Just after noon October 25th, Sierra County Sheriff's officials, County Supervisor Roen and Sierra County Probation arrived with Mark Adams, President and Tom Yatteau, Assistant Director of Operations of California Receivership Group, PBC at Loyalton Mobile Estates with an order to abate issued by California Housing and Community Development.
According to Supervisor Roen, they knocked on doors with no answers. With health and safety codes noted and "Respondent been provided with notieces to repair and abate the nuisance condtions, and has not done so within a reasonable time," an excavator went to work tearing at unregistered mobile home units and a front end loader lifted unregistered cars and trucks onto lowbeds and into the back of Sierra Disposal dump trucks.
The action got the attention of residents, who wandered around asking questions.
A meeting with residents was held in the parking lot at 3:30 p.m. with Mark Adams against the whirl of the excavator and continual passing of the front end loaders.
Adams told how he'd been appointed by Sierra County Superior Court, is an agent of the judge and is working for the judge as of October 18th. He called the situation of having to move "never easy," but urged residents to move, warning, "It's not safe to live here." Adams would have to stop talking at the passing of equipment and resumed, talking about a shortage of housing in Loyalton and in Sierra County and stating, "It's not up to me to find you housing." He said he'd do his best to find funds to help with moves. A close down date had not been decided but there is not flexibility about the closure.
When asked about how much time they had to move, Adams told the crowd, "It's quick; not one and not 10 days." Then he stated the park would be shut down in no more than 10 days. "You all have to find more houses," he told them. "It's not safe to live here."
Questions were asked about the disabled and the elderly and about the steps to be taken. There were questions over the legality of the document and Adams answered, "The court felt the park is in danger."
He repeated the ten days was a range and it wasn't safe for them. He called it an illegal mobile home park with sewage problems and electrical wiring was a huge danger. He told how the bank had abandoned it.
Adams did not want to look back. Resident, Monica Funk wouldn't be paid until the first and needed time to get qualified for other housing. "Act to protect your interest," he told her and added, "People are responsible for themselves." He told them if they don't have money for gas, he can't help with that but he can help to find housing.
"You're one match away that can take everything out," he warned.
There was a need for storage brought up and Adams "appreciated the thought." He said he'd look a the storage units which could "be done easily to protect your stuff."
But he told them "not to expect a big windfall."
The crowd had to move due to a resident yelling in a trailer and which made it hard to hear. "Yellers are not helpful," Adams said and the crowd moved further south for "the guy who disrepects all of us.".
Resident Lynette Canepa will be out of town and had concerns. Ben Gallegos questioned the time limit. "Seriously only ten days to get stuff and move out? I've lived here 42 years," he told Adams who was sorry it was happening but it was not safe.
The cars, Adams stated, were being taken to the landfill where their fluids would be drained, they'd be crushed and recycled. Several residents were late on registrations and were told to move them that night. All unregistered trailers were being crushed.
Adams said there will be letters handed out tomorrow.