Mapleton Mobile-izers

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The Mapleton Mobile-izer is issued quarterly, following the MHA membership meetings. Special editions are issued as needed, for example before a quarterly meeting where MHA members will be voting for executives or making an important decision...


MHA BLOG Volume 3.4 Newsletter of the Mapleton Home Association [MHA] December 1998

MHA DOWNPAYMENT FUND REACHES $10,640


Inside This Issue



Living together as a community
by Debbie Kranzler
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 RAC members met with Hast & Co. to discuss how to encourage residents to abide by the park rules. The goals of the rules are: 1) to protect the health and safety of residents; and 2) to provide guidelines for living together peacefully in our community.
Many people in Mapleton take great pride in their homes and that is evident from the effort and attention they give to their yards and exteriors. On the other hand, there are homes that create a safety hazard as well as being unsightly. That can decrease the property values for everyone else in the park. Imagine being a prospective mobile home-buyer and driving through the park to assess the neighborhood. The general appearance of the neighboring homes influences what a buyer is willing to pay to purchase a home, whether in our park or on any city street.
The cold winter months give us an opportunity to clean closets, to rearrange our living space, and to plan for doing the same to the outsides of our homes. All residents will soon be receiving a letter from Hast & Co. reminding us of the guidelines for upkeep on the outside of our homes, and announcing an early-spring clean-up campaign designed to encourage and assist residents in eliminating safety hazards and improving the appearance of our homes and our neighborhood.
A successful community is one where residents co-exist peacefully, and those who need to leave can sell their homes for a good price because others desire to live here. Please contribute to our community by being considerate of your neighbors. Even if you don't have children, keep in mind that there are many kids who live in our park; their safety is everyone's responsibility. Even if you don't care how your home looks, be aware that your neighbors must look at your home through the windows of their homes and cars and walking though the park, so upkeep (or lack of it) affects them at least as much as it affects you.
On another topic, RAC members, the City, and Hast & Co. worked hard together to create a lease that protects and supports all sides. The old lease that most of us had leaves homeowners vulnerable in many important areas of landlord/tenant law. If you haven't done so, PLEASE sign your lease and return it to Hast & Company.



Defying the Odds
Editorial by Pete Caterina
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 A recent article written by Walt Duka appeared in the Mobile Home Bulletin about the Canterbury Square Mobile Home park in Woodinville, Washington. It seems that in October of 1994 they were on the brink of eviction because the property owner planned to redevelop the land for commercial use. So, the residents, whose average age was 77 and average income was $20,000 per year formed a nonprofit corporation to try and acquire their community themselves.
After 20 months of hard work and with help from volunteers, King County Housing, and the Seafirst Bank, the former tenants, now resident owners, were able to purchase the property for $7.6 million dollars by making the mobile home park a condominium and selling shares. They now have a waiting list of people who want to buy in.
This story is proof-positive that what we are trying to accomplish in Mapleton park is not only possible but probable. To start with we have the great fortune of not having to fight commercial redevelopment by a private owner. We have a younger average age, more earning potential-- an average yearly income higher than $20,000 per year- and a much lower mortgage price. Moreover, we are ahead of the game, having already formed a nonprofit corporation, the Mapleton Home Association, and Boulder's Division of Housing and Human Services is working hard to help us become resident owners. Finally, we have started collecting the down payment through the MHA Escrow Account five years in advance.
So, for anyone sitting out there who thinks the buyout of Mapleton Park is just a 'pipe dream' and can never work..... well, you are quite wrong! It can work. It has already worked in a very similar situation with an older community on fixed incomes at a much higher price. The only thing that can stop us is.....US.
In just four months we have attracted almost 25% participation in the MHA Escrow Account. A quarter of your neighbors have already decided that they want to be masters of their own destinies. By joining the Escrow Account they have become shareholders in the Mapleton Home Association which will make them landowners when the City sells Mapleton Park to the residents. They will have a say in how their park is run in the future.
As you drive around Mapleton Park, have you noticed all the bright, yellow Future Owner signs cropping up? These are your optimistic neighbors who know a good deal when they see it-- $16.67/month for a share of the future.
Since it is now totally possible, and there is nothing to lose (if we don't qualify to buy the land from the City all of your money will be refunded PLUS interest) what is keeping you from joining the MHA Escrow Account? Is there something we have forgotten? Some question unanswered? or Something you do not understand? We would be more than interested in your feedback.
(Eds note: Please feel free to call MHA Escrow Account Manager, Nan Lederer (#77) at 447-1899; President Mark Reeder (#14) at 444-4140; or Secretary Pete Caterina (#176) at 443-0649 for more information.)



MHA volunteers go door-to-door
By the Editors
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MHA members have volunteered to go door to door or call you to answer questions and ask your opinions about the MHA Escrow Account. We want to know why you have not yet become a shareholder of the Mapleton Home Association by joining the MHA Escrow Account. Only members of the MHA Escrow Account will become the resident owners of Mapleton Park when the City sells the property to us in five years.
Volunteers
Neera Hunton, #21
Gene Langlois, #30
Ann Crone, #82
Maria Downing, #41
John Hollin, #159
Mike Figgs, #77
Alex Wilson, #58
Ben Jensen, #178


Escrow Update
By Nan Lederer
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34 residents of Mapleton Mobile Home Park have become shareholders of the Mapleton Home Association and thus are on track to become resident/owners of Mapleton in another four years. In just over four months 25% of the 133 residences in Mapleton Park have joined, raising $10,000 toward our down payment.

Flood Insurance Available
By John Hollin
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( Eds note. Foremost Insurance Co. has notified many of the home owners in Mapleton Park that the company would no longer cover losses due to floods. MHA member and shareholder, John Hollin, #159, investigated and filed this report.)
Some months ago, Foremost Insurance Co. informed me that they were no longer covering floods; perhaps as a result, my annual bill from them has decreased by the large sum of $3!
The American Assn. of Retired Persons suggested I should apply for flood insurance to the "Foremost Express Insurance Agency Inc.," Grand Rapids, Michigan, (a different company than Foremost Ins.). The person who was very efficient and helpful was Beth - the only one in the department at 1-800-767-1430.
I gave her all the necessary info over the phone, sent my check, then had to wait a regulation 30 days for the policy to arrive from the 'First Community Insurance Co.', St. Petersburg, FL; I had hoped for something signed by President Clinton or one of his staff, but no.
The premium was $106/year for $20,000 for the building and $5,000 for contents, both with a $500 deductible. (This is the smallest amount they cover.) The availability and cost of this flood insurance are determined by which Flood Zone a home is located in. Homeowners can find out in which flood zone their mobile homes are located by calling the Boulder Floodplain Office. Call 303-441-2340 between 1 and 5 p.m. and ask for Nancy Steinburger.
(Eds. note. Homeowners can also call Tracy Alpert at Westhaven, 303-444-2822, for more information regarding flood insurance. Tracy owns a mobile home in Orchard Grove and is a licensed insurance agent, familiar with the ins and outs of flood insurance.)

Exec Speaks Out
By Mark Reeder
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The January Quarterly Meeting of the Mapleton Home Association is fast approaching. This meeting is significant for two reasons. The first is that the MHA will start off the New Year with 25% of Mapleton Park's residents committed to resident ownership. This figure is fantastic and reflects the faith Mapleton residents have in themselves as resident owners. A tip of the President's fedora to all of the member/ shareholders who share the dream of resident ownership of Mapleton Park. To those who have not yet become shareholders, we open our arms and welcome you to join us. Grab a piece of the future with your friends and neighbors.
The second reason the January meeting is significant is that it marks the beginning of a new election cycle for the Mapleton Home Association. The MHA's President and Secretary are elected on the odd years and at the January Quarterly Meeting nominations are made for President and Secretary, with elections held in April. As Vice President of the MHA, Gene Langlois is the Chair of the Nominating Committee and he will be asking members to serve on this committee with him. Moreover, anyone who is a member of the MHA may nominate himself or herself or other members interested in serving as an officer of the Mapleton Home Association.
The MHA by-laws prohibit any member from serving more than two consecutive terms, so I cannot be renominated for the position of President. But there are many members out there who can lead the MHA and Park residents to resident ownership of Mapleton Park. I know this because I have talked with many of the intelligent, hardworking residents of Mapleton Park during the course of my tenancy. More importantly than who becomes President, however, is that the MHA is a team effort with a large support group of committee members to help. I urge you-- keep the dream of resident ownership alive; put your hat in the ring. Help lead us into the future.

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The Mapleton Mobile-izer is published quarterly by the Mapleton Home Association and is distributed free to all residents of Mapleton Mobile Home Park.