Several weeks ago I decided that I should become an official news media guy and post online stuff about what's going on in the City of Irvine where I live, about my photography interests, and maybe rake a little muck. Among other ongoing events, I plan to write more vigorously about the disastrous Jeffrey Road Underpass construction project in Irvine. I'm also going to look closely at local and state governments' restrictions on photography that plainly violate the First Amendment of the Constitution.
The latest episode here in Irvine is a fire today at the Meadows Manufactured Home Community that destroyed two Recreational Vehicles -- one a large motor home and another a trailer used to carry race cars -- and damaged at least two others. This is the fourth such disaster at the construction site and was caused by the City's and its contractor SEMA's incompetence. One of a SEMA or subcontractor's employees was using a welding torch for cutting metal on the sound barrier along the track on this blustery, windy day, and his torch caught on fire the barrier, which spread to the RV storage area and vehicles there.
Observers noted that it was just luck or divine providence that embers from the fire did not spread to the Homes. One such ember was found 100 feet away from the fire in a resident's front yard.
Previous disasters have included two major gas leaks caused by contractors breaking gas lines, both of which caused evacuations of nearby residents' homes.
An additional recent disaster has been the damage to numerous homes, including cracks, de-leveling, extreme dust, and related damage directly caused by the construction activity. The City instead of protecting its elderly and low-income residents in this instance, is deliberately delaying the claims that have been submitted.
Residents have also complained that the company which manages The Meadows seems to always join with the City instead of more vigorously protecting its residents. Jamboree Housing's chief operating officer Mary Jo Goelzer in quotes to the Orange County Register defends the City of Irvine's requirement that Meadows residents submit formal claims and the City must investigate. May we ask, what investigation is necessary? Doesn't the City believe the residents? Does the City think the Residents are submitting fraudulent claims?
There's more to this story, and we'll post additional points as it develops, including photographs.
Send me an Email at dc1999@gmail.com if you'd like to add anything.
Friday, April 30, 2010
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