Bringing it Down
A carpenter dismantled an illegally constructed awning at Velladao Mobile Park in south Gilroy Thursday, as part of a crackdown on residents in violation of state health and safety codes. Park owner Thomas Velladao gave a handful of tenants a final three-day notice this week to bring homes up to code. Otherwise, he had threatened to tear down illegal structures and perform other upgrades to ensure the park meets state regulations by July 2, when state housing officials will decide whether or not to suspend the park's permit to operate and refer Velladao to county prosecutors. In addition to placing final responsibility on Velladao for the condition of the park's 25 trailers, state housing officials have ordered Velladao to perform major repairs on the park's lighting, roads and sewer system. Much of that work is now complete or under way. The state has taken a strong hand with the park since a handful of residents complained about a major sewage outbreak in March. Above, Miguel Angel Zaragoza begins to tear down an illegal structure at the park Thursday.
