Unplowed roads vex residents of mobile home park

Though the biggest problem presented by the late January ice storm was the widespread loss of power thousands of Southeast Missourians endured, residents of a Cape Girardeau mobile home park say their unplowed roads were also a hardship.

Margaret Grant, who lives at Spring Court Mobile Home Park, said she hasn't gone out to get groceries since the storm hit Jan. 27 because she's afraid of hurting herself on the ice. Grant, no longer able to drive, said normally she would travel by way of cab or having a friend pick her up, but no one has been willing to attempt driving on her unplowed street.

Between her and her adult son, who is disabled and lives with her, Grant said they've missed a combined six visits to the doctor.

The owners of Spring Court Mobile Home Park did not return a call Sunday seeking comment,

City crews are not responsible for streets running through mobile home parks because they are private property.

"For liability purposes, the city can't maintain any private roads," said Bob Kutak, traffic operations manager for Cape Girardeau. "I don't think the city would want the liability if it was plowed improperly."

Narvol Randol, owner of Pinewood Mobile Home Park on West End Boulevard, said he always has the roads plowed for residents during winter weather.

"Every time we have ice or snow, we make sure the roads are at least passable for the people that live there," Randol said.

Randol said he thinks clearing the streets so residents can get around is part of the agreement they have with the mobile home park. "We just feel we have a responsibility to do that," he said.

Grant said she understands the property owners are not under any obligation to have the street running through the mobile home park bladed or salted.

"I understand that people, especially homeowners and insurance policies, have to have those kinds of laws because there are always the kinds of people who will take advantage, but there ought to be some exceptions," Grant said.

The majority of the people who live in her mobile home community are elderly, something Grant said should be taken into consideration.

"I just want a safe place for my child and I to get out in an emergency," she said.

Mary Ann Joyce, another resident at Spring Court, said she had a family member get transportation to her home so she wouldn't be alone during the ice storm.

"We have had trouble getting out," Joyce said.

Sara Peterson, a college student who lives at Spring Court with her father, said she didn't leave their home for the first three days, but when she finally ventured out with her Chevrolet Blazer, she got stuck in the ice and snow close to their driveway.

Peterson said she called several tow trucks, all of which were unable to respond, and it took several hours to get her vehicle moving again. Being able to use the street leading into the mobile home complex would be nice, Peterson said.

"I mean, it's still frozen," she said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

388-3635

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