Free Republic

Gov tells manufactured home owners to take a hike May 10, 2006 BY CAROL MARIN SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST Gov. Blagojevich quickly used his veto this week to nix the most benign of bills. You have to wonder why. This is nothing less than a David and Goliath story. Little guys vs. the big boys. And so far, let me tell you, the little guys are losing big-time. This all centers on what are called manufactured-home communities, something we used to call trailer parks back when those dwellings were truly mobile. They are not anymore. Manufactured homes are simply more affordable than...

The manufactured house is a staple in Florida. It's affordable, which sometimes makes it the best option for retirees and workers on a budget. But the TV images made it clear. Hurricanes don't like manufactured homes. They came out the biggest losers against the storms. And people are reacting. A city councilman in New Port Richey wants to ban them, said Frank Williams, executive director of the Florida Manufactured Housing Association. Drive past the demolished Palmetto Mobile Home Park in Port Charlotte and the idea isn't so crazy. But there are 1.3 million Floridians living in manufactured homes, and the...