questions be addressed to Westwood
Mobile Home Park attorney, Spencer Ryan at 930-8000 or Mr. Sigler's
attorney, Jeffrey Weir, III at 988-9000.
Contact me if you have any comments.
Sincerely,
WICKENS, HERZER, PANZA, COOK & BATISTA CO.
By: Spencer A. Ryan
Attorney at Law
SAR/drb
cc: Ms. Marilyn Cipolla
10270-310

Well I'll be!!! But am glad ya'll did reach and agreement. Jo

Glad you were able to come to a compromise! Some of what they list there makes sense, such as utility and snowplow access, and they've accommodated quite a bit of your requests, evidently. Yay for you!

Yeah! I am glad for you!

What a beautiful garden!!! I'm so glad you get to keep most of it. The snowplowing and access issues made sense, but at least you get to keep your beloved plants. I would be so happy to have neighbors that cared as much as you do. All I have on one side of me is a garbage pit. Good job and good luck to you.

Where are you going to place your plants in the winter with the greenhouses not there anymore?

OUT HERE, they are PROTECTED & PROMOTED, Sorry you went thru so much problem, it is true the management was foolish and you were saving her parks waterbill as opposed to neighbors. She is a fool, glad you were able to come out almost ahead of the game!

Since it's such an old thread I'm sure it's no longer relevant but a landlord does consider usage if utilities would be included and adds that into the rental costs, they don't eat it.

I'm not a cacti fan and yet I am quite impressed with the picture of your garden, a job well done for sure!

My daughter lived for a short time in a trailer park. She was told that because of the water bill issue every resident who has a pet cannot have a garden whether it be flowers or vegetables. My daughter made the mistake of putting some flower pots on her porch and was told she had to get rid of either the flowers or the dog. I took in the dog until she moved. It did not take her long to move out! The water bill was the only reason given. In the manager's defense, the rule was in the rental agreement but the neighbor had 5 kids and a dog. I do not think a couple of flower pots is going to use as much water as 5 kids LOL.