Silver Boot tenants ordered out

After weeks of contention, residents of the Silver Boot Motel were ordered from the premises Tuesday morning, Oct. 21.

Cerro Gordo County District Court Judge Rustin Davenport lifted an injunction against motel owner Ted Christensen Monday, giving him the authority to evict remaining tenants in the South Shore motel.

Christensen’s plans to sell the property were placed on hold earlier this month when Heather Copas, who rented a room there, was granted a temporary injunction. Christensen responded by filing court papers seeking the right to evict Copas, along with Jennifer Butler, Chris Wood, Diane Duclos and Paula Evenson.  All had refused to leave the property, claiming they had not been given proper eviction notices and that Christensen had turned off their utilities in an effort to get them to leave.

Christensen, who was represented by attorney Bob Swanson, got the first of his marching orders for tenants from Magistrate Court Judge Patrick Byrne on Friday.  

In his ruling, Byrne defined the Silver Boot as a motel and referred to the defendants as “trespassers.” The distinction was important because rules differ for eviction based on whether the property is being used for a motel or rooming house.  

On Monday, Davenport confirmed the writ of eviction “answers the issues” and concluded reasons for the injunction were no longer valid.  He ordered the Sheriff’s Department to enforce the writ of eviction and notices were posted ordering - Read More Via e-Edition