OXNARD : Trailer Park Drops Effort to Raise Rents

Representatives of the Oxnard Mobile Home Lodge have withdrawn a request to hike the rents at the run-down trailer camp, citing the recent death of the park’s owner.

Richard M. Walbergh, 65, died of an apparent heart attack at his Malibu Canyon home late last month.

“The family of Mr. Walbergh does not believe it is in a position at this point and time to proceed with the rent increase application as there are other matters of his estate that must be put in order and must take priority,” wrote Oxnard attorney Manuel Covarrubias in a letter to city housing officials.

Despite protests from park residents, Walbergh had won a rent increase in February that raised monthly rents $4.76 to $6.88 per space.

He had applied for another rent increase, again opposed by tenants who contend that the park is not entitled to such an increase because it has reduced services.

Walbergh’s death “doesn’t take away from the residents’ belief that the park owner was not entitled to the increase in the first place,” said Eileen McCarthy, the tenants’ lawyer.