Commentary on Amber Skies Written by Gale DeRollo

The commentary below is written byGale DeRollo in her own words unedited as submitted: 

"My name is Gale DeRollo and I am a resident of Amber Skies and have been since 2004. I am responding to the complaints that have been printed in 2nd Life Media Alamogordo by some unhappy residents.

First I would like to say a few words about the gate issue...I have seen actual incidents where residents and visitors have hit that gate and damaged it. Keep in mind this park was built in 1999 so is the gate and older gate? Yes. Does hitting it with a vehicle damage it? Yes. Would getting parts to repair it be difficult to obtain in a short amount of time? Yes. Did the Park Manager explain that to the residents who asked about it? Yes.

Does the Amber Skies website say-and I quote-that the park has a hand built grey rock wall with a gated entry which "helps" to reduce non-resident traffic? Yes So—what part do we not understand? ​

Secondly I would like to address the water breaks issue--The soil in this area as stated by the Utility Maintenance Department of Alamogordo NM is affected by extreme weather and drought conditions which strain the lines. Are the extreme weather conditions happening this year? Yes. Shifting grounds may cause lines to break.

Does Mr Dunn and his park manager react to water breaks? Yes. Is it hard to get a plumbing company out here in the middle of the night or on weekends or on holiday weekends? Yes. I can tell you from my own personal experience that "NEVER" has this park been without water for 3 days...NEVER. Do broken lines outside this park affect this park? Yes. Are repair parts difficult to locate? Yes. Is it difficult to obtain repair services in our Alamogordo area? Yes.

Does Mr Dunn or his Park Manager "drag" their feet when it comes to issues in this park? No.

As reported by 2nd life media when they reached out to the Attorney General about the latest water break "possibly" lasting 3 days - and I quote- I spoke with Mr Dunn over the phone and got his assurance the plumber is going to be there that day to work on the line. And the plumber did indeed respond that day. So I have to ask the question – what is really going on?

This is a beautiful park. It is well maintained by all the residents and management and the owner.

Is this a slum as was stated by a reader of the original article. No I personally gave 2nd life media a list of all the activities and all the things that are provided here on the park to and by the residents.

This is a very caring community. Are we having the problems that Desert Palms and White Sands community are having? No. I believe we should be treated as a separate entity when it comes to "their" issues because when we are all lumped together like what was done in the original article, it gives an unfair report of what is actually happening at each iindividual park.

Are THEIR issues being addressed? Yes, just as our issues get addressed.

I want to applaud 2nd life media for their reporting and entertaining my visit with them. Thank you in advance Mr Chris Edwards for posting my personal response."

- Gale DeRollo Amber Skies

A note on the commentary above: Alamogordo has had a series of issues and complaints from a variety of stakeholders on a variety of mobile home parks around the city. Amber Skies appears to be the better maintained out if most of them.

The one common concern that has been established is the single owner out of California has not always timely responded to maintenance issues on all of his properties as verifyed by City Staff and the Attorney Generals Office by 2nd Life Media.

Amber Skies, per some residents such as Mrs. DeRolo n her commentary asserts that their park below is better maintained than the other parks and should not be judged in maintenance like the others.

A few of the residents of Amber Skies met with us and were concerned that an article did not reflect the thoughts of all residents but of a vocal minority, and that "they are all good people." The residents provided a list of many activities hosted by members of the park to include community meals, holiday parties and other events of which are all positive community building events.

The recent article was one of a number we are running on the overall concerns for well maintained affordable housing options sorley needed in Alamogordo.

As the housing crisis locally continues and affordable housing opportunities are limited, we will continue stories highlighting efforts to improve affordable housing and concerns with upkeep of affordable homes in Alamogordo as well as highlight citizens working to improve housing and educate citizens such as our recent reporting on a housing summit to further address local housing.

We appreciate the perspective of Gale DeRollo as well as the perspectives of a cross section of our community as public debate is critical to create a comprehensive discussion on affordable housing.