Texas RV Park Eviction Raises Rights Questions
A Canadian RV couple found themselves in an untenable situation as RV park tenants: When the park manager found the woman’s conduct objectionable, she invited both the woman and her husband to leave–quickly. To back up the “request,” law enforcement officers appeared–and here’s where the script gets hazy.
According to a story in Texas’ The Monitor, Margaret and Jim Ferris say a Mission (Texas) police officer threatened them with criminal trespassing charges if they did not pack up their recreational vehicle and leave within a few hours of being asked by the the manager of The Mission Bell-Tradewinds RV Resort in Mission, Texas.
Police call “foul” at this statement, saying that the couple didn’t have to depart that day; they could have forced an eviction through the area Justice of the Peace. But the real crux of the issue for RVers is not so much whether or not you can get tossed out of a park for, ‘Being discourteous to other guests and creating strife in a park,” but rather, just what are your tenant rights as an RV park guest.
Tradewinds Resort owner Christine Knoles says that RV park tenants are not like house or apartment owners who have tenant rights, but rather, like motel/hotel guests who can be tossed out of an establishment, practically on a whim. In addition to owning the park, Knoles is also an attorney. Area Justice of the Peace Luis Garza doesn’t read the law as Knoles does. Garza indicates that his understanding of the law is that in Texas, RV park tenants have the same eviction protections as “sticks and bricks” renters. What about where you rent an RV spot? With a potential of 50 different states for RV space renting (with perhaps the exception of Hawaii), there are some 50 different varieties of applicable law.
Caught in a bind? Get thee to an Internet connection and Google up, “RV park tenant rights,” and the name of the state in question. You may find what you need directly at hand. And by the way, when you sign in at any RV park, it’s always wise to read the fine print in the registration agreement. Many RV parks indicate that rental fees paid are not refundable to those evicted from the park. Pay a bit an advance and make yourself unwelcome, you may come away a lot poorer in the process.
photo: prestoncovillaud on flickr.com
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January 15th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Our eviction from Trade Winds became the catalyst for many Winter Texans to examine their rights. That is the good part of this scenario. The bad part is that the management of Mission Bell-Trade Winds is still using the threat of eviction to keep the residents of that park from voicing any complaints even though they have had no pool or phone and very limited internet for the two months we spent there. The management and owners will tell you that all the residents can easily cross the road to the Mission Bell park (which is the “sister” park owned and managed by the same people). They fail to recognize the fact that a busy three lane road and a 1/4 mile walk to the phone or pool is not what these people paid for. Their “we are one park ” policy came to mean that they would not provide services for the residents of Trade Winds if a similar service was available right next door. Right next door is too far and inconceivably long for those with mobility problems.
February 16th, 2009 at 4:12 am
[…] Texas RV Park Eviction Raises Rights Questions A Canadian RV couple found themselves in an untenable situation as RV park tenants: When the park manager found the woman s conduct objectionable, she invited both the woman and her husband to leave quickly. To back up the request, law enforcement officers appeared and here s where the script gets hazy. […]
February 25th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I completely disagree with the post that Marg and Larry Ferris put up.
We stayed this winter at Trade Winds RV resort and loved it. The management was very courteous to us. Everything we asked for they gave and with a smile. They had some small issues with the WiFi early on but they have completely renovated it. They had to order a part for
their pool and it was fixed. They have beautiful salt water pool systems that’s great on the skin.
I was at Trade Winds when Mrs. Ferris was there and the management was completely justified in
evicting her. She caused a huge fuss at the Resort and I am one RVer that is glad a resort finally took a stand against people that mess up my enjoyment. From what I saw, she was such a bitter person that wanted everything her way. She picketed the park trying to drum up support. She made a huge scene.
I understand the park gave her her unused rent back too. By the way,other than a couple of people, no one picketed with her and asked her to go away. She was a pain.
Hats off to you Trade Winds for taking a
stand. I will be back next year and so will my friends.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Toglett you are right on target. We also stay at Trade Winds and
have been coming for several years. The owners of this park and
Mission Bell have made the facilities of both parks available to
everyone. Yes the pool at Trade Winds was down but we had the use of
the one across the street in the meantime. When you go to other
parks, they only have one pool so if it is down, you are out of luck.
Thank goodness for the shared facilities. The pool is fixed now but
we still enjoy the other one from time to time. Shame on Marg for
saying that the owners do not service the Trade Winds residents. That
is not true in our experience.Every business has breakdowns. They
cannot be avoided. These owners have bent over backwards to put in
Wifi over the last several years to all sites when other parks we stay
make you drag your laptop to a noisy activity hall. The new Wifi
works great on our site. So perhaps Marg needs computer lessons or an
attitude adjustment. People don’t get the boot for nothing. And the
picketing…..gee whiz. Get a life.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:25 am
I agree with Toglett too. This was my first time at Trade Winds. When
I saw this Canadian woman, Marg, picketing Trade Winds I could not
believe it. This woman is amazing. She has been going around the
Resort, after she got kicked out, pandering to the other guests and
disturbing them to get them to pressure the owners to let her return
to the Resort as a paying guest when she comes back next time. So, if
Trade Winds is so bad, what is that all about. Frankly, I go to an RV
park to enjoy myself and hate these political groups that seem to form
at these places. That is what I would avoid if I could. But as for
Trade Winds, it has my vote and my recommendation. Go back to Canada
Marg and bother someone else.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I’m not sure where the last two posts got their information. I’ve been a tenant in this park for over ten years and what they are saying about Mrs. Ferris is totally untrue. They certainly are welcome to their opinion but well over 100 tenants in the park would totally disagree with ‘their’ picture of Marg. If everything is as good as they depict, why is it that 5 permanents are already scheduled to leave, and an a number of others are for sale, and a host of Rvers’ will not be returning next year. I’ve never seen over two hundred tenants tear a strip off the owners and managerment because of their mistreatment of the Ferris’ and many others; in a meeting called by the owner last week. Sounds more like a park that is in deep trouble to me. In so far as the amenities mentioned: the WIFI is still not working; the pool and spa were shut down for almost two months; the promised US-Canada phone is also not working; any major activities that were in the hall are now being moved across the street to Mission Bell; the happy park depicted, is full of stress and anxiety as the residents have been bullied and intimidated by the management. This is far from the picture painted above!!!
March 1st, 2009 at 9:39 am
I’m not really sure what park togglet, snowbird and chunwa were in but it sure doesn’t sound like the Mission Bell-Trade Winds park that we were in for three months this year. Not only were the Ferris’ evicted but another three couples were also evicted. The latter walked the picket line in support of the Ferris’ and it wasn’t very long before the management tried to intimidate them and when that didn’t work evicted them as well. It seems that anyone who tries to speak their mind is either served with a 5-6 page warning letter or a letter of eviction. Both letters are filled with false acusations and lies made up by the management of the park. This is their way of trying to control the park! Fortunately, the residents of the park have had enough and demonstrated that at a meeting held by the owners. In terms of the amenities suggested by the above writers very few of them have been available for the winter season. What they advertise on the net is a far cry from what people receive. The WIFI that snowbird 38 says is great has not worked very well in either park and in fact is down more than up; the wonderful pool that snowbird refers to was shut down for almost two months and the residents had the ‘luxury’ to go across to Mission Bell…; the US-Canada phone also advertised was non-existent; the 70 foot pull throughs are also non-existent.
The comments made by these writers leads me to believe they were all written by the same individual. The outcry of support that the Ferris’ and the other three couples have had from the populus of the park does not lend credence to the statement that they were pandering and bothering other guests. I guess Marg must of had I’m a Canadian stamped on her forehead. I wonder if there is anything to the fact that the other couples were also Canadian? Surely chunwa is not suggesting that all Canadians should go back to Canada. Snowbird 38, I always thought picketing was a democratic right that people had as long as they were on public property and didn’t interfere with the comings and goings of people…I believe it is part of our freedoms of expression. Togglet, you are right the Park did take a stand but not quite the way you have depicted it. The people of the park spoke up and let the owners know that the management have done a great injustice to the Ferris’, and other folks who have been bullied and intimidated by management. It has been a great disappointment to me to see that people’s rights and freedoms have been threatened and little seems to be done to rectify the situation!! Fortunately, most RV Parks in the RGV are operated by owners and managers who have the best interests of the park and residents in perspective. Mission Bell-Trade Winds over the past three years has a record of evictions and intimidation which is going to take a long time to get over!!
March 1st, 2009 at 4:47 pm
We stay at Trade Winds and also had a good experience like Toglett, Snowbird and Chunwa. What I find most interesting about Contaulake’s and Chelsea’s posts are that they do not mention a single problem they personally had at Trade Winds with the management or the park. What they complain about is that their friend got evicted and so they are lashing out at the park. Chelsea stayed three months and was not evicted. We certainly had no threats. We were polite and courteous to the management and were treated in kind. From the tone of the comments, it makes me think that perhaps Chelsea and Contaulake were not courteous with the management. The Wifi worked on our site but we have a newer computer. However, the Wifi is free. They offered anyone with problems to move them to a site where they could get better reception if they were having problems. I guess that some people will complain about things even if it costs nothing. That is sad. The park just put in stronger and better antennas and it is faster now and they are putting up more towers. But with a park like Tradewinds with pretty trees, there will be bad spots. Anyone that knows about wifi knows that. There are some elderly people at Trade Winds that did not know how to access the Wifi and we tried to help them but their computers were really old. The pool is fine now and it was not down for two months. That is simply not true but it was down about three weeks. We used the Mission Bell pool during that time. It was not a problem for us. They said they had a pool and we got one. We only used the free phone a couple of times when I left my cell in my unit. They also have one at the Mission Bell side to use. We have had no problems with the management. We got our space, pay our bills in the office and buy quarters. We were given a different space, an upgrade, when our unit was tight fitting next to the one we had originally booked. The article written by this blog clearly says that the Ferris’ are Canadians. Mrs. Ferris, however, let everyone know at the park she was Canadian and wanted the support of fellow Canadians on her picket line. Some of her fellow Canadian supporters came to our unit trying to get us to sign a petition to support her so the park would let her come back. Imagine that! This park is so bad that those who get kicked out will do anything to get back in! We understand the other Canadians that got kicked out want back in too. Wow. We did not want to sign or support the petition because we did not know her and did not support her picketing. We felt bothered by her supporters making such a fuss. We and our friends had no problems and do not appreciate the petty dispute going on. I have the suspicion that Chelsea, with all her talk about “people’s right and freedoms” must also be one of the Canadians in Marg’s group that rallied support when she was evicted. Her supporters came to our door and they had a very negative attitude. But they did not dislike the park. They wanted their friend back in the park. We thought the whole petition and picketing thing was silly and pathetic. A lot of other people at Trade Winds felt the same as we did; we were just not as vocal. A few bad apples can always spoil a barrel. We were at the meeting where an update was given by the owners about the parks and where a few very vocal people discussed it, or should I say dominated the meeting when it had nothing to do with them. But what many of us were there for was to get other information. The meeting was disrupted by a select few that did not let anyone else talk. Many like the manager. We thought it was rude to others who had submitted questions on other issues. Chelsea and Contaulake apparently are among those that are miffed because Marg was evicted. Perhaps they were the other two that got ousted. I don’t know. But I do not want her or them to come back to Trade Winds. They went overboard and were pitting some groups against others. That is a real shame. We are all adults and they are acting like Junior High School kids. As to people moving out, that happens at every park we have ever stayed in. This park has about 700 spaces. When we got here this year, about 50 new and some very expensive permanent units had moved in. I am wondering if a little insecurity and jealously is going on. I can look around and see how nice they all are. So, if only 5 permanent units are moving out, and I saw a couple of them that were so old that they needed to go, that tells me that the park is doing pretty well. As to a “host of other RVers” that won’t be back, I guess time will tell. RVers move around a lot and it has nothing to do with the park. Some units go up for sale due to illness or finances. I did talk to two people that cannot afford two places any longer and for health reasons need to stay by their kids up north. All in all, it is a small percentage unrelated to anything at the park. It seems to me there is a lot of overreacting going on. I like the park and will keep coming back. I have friends here and am making a lot more with the new people that have moved some of the beautiful mobiles into the park. When we arrived this year, we have never seen the park so full. If the reputation of the park was so bad over the last three years, that many units would not have come in and the park would not be as full as it is. I have friends in this area at other parks and they all have some kind of problem or drama going on. Chelsea and Contaulake have their opinion and seem to be some of the vocal few that should have better things to do. As for us, we know that “the grass is not always greener” at these other parks. I am certainly not going elsewhere because this woman, who I understand had only come to Trade Winds two years ago but not last year, got kicked out. That has nothing to do with us. If we have a problem, I take it to the office and it is taken care of most of the time. I like the people at the park and the location is very good because it is close to everything. I don’t know where Chelsea or Contaulake plan to go, but I doubt for them that will like it any better. All parks have rules and people you don’t like. Our rights and freedoms have not been threatened and I have no problems. Life is what you make of it. No RV park can make you happy. That is your responsibility and why I call myself the happy wanderer. There is a lot of things to do at Trade Winds because they have an air conditioned hall, paved roads, concrete pads and they heat their pools. A lot of other parks don’t have a lot to do, have small halls and no air conditioning. We like Trade Winds. Chelsea and Contaulake need to stop and think about what it will be like somewhere else without their friends and all the things to do at Trade Winds. It is up to them.
March 1st, 2009 at 9:40 pm
As a resident of Tradewinds we are afraid to discuss anything with friends in the park, as you are labeled a trouble maker. We have been in this park for many years,and we feel trapped and lied to by owners/management. We wonder if happywander is the owner writing, sure sounds like it to us.
The pool, internet, phone were not working for long periods this season. The hot tub will be available maybe next year.No ice machine, no water machine, We didn’t know they spelled lawyer LIAR. People were given letters of probation and warnings and intimidated by management. We’d like to know where the people are that are so happy with the park, must be management. We sure told our feelings at the meeting, and the owners pleaded ignorance. The owners were the ones that wanted the meeting. There is a MASS EXODUS of all the supposed happy people, figure that out. We think it speaks for itself. We are one of the 55 that won’t be back next year. It is a shame because the owners have taken the HEART out of a great park.
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:44 pm
I am a resident at Trade Winds. I moved my mobile home in with some others from another park last summer. I was treated very well by the manager. He did a lot of hard work to get me and some others from my former park moved in. He bent over backwards for us. He is liked by the people I know. We were all having a great time at Trade Winds last summer until some of the long time seasonal residents came back last fall. A clickish group of them got mad because their Association was disbanded by management. We were told it had no insurance for what it was doing and did not have a license. They put in an activities director instead. She is really nice and works very hard. Everyone seems to like her a lot. From what I saw, this small group started agitating and upsetting a lot of people over this association thing. This group started pressuring me and others to join them against management. My friends and I have been treated fine by management. We did not want to join this group. When we did not go along with them, we were immediately excluded from their groups and stared at wherever we went in the park. They would not sit with us at potlucks. I don’t know if Orlie is one of them, but that was wrong. We have a nice pastor at the park and some of these people are even mean to him and his wife. When he smiles and tries to talk to them, they refuse to speak and just glare at him and his wife. Him and his wife are really nice. They gave up their jobs and serve the poor in Mexico. I have never seen people be so rude to a man of faith. If you were not anti-management and in favor of the return of this association, you were treated like an outcast by this small group. Olie says it is about 50 people (out of 700 spaces). They came and asked me to sign a petition and I did not want to. I just don’t agree with Orlie. Last summer there was a mass of new influx of people to the park. I am not political and keep to myself. It is not comfortable for me to talk up in groups, like at the meeting or I would have. Some of my friends are the same. The hot tub has been working because I have been using it for the last several weeks. Maybe Orlie does not use the hot tub so he is not aware of that. I have good Internet at my site but some at the far ends of the park don’t. The owners are putting up another antenna to try to fix that. But the wifi is free so if you don’t get it, I don’t see what the problem is. I don’t care about an ice machine or a water machine. I have my own unit and have a water purifier. I make my own ice but can buy it across the street at the convenience store. I have met the owners and they are nice. I have a cell phone and so do most of the people here because they are very cheap. I think the park has plenty of Heart. Orlie does not speak for me or my friends.
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:47 pm
I have been a resident of Tradewinds for a few years and thoroughly enjoyed myself despite some drawbacks the Park had, specifically the small sites. That did not matter because the people were just marvelous and the good points of the Park outweighed the shortcomings. It was a bustling, vibrant Park with an Association that cared for the Park as if they owned it. The money raised were spent on improving the Park, replacing , renovating, and repairing , equipment, appliances, structures, work all done by the Association and other volunteers at the Park. Good entertainment provided by the Association in the hall was plentiful. It was a lively and jolly place.
The last four years there were rumours of longtime residents moving out. The rumours became more frequent. Last year during the summer months e-mails were circulating that there are very significant changes at the Park. We all thought we could live with it even though we did not know what the changes were.
The first thing we learned when we got back to Tradewinds which affected us directly was that the drinking water machine as well as the ice machine were taken out. We now had to get our water at a service station which was on the other side of a very busy highway with no sidewalks for pedestrians. We also had to cross a railway line albeit not a very busy train line during the day.
The next thing was that the Association was disbanded. In its place there was an Activities Manager. The former Association members were still allowed to do the work, donate pies, clean up, move the tables but under no circumstances handle the money. One of the elderly ladies, white haired and small in stature who always handled the money for various activities organized by the Association was let go of her job after many, many years of handling the money very effectively.
The two parks were now one Park and most of the activities were taking place at Mission Bell Resort, the sister Park to Tradewinds across the 4 lane highway running in between the two parks.
On Thanksgiving the owners always provided the turkey for the two Parks where each Park celebrated the occasion. This year the dinner was at Mission Bell. The hall at Tradewinds, we were told would be locked in the event the residents were planning their own dinner in the hall. It was exactly the same at Christmas, dinner at Mission Bell, the hall at Tradewinds locked. The New Year’s Eve dance always a fun loving event at Tradewinds. At first it was to be held at Tradewinds much to the joy of the residents, whereby the elderly residents could attend as they did in the past. That promise did not last too long and the venue was changed to Mission Bell. The Tradewinds residents could get their money back but their names were taken down and they were told if for some reason the dance was moved to Tradewinds they may not attend.
Just before Xmas a communication came from the Manager. A decision must be made as to the money raised by the now defunct Association. A meeting of the residents was hastily called. They were informed that management preferred the money to go into the newly established Activity Fund. The meeting decided to replace two fridges in the kitchen. A vote was taken regarding the rest of the money and the major portion of it with the exception of smaller amounts going to residents in the Park doing charity work, went to the Food Bank and the Salvation Army. Despite the warning given to the meeting that no repairs or improvements will be made in the Park if the money did not go to the Activity Fund controlled by Management, the vote was overwhelming in favour of giving the money to charity.
It was after this meeting that Margaret and Jim were unceremoniously evicted. Marg and Jim. (and for the information of the owner Larry is the dog) were among the best volunteers in the Park. They were talented individuals and very hardworking.
Following their eviction, the former Executive members were given letters of “Probation“, the next step they were told, would be eviction.
In the meantime the pool was closed due to a breakdown. The phone was taken out. The WI-FI. worked spasmodically. The promise was that within three weeks the pool will be fixed, the phone will be replaced and WI-FI will be up and working. This was the middle of December. They were fixed towards the middle of February.
Free speech is unheard of in Tradewinds. Residents were afraid to voice an opinion for fear that they will be issued a “Letter” the forerunner to the eviction notice. The residents were afraid to speak out. One of the elderly residents had a concern. When she voiced it to the Manager, he told her if she did not like it, she can leave. Another elderly lady on her own who enjoyed Tradewinds and the friends she has made over the years is not coming back. At her age all the tension, fear etc is just too much to bear.
Certain residents who felt strongly about the unfair eviction of the Ferris’ took around the Park a Petition to go to their lawyer in response to a negative attack on the Ferris’ in the newspaper. It was a simple character reference. I read the petition before signing it. I was not pressured. I was told I need only sign if I agreed with the sentiments expressed in the Petition. There was nothing negative. The management nor the Park was mentioned. I understand if Management wanted a copy they could have had one but they were not going to see the copy with the signatures. That copy went to the lawyer.
In the meantime the Manager got physical with one of the older residents who was evicted. The following morning the Manager again baited this gentlemen but this gentleman was no patsy and he told the Manager exactly what he needed to hear. For standing up to the Manager this gentleman was one of the residents who were evicted.
The letters that they received were circulated in the park. These letters I understand caused a real financial loss to these residents, who lost their park fees they had paid so far and it meant a real boon for Management who not only kept their money but rented out the paid up site the very next day.
I have some legal background. The author of the eviction letters indicated that she was a lawyer. It is incomprehensible that any lawyer would make written accusations without checking the facts and writing such accusations in so sloppy a manner. From what I know of these people there is absolutely no foundation to the silly statements made in the letter. The owner who did not know these people threatened them with eviction. At the time all these alleged happenings were supposed to have taken place the owner was in Colorado. Is it normal to cause such financial loss to others based on hearsay?
The shame of it is the elderly residents in their 80’s , grandmothers and great grandmothers who instead of enjoying their winter, are living in fear, afraid to voice an opinion. We are so proud of our Freedom of Speech. Why does it not apply in Tradewinds?
The gentleman who had the run in with the Manager in the coffee room asked him whether he forgot who won World War II. It was not Hitler. Hitler ended up chewing his carpet. Don’t resurrect him.
March 4th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Way to go Blossom. I’m not sure who you are, but I’m glad to see you printed the truth about how the manager has treated everyone at Tradewinds. The owners have no idea what he was like when they weren’t around to see it. Very few people like him, and it makes me wonder what kind of owners would continue his service at Tradewinds instead of firing him, like the residents at the meeting demanded. Obviously, they don’t care much about their park or the residents in it. I agree with Orlie, he has certainly stole the heart of the park.
March 4th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
For many years we have chosen to spend our winters ‘down south’ in several states and in many different RV parks. Some resorts were great, others okay, but this last winter spent at Trade Winds Resort in Mission, TX. was our worst experience in an RV park. We chose this park because of the advertised amenities; free wife, free International telephone, pool and hot tub. We made a three-month reservation in advance. Upon our arrival we find the wi-fi not in operation most days, no free phone, pool and hot tub not working. Many complaints were made to management regarding these problems. We were told they would be fixed in two weeks, whenever it could be done etc. After several weeks of indifference to our requests management became rude and intimidating to us and other RVers that approached them regarding these problems. By the second month of our stay in the Trade Winds Park we realized this park had serious issues. Tenants were being evicted and forced to leave the park by the manager. People were told to leave the park if they were not happy. Not an option for us as we had paid our fees for three months. Upon inquiring what these people had done to be forced to leave, all persons we spoke to told us all the couples were well liked and respected by the people who were long time residents of the park. The problem was because of the belligerent manager. This was a park filled with many unhappy tenants. Talking with many of our fellow RV’ers on wheels we learned that NONE of them would be returning to this park next season. Like ourselves they have visited others parks in the areas and have made reservations where we will be welcome. Only after a massive park meeting with the owners was the wi-fi, phone and hot tub were fixed. Sorry owners—too little, too late! Although our winter stay at Trade Winds was disappointing, a valuable lesson was learned. Resorts do lie about the amenities of their park. In the future will only make bookings for one month, and if we are dissatisfied with the services or management, we can and will move on. We only wish we had been aware of the problems in this park. We and our fellow RV’ers will not be giving the Trade Winds Resort a good recommendation, so others may be spared the aggravations we have experienced. Wishing you all a safe trip home!
March 5th, 2009 at 8:28 am
We really like Trade Winds are are tired of a few in a select group trashing it. We intend to come back. It is obvious to us and others reading the posts of birdie and blossom that they had their feathers ruffled because the Association was disbanded and they did not have their hands in the purse strings from money raised in activities. Some of the older park residents really got mad when that happened and caused a big stink. They are still fussing some. I completely understand why it was taken away. It had no insurance for its operation. In this day and age, you have to have insurance. If they want to keep running an Association, they can buy insurance and go for it. But it is too expensive and everyone knows that. We have no problem with the new activities director that is now doing the same thing the former association was doing. She has done a great job and we had access to more activities than we had time to do. Birdie and blossom are right that the pool and wifi are fixed. They had problems with parts that were compatible with the new salt water system and boilers they put it. Those things happen. How many other pools in the RGV have a nice salt water system? How many other even heat their pools? The owners have been upgrading the Wifi all season to try to get it to all sites instead of just in the hall. The owners did not charge for it at on the Trade Winds side of the park because of it. They gave it away or offered to move you. What more do you want? It is fixed now and they are waiting for one more tower. But as to the water machine and ice machine, it was explained why those were removed. The water machine because the company that put it in was not properly cleaning it and the ice machine because people were not buying enough ice and it was getting hard and unusable on the bottom. Some people also did not pay for it. Their is a convenience store right across the street you can walk easily to if you want for ice and water. A small business cannot compete with stores like that. So much for the “honor system” in paying for your ice! I have read the advertisement and their was no advertisement for water or ice. The phone works too. It is a shame that what I see is a few residents supportive of this former association and they are now blowing things way out of proportion and trying to bad mouth a park we like and intend to return to with our friends. This park was so full this year they turned away some larger rigs. They had over 50 new annual residents. I guess the older ones felt threatened. That is sad. All I can say is that we like it and we don’t agree with the few in the group that supported Margaret Ferris after she got kicked out. I thought the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners were very nice and the whole park was invited to attend for free. We have never stayed at another park where the owners provided free dinners for the holidays. It is really a shame that Birdie and Blossom did not appreciate a free dinner. Some attended, some .did not To expect or bash the owners for not providing two separate dinners is very petty. The entire staff helped with those dinners so the Trade Winds hall was closed for them. Big deal. I want to thank the owners for giving us the dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas and appologize for those that were not grateful.
March 6th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Who does KitkatRVer think she is fooling when she writes her Blogs about Tradewinds RV Park claiming she is a tenant and everything at the Park is a bowl of cherries. Anyone who is aware of the situation at the Park knows that KitkatRVer is the owner. She claims to be a lawyer but lawyers are too professional to write the kind of rubbish and fabrication of the truth that she continues to put in her blogs under different pseudenoms including KitkatRVer.
It is obvious that the owner is trying to save her park but the healing will only start when she relinquishes her ownership and the managerial staff are long gone.
The other bloggers are entirely right when they said that the Park does not live up to its advertisement and it is a fact that the pool was closed down for a long period of time, the Wi-Fi was up and down like a yo-yo, the telephone was taken out of the Park and the former activities at the hall in Tradewinds were directed to the hall in Mission Bell.
It took four units leaving the Park at the threat of eviction to have these amenities restored in the Park. The effort of these Rvers was not all in vain but unfortunately the reputation of the Park has been destroyed and will take some considerable time to rebuild.
What was once the friendliest park in the valley is now a place to avoid at all cost and unfortunately long time tenants at considerable costs to themselves have moved out and many traveling on rubber will not be back.
I expect the owner will once again write a retort to this blog claiming all is well at Tradewinds but little does she know that each blog she write is further injuring the Park. People are simply tired of her untruths.
The old saying “You can fool some of the people some of the time but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time certainly applies to the situation at Tradewinds..
March 6th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
This is my last word on the matter but for the record I would like to put the record straight.
Kitkatrver is desperately trying to confuse the issue but then she is fighting to save her Park.
The Association is not the issue although disbandonment of the Association was as incomprehensible as all the other actions of management and ownership, unless for personal reasons they wanted to appoint the Activities Director. The insurance issue is just a red herring so is the uncleanliness of the water machine. The water machine has been there for years and all of a sudden they are not keeping it clean? REALLY.
As for the convenience store right across the street you can easily walk too. I would like to see the owner do it let alone a 75 or 80 year senior carrying two gallons of water. The street you cross after you crossed the railway line at the top of the street is Bus 83 an extremely busy highway. The kind of people that were at the Park, I am sure, would not dream of not paying for their ice or water. I do not think you could get the water and ice without paying first.
The people that moved in in 2008 were the residents of a Park that were very suddenly sold and the Manager who can be very charming when he wants to be, promised them the earth if they would move to Tradewinds.
As for the dinners at Thanksgiving and Xmas that the hall at Tradewinds were locked because the entire staff helped with the dinner – what balderdash. The hall was locked so that the residents could not use it to have their dinners. Everybody had to attend the dinner at Mission Bell to enforce the one Park Policy.
If the owner wanted the two parks to become one Park she had to remember the history of the Parks and more gently and gradually bring about the change, not force it on people. The residents would have been more acceptable then. The methods of the management and ownership were terrible. To evict a resident because they preferred not to have dinner with 300 people but with friends is not logical.
March 7th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
This site is useful for informing fellow RVers of some of the great things and some of the not so great things about our RV lifestyle. The chaos at Trade Winds ruined what was to be a wonderful repeat of two years ago when Jim and I spent six months RVing for our first long holiday. Trade Winds was our choice because of the small size and a workshop. We had a wonderful year and were excited to be returning to our new winter family this year.
Unfortunately, a management change and a policy change by the owners had added stress to the park last year and it escalated in the month after we arrived.
These things I have learned:
1) Don’t believe a web-site, check it out before you put down any money.
2)Do not book for any more than a few days until you get a feel for the park and see if it will meet your needs.
3)Larger parks have more amenities but smaller parks can offer a feeling of family that is hard to beat.
4)The bill that Texas Association of Campground Owners is trying to pass would give owners and managers the right to evict without reason, effective immediately, and with no refunded unused rent. This bill was vetoed by Governor Perry in the last session but will be resubmitted this year.
5)The Texas Property Code Chapters 94 and 24 deal with the eviction process as it stands right now. It is a lengthy process and must be handled by a set procedure through the Justice of the Peace in the district of the RV resort.
6)People such as myself, can be falsely accused of many things but the support of friends who know the truth can help you to keep fighting for what is right.
7)Life is a lesson. Happy RVing to all.
March 8th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Do all RV Parks encourage their tenants to raise money to buy new refridgerators, water coolers, repair pool tables and fix leaking roof in pool hall and paint hall rooms.
If a park advertises facilities and activities should it not be the park owners financial responsiblity for upkeep and to maintain their properties.
March 8th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
That is a really good question newrver! Sounds like you may have stayed at one of the two previously mentioned parks Huh!
March 9th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Eviction!!!
The day the Ferris’ were evicted I went over to their site to see if it was true, and witnessed Wally and a policeman with the Ferris’. Several witnesses including myself, overheard the policeman tell them they had to leave immediately or their rv and truck would be impounded and it would cost them several thousand dollars to get them back. Given this choice they were forced to leave. A number of us then helped them pack up their belongings and attempt to get out of the park in the two hours that they were given. All the time they were packing up the assistant manager sat opposite them on the road with a pad of paper and pencil and he gave the obvious appearance that he was writing down the names of anyone that came to say goodbye. Another bit of subtle intimidation. If the owners or anyone want to check this information they simply have to go to the Mission Police and contact inspector Flores as the witnesses gave testimony to him there.
A newspaper article appeared in the Monitor several days later as a result of Marg picketing outside the park. In the article Marg was depicted as a trouble maker in the park and that was the reason for her eviction. A number of us put a petition together which simply vouched for the fact that the Ferris’ character was not as depicted in the paper. The support from the park was overwhelming. We only got through two of the streets and had well over a hundred signatures. That afternoon I was told by the assistant manager that Wally (manager) wanted to see me in his office. I told him if he wanted to see me he could come to my site….which he did!!
We were told that if we didn’t cease and desist we would be evicted. There never was a question as to what we were doing or why? He acted the way he usually does with many folks as a bully and actually pushed one of the older gentleman with his belly and chest in an attempt to get him to retaliate. We actually listened to the owner go through a rant on the phone for what seemed like 20 minutes. No one at any time asked us what the petition was about. It was simply assumed it was re eviction and or was something to do with the park. We told Wally that we would stop the petition, which we did! I have a copy of the petition if the owners are really interested. Also, if there is any doubt as to the truth of the foregoing, there were over a dozen witnesses to the behavior of both Wally and the owner.
The following morning, the manager greeted the same individual that he had challenged the evening before, in the coffee room. He again unceremoniously went after him and got into a shouting match with the tenant. Again, if the owners don’t believe this, there are many, who witnessed Wally’s abusive behavior.
The following day we received our eviction notices from the assistant manager which was a 7 page document accusing us of just about everything possible……all lies and false accusations. Again, if the owners would like, we could post this document on the blog for everyone to see. Yes, we were forced to leave; with owners and management who really don’t care about people in the park, why stay and put other tenants and ourselves through more stress. We left over $3000 of our money there which was not refunded…..and our sites were rented out immediately, double dipping by the management…was it worth it….you bet….I’d stand up to an injustice any time. This simply re-enforces Marg and Jim’s information about the Texas eviction process!! The park owners can evict you without refunding any of your money for whatever reason they trump up!
I cannot believe that the owners continue to blame Marg and Jim for the problems in the park when by far the vast majority know the problem begins and ends with ‘Wally’, the manager. The owners keep telling the residents that the park has to heal and yet they continue to support and employ the main person who has caused the problems to begin with…..the manager’……go figure’!!!
March 27th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
As someone on the outside looking in, I can say that this park is one of the most screwed up messes that I’ve had the privilege to see. I usually spend a week or 2 there visiting, and it seems to me that if you like being treated like a five year old and being told to report to the principals offices, This is the place for you. They have lost just under half of the full time park models since the new owners have arrived, with more moving out and campers not returning. You would think that losing that many of the park models would tell the management something but don’t hold your breath. There are better parks and most certainly better management at other parks. Almost forgot to add, What about the people across the street who either moved out or were evicted(can’t remember which) that were told that if they returned to visit friends or relatives, that they would be charged with trespassing. Yep wonderful owners and managers.
April 13th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
I agree with the police that called “foul”. Not only am I a Texas Peace Officer, I am a Chief Deputy Constable in a south central Texas county. I would suggest that any time one of our out of state friends are faced with a situation like this, they contact the Sheriff’s Office and request that a Constable from that County Pct. be sent out. Constables are not able to give legal advice but they are specially trained in civil process and might advise a police officer if he can evict someone without due process. Texas statutes Property Cods Sec. 94.203. EVICTION PROCEDURES GENERALLY. (a) A landlord may prevent a tenant from entering the manufactured home lot, evict a tenant, or require the removal of a manufactured home from the manufactured home lot only after obtaining a writ of possession under Chapter 24.
April 27th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I agree, it is important for all tenants to know their rights and the constable is the person who could advise you of them! Although in the case of the Ferris’ there was hardly time for them to telephone the constable to get advice. The two hour mandate they had to vacate the park negated any advice they might have pursued. It is interesting after the fact, that the manager of Mission Bell-Trade Winds has been fired by the owners and has subsequently been kicked out of the Park and has now been charged with a number of offences. You’d think that the Park Owners would contact the folks, that ‘their’ manager has abused and at least offer them an apology but we all know that’s not about to happen any time soon! Justice does prevail in the end!!!!
May 18th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Finally “nasty Canadians!” I never thought I would see any. Good thing there are lots of parks in Texas and elsewhere! Could be the economy will separate the “wheat from the chaf” in the next year or two.
And now, back to the “picket line!” The only thing left, after the UAW, CAW and all the other unions are extinct!
May 23rd, 2009 at 11:46 pm
This was our first year at Mission Bell, and we really liked it until this whole mess happened. The the whole atmosphere of the park changed - people were afraid to say anything and I was never able to find out just what it was that Marge & Jim did to get evicted.
It appears (from a recent newsletter from the owners) that Wally has finally been replaced. I wish the new manager(s) luck, as they have a lot of rebuilding to do.
As for us, we are going to another park, as is almost everyone we became close to this year. Here’s hoping that our new home will be more conducive to having “happy campers”!
May 24th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Jim and I wish the “mess” had never happened. Wally’s reasoning in deciding to evict us remains a mystery to this day. My fight against the injustice was so that it would not happen to any of the many wonderful people at Trade Winds or Mission Bell. Wally has begun paying the price for his poor decisions. The owners were just as much at fault. Their determination to enforce the “one park policy” was to save money and certainly not in the best interests of the customers. They know the truth about how unfairly those evicted were treated and yet no apology or restitution has been offered. In fact she still refers to us as “grumblers” whose reviews have hurt the park’s reputation. I repeat my warning to all RVer. Do not choose an RV park based on glowing reviews as many are written by owners (pretending to be RVers) or managers trying to entice you to spend your tourist dollars at their resort. I do wish the new managers of Trade Winds-Mission Bell all the best. I have heard great things about them and hope they can return a terrific park to it’s former glory. Jim and I will miss our friends at Trade Winds but until the ownership changes I will not put a penny into the pockets of a couple who lack both integrity and a real concern for their customers