The owner of Les’s Trailer Park said he has washed his hands of his trailer court because he is tired of fighting with the provincial government.
Robert Bresciani would not go into specifics about the issues but “if you want any information go to the proper authorities, (Alberta) Environment,” the Calgary resident said Wednesday.
“They want something absurd and I am tired of fighting,” said Bresciani, 71.
“I have been fighting for 34 years since 1978. Not anymore. It’s not worth it. I am set to retire.”
On Sept. 13, eviction notices were handed out to all tenants in the park, just west of Red Deer, on Burnt Lake Trail.
Tenants have a year from the date of the notice to get out before the park is shut down.
“I think I paid my dues looking after myself and my tenants,” said Bresciani.
“I believe that the law is full of BS, unjust and unfair. I don’t want to fight anymore. If it was 30 years ago, I would have tried to do something.”
An order issued on Sept. 6 by Alberta Health Services says the water in the park may be unfit for human consumption because surface water could be getting into groundwater used to supply the park.
As a result a boil water advisory was issued.
Bresciani was ordered to post warning signs, undergo water monitoring and find more permanent fixes for the water and sewage systems.
Bresciani has until Sept. 5, 2013, to provide and maintain a drinking water system with an alternative water source or prove the existing water supply is safe and surface water is not mixing with groundwater.
Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Health Services are working together to assist Bresciani in bringing the site’s waste management system and sewer system up to provincial standards.
A spokesperson for Alberta Health Services said Bresciani has refused to submit regular samples and to allow AHS to evaluate the water supply for possible contamination. Bresciani would not comment.
“We met with the owner in early September to explain the public health concerns approval requirements that he wasn’t meeting,” said Jessica Potter, a spokesperson for Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. “We gave him some advice on how to address them. We’re going to continue to work with him to fix the problem.”
Several provincial departments have been working with Bresciani for the last 15 months. Follow-up letters were sent to Bresciani on what was discussed earlier this month.
An independent professional assessment of the entire wastewater facility has been ordered and has to be completed by next July.
The 72-unit trailer park has been a hot spot for complaints and controversies for more than three decades. Residents have fought with the owner over park upkeep and safety and sanity sewer concerns. In the 1980s, the park was ordered to stop pumping sewage into the Red Deer River after about 10 years of dumping.
Some residents have lived in the park for close to 20 years. Many say they are unsure what they will do because they cannot afford to move their trailers. Others have said they will likely pack up their belongings and leave their home behind.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com