Leisure World Should Pay to Remove Asbestos

Re “Leisure World in Asbestos Cleanup Dispute,” Nov. 25:

Your story on the Leisure World protest of the money charged residents to clean up asbestos in their units, in a building that belongs to the Mutual Corp., was an eye-opener. In Leisure World we make monthly payments to Mutual and the Golden Rain Foundation so they can maintain the community and buildings. Included in these payments is the money for insurance premiums and deductibles.

We are told when we move in that we are not buying an apartment or real estate, just the right to occupy a unit owned by the corporation. The residents’ interest in the apartment is a separate interest. We are advised to buy only renters’ insurance.

Since the residents pay premiums to the corporation for fire and related insurance coverage, it seems obvious that to bill a resident for smoke or asbestos damage caused by a fire is double billing. If a resident were found guilty in a court of law of setting a fire, a case could be made to make that person pay for it.

It seems clear that the owners of the building also own the asbestos in the walls, ceilings and floors, just as they own the roof, concrete slab and structure.

The brave seniors on the picket line should be applauded for rallying around their two elderly neighbors who were obviously intimidated into signing an agreement to pay for the asbestos cleanup. The demonstration showed what it means to be an American. The board members and employees involved should resign.

A.J. McCarthy

Seal Beach