AG cites landlords
Father, son violated several ordinances
BY JOHN ZICK THE LEADER

BATH - A father and son who own several mobilehome parks in Steuben County have agreed to a settlement that will force them to improve living conditions at 16 dilapidated properties, the state Attorn ey General's Office announced Thursday, Dec. 20.

The settlement requires Glenn and Robert Houle to follow detailed, park-bypark schedule to correct the disrepair. The men will also have to pay a $9,000 fine.

According to the Attorney General's Office, conditions at the parks are dangerous and unsanitary because of intentional neglect.

Problems include:

• Contaminated drinking water.

• Raw sewage leaking into the ground at park sites.

• Excess trash gathering uncollected.

• Inadequate rodent and pest control.

• Exposed wires.

Of the 16 properties, three are located in Bath and two are located in Addison. The other properties are located in Ontario, Wayne and Yates counties.

Many of the approximately 250 residents rely on fixed incomes and are not able to move, the Attorney General's Office said.

"As these parks fell into disrepair, the residents had no choice but to endure harsh, and in some cases, hazardous conditions because they could not afford to leave," Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said. "The park owners took advantage of this, ignoring the fact that their tenants were exposed (to hazardous conditions)."

The settlement, negotiated by Assistant Attorney General Timothy Hoffman, comes three years after the Houles were cited by the state Department of Health for numerous and repeated violations of the public health law.

"Our department 's priority is to protect the safety and well-being of the residents of these dilapidated mobile home parks," Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines said. "I am pleased that we were able to work with the Attorney General's Office in reaching a solution that will lead to the proper clean up of these unsanitary and h azardous conditions."

The Houles could not be reached for comment Thursday.

A mobile home park formerly owned by Glen Houle in the town of Corning was condemned and demolished in 2002. The park on Bailey Creek Road was leveled after being cited for several violations by the town and the state.