Mobile home residents deserved support

SF 252 was a piece of state legislation designed to give much-needed additional protections to residents of mobile home parks. Unfortunately, Sens. Wally Horn of Cedar Rapids, Swati Dandekar of Marion, and Dennis Black of Grinnell scuttled this important legislation. (Dandekar was absent for the vote. Horn and Black voted no.)

When asked, Horn said it was “not an issue for people in my district.” He is incorrect. There are hundreds of residents of mobile homes in his district. They deserve the same protections as other residents. Also consider Horn's logic. Many senators had no flooding in their districts; should these senators spite Eastern Iowa because flooding was “not an issue for people in their district?”

Perhaps we should follow the money. Dandekar received $250 from the Iowa Manufactured Home Association in 2008 and $500 in 2009. Horn received $500 in 2010, and Black $250 in 2006, $500 in 2008 and $250 in 2010.

The issue is black and white - support poor and middle class Iowans, or support a few millionaire donors. Whose side is your senator on? The answer, unfortunately for many Eastern Iowans, is the wrong side.

Thanks to the many courageous members of the Iowa Senate who stood up for mobile home residents. Shame on those who did not.

Rod Sullivan

Iowa City