i am so mad

as some of you know last year we were hauled to court because some of the neighbors did not like our yard. $600 fine then. well it has happened again and we have until feb, 25th to get it cleaned up again to their liking and still face an 1150 fine. if not cleaned up then it will be $1650 fine. we live in a rural farming community and most of us live in trailers. we have 1 person on the far corner of my neighbor hood who has a home and he fusses about every9one elses yards. why can't people mind their own business. with all of us worring about terrists and such why should he care if i have something out of place in my yard. we are both disabled and survive on a very small income for the 5 of us. they want $100 a month until paid. i just do not know how this is going to work out. thanks for listening i know there is nothing to do except bunckle under. i guess i just needed to vent.

Can you find a reason to counter sue? That might be you best course of reprisal. Other than that, yes a good yard cleaning is about all you can do. It is a wonder someone hasn't complained about a neighbor of ours or even ours at times. But we live 1/4 of a mile off the road so it is n't visible. The neighbor on the other hand is right on a major community road. Perhaps a few large garbage cans in the yard to constantly throw stuff into would help to keep the yard under control.
I do pray this can be resolved peacefully.

I don't know why people fuss so much about the appearance of other people's yards. As long as there isn't trash laying around, why worry about whether stuff is "overgrown" or weedy? I would much, much, much, much rather have "messy" neighbors than noisy neighbors, that's for sure.

Let's make some lemonade here.......why not have a block cleaning party? Serve lemonade, cookies and hot coffee to all the little elves......here's the kicker....be sure to invite the culprit!!! Merry Christmas, dear.

"eyes"

Oh........You're good "eyes", that would be interesting ;-P

Well you could always put up a large wooden fence around your property? Would they like that even more? A law here in Kentucky (regarding junk car lots) is that you must put up sometime of wall or fence so that others in the neighborhood don't have to look at it. I'm here to tell you some of the things that go up are worse than looking at the old rusty relics! Sorry people are such busy bodies!
What right does one have to determine what another's taste is. If it is weeds they are worried about, tell them that they are wildflowers, native to the area, and you are preserving a natural habitat! :) Kathy

Eyes has a great idea there!

Love "eyes" suggestion! Since you are both disabled is there not a commmunity group that you can contact that would send some volunteers to 'help' you clean up the yard? Do you know exactly what the person who laid the complaint is objecting to in your yard? Knowing that, you might have a better idea of what to do to "fix" the problem.Where I live even the high schools send out volunteers to help with problems such as yours. Often just a phonecall can get you some assistance.Best of luck. Don't let this ruin your holidays. Merry Christmas.D

I live in a neighborhood that is "overgroomed". We have a larger lot with trees & plenty of big flower beds. Most of my neighbors enjoy the beds, but think I'm crazy. One year, my daughters pumpkins trailed over the fence & into a neighbors yard. He thought they were "messy" and an "eyesore". I told him to just mow them off! We got a great crop of pumpkins for the girls that year--they even sold some! And HE moved elsewhere....

they want what is behind the fence gone too. also cannot p[ut up a fenc higher than 4 ft in from of house.

I didn't know neighbors could bother you out in the country. It would be hard to make rules in Iowa with all the farm machinery and pig lots around. I'm sorry they're giving you such a hard time.

Well, I'd put up the 4 foot fence for sure!

Heck, I'd go for a 6 footer!!! LOL If they are so nasty, they don't deserve to enjoy your gardens!

put up a wood fence and paint their side bright orange with pink and purple polka dots about 8 inches in diameter

Wanda, many rural areas are zoned and have rules as tight as any big city. We have had to fight that off right here were we live in rural Missouri.

our beef is that when we bought here there were no covenants. they came in to play 5 yrs later

So you should be grandfathered~ Did you sign any papers accepting new terms? At some point, you get to the point where you aren't going to be walked on anymore and then start really fighting back and they don't know what to think. I have come to that this year, with everyone....a lot of shocked people :)

How about really tall hedges?

Better than a "Keep Out" sign, I saw on Rt.1 in Searsport"Danger:Poison Ivy". No trespassers there.

Misty, in the ones we have been fighting, issues like Janet is fighting are not grandfatherable. They are considered to be going against public safety in that they might, now notice I said might, harbor rats, etc., or devalue surrounding property. As I have heard my brother say many times "We are free to do anything we wish as long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others". In other words, swing your fist all you want, but if you touch someone else with your fist your right to swing your fist has ended. I do agree that her neighbors seem to be pushing it, but if they have a $100.000 home and might want to sell it, her property might be considered to be devaluing his property.
I do feel for her as I know our yard often would not meet any town or city's standards.

lol Frankay
when i was in tennesee, i saw a house with a sign out front that said "keep out or be shot"

jcf I feel your pain. We struggle where we are and often bemoan the fact that our realtor didn't tell us how needle butt our neighborhood is about keeping things manicured and "perfect". We've overheard nasty commentary on our lawn and stuff but nothing legal. However we are going to be talked about this spring when the over 100 iris I planted burst into their multicolor blooms and the cottage garden I'm trying to grow begins to take its shape slowly but surely. It's certainly NOT what the general public has in this area and guess what? I don't care! when we put in our raised beds our friendly neighbor came over and said he expected us to plant corn so guess what? I will!

It's aggravating to say the least. I think the idea of seeing if some community group can help since you guys are both handicapped is a good one... I hope you can get some help and I know it's ridiculous and you can vent here all you like.

The people who bought our old family home were so mad that they denied their request to build onto it that they painted the house neon blue!!! A century home! It's the ugliest thing I've ever seen. Makes me cry when I see it but I can understand their thinking - they were getting back at the zoning people.

Janet, I saw this in a catalog we got today and thought of you. The willow is 80" high - nice! http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?lGen=detail&itemID=105976&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=0&iSubCat=0&iProductID=105976

Hey - what about planting a fence of pampas grass that grows like 10 feet tall... that would rip them!!!!!

I had a falling out with a neighbor, who proceeded to make complaints about everything inside and outside of my house. Being angered by this, I made the mistake of being impolite to the code enforcement folks. This led to my home being condemned and several citations. I learned an important lesson: be polite, be friendly, and let them know that you are making some effort to comply. It would not hurt to explain if you don't have the funds or the physical ability to do certain things.

I thoroughly hate the jerks in our code enforcement office, and the magistrate who supported them. However, if I had not treated them with anger and contempt, they would not have done some of the things they did, and I would have saved myself a lot of money (many thousands) and grief.

Before fines are levied, under the standard BOCA and fire codes, warnings must, under most circumstances, be given. As you have been fined several times, I believe you may have unnecessarily antagonized the authorities. For your sake, and for the improvement of your neighbors and the jerks in authority, try to amend these relationships: Be polite, be friendly, be respectful, be kind. If what is being asked of you could reasonably be interpreted as improving your property, recognize that this is also for your benefit. Explain your difficulties and ask the complaining neighbors if they would like to help.

Forgive them. This is very good for you, it feels great. When I dwell on my hate, I feel lousy. I am getting much better at chasing it out of my mind. Apologize to them (neighbors and authorities) if you can bear it, and tell yourself that you are trying to be a good Christian (if this applies).

It is better to win friends than to make enemies.

Best wishes to you for a happy new year.

That's sound thinking Ewald, and it sounds like you speak from both experience and compassion.

How about "Armed with Smith & Wesson" - Would you like to help me try out my new Christmas Present?????

Is this a city, county ordinance thing or a community thing.
In FL, they got these communities set up. They are actually like a nonprofit org and they rule the communities.

When you move into one, you are at the mercy of the board members.

We were blessed with the fact that we bought what must have been the ugliest place in town! It looked like a landfill. It had a schoolbus, a burned out previous mobile was still on it, old farm equipment and parts. Junk, scrap metal, wire, wood, you name it and the junk was here!

It was so bad that the neighbors planted trees so that they wouldn't have to see it.

Now, just about everytime we go someplace and meet somebody new they comment on how good looking we've got the place looking. Personally, we still feel that it looks horrible but it's obvious that we have cleaned it up quit a bit.

For that reason, we have become favorites in the community because it does effect their property values and for some of these people, that's all they have!

Now, we lived in FL in a mobile home community and they were all the time getting onto us because I was always working on something in the yard. They didn't like my garden, nor my shade house, nor my planter boxes out on the patio. They didn't like anything. We put up a huge fence and nobody said another peep but we knew that we weren't going to be happy living there because it was just going to get worse.

Some people don't live in their homes they worship it. I will pray that God provides you some help. But, I know from experience that things can pile up and when you aren't physically able to do much it gets overwhelming.

When I was having trouble walking I bit the bullet and made a committment to pick up one thing per day and eventually I got someplace with it. It took me three weeks but I got the front of the house straightened out.

Wow!
This thread makes me so glad I'm out on the farm in rural southwest GA, and the woods or family are my only neighbors..
Larkie

we live in a rural carea of the county. i just do not know they expect us to pay 1600.00 fine. trying to clean up this mess is killing me. and even if cleaned up by feb. 25th we still have to pay at least 1100.00.

I live in a rurual community too. But it is being developed quickly - too quickly. Anway, last year the city council tried to pass a law to restrict what we can and cannot have on our land. It would even allow a zoning inspector to inspect without a compaint or appointment. Then, if they don't like what they see, they will issue a warning, followed by a fine. If the property still isn't to their liking, the city would have the right to do the work and add the cost to the property tax ! The problem is, aside from invasion of privacy, that this law is very nonspecific. The city can have a problem with the plants you grow, or the color of your house, or the condition of your house and other buildings. Needless to say, we voted it down - TWICE ! But it is going to be on the ballot again ! I take great care of our 3 acres. Some of our neighbors keep theirs up. Some are older (even older than me!) and don't do as much. I think their yard is none of my business as long as their dogs are secured. Oh - but the leash law here is another thread.....

That fine sure seems excessive...what is it they are so upset about?

Any gardening Georgia lawyers out there? I've heard of a motion to reconsider (here within 30 days of hearing). District courts are often quite informal, and maybe just talking to the judge, especially if you've started or completed the work, or could use the money to help get the work done, might result in getting part of the fine waived.
Here it takes $50 to appeal to the next level, which I did successfully once (insufficient notice to correct the problem) and unsuccessfully twice. Best advice is of course to not get to court in the first place. Good luck.

This message was edited Jan 12, 2004 8:49 AM

we requested it go to state court so as to be judged by an impajury and the judge refused. the dh asked for a lawyer appointed by the court because we could not afford one. she also refused that. i am writing the american civil liberties union asking for help. have not heard from them yet. most of what they are complaining about is a few junk cars behind a fence that cannot be seen from the troad. the cars we given to us as to use them for parts for the old clunkers we drive. we are very low income with both of us disabled with 2 teenage daughters.

A few of our news channels have people who help. Channel 2 has Emily Aikin in Houston area and we have marvin zindler. Check out legal aid that is what they are for. It is unfair if They try force you to pay the 1100.00. Have you wrote to your congressman? This is silly, while they let criminals go free they will pester the disabled and low income because they are the ones who they know they can collect from. Find a reason and take your neighbor to small claims court or one that is on TV. I would like to see them squirm. Pray for your neighbor as he is a very bitter person. I would also put on the prayer request forum. Pray helps. God says no man can stand against us if we are a child of his.
I will pray for you and yours.
Sandy

Your State Representative is another person to contact, Janet.

our legal aid says they do not handle this kind of problem

i am working hard to get some help here.

Janet, I'm following this thread with hope and good intentions for your family. I hope you find resolution. I am on your side.

As far as the actual work that needs to be done, could you see if an Americorps, Boy Scouts or other service organization has people who could help you?

Does your county of Bulloch have a crisit/information center that might direct you toward some volunteer help?

By freeing yourself of the burden of trying to do it all yourself, you can concentrate on the legal aspects. I'm praying God brings you together with local people who can help you.

This message was edited Jan 10, 2004 11:41 PM

huh interesting
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