Letter to the Editor:
Sunny Acres residents rally to support Crown Communities in their purchase of Sunny Acres
I read with great concern Sharlene Patton’s letter to the editor about the sale of Sunny Acres. The process she describes sounds scary and unfair. That is very different from what I experienced.
Letter to the Editor: Sunny Acres residents rally to secure their future through cooperative ownership
I listened carefully and enjoyed meeting my neighbors who wanted to pursue resident ownership. I attended one of their meetings with the Cooperative Development Institute. I also attended a meeting with Crown Communities and the current owner of the parks. Both meetings were very informative and gave everyone a chance to make their personal decision.
It is my feeling that the Sunny Acres Association/residents group is using scare tactics and worst case scenarios to describe what may happen if Crown Communities buys the parks. In my research there is also evidence of some not so successful stories of resident owned parks. What that means to me is both options are imperfect and I would love to have Springfield group continue to own the parks. But that is not the case and we must each as a resident of the park, make a decision.
I was very disappointed by some members of the Our Sunny Acres Association who attended the Crown Communities meeting where they shouted and argued, all before storming off. I felt that was very disrespectful as residents listened respectfully to their presentation with the Cooperative Development Institute. I also feel the Sunny Acres Association misrepresented what they were asking me to sign when they knocked on my door multiple times.
Sharlene Patton reports the Sunny Acres Association gathered the necessary 51% of resident signatures and submitted a legally binding Purchase and Sales Agreement. What she fails to mention is they won’t turn over the list of names to be verified. That would seem to be an important step as it is required to have 51% to attempt to buy the park. I know personally at least two of their signatures were not valid. That is why the list must be reviewed. Sunny Acres management went door to door (just as the Sunny Acres Assoc. had) to inform residents and see which residents supported Crown Communities purchase. They did not use any pressure sales pitch or scare tactics and yet Sharlene Patton called the Attorney General’s Office on them. The Sunny Acres management list shows more than 51% of the residents prefer Crown Communities to buy the park, so how can the Sunny Acres Association have 51% of the residents signing their petition. And there lies the problem. Turn over your list so the signatures can be verified.
I know Sharlene Patton has had issues with the park management in the past as well as some residents of the park. So, I ask Sharlene and the Sunny Acres Association to act in good faith and follow the process and stop holding up the sale that the majority of the Sunny Acres supports. Melville has already decided to accept Crown Communities’ purchase of their park. I would ask public officials to help stop the madness of Sharlene Patton and the Sunny Acres Assoc.
Cory Howland
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