RV Resort Is Reopened Amid Safety Discussion : Ventura River: Many residents lost everything in last month’s flood. But some returned, determined to start over. Several officials want the park closed.

The Ventura Beach RV Resort, nearly destroyed by a wall of mud and water in the mammoth flood last month, reopened Tuesday amid debate over whether it should be shut down permanently.

As workers continued to clear away muck and debris, nearly a dozen people checked into the recreational vehicle park shortly after 1 p.m. Many of the resort dwellers had lost all their belongings in the flood but were determined to return and set up their homes in the river-bottom resort.

“This is a nice park, it’s close to the beach,” said Rick Sharp, who had lived at the RV resort since November. “Besides, I don’t think it will ever happen again.”

Sharp and Debby Harder, his wife, lost everything in the storm on Feb. 12 when mud swamped their recreational vehicle. They used every cent of their children’s college tuition to buy a new trailer and return to the park.

“We’re flat broke,” Sharp said. “We cashed in everything we saved. We wanted to come back.”

Officials say it will be several weeks before the park, which can accommodate up to 170 motor homes, is back to full operation. About 45 spaces have been reopened, although some city officials warn that the area is a hazard and should be closed.

“It’s a very dangerous place to put human beings and we were very lucky this time,” Councilwoman Cathy Bean said.

“I’m not too sure that will always be the case. Hopefully, we can do everything possible to prevent this from happening again,” she said, adding that she believes that the park should be closed.

The City Council is scheduled to take up the issue at its March 23 meeting, Bean said. City Atty. Peter D. Bulens has advised the City Council that it can legally revoke or alter the park’s permit, but may have to compensate park owner Arnold Hubbard for any loss of earnings.

Mayor Gregory L. Carson said Tuesday that he favors allowing the resort to continue operation. But, he said, park officials must develop an effective early warning system for RV park residents at the hint of another flood.

“I’m willing to be a little flexible,” Carson said Tuesday. “For some people it’s affordable housing. My concern now is that the units are able to be moved right away.”

Hubbard said he plans to cooperate with the city to make sure an adequate warning system is in place.

“What’s good for the community is good for me,” Hubbard said.

Many of the residents who returned Tuesday said they believed that the flood last month was just a fluke.

“I’m more concerned about running out of drinking water than getting washed away in a flood,” said James Davidson, who shares a trailer with his son. “I don’t think it will happen again.”

Myron and Mary Schoenfelder, who barely escaped the flood in their converted school bus, said they feel safe.

“If God didn’t want us in this bus, he had the perfect opportunity to get us out of it,” Mary Schoenfelder said. “This has been home to us for a long time. We were so excited to get back.”

Resort officials estimated that 50 families--the majority of the park dwellers--had been living at the park year-round when the flood hit. The residents had referred to themselves at the “29ers,” because under California code they can only live at the park for 29 consecutive days. Most of the residents move out of the park for a day after they’ve exhausted their time limit, and then move back.

The RV park residents had evolved into a tightknit community before the flood, Myron Schoenfelder said. “It’s nice to be home,” he said.

But one couple from Minneapolis, who stumbled upon the park Tuesday as they were traveling up the coast in their motor home, decided to leave after they realized where they were.

“It was a catastrophe,” said Bertha Magiergra, who saw news footage of the flood on television. “Of all places to stop.”