At Marinapark, time for residents to go

It is difficult to work up too much sympathy for residents of Marinapark.

Yes, they are on the verge of losing their homes. Yes, some of them are elderly. Yes, many of the mobile homes might not be allowed into another park because of their age and condition.

But every one of them knew the end was coming.

Every one of them has enjoyed below-market-rate rent that, city staff reports say, added up to a savings of $14 million over the years.

Every one of them would get as much as $23,000 to help their relocation, the City Council decided last week, plus 14 months to move out.

It is difficult to work up too much sympathy for their situation.

The city, with its offer of relocation aid and thousands of dollars, is being more than fair to the Marinapark denizens. These are far from the neediest of the needy. Of the 56 occupied homes (one is vacant), 25 are second homes, according to city staff reports. Of the 31 that are main homes, at least six are being subleased from family members.

It certainly is difficult to work up too much sympathy for the 31 families for whom Marinapark would seem to be a luxury ? one not available to anyone else.

For years, Marinapark residents essentially have been living at the expense of other residents of Newport Beach because of the sweetheart lease on the land, nestled nicely on the harbor between 15th and 18th streets on the Balboa Peninsula. And it seems even in leaving the harbor-front area, residents there are getting out at the expense of their neighbors.

It certainly is difficult to work up too much sympathy.