Despite deadline at Fox Ridge Trailer Park, some dig in heels

PLAINS TWP. – Four weeks ago Lawrence Ziemba, his wife Joan, their three cats and two dogs moved to a new home three lots down in the Fox Ridge Trailer Park. Friday they prepared to move again, this time taking their mobile home with them.

The park’s owners gave residents until the end of August to vacate or face legal action. In a July 6 letter, an attorney for the owners R.N.M Enterprises Inc. said they were closing the park along state Route 315 and getting out of the business.

A woman who answered the phone at the Pottsville office of attorney Joseph Zerbe said he had no comment.

The Ziembas and others complained of the short notice and scurried to make arrangements to meet the deadline.

“I’ve been here for 10 years. I’m retired and figured I was done,” Lawrence Ziemba said.

A truck tractor from Affordable Mobile Home Transport pulled up as Ziemba, 69, watched his wife, Joan, 70, remove pet carriers holding their cats from the home. The couple said they had help finding a lot at nearby Pocono Mobile Home Park. They also had help buying the newer mobile home because the former residence, moved to the park after the 1972 flood from Tropical Storm Agnes, wouldn’t make the road trip.

“That trailer there, I don’t care what they do with it,” he said, turning toward it across two lots where piles of lumber, sheds, a heating oil tank and wheelbarrow were left behind. The former residents Debbie White and Anna Puscavage arrived as the Ziembas were leaving.

“This thing has taken its toll on everybody,” said Debbie White. She lived next to the Ziembas and Anna Puscavage lived next to White. Puscavage and White moved to the Pocono trailer park where again they are next door neighbors. Had they been given more notice they could have saved up for the move that cost several thousand dollars, they said.

Underneath the American flag clipped to his trailer, Russ Reggie posted a “For Sale” sign. With no offers and no place to move, Reggie, a resident since 1991, planned to stay beyond the deadline. “I’m not vacating until I’m ready,” he said.

He said he contacted eight trailer parks to inquire about moving in, but was told there is either no room or his 1972 trailer is too old to move. Siegel said it is safe to travel.