First we raise rent due to market value, oops, market went down so we increase rents due to economic turn down. One landowner increasing rents 5% to 100%, another only $1,500 to $3,000 (mostly widows and retirees). It must be wonderful to have a recession proof industry with the Blessings and help from the Co-Chairs of the Sub-Committee on Manufactured Housing.

While this is going on Gestapo type tactics are being employed by employees and landowners to overthrow present Home Owners Associations and their officers. You know why? Because, they attempted to embarrass and malign the President and Home Owners Association. Problem is they were answered by a far better educated and responsible retort. This obviously hurt their egos, thus, they turned to 1930 Germany tactics or old Union strong arm as they lacked the ability and/or education to match wits and honesty. So, while many of our elderly and lower income residents are held captive in their homes, our government sees no reason to regulate these owners in any way. Why would the state of Delaware or any State allow a business to treat their citizens (mostly elderly and retired) in such a way?

We the Manufactured Homeowners are told we live in motor vehicles, yet we pay $80,000 to $350,000 for these motor vehicles. Then if we want steps and a deck to get in them or an addition, we must have a building permit and be inspected and reassessed for higher taxes. Then the insurance man ups your insurance and depreciates your motor vehicle. By the way, you must meet any and all building codes (plus) on your motor vehicle, or you don't get an occupancy permit, for your motor vehicle. You pay Real Taxes, School Taxes and you pay water and sewage (Frontage and usage), electric, cable, trash removal. Again ask any and all developers if sewage is a Capital Improvement on a property to be paid by the owner and passed on upon sale. How much do you think these improvements that the HOMEOWNER pays for increases the value of said Community??

Let me also tell you that the landowners, after selling you these homes -new or used, will now increase your rent until you can't afford the rent and must leave. Who is going to buy your used car with these high rents? Now what you own is worth a fraction of its value due to high rent, maybe the owner will take it and only charge you rent due and $1500.00 for abandonment. The Landowner will then say hello to the next person, who is not educated in Manufactured housing living or the laws. Of course your friends and stick built homeowner will tell you how stupid you were or are, but, the friends don't know the history.

When you bought your home, your water, sewage and trash were included in your rent and Landowners obeyed the (supposed) rent cap law as written in Judge Henry Graves court in December, 1994. However Judge Graves reassessed his ruling when it was brought before him by MHC out of Chicago,IL. and cancelled any and all caps. This allowed the Landowners to increase rents once a year, however much they desired.

"Eureka" no landowner could help himself, Your rent will be what ever it takes to deplete your retirement before you die. Everyone including Representative Valahura and Stone forgot how they hauled the MHC group into the Caucus Room and told them "you can't do this to our citizens, we will make laws to stop you." I guess nobody wanted the out-of-state owners to fleece us before the hometown landowners got their opportunity.

Now negotiations on SB 122 Right of 1st Refusal, what a simple thing: you are selling --we want to buy. The first thing that happened, Rep. Vallahura refused to put the bill on the floor in 2007. Then in 2008, we are told that 99% of Bills that are put on the House Floor are compromise Bills, (other Representatives tell me this is not true) therefore we must negotiate. Co-chair Stone says she worked hard on an amendment to SB 122, but when she brings it out in January, we find it is exactly what Jerome Heisler gave us in November of 2007 and was torn apart by the Consumer Protection Law Center (Carolyn Carter). Who's fooling who? People who are taxpayers in this state need to be heard, not lied to or led down some garden path. We even had one Representative from up-state tell the negotiating team "that 70% to 75% of the people in the State of Delaware are part-time out-of-state people." Wow, and this from a young lady who has no Manufactured Home Communities in her district. We are now going to attempt to put the original SB 122 on the floor of the House of Representatives to be voted up or down . WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT.

Folks, this is only the tip of the iceberg, right now in Sussex County there are shortfalls in the budget, due to lack of sales of Real Estate Transfer Tax. You know where we will get the money? We will reevaluate the Sewer cost; Hello Homeowner on Leased land. When a few years back we had extra money, the County Council decided to give back through credits on the same Sewer lines. Guess who got the credit, The Landowners. Please continue to back your Local Home Owners Association and your State organization the DMHOA, HANG TOGETHER OR HANG SEPARATELY.

THANK YOU, Ed Speraw