LANSING - The owners of El Oasis say a new neighbor has been waging a campaign of complaints against the popular Mexican food truck, located in Lansing's Eastside community.

Back in July, Ralph Vandervlught moved into the home, which sits adjacent to the parking lot El Oasis leases, according to landlord Carolyn Turner, who has owned the house for over 30 years and was once married to Vandervlught.

Now, he's fed up and ready to move out, she said. Vandervlught did not respond to messages left seeking comment.

The home appeared to be vacant as of Monday afternoon.

El Oasis Manager Marcos Torrez said Vandervlught has made numerous complaints to the Ingham County Health Department and has confronted him and other workers about trash and water from cleaning.

"We never had any complaints until he moved in two months ago," Torrez said.

"It's been one thing after another," added property owner John Lam, who leases to El Oasis.

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The Ingham County Health Department confirmed that a "minor" complaint was filed on July 26, 2017 regarding the disposal of mop water. There was no violation, according to Joel Murr, the health department's deputy health officer.

"The problem was already corrected," he said, "and (the owners) agreed to dispose of the water in another way."

Lansing city Clerk Chris Swope said his office received a call from El Oasis complaining about Vandervlught, but no official complaints have been filed.

Turner says she's had ongoing problems with the food truck, which moved to the parking lot at corner of Michigan Avenue and Francis Street in 2007.

She claims that the El Oasis staff is constantly leaving trash on her property and dumping dirty water on her plants and flowers.

"I didn't know a food truck was coming," Turner said. "If I would've known that, I probably would've tried to sell the property to be honest."

But, in this dispute, El Oasis has a loyal clientele rallying to its defense.

"That's ridiculous. Why now?" asked East Lansing native William Davis, who frequents the food truck up to five times a week. "I'm a chef, and I've traveled all over the country, but (El Oasis) has the best authentic Mexican food. I don't know what to say."

On Friday afternoon, a petition asking for the community's support sat outside the order window at El Oasis.

"If you support us and our food, we'd really appreciate if you could sign this to keep us here," it read. "Thank you very much. Love, El Oasis."

Over 700 people had signed the petition just before 4 p.m. on Monday. Torrez said the goal was to collect at least 500 signatures.

Lansing resident Theresa Brown called the ongoing dispute "horrible."

"I come here about once or twice a week," she said, "and it would hurt me if this place were to shut down."

Contact Princess Gabbara at pgabbara@lsj.com or (517) 377-1006. Follow her on Twitter at @PrincessGabbara.