To whom it may concern:

Turlock Memorial Park (TMP) is expanding next to the property where I reside at 500 N. Tully Rd, Westfork Estates, a very well maintained 55 and over manufactured home park.

From the beginning Turlock Memorial Park has been elusive, evasive and equivocal about the process. When the manager Westfork Estates wanted to speak with TMP about what would be happening and the long-term health and debris impact on the residents, she was met with a resounding NO. The main decision maker decided she was not worth his time to speak with. He also said he would not even read any correspondence she wanted to send. He was extremely dismissive and condescending, claiming to be too busy to speak.

Construction proceeded without a courtesy meeting with the residents to discuss the implications of living next to a construction zone for a year. The dust has been overwhelming. Cars, homes, and air filters are filthy. Allergies are out of control and respiratory problems are rife. The noise, the vibrations, not to mention the vermin that have vacated the lot to come roost here has been unprecedented.

Turlock building enforcement acknowledges that there is a problem and simply responds to inquires with a “keep complaining” note. TMP insists they want to be a good neighbor yet answers with flippant retorts and lies. The TMP contact told me point blank that he had spoken with and was on good terms with the manager here, a blatant LIE. Why would he say that when it is not true? The air quality board has visited to issue warnings about the need for water trucks to try and keep the dust to a minimum, which are mostly ignored.  Are all the permits even current? Is someone monitoring this? Did TMP think that because we are a senior park that we’d just accept this blatantly disrespectful behavior and not try to make our voices heard?

It would be refreshing and wonderful if TMP would take responsibility for their actions. How about some vouchers to wash our constantly dirt encrusted vehicles and homes? I do not begrudge a business for expanding. That is not the point. The point is from a public relations perspective TMP has been greatly negligent in their professional and ethical duties. Choking seniors is not a good look for a business. The bottom line is, they just don’t care.

— Renee Hoobyar