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Settlement at Lower Pines By Myles Murphy Ashland Daily Tidings The majority of the residents of Lower Pines Annex Mobile Park have reached satisfactory settlements with landlord Greg Adams, who has agreed to pay them transition costs of varying amounts to aid with their moving out of the park. "This is the nicest thing that ever happened to me in Ashland," Pines resident Sharon Rubottom said. "There's so many cool parts to this story." Rubottom and five other residents reached individual agreements with Adams Friday, and will be receiving between $500 and $2,300 based on discussions with Adams. "They were based on individuals' needs," said Ashland attorney Robert Good, who represented the residents during recent eviction proceedings. "This is a settlement, so there's compromise on both sides. This was an attempt to work this out without litigation." Good worked for the tenants without compensation, impressed with their situation and their stories. "I have friends who have been involved in trying to keep the Lower Pines, and I have been concerned about affordable housing in Ashland," Good said. "This was my chance to do a little part." Lower Pines residents learned in January that they would be evicted after park owner Greg Adams announced he was no longer negotiating with the Rogue Valley Community Development Corporation to sell the trailer park property for construction of a low-income housing development. The plan had been to build a collection of affordable units on the site - across Ashland Street from Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers - make them available to the residents and help pay relocation costs. Throughout the process, social justice organization Oregon Action advocated for Pines residents, and the issue sparked ongoing discussion among residents and city leaders on the issues of trailer parks and affordable housing in Ashland. Good was not the only shining star in this often dark and muddled process. He praised the efforts of Medford-based Oregon Action and its director Rich Rohde, as well as the hard work of the tenants themselves. "Rich Rohde and Oregon Action played an important part," Good said. "Rich has a long history here working with (the Lower Pines residents) and it was because of that the landlord was willing (to negotiate.)" Rubottom confirmed Good's assessment of Rohde. "Oregon Action is just too cool, and I cannot say enough about Rich Rohde," she said. "The mayor (Alan DeBoer) was very helpful, too." But Rubottom saved her strongest praise for Adams. "Between taking total care of my move and total care of my debt, people have no idea how great he is," Rubottom said. "With one phone call he took care of everything." Rubottom already has a good lead on an affordable rental home in Medford, which will bring her closer to her place of employment. "Can you see why I'm excited?" she asked. "I will be smiling for the next three years. "I'm going to miss Ashland, but I won't miss the trailer. It served its purpose." Adams is close to agreements with some of the remaining tenants, but was not willing to elaborate on those deals. "I think you'll find that most of the people are more happy with where they'll end up," Adams said. "My intention was to help them all along." According to the varying agreements, residents have been allowed to stay at the park between 15 and 60 days while looking for new living arrangements, according to a judgment filed in court Thursday. "I'm not in a big hurry to make sure the property is vacant," Adams said. Adams said he has no immediate plans for the property, but guessed that all the residents would be out within at least six months. He also said the site would likely see some kind of commercial development in time, since that is what the property is zoned for. Resident Sandra Burke, who has filed her own suit against Adams and former park owners alleging poor living conditions at the park over past few years, is not included in the recent settlements. Burke was not available for comment. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -