Mow your lawn... or risk jail time

[HIIslander]

What if some person on a fixed income, say on SSDI or a Vetran, has to chose between paying for food or (GAS) or mowing the lawn?

I don't know. I think that the country is falling appart and we should be focusing on ways to make our bonds stronger with our fellow people--not focus on these silly, petty things.

I suspect such things are accepted into legislation to keep us...just where they want us. to be.

[Cheeka-Weeka]

HIIslander wrote:

<quoted text>
Hey, Chica!
I do think that people should keep their place tidy but by no means do I think people should be jailed for it, or even fined by the city or state. It is all purely for asthetics, and I think it is kind of sad that people are willing to tattle on their neighbor.
But really, how much could it possibly bring the value of your home down if your neigbor mows every three months?
It seems harmless but I could see silly justifications paving the way for so much more loss of rights in the future. I mean, what is next? Fines for not having designer rubbish cans?

I get what you are saying, but I paid 200k for my house, maybe to a lot of folks that's not a whole lot, but it's my money, I want my investment to hold out and even gain...if I have this great house and my neighbor doesn't do you really think I am going to be able to sell it quick and make as much as I would like off it? When I was looking for my house I was looking at everyone's yard, paint, cars, etc (I missed hers because of the freaking bushes on the side of my house and it was late winter!) I know a lot of people that look for the same when they buy...who wants to live next to trailer trash??

[La Sunshine]

Cheeka-Weeka wrote:

<quoted text>
I get what you are saying, but I paid 200k for my house, maybe to a lot of folks that's not a whole lot, but it's my money, I want my investment to hold out and even gain...if I have this great house and my neighbor doesn't do you really think I am going to be able to sell it quick and make as much as I would like off it? When I was looking for my house I was looking at everyone's yard, paint, cars, etc (I missed hers because of the freaking bushes on the side of my house and it was late winter!) I know a lot of people that look for the same when they buy...who wants to live next to trailer trash??

Here in the township we have trustees, no mayor. If a person doesn't take care of their property, such as steps breaking, high grass and weeds, roofs leaking, fences falling apart or anything regarding safety issues the police can get involved. The trustees will send the owner a letter and the property is inspected by the zoning inspector. The owners are given so many days to make the repairs. If the repairs are not done the trustees charge a fine to the owner. Again after so many days the fine goes up for each repair not done. Also, in our township if a person locks their keys in the car the police will not help you unless you are a resident or work in the township.

[alsan55]

La Sunshine wrote:

<quoted text>Here in the township we have trustees, no mayor. If a person doesn't take care of their property, such as steps breaking, high grass and weeds, roofs leaking, fences falling apart or anything regarding safety issues the police can get involved. The trustees will send the owner a letter and the property is inspected by the zoning inspector. The owners are given so many days to make the repairs. If the repairs are not done the trustees charge a fine to the owner. Again after so many days the fine goes up for each repair not done. Also, in our township if a person locks their keys in the car the police will not help you unless you are a resident or work in the township.

But I'm sure those same cops will ticket anything that will create revenue for their salaries. It's a sad day when a cop says 'that's not my job' to such a simple task.

[HIIslander]

Cheeka-Weeka wrote:

<quoted text>
I get what you are saying, but I paid 200k for my house, maybe to a lot of folks that's not a whole lot, but it's my money, I want my investment to hold out and even gain...if I have this great house and my neighbor doesn't do you really think I am going to be able to sell it quick and make as much as I would like off it? When I was looking for my house I was looking at everyone's yard, paint, cars, etc (I missed hers because of the freaking bushes on the side of my house and it was late winter!) I know a lot of people that look for the same when they buy...who wants to live next to trailer trash??

Aah, you have no idea how many of those there are out here. I do think it looks nasty. There are OH so many houses for sale where the dozed the entire lot and left the property sitting for however many months and now there are towering invasive shrubs and trees creating nice weed seedbanks in their neighbor's yard. Many of the areas being developed are smack next to pretty decent native forests, so what this does is increase the likelyhood of weeds moving in from the outside (residential) areas and spread like cancer inward.

I'd love to see legislation to prevent this here, and we are not only talking about weed problems but everything that goes along with infestations as well. I could type a 12 pager here but it has to do with nurturing all of our natural land and water resources.

So, I guess I'd say yes to fines in this case but I am so very unconfortable on city imposed fines based on athetics. Is this hipocritical?

Really though, how much value do you think is decreased with the sloppy yard next door?

Why does she not take care of it?

[HIIslander]

Hypocritical.....

[tallyho]

the judge will be here shortly

[Cheeka-Weeka]

HIIslander wrote:

<quoted text>
Aah, you have no idea how many of those there are out here. I do think it looks nasty. There are OH so many houses for sale where the dozed the entire lot and left the property sitting for however many months and now there are towering invasive shrubs and trees creating nice weed seedbanks in their neighbor's yard. Many of the areas being developed are smack next to pretty decent native forests, so what this does is increase the likelyhood of weeds moving in from the outside (residential) areas and spread like cancer inward.
I'd love to see legislation to prevent this here, and we are not only talking about weed problems but everything that goes along with infestations as well. I could type a 12 pager here but it has to do with nurturing all of our natural land and water resources.
So, I guess I'd say yes to fines in this case but I am so very unconfortable on city imposed fines based on athetics. Is this hipocritical?
Really though, how much value do you think is decreased with the sloppy yard next door?
Why does she not take care of it?

I so get cha....

I am not sure how much, maybe 5-10k...I don't know how it is where you are at, but out here there are plenty of neighborhoods with the same models. If say, someone looks at my place and sees her house, then looks at the same model in another neighborhood in just as good as shape as mine, and the neighbors keep thier places up, which would you choose?

I dunno, I think she is just lazy, her house/car and garage is filled to the brim with crap/trash, she can barely get into her two and a half car garage to get the mower and her car looks like the city dump.
I work 40+ hours a week, I find 30minutes to an hour a week to mow/trim my yard, she can't?

[Cheeka-Weeka]

La Sunshine wrote:

<quoted text>Here in the township we have trustees, no mayor. If a person doesn't take care of their property, such as steps breaking, high grass and weeds, roofs leaking, fences falling apart or anything regarding safety issues the police can get involved. The trustees will send the owner a letter and the property is inspected by the zoning inspector. The owners are given so many days to make the repairs. If the repairs are not done the trustees charge a fine to the owner. Again after so many days the fine goes up for each repair not done. Also, in our township if a person locks their keys in the car the police will not help you unless you are a resident or work in the township.

Can the put a lien on the place?

[HIIslander]

Cheeka-Weeka wrote:

<quoted text>
I so get cha....
I am not sure how much, maybe 5-10k...I don't know how it is where you are at, but out here there are plenty of neighborhoods with the same models. If say, someone looks at my place and sees her house, then looks at the same model in another neighborhood in just as good as shape as mine, and the neighbors keep thier places up, which would you choose?
I dunno, I think she is just lazy, her house/car and garage is filled to the brim with crap/trash, she can barely get into her two and a half car garage to get the mower and her car looks like the city dump.
I work 40+ hours a week, I find 30minutes to an hour a week to mow/trim my yard, she can't?

That was about the figure that I came up with for my area, too.

I would chose the house in the other neighborhood, unless there were 10 barking yip yips next door or something. I'd rather be next to your neighbor, in that case:)

The lady could have some sort of mental problem. Maybe she's on drugs? She may very well be legitmately disabled. Maybe she is just purely lazy. It does sound like she is on a fixed income, whether it is for legitimate reason or not I do not know.

See, to me the trash piles are a completely different story because lots of critters do like that.

Still ,no justification seen on my behalf.

Have you had the chance to speak with her, in general?

[JulieTaylor]

This law is ridiculous. Lawn mowers pollute and gas prices are too high right now. Why cant humans leave their lawns and let nature take its course. Animals and insects need places to live. I recommend everybody email the mayor and city council about your opposition to this law.

[tallyho]

Cheeka-Weeka wrote:

<quoted text>
Can the put a lien on the place?

in most townships or charters I should say.. yes they can and some even have the power to condemn the property and simply dispose of it..

[tallyho]

one nice thing about topix is that you will always find some one who is opposed to the topic/law / what ever it maybe ... just what I always wanted is a home for the Malaria insect next door to me

[La Sunshine]

Cheeka-Weeka wrote:

<quoted text>
Can the put a lien on the place?

I went to our Township website. I found this info: Its called the "Home Rule Resolution"

WHEREAS, pursuant to ORC Sections 504.04(B)(4), 504.05 and 504.13, in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the Township, it is necessary and desirable to amend the JT Property Maintance Code to now regulate the repair and maintance of existing dwellings owner occupied, rental or otherwise owned in the Township and to adopt the 2006 International Property Maintance Code, as published by the International Code Council, Inc.

WHEREAS, Deficiently maintained and unslightly dwellings and related premises can, and do, create safety, health and sanitary hazards for the occupants of such dwellings and related premises and that may adversely affect adjancent or neighboring property owners or persons in the peace and enjoyment of their properties and when the above describe nuisance conditions are created, the health, saftey and welfare of Township residents are threatened and adversely affected.

106.2 Penalty:$500.00 for the first violation and $750.00 for each subsequent violation. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a seperate offense.

106.3 Prosecution: Where the violation of this resolution is a matter of health or safety, the code offical may request the Township Law Director to file an action for injunctive relief as authorized by ORC Section 504.08 against the person(s) responsible for the violation for the purpose of ordering that person(s) to restrain, correct or remove the violations.

I listed most of what I could find ref. where I live. I really don't know if the trustees could put a lien on anyones property. I hope that some of the info that I posted helped you some.

[Jeffrey]

Malaria insect???.Tallyho, isn't that going just a little toooo far, even for you?

[clone bensen]

stupid,gas prices stupids, county should pay for it,hehehhhahahehee, or gey sheep hhehehahahehhe

[ummmmm]

Hi where I am from cars are lawn ornaments...its all about perspective and a little sanity. There has to be something more important to spend government money and time on. Also, if high grass bothers you so much why not move to a place with no grass say a large city. Don't people live outside of cities for things like grass and nature?? Oh and private property should stay what it is...private property. What if the mayor decided that all grass needed to be purple or cut on a diagonal? This whole thing is really the most ridiculous thing I have possibly ever heard and wastes a lot of time, energy, and tax money!!

[ummmmm]

OH and think about the money those people are saving by not cutting their grass!! I am a little jealous.

[Debra27]

Cheeka-Weeka wrote:

I wish they would ticket my neighbor...well, she has mowed twice this year so far...last year it was twice all summer....and she better pick up the dog poo in her backyard, if I get even the slightest whiff of poo, she will be getting a visit!!

Hey Cheeks!! There should be a thread on the worst neighbors...mine would win hands down. They have broken down vehicles, old car engines (one still on the cherry picker) and a boat in the overgrown yard. The back deck is covered with sh*t that they just throw out of the house, I wouldn't care so much but their house is about 25' from mine, while I stand at the sink doing dishes, I get to look out over their garbage strewn, overgrown mess. They also have three dogs that have never seen the inside of the house, they bark continually, especially whenever I walk inside my home (!!).

People that think this doesn't effect the neighbors are so wrong, I'm sure that if I attempted to sell my house right now, I would get considerably less, they moved in after I was here for ten years, it would be different for someone to see this mess (did I mention the toilet in the yard?) and decide to live next to them.

I don't like government interference, but there are some people that live like pigs. They need to be told what to do.

[Chatty Kathy]

Debra27 wrote:

<quoted text>
Hey Cheeks!! There should be a thread on the worst neighbors...mine would win hands down. They have broken down vehicles, old car engines (one still on the cherry picker) and a boat in the overgrown yard. The back deck is covered with sh*t that they just throw out of the house, I wouldn't care so much but their house is about 25' from mine, while I stand at the sink doing dishes, I get to look out over their garbage strewn, overgrown mess. They also have three dogs that have never seen the inside of the house, they bark continually, especially whenever I walk inside my home (!!).
People that think this doesn't effect the neighbors are so wrong, I'm sure that if I attempted to sell my house right now, I would get considerably less, they moved in after I was here for ten years, it would be different for someone to see this mess (did I mention the toilet in the yard?) and decide to live next to them.
I don't like government interference, but there are some people that live like pigs. They need to be told what to do.

I agree with what you said. We also have some neighbors that have crap all over. It makes a nice neighborhood look shabby.