SCHOFIELD, WI (WSAU) -- The saga of the Northern Mobile Home Park in Schofield took another twist on Thursday night.
This time it may be for the better.
Representatives of the Los Angeles-based Idyllwild Group, the new owners of the park, announced to residents that they are in the process of securing all necessary licenses with the City of Schofield and Marathon County to continue operating the park.
Thursday's meeting came six months after the city originally voted to revoke the parks operating license. Residents had been given a move-out date of August 1st, but the issue spent several months tied up in legal proceedings.
Melissa Potocki with Idyllwild Group read a statement from the new owners, which said as it stands they have not received orders to close the park and they have been moving as fast as possible to apply for all applicable licenses. "City officials including Mr. Lee Turonie (attorney) seem to be pleased in their communications with us that progress is being made on addressing any past code violations and improving this community for its residents," Potocki read.
According to owners a business license review for the park will happen on or around November 13th.
Nearly 30 residents attended Thursday's meeting in a trailer that could eventually become the facility's new on-site office, and many left with a sense of optimism. "It's a really good feeling, and to know about it is another good feeling," said Jeff Syring, a resident of the park for almost nine years. "Before we were kind of left in the dark, now we are up-to-date on everything. It feels a lot better."
Syring also spoke with the media following last month's decision to impose a compliance deadline of October 19th on the park or else legal action against the previous owners could be taken by early November (for operating without a license). Back then he said he didn't feel like home was home because of the uncertainty of not knowing if they would be forced off the property or when. Thursday night he said he will rest a little easier. "There's still a thought in the back of my mind, we have to see what happens. But right now I'm confident, I'm not trying to think about the negative."
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Syring says new managers brought on in recent months and the new owners of the park have worked rapidly to correct the original list of over 200 violations that the park had racked up over the years. Those improvements have led to a better overall atmosphere among the tenants. "The guy was fixing the road before he bought the place. That shows he's in 110%, and I'm glad for that. There's things getting done. Now that we have a new owner, I'm confident."
Lois Ruether has lived at the park for more than 50 years and says she just doesn't want to live anywhere else. "We want to stay here forever and ever, amen," she said, linking arms with her friend Debera Brent. "This is our community, this is where we belong," added Brent.
Both Ruether and Brent agreed that they will rest a little easier tonight knowing that things are looking up for their home.
Marathon County Health Inspectors will be at the park next week for a pre-inspection, which park owners will be preparing for this weekend by trimming trees and taking care of areas which could be subject to standing water. Painting of some park-owned units may also happen this weekend if the weather permits.
When asked what he wants the park to look like one year from now, Syring said he just wants to keep seeing improvements. "You can't get everything done overnight. I just want to keep seeing improvements, day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month. And communication would be nice, to know that when I come home I don't have to worry about getting kicked out of my home."
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