I don't think I said my neighbors actions were a direct attack on me and I certainly never felt they were. That doesn't mean that their actions don't affect me. Our yard, their yard and the yard behind us all come together in an open are over 1 & 1/2 acres with no fences. If one of us chooses to raise dandelions for a living then it does affect the others. It destroys the look of the nice area we can all enjoy. Maybe I'm wrong but then so are the neighbors behind us and the 2 across the street that called the township regarding the condition of that property. Maybe not in your mind, but the look of one house can detract from the others and affect their property values.

So maybe the 4 of us are wrong. I guess then so are the thousands of people that are willing to live with HOAs and all their restrictions. Why do so many local governments have zoning laws/regulations regarding property maintenance and will maintain it for you and slap the bill on your taxes if you choose not to do it?

Clearly you don't care what you live next to and think it's none of your business. I think you'd be surprised at how many people prefer not to live next to a dump and I happen to be one of them. So we've both expressed our opinion on the subject. Let's just say we agree to disagree on this. You think I'm wrong, I don't and I don't see that changing. It's time to move on.

Of course you're free to add your 'closing arguments' then let's put it to rest.

Hank, I think it's our mid western up bringing because while I think people have the right to do what they want with their property they need to consider others and the property values. Your old neighbors did not care and it showed as they let a nice house go to hell and they lost their asses because of it. With all the traveling I've done in the past I have been surprised on some of the lack of zoning laws in some counties.

In our neighbor hood in the last 9 years I have only known of two incidents where the HOA had to step in and they ended up be renters who did not care and it got pretty bad before they jumped in. I was Treasure of the HOA for 4 years and the board did not get involved unless their was complaints.

To each his own

There are 2 houses on our street that are empty right now. Kathy and I take the rider to both of them and cut the grass. I have kept the bushs trimmed, we pick up alll the branchs and sticks in the yard that the wind knocks down. We are like you Hank. One house that is turning to shit does have an affect on the whole street. I have even gone across the street to the wierd-os place and said "hey, you don't mind if I mow your lawn, do you". The owners are both able-bodied humans, but they could give a rats ass if their place looks like a dump. I care what my neighboorhood looks like.

And Ric...NO CLOCK FOR YOU!!!!!!! The "clock nazi" has spoken.

I have never seen my next door neighbor so much in the 9 years we've been here than since I got the Chevelle. He's like the little kid you mention, if he sees the garage door open, he comes over!!

I wish I had the space that you guys speak of. I live in a town where the houses are separated by the driveway between them. Luckily I live on a corner, with my driveway being off the side street so I only have the one renter right beside me.

We have gone and cut grass, or shoveled snow for the elderly or at the empty houses. With winter coming the one thing that I don't look forward to is the fact that I live 3 blocks from the Elementary School and no one shovels or salts their sidewalks. When it snows a lot we take the snowblower and snowblow the snow all the way to the school. I understand our neighbor Arnie not doing it, he is in his 70's. But the others who are maybe in their mid 30's tick me off.

The neighbors across the street are in their 70's, at least he is. He is also crippled from polio as a child. I've helped him on a number of occasions and never expected anything in return. Now their 40 year old son is living with them and he has helped us several times since I fractured my pelvis. I don't think they're trying to repay the favors, they're just good people and good neighbors.

I also helped the previous neighbors on several occasions, let's just say mechanical ability was not his strong suit. No problem, I didn't expect or want anything in turn. There is a drain pipe under the road out front that divides our properties. Also a utility pole at the back that divides our properties and the yard behind us. For the first 3 years I pushed the hand mower up and down the hill around the drain pipe. Then used the weed wacker there and around the utility pole. It takes well over an hour with the weed wacker and hand mower in our yard. Then you get to sit on the lawn mower to cut the rest. No problem, I'm there, I'll take care of it. Maybe next time you'll do it. Nope, 3 years and they never came within 3 feet of the pole or drain pipe. So I quit and took care of my property and my property only. We're pushing 60 years old and they had 4 capable people all younger than us.

Now the new neighbors moved in and I helped them pull a punch of overgrown bushes out with my 4x4 pickup. Don't want or expect anything but again he has helped us with some things I can't do right now. Anyway, we now have nice neighbors all the way around us. We'll help them if and when we can and I'm sure they'll do the same. They don't have to but it's nice to know they're willing to. As I said when I started the post it's a pleasure. It's a pleasure to have neighbors that are friendly. A pleasure to know that if you do need help at times there are people that are more than willing to lend a hand. A pleasure to walk outside and see a friendly face and someone that you want to talk to and be friends with.

Lived in the city with 55' wide lots for over 20 years. Had some great neighbors and some, so so. I use to snow blow about 5 houses on our side, one on the other side. Clean the gutters for the woman across the street, fix her garage door opener, etc. It was a nice neighborhood. We just always wanted a little more space, a little more openness. We left some good people behind but have made some really good friends here.

[QUOTE=Hank70SS;29129]I don't think I said my neighbors actions were a direct attack on me and I certainly never felt they were. That doesn't mean that their actions don't affect me. Our yard, their yard and the yard behind us all come together in an open are over 1 & 1/2 acres with no fences. If one of us chooses to raise dandelions for a living then it does affect the others. It destroys the look of the nice area we can all enjoy. Maybe I'm wrong but then so are the neighbors behind us and the 2 across the street that called the township regarding the condition of that property. Maybe not in your mind, but the look of one house can detract from the others and affect their property values.

So maybe the 4 of us are wrong. I guess then so are the thousands of people that are willing to live with HOAs and all their restrictions. Why do so many local governments have zoning laws/regulations regarding property maintenance and will maintain it for you and slap the bill on your taxes if you choose not to do it?

Clearly you don't care what you live next to and think it's none of your business. I think you'd be surprised at how many people prefer not to live next to a dump and I happen to be one of them. So we've both expressed our opinion on the subject. Let's just say we agree to disagree on this. You think I'm wrong, I don't and I don't see that changing. It's time to move on.Of course you're free to add your 'closing arguments' then let's put it to rest.[/QUOTE

QUOTELived in the city with 55' wide lots for over 20 years. Had some great neighbors and some, so so. I use to snow blow about 5 houses on our side, one on the other side. Clean the gutters for the woman across the street, fix her garage door opener, etc. It was a nice neighborhood. We just always wanted a little more space, a little more openness. We left some good people behind but have made some really good friends hereQUOTE

QUOTEThe neighbors across the street are in their 70's, at least he is. He is also crippled from polio as a child. I've helped him on a number of occasions and never expected anything in return. Now their 40 year old son is living with them and he has helped us several times since I fractured my pelvis. I don't think they're trying to repay the favors, they're just good people and good neighbors.

I also helped the previous neighbors on several occasions, let's just say mechanical ability was not his strong suit. No problem, I didn't expect or want anything in turn. There is a drain pipe under the road out front that divides our properties. Also a utility pole at the back that divides our properties and the yard behind us. For the first 3 years I pushed the hand mower up and down the hill around the drain pipe. Then used the weed wacker there and around the utility pole. It takes well over an hour with the weed wacker and hand mower in our yard. Then you get to sit on the lawn mower to cut the rest. No problem, I'm there, I'll take care of it. Maybe next time you'll do it. Nope, 3 years and they never came within 3 feet of the pole or drain pipe. So I quit and took care of my property and my property only. We're pushing 60 years old and they had 4 capable people all younger than us.

Now the new neighbors moved in and I helped them pull a punch of overgrown bushes out with my 4x4 pickup. Don't want or expect anything but again he has helped us with some things I can't do right now. Anyway, we now have nice neighbors all the way around us. We'll help them if and when we can and I'm sure they'll do the same. They don't have to but it's nice to know they're willing to. As I said when I started the post it's a pleasure. It's a pleasure to have neighbors that are friendly. A pleasure to know that if you do need help at times there are people that are more than willing to lend a hand. A pleasure to walk outside and see a friendly face and someone that you want to talk to and be friends with. QUOTE


Hank...... so much for " moving on" and "putting it to rest" LOL

True, but I wasn't debating you regarding our different opinions on the subject. I was replying to several other members and their comments.

Yes, I know what you were doing!