Remembering late mother-in-law, Schwarzenegger intervenes to stop Monrovia evictions

Disabled residents of a Monrovia apartment complex who were issued lease termination notices will be allowed to stay in their homes, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said today.

"I am here to tell all the people here that your eviction notice is being terminated," Schwarzenegger said in the courtyard of Regency Court Apartments in front of dozens of its residents and their families who cheered and clapped.

Last month, about 20 physically or developmentally disabled tenants of Regency Court were notified that their leases were being terminated because the complex was always meant to be a senior apartment community. Those under age 62 never should have been allowed to move in, the letter said, and would now have to leave.

Among them was Lily Hixon, who has Down syndrome and was featured in a story about the complex in Thursday's Times. That night, an update on Schwarzenegger's Twitter page read, "My mother-in-law fought so that people like Lily Hixon could live independently" and linked to the Times' story.

About an hour later, another post said that the governor had spoken to Star-Holdings, the Rockford, Ill.-based owner of the property, and that the disabled residents would be able to stay. Schwarzenegger confirmed today that he had called the owners and property managers of Regency Court, who agreed not to pursue the lease terminations.

He said he had been inspired to make the call after reading the Times' story and thinking about his mother-in-law, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Shriver, who died in August, founded the Special Olympics and was an advocate for people with disabilities.

"All of a sudden I heard [her] voice in my ear," Schwarzenegger said. "She says, 'Arnold why are you sitting around now, you just read the story, do something!'"

Hixon's father, Ken, was elated after the governor's visit. "I'm really happy for the tenants," he said. "What's really scary is what would've happened and what is happening in other places around California where people don't know how to organize or get the attention of the press."

-- Corina Knoll in Monrovia

Photo: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger greets Matt and Laura Fosbury, residents of Regency Court Apartments, after announcing Friday that disabled residents will not be evicted from the complex.

Credit: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[brian]

What a good deed.

Thank you, Governor Schwarzenegger.

[Tony]

Finally, Arnold gets it right for once.

[Mike]

Way to go Gov! This made my day!

[Hummingbird]

Gov.Schwarzenegger help to stop eviction of disabled tenants in Monrovia is a remarkable public service.

[David]

As the parent of a disabled 9-year old boy, stories like these make me fearful, and at the same time, hopeful. Fearful that as an adult, he may be a naive victim to forced limited opportunities or the greed/insensitivity of others. And hopeful that there will always be people, everywhere, who realize the true nature of giving is the protection of the less fortunate, the handicapped to whom nature or circumstance has dealt an unforseen blow. Say what you will about our Governor, but in my opinion this was a convergence of wonderful events (the organization of the tenants & their families, the Times writer, The Governor, etc) that on some other day of the week may have been easily overlooked, and never brought to light. An excellent job all the way around to my fellow humans.

[kristin]

Good move by the Governor.

[CVA]

The depths businesses will go to extract profits. They should be ashamed of themselves. If it was not for the Governor what would be happening to these people?

[Raul Garcia]

Great PR for the Governor, after he slashed millions and millions from public services, while not taxing one corporate fat cat.

[DonW]

Thank you, Governor. This is a wonderful gesture on behalf of people who truly needed help. Yes, I know the cynics will chime in. But let's give him credit for showing leadership. We need more politicians like him.

[SAM]

Though some people will read this and say that the Governator is doing this for publicity reasons only. Well, after reading this story the other day and seeing red because some big corporation only thought about their bottom line, the press got involved, and then a governor got involved and saved those who could not defend themselves from getting thrown out into the street! It does my heart good to know that there are still compassionate souls out there who will stand up for those less fortunate. I say BRAVO!

[Michael Doyle]

It is the reporting of stories like this that illustrate how important a quality daily newspaper is to a community. Thank you, Los Angeles Times.

[SunCitydude]

Arnold is an embarassment to the Republican Party. He is too soft. A good Republican would have sided with the owners and let these folks be thrown out on the street.

[Cassie]

What a beautiful, wonderful outcome!

[Steve]

I appreciate the Governor's attention in solving this quickly. A great example of doing the right thing. Thank you, Arnold.

[Concerned for California]

I applaud Governor Schwarzenegger's action. I question, though, why he is able to call to mind the values of his late mother-in-law to help a handful of people with disabilities but can't find her spirit when he slashes services statewide for in-home supportive services which directly help thousands of seniors and disabled live with respect and dignity in their homes.

[directfitz]

Finally he gets something right. Now how about stepping in to create jobs!

[stewart]

Good man Arnold....next case!

[Paul]

This is a great feel good story and a rightful conclusion to yesterday's article. Why these owners felt they needed to evict tenants who were disabled was beyond me. People with disabilities have long been in elderly care facilities. Way to go Arnold! Let this be a lesson to shark apt owners who treat the tenants like cattle. We are all people and some people need a bit more help than others. These are the folks that these social programs are aimed to help. Not illegals who rip off the system who send 60% of their under the table money out of the country. I'm glad for these people and for the Govenator for doing the right thing. I don't agree with most of his politics but he got this one right. And shame again on the owners that it took a call from him for them to drop this illegal eviction. I 'm sure he stated that this would not hold up in court. They just wanted to move these people out to re-rent the units for more money. Money mongers pure and simple and they tried to use age discrimination which is even more shameful.

[KAROLEIN]

Score one for the Govenator!

[Markus]

Awesome....

[Dan Everett]

This is an unambiguously good thing that the governor has done. This act of compassion is what we would all want done for ourselves or our loved ones. The governor is a gentle terminator, thanks to his marvelous mother-in-law.

[Shaun]

Thank you Arnold for taking the time to do this, I wish more politicians would take the time care about the less fortunate, disadvantaged people.

[SteveLA]

I'm not a big fan of our Girlyman Governator, but he got this one right at least.

While the rest of us argue about the state's budget, heath care, or any other number of issues, let's not forget about those who need just a little helping hand.

Good Job Girlyman!

[Carl]

Arnold - Thank you for helping those people in Monrovia. This is a good thing.
We need to find more ways to help people with disabilities to live a normal and productive lives.

[bennyinsf]

This is very good news in a world where good news has been overshadowed by lots of negativity. Thanks to Governor Schwarzenegger for intervening on behalf of the tenants. I'm very happy for the tenants who'll be able to continue to live independently and productively.