LARGO - The Largo Civic Association unanimously supports the rights of residents of mobile home parks in the county who face the loss of their homes through development.
In an attempt to assist in organizing these citizens because of their parks literally being sold out from under them and who face a bleak future, has joined the fray.
As with all matters involving government, this is another complex issue which offers right and wrong on both sides, but, as is all too often the case in recent years, always hits hardest the taxpayer, the middle and lower income groups, the retired seniors and those who are on the edge of the ever growing poverty levels to start with, and, with little more than a nudge such as what is occurring now, pushes them into a life of hardship.
The basic issues are: (a) Do park/property owners have the right to use and or sell their property as they see fit? It would seem that the answer is yes, but there is some pertinent law that bears on this that makes it less simple; (b) Should those property rights authorize those owners to negatively impact the citizen who has enabled that owner to prosper with that property, thereby causing hardship, anguish, health concerns and yes, even homelessness, in order for the owner to grow richer in this current environment of land sale wealth? That is the answer that becomes rife with questionable responses and legal challenges.
This is a “hot button” issue now. However, it has been bubbling beneath the surface for years, as exemplified by the summit meeting in Clearwater a few years ago that was attended by elected officials from cities, county and state, agency heads, property owners, real estate and developers and their lobbyists, and some of these park owners.
Personally, I have never been opposed to our system of free enterprise and our profit-structured society, nor will I ever be. Our country’s success story is second to none. And if I owned one of the 50 to 100 acre or so parks, I’d most likely want my fair share. But that’s where the Largo Civic Association and I come down on this issue.
The question becomes, “what is a FAIR share or price?” And when does “Greed and avarice” become synonymous with profit? And exactly when and what is the obligation of our elected officials to protect its citizens before acquiescing to the almighty dollar’s influence by those who have and provide same to them through various nefarious means.
If ever there was a time and need for citizens to become involved and participate in issues such as these, now is that time, more than I’ve ever seen before, because this issue personifies the continuing loss of personal and civil rights in many other aspects of our current society. For anyone interested in where to go for education and the opportunity to volunteer, contact LCA at Largoca@aol.com or call 585-1111.