Two disabled Altadena women had the water shut off in their new apartments, but their headaches may just be beginning.
by Timothy Rutt
On Monday, Jan. 9, Marjorie McNary and Mary O’Conner’s water was shut off. On Wednesday, Jan. 12, it was turned on again. If they can’t come up with $500 by Tuesday, Jan. 17, it’ll be shut off again.
McNary lives in the house in the front of the property at 2817 Casitas Ave., and O’Connor in a guest house in the back. Both women are disabled and living on Social Security, so coming up with that kind of cash that quickly is out of the question.
PIctured: Marjorie McNary bought water in plastic jugs to use while her water was shut off.
“I do not have the money,” O’Connor said.
During her almost three days without water, O’Connor said she was using cola to wash with. The toilet? Best not to ask.
But the reason they’re living in danger of having their water shut off again may be tied into another question: are they supposed to be living there at all?
Property assumed vacant
McNary, who is in a wheelchair and has diabetes, lives with her grandson, who acts as her caretaker. McNary said that a woman she’s known for over 20 years set her up in the house after McNary had to move from her former home on Fair Oaks Avenue. McNary said that she moved into the house in November, and O’Connor says she moved from her MacArthur Park-area apartment in December.
McNary can produce a signed lease, on letterhead of The Management Consultants of Santa Ana, although it doesn’t mention the address of the property on the document.
O’Connor says she was told to pay McNary her share of the rent. McNary said that she was told to pay the rent directly to the owner’s agent “Mike,” whom she described as a “tall, dark-skinned man in a suit.” According to McNary, the two women and the occupant of a third rental property on the site — which is being renovated and is presently vacant — were to share paying utilities, but to date they haven’t been given any bills.
And then the water was shut off.
Two disabled Altadena women had the water shut off in their new apartments, but their headaches may just be beginning.
by Timothy Rutt
McNary lives in the house in the front of the property at 2817 Casitas Ave., and O’Connor in a guest house in the back. Both women are disabled and living on Social Security, so coming up with that kind of cash that quickly is out of the question.
PIctured: Marjorie McNary bought water in plastic jugs to use while her water was shut off.
“I do not have the money,” O’Connor said.
During her almost three days without water, O’Connor said she was using cola to wash with. The toilet? Best not to ask.
But the reason they’re living in danger of having their water shut off again may be tied into another question: are they supposed to be living there at all?
Property assumed vacant
McNary, who is in a wheelchair and has diabetes, lives with her grandson, who acts as her caretaker. McNary said that a woman she’s known for over 20 years set her up in the house after McNary had to move from her former home on Fair Oaks Avenue. McNary said that she moved into the house in November, and O’Connor says she moved from her MacArthur Park-area apartment in December.
McNary can produce a signed lease, on letterhead of The Management Consultants of Santa Ana, although it doesn’t mention the address of the property on the document.
O’Connor says she was told to pay McNary her share of the rent. McNary said that she was told to pay the rent directly to the owner’s agent “Mike,” whom she described as a “tall, dark-skinned man in a suit.” According to McNary, the two women and the occupant of a third rental property on the site — which is being renovated and is presently vacant — were to share paying utilities, but to date they haven’t been given any bills.
And then the water was shut off.