Editorial: Show no weakness on Sky-Vue

Friday, Aug. 27, 2004 | 4:18 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

August 28 - 29, 2004

The Sky-Vue Mobile Park was shut down by the city of Las Vegas on April 30 after this newspaper disclosed the conditions there. Unsanitary drinking water, leaking sewer pipes, electrical problems and fire hazards were among the problems we found during visits to the park. The city, which had been negligent in enforcing its building codes at the park, was quick to respond when the extent of the problem was revealed. Highly skeptical of the owners' stated commitments to clean up the park, the city ordered it closed down. Very quickly it spent nearly $150,000, which included the cost of relocating residents of the park's approximately 100 mobile homes.

Property records showed the owners of the park were David DiMarco and his wife, Sandi. After alleging that the two had been operating the park without a business license, and after demanding a plan from the two on how they intended to fix the park -- a demand that went unanswered -- the city gave the couple until Thursday of last week to tear down the crumbling units at the park that present a public hazard. On Tuesday, however, after three fires had struck the park over the past few weeks, causing even more of a hazard, the city declared the park an imminent danger and began seeking bids to have its dangerous units demolished.

Then on Wednesday, the DiMarcos struck an agreement with the city to tear down the mobile homes and clean up the park themselves. The agreement calls for them to have a signed contract for the work, complete with demolition permits, by 5 p.m. Monday. It also says work must start by Sept. 2. Hours after the agreement was signed, the fourth fire since July 29 struck the park.

With all of the fires and other trouble associated with Sky-Vue, including the failure of the DiMarcos to pay fines and fees associated with the closure totaling about $134,000, we believe the city should hold the DiMarcos to the agreement, with no extensions granted. Lawrence Weekly, whose Ward 5 is where the park is located, expressed optimism after the agreement had been signed, calling it "good news" and "an agreement for the betterment of everybody." Perhaps he's right -- but only if the agreement is followed to the letter.

City spokesman David Riggleman said that if the DiMarcos renege on the agreement "we'll go ahead and begin the process (of demolition) ourselves." We hope the city's resolve remains that strong. Any weakness on the part of the city, such as granting an extension of any duration, will invite the possibility of this nightmare dragging on for months, even years.