Court Tells O.C. Man to Allow Fumigation
Residents fighting extermination efforts in their retirement community were dealt a blow Thursday when an Orange County commissioner ordered a 73-year-old man to vacate his home while it is fumigated.
Superior Court Commissioner F. Latimer Gould in Santa Ana told John Navarro, a World War II veteran, that the management of the Huntington Landmark Adult Community has the legal right to fumigate. But the commissioner also criticized management for leaving residents with an impression that there’s no room for negotiation.
Bradley Walker, an attorney representing Huntington Landmark and Fume Works pest control company, said the management at Landmark has given residents ample notice and has tried to work with them to come up with a solution.
At issue is a decision by Huntington Landmark managers to tent and fumigate about 25 buildings this summer using Vikane, or sulfuryl fluoride gas, which some residents contend is toxic. So far, about 75 people have signed a petition protesting the use of the substance.
“I’m not saying I’m against fumigation, I’m just saying I’m against the Vikane gas,” Navarro said. “There’s other ways of getting rid of termites.”
So far, the management has taken legal action to force at least three residents to vacate their homes during the extermination.
The other two have since agreed to cooperate, including Adelaide Capizzi, the mother of Orange County Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi.
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