Mobile home to be removed from Port Elgin park

A mobile home that was towed into the village of Port Elgin's mobile home park several weeks ago will have to be removed within days.

At the regular meeting of village council on Monday evening, Mayor Judy Scott noted that a letter from the village's solicitor has been sent to Stanley Silliker noting that the mobile home must be removed immediately.

The problem arose when the mobile home was moved into the park - located in Harper Heights just off Fort Street - without permission from the village. Silliker's home on Fort Street, just outside of the village limits along the mouth of the Gaspereau River, was destroyed in early January when a huge storm surge caused massive flooding in Port Elgin and several surrounding communities.

"If a lot was available, we would try to accommodate Stanley. We understand his situation . . . but there are no water and sewer facilities available for that trailer, the park is already full and we have two people on a waiting list to get into it," Scott told Port Elgin resident Tony Fagan, who was responsible for moving the mobile home into the park for Silliker.

Fagan responded that he was only trying to help Silliker by moving the mobile home for him and hadn't meant to cause problems for anyone.

"It was never my intention to upset anyone," he said, addressing both Mayor Scott, councillors, and a number of Harper Heights residents who were also attending the council meeting.

Fagan then asked council if he could purchase the land on which the mobile home park is located with the intention of expanding the facility to include a larger number of tenants.

"I have a silent partner who has . . . agreed to be my partner to upgrade the trailer park and build more lots. We've talked it over and we're ready to make that move. I believe this is a good time to expand the park. There are people who are travelling to this area to work every day who would move into the park. This is a good time to develop the land," Fagan explained.

Mayor Scott responded that the village is currently not considering a sale of the mobile home park, but will take his offer into consideration.

"We will be taking a look at this request, taking into consideration the wishes of the residents of Port Elgin," Scott noted.

Deputy Mayor Val MacDermid then suggested that Fagan submit a letter to the village stating his financial offer for the park.