El Lou Mobile Home Residents Speak Out About SRC Vision

Helen Monforte

Photo by Linda Karn

(posted Mar 20)

It is more than a map drawing that erases the mobile home parks on Georgetown Road from the face of Speedway. El Lou Mobile Home Park residents want Speedway Redevelopment Commissioners to consider the bigger picture, like their lives, when taking the March 25 vote to expand the Speed Zone.

Kay Harrison is now in her 50s and has resided at the mobile home park since 1992. Harrison moved to El Lou as a result of a divorce that reduced her income to a single source. She works full time but falls in the category of not being able to afford some place else.

Harrison identified the reasons why she needs to stay. "It is a roof over my head. I bought it for security. It is affordable, and I own my own home. My mom lives here. There is a lot more to consider than tearing things down and pushing people out. People don't realize it, but the plan buys us out," she said.

As for 87 year-old frail Beverly Budkiewicz, she said she understands why the SRC wants to close Georgetown Road for the IMS. "Georgetown Road would be a mess if a fire broke out. People would have a hard time getting out." Noting the big disparity between her income and Tony George's, she said "Money really talks". She credited George's effort to improve the IMS. "He (Tony George) is into so many things to make the racing better," she said.

But closing Georgetown Road means displacing Budkiewicz, who is not physically capable of moving. She must rely on a walker or wheel chair for mobility. She has had several strokes and suffers from diabetes. She said she wants to remain independent for as long as she can.

"They need Holt Road first. Maybe that would give us time," she said.

Jurettie Hoskins was shocked when she first heard the news from her neighbor about closing Georgetown Road. "We will not be part of the dream," she said. If the SRC eliminates El Lou, she will have to quit her job and move to South Carolina to live with her brother because she can't afford housing or to relocate her mobile home.

With an emotional look in her eyes, she said she attended the public hearing at the high school and was offended by the people sitting behind her that referred to the mobile home residents as "trailer trash." Hoskins emphasized they are mostly senior citizens who can't keep up with the cost of living.

She said she can't afford to move her mobile home and most trailer courts do not accept mobile homes that are more than ten years old. "I'll just leave mine behind and let the Town of Speedway get rid of it," she said.

Hoskins is upset because the SRC has not bothered to communicate with any of the residents other than the Georgetown Road Brochure that she referred to as a nice dream.

"What we are getting out of this is displacement," she said.

Hoskins is saddened to think El Lou's future use is dedicated for race parking. "This is home," she said.

Seventy-two-year-old Helen Monforte did not have her own home until she bought a mobile home on contract last year. "I can't afford to move it. I am on a fixed income of $600 a month." By the time she covers rent, contract payments and heating bills, she only has $50 for the month to spend on groceries. She shared her lucky fortune of finding $10 one day while out walking her dog. Monforte ponders the unknowns and how much this will really cost her. She expressed her frustration that she will have to pay for the utility reconnect fees since she wants to live in Speedway.

After a year, Monforte feels part of the community. She said the neighbors all check on each other and she often takes soup to Beverly because of her limited mobility.

Monforte said she wants to remain in Speedway because her sons live in town. She relies on them for transportation because she can't afford a car. She plans to hang on to "the roof that is over my head." because she does not want to live with her children again. She also likes living across from the track and she enjoys the race fans coming to park at El Lou.

The American Legion members are also concerned they won't be part of the dream. Mark Guillion addressed the SRC about the lack of communication about the Legion's future at their site.

Post 500 member Bob Flynn said they formed a committee last July to talk to the IMS about a land swap. He said the IMS has always been interested in the Legion's site for race parking, but the Legion also relies on parking to help cover expenses. He said the IMS has not yet returned with an offer.