Woman Goes to Jail for Not Mowing Lawn

[Veliko]

This. I dont put myself in the hole for 30 years (typical home mortgage) and the not pay attention to the financial health of my investment. This is boneheaded beyond belief.

And agree with what you said, a part of the "value" of the home is something that is not measured in dollars and cents. It is the value I place on the good feeling I get when I look outside and see order, when I walk around the neighborhood and I see tidy property that are owned by self respecting individuals who care about the image they are projecting who respect their neighbors.

Yes, the state should enforce lawn lengths to protect your sense of vanity.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

This. I dont put myself in the hole for 30 years (typical home mortgage) and the not pay attention to the financial health of my investment. This is boneheaded beyond belief.

And agree with what you said, a part of the "value" of the home is something that is not measured in dollars and cents. It is the value I place on the good feeling I get when I look outside and see order, when I walk around the neighborhood and I see tidy property that are owned by self respecting individuals who care about the image they are projecting who respect their neighbors.

My in-laws sold their house a few years ago (2010, IIRC) and had problems with a neighbor across the street who wouldn't do ANYTHING to their lawn to keep it up. These folks were REALLY trashy and one day, just drove their van over and parked in my in-laws driveway without even asking and left it there! And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Anyway, the lawn was at least a foot tall and my father-in-law went over and said "Look, I'm trying to sell my house and would appreciate it if you could help me out the next few weeks by keeping your lawn cut." He just got a blank stare and nothing was done. Finally, he literally got on his lawn mower, drove across the street, and cut the lawn himself because these morons were too lazy.

People who don't take care of their properties really piss me off. I just don't understand the logic of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a house just to let it fall into shambles -- tall grass, gutters falling or having plants grow in them, etc. Seeing how bad some houses are kept only makes me wonder how bad the insides of these homes must be.

 

[Veliko]

as soon as i read the op and saw how STUPID this ruling was, i was certain there were people who were going to say it was apt...

She broke the RULES.

RULES are FREEDOM.

America is FREEDOM.

Why you do hate America?

 

[NetWareHead]

Good grief, you're justifying state-enforcement of lawn length because you want to make some investments.

It's akin to bullying your neighbour into washing his car because you want to put an extra tenner on the lottery this week.

You are assigning all of the blame to the state so I will repeat from my previous post:

"The state doesn;t set the value of my home. The market does. The market is determined by people like me who place more value on a tidy block. Therefore, those house will fetch higher prices. It is also determined by people like you who dont care about untidy neighborhoods; you are one of those buyers who sound like you will bid on a house that is built next to hillbillies.

The state/town/municipality uses these market prices to assess value of said real estate and assess taxes. When the market goes up (and down) you may get a re-assessment and corresponding change of taxes."

 

[Veliko]

That doesn't alter the fact that you're justifying state-enforcement of lawn length because you want to make some investments.

 

[NetWareHead]

Yes, the state should enforce lawn lengths to protect your sense of vanity.

They should because it is good business and people like me who care about tidyness are who pays the taxes that keeps thing running. I wont buy a property (or keep one, I will look to sell it) if the neighborhood goes to shit.

Money talks and it makes good business sense for the state to step in and assess fines and protect my sense of vanity.

 

[NetWareHead]

Anyway, the lawn was at least a foot tall and my father-in-law went over and said "Look, I'm trying to sell my house and would appreciate it if you could help me out the next few weeks by keeping your lawn cut." He just got a blank stare and nothing was done. Finally, he literally got on his lawn mower, drove across the street, and cut the lawn himself because these morons were too lazy.

People who don't take care of their properties really piss me off. I just don't understand the logic of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a house just to let it fall into shambles -- tall grass, gutters falling or having plants grow in them, etc. Seeing how bad some houses are kept only makes me wonder how bad the insides of these homes must be.

:thumbsup: Good for your father in-law. What did the across the street slob say when he saw his lawn was cut?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

:thumbsup: Good for your father in-law. What did the across the street slob say when he saw his lawn was cut?

Nothing at all -- I think they just watched him.

 

[Veliko]

They should because it is good business and people like me who care about tidyness are who pays the taxes that keeps thing running. I wont buy a property (or keep one, I will look to sell it) if the neighborhood goes to shit.

Money talks and it makes good business sense for the state to step in and assess fines and protect my sense of vanity.

What a load of hot air and bullshit.

 

[Exterous]

Actual jail time is a bit much, but I certainly support the city's ability to levy a fine of some sort on her property for not keeping to a minimum level of care.

Look, if people are going to live tightly spaced with each other, there are certain minimum standards that everyone has to agree to and meet in order for the entire community to get along. Just like there are building construction controls (you can't turn your suburban house into a iron smelting plant) and sound ordinances, there are visual standards as well. If you want to live in a community and net the benefits that go along with that, you give a little bit of autonomy up in return. That's just reality.

:thumbsup:

So what about paint and shingle colors? Should those be legislated as well because someone else might not like it?

We can make a government approved list of 5 or 6 paints maybe? Or how about just making a government approved list of building plans. Lets say 2 styles for 2 bedroom houses, 2 for 3, 2 for 4, etc.... That way everyones shit looks exactly the same and we don't have to worry about someone elses property rights costing you a few nickels.

The line needs to be drawn somewhere so there will be quibbling about where but there still needs to be a line unless you think anyone should be able to do anything with their property regardless of how it affects other's property.

Personally I think an unsightly lawn is a bigger issue than shingles or number of bedrooms. Shingle colors don't show a lack of care and consideration for a property just a stylistic choice. Number of bedrooms on the house behind you will have less impact on your property value than an overgrown mess of a yard

I think you would be hard pressed to find a potential owner who would be willing to pay the exact same for the same house that backs up to an overgrown mess of a yard as a house that backs up to a well manicured yard.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

It appears this has been going on for over a decade. Why would you own a house and not either live in it or rent it out?

http://www.wbir.com/story/news/loca...-jailed-for-6-hours-over-dirty-yard/17322415/

"In this particular case this has been going on for 12 or 13 years. The Holloways have been cited in the court a number of times," he said.

They say after the Karen Holloway ignored multiple orders to clean-up her house, jail time was the only solution.

Holloway says family struggles have kept her away from the property her family owns on West Broadway in Lenoir City. They bought the home in 2000 with plans to renovate, but currently live in an apartment.

"I'm a mom. I don't want to leave my kids. I want to be there with them every night and I have been for 25 years and last night I wasn't and that really bothers me," said Holloway.

 

[master_shake_]

She broke the RULES.

RULES are FREEDOM.

America is FREEDOM.

Why you do hate America?

not sure if serious but i will add this.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

She broke the RULES.

RULES are FREEDOM.

America is FREEDOM.

Why you do hate America?

Hey, you've convinced me you're right. I'm going to start to ignore property rules too. I mean, there's that pesky rule about paying property taxes. Surely the school system doesn't need several thousand dollars a year from my property taxes, right? I mean, I OWN the property so I should be able to do ANYTHING I want with it and not have to pay taxes on it since I paid taxes during my entire mortgage, right? Right? And after all, I don't have kids so why am I paying for schools based on my property value?

And hey, there's this ugly utility pole in the back of my property in what is called a utility easement. Who do those jerks think they are? It is MY property, not theirs. I'll be back a little later -- I need to get my chainsaw and go chop down that pole because of the outrageous infringement on my rights.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

It appears this has been going on for over a decade. Why would you own a house and not either live in it or rent it out?

http://www.wbir.com/story/news/loca...-jailed-for-6-hours-over-dirty-yard/17322415/

Ok, I stand corrected -- she does deserve jail time after ignoring multiple orders.

 

[brandonb]

This is nothing: This is a City where I grew up and have a rental property:

Subd. 2. The city council finds that vacant buildings are a major cause and source of blight in
residential and non-residential neighborhoods, especially when the owner or responsible party of the
building fails to actively maintain and manage the building to ensure it does not become a liability to the
neighborhood. Vacant buildings often attract transients, homeless people, trespassers and criminals,
including drug abusers. Neglect of vacant buildings, as well as use of vacant buildings by transients and
criminals, creates a risk of fire, explosion or flooding for the vacant building and adjacent properties.
Vacant properties often are used as dumping grounds for junk and debris and often are overgrown with
weeds and grass. Vacant buildings that are boarded to prevent entry by transients and other long-term
vacancies discourage economic development and retard appreciation of property values. There is a
substantial cost to the city for monitoring vacant buildings whether or not those buildings are boarded.
This cost should not be borne by the general taxpayers of the community; but, rather, these costs should
be borne by those who choose to leave their buildings vacant.

Sure, that makes sense.

Then, here is the bomb they drop.

The owner or responsible party shall
register a vacant building with the city no later than 30 days after the building becomes vacant.

What? If a place is empty for 30 days its a vacant property? What if you have rental property, and you can't find another tenant right away? Your building is now vacant?

If a building has remained vacant for a period of 365 consecutive
days, and the compliance official has not approved an alternative schedule in the property
plan, the city may declare the building to be a nuisance and direct the owner to demolish
the building and restore the grounds. If the owner does not demolish the building and
thereby eliminate the nuisance conditions, the city may commence abatement and cost
recovery proceedings for the abatement of the violation in accordance with subsection
425.25 of this code and Minnesota Statutes, section 429.101.

Really? So if your place is vacant for 1 year, they are going to demand you demolish your property at your expense what kind of crap is that? I remodeled my rental and I did it by myself. It was vacant for more than 1 year as I was remodeling it. That's not my choice anymore? I have to hire contractors who get the shit done right away?

And then they add this:

Subd. 4. Exemptions.

b) Snowbirds. Those persons who leave their residential buildings on a temporary basis for
vacation purposes or to reside elsewhere during the winter season and have the intent to
return are exempt from the registration requirement. Requests for “snowbird” exemption
will be considered annually with proper verification.

A snow bird exception, provided you provide "proper verification"? It's none of their business where I go and what I do with my time.

What it comes down to is this:

The city is there to serve me and the community. I pay property taxes to keep the bums and drug dealers off the street. My property shouldn't be a burden to the rest of the tax payers? Why should other peoples kids be a burden to me so why am I paying for their public school? That's the purposes of taxes. Everybody pay sand everybody gets services or some sort, even if it doesn't necessarily apply to them.

I should not have to pay extra and buy this permit for them to place a police car in front of my house to monitor it if it was "vacant" (they don't anyways)... If I have overgrown weeds, then fine me. If I have a run down house and is a blight to the community, fine me. If I'm looking for a renter. Why should I have to pay a few extra hundred dollars after 30 days of vacancy? What purpose does it serve?

When it comes down to it. It's just a money grab. That's what happens when the people serve the government rather than the reverse.

 

[TechBoyJK]

You tell me what the difference is.

The State says if you don't mow your lawn they will do it for you and send you a bill and then tack on fines. If you don't pay they will take your home. = Legal extortion

If I say that you don't mow your lawn that I'll mow it for you and send you a bill along with fines. If you don't pay I'll take your home. = Extortion

Nah.

Basically, if you can't mow your lawn in a residential area, you probably shouldn't have a home. If a lawn is poorly maintained, it basically means the entire property is.

 

[highland145]

I'm a mom. I don't want to leave my kids. I want to be there with them every night and I have been for 25 years and last night I wasn't and that really bothers me," said Holloway.

She had kids that are 25 yo living at home? That's her "excuse?" Why could they not take care of it for her?

 

[cabri]

1) we do not know if there is a 25 year old living at home; just that she has been a Mom for 25 yrs (her statements)

2) What the heck happens on week-ends. Spend 2 hours a week-end day over a month and the place can get easily cleaned up.

3) Even if additional tools were needed (extension ladder/clippers), with both parents working, they could have either purchased or rented what was needed.

4) Pictures indicate that some items had been cut down, by her or the city. If her family did such, they just quit after doing a little rather than cleaning up the mess.

Sob story ignoring lack of responsibility. :thumbsdown:

 

[TechBoyJK]

1) we do not know if there is a 25 year old living at home; just that she has been a Mom for 25 yrs (her statements)

2) What the heck happens on week-ends. Spend 2 hours a week-end day over a month and the place can get easily cleaned up.

3) Even if additional tools were needed (extension ladder/clippers), with both parents working, they could have either purchased or rented what was needed.

4) Pictures indicate that some items had been cut down, by her or the city. If her family did such, they just quit after doing a little rather than cleaning up the mess.

Sob story ignoring lack of responsibility. :thumbsdown:

This.

People are lazy. They'd rather spend a few hours making excuses than actually doing the work. I bet their home is a wreck. They're probably hoarders. And it probably stinks.

 

[dmcowen674]

This is nothing: This is a City where I grew up and have a rental property:

What? If a place is empty for 30 days its a vacant property? What if you have rental property, and you can't find another tenant right away? Your building is now vacant?

Really? So if your place is vacant for 1 year, they are going to demand you demolish your property at your expense what kind of crap is that? I remodeled my rental and I did it by myself. It was vacant for more than 1 year as I was remodeling it. That's not my choice anymore? I have to hire contractors who get the shit done right away?

And then they add this:

A snow bird exception, provided you provide "proper verification"? It's none of their business where I go and what I do with my time.

What it comes down to is this:

The city is there to serve me and the community. I pay property taxes to keep the bums and drug dealers off the street. My property shouldn't be a burden to the rest of the tax payers? Why should other peoples kids be a burden to me so why am I paying for their public school? That's the purposes of taxes. Everybody pay sand everybody gets services or some sort, even if it doesn't necessarily apply to them.

I should not have to pay extra and buy this permit for them to place a police car in front of my house to monitor it if it was "vacant" (they don't anyways)... If I have overgrown weeds, then fine me. If I have a run down house and is a blight to the community, fine me. If I'm looking for a renter. Why should I have to pay a few extra hundred dollars after 30 days of vacancy? What purpose does it serve?

When it comes down to it. It's just a money grab. That's what happens when the people serve the government rather than the reverse.

If you are a rich SOB that you have rentals you should maintain them.

If you can't maintain them you should not have them. Period.

I have a family member employed by a city to go after deadbeats like you.

He checks on every rental property in the city. When a property starts having a ratty yard, vacant etc he starts the wheels in motion to get people like you to comply with the law.

They don't comply the place gets demolished and you get the bill.

This stops situations like Detroit from happening.

 

[Matt1970]

It appears this has been going on for over a decade. Why would you own a house and not either live in it or rent it out?

Nah.

Basically, if you can't mow your lawn in a residential area, you probably shouldn't have a home. If a lawn is poorly maintained, it basically means the entire property is.

Pretty much if someone isn't taking care of their lawn they aren't taking care of other regular maintenance a house needs to not only be pleasing to the eye buy also not a health/safety hazard. Proof is here in this story. It's hard to tell from the photo but if you can play the video on the news site, you can see that front gutter that obviously is going to have standing water in it also has some nice trees starting to grow in it. There are also vines all over the house and looks to be in pretty dire need of a paint job. Those stumps along the front are a safety hazard as well. It is almost always never just the lawn.

 

[NoStateofMind]

I guess you are against taxes of any form. Only slaves pay their masters. *rolls eyes*

Nice assumption. Should I take an equal leap of stupidity and claim you work at subway because you have sub in your name? Roll eyes indeed.

All you are saying is you think fines for breaking the law is extortion.

All you are saying is that for extortion to not be extortion people just have to vote on it.

 

[shira]

It is when you live in my neighborhood and I have to see it and it drags my property value down. That's why we have codes and ordinances.

So if your neighbor is an infectious-disease nurse at NIH who regularly cares for Ebola patients, your property values will probably decline because of the rampant epidemic of FearBola. So does that give the community the right to force your neighbor to move somewhere else?

 

[Matt1970]

So if your neighbor is an infectious-disease nurse at NIH who regularly cares for Ebola patients, your property values will probably decline because of the rampant epidemic of FearBola. So does that give the community the right to force your neighbor to move somewhere else?

I am sorry there are laws that we have to live buy. Maybe you folks can all go start your own city somewhere. You can let the grass grow as high as you want, leave your trash all over your yards and god knows what else. You can build your houses any way you want to cause Damnit, nobody is going to tell you what to do cause the is America!!!

 

[shira]

I am sorry there are laws that we have to live buy. Maybe you folks can all go start your own city somewhere. You can let the grass grow as high as you want, leave your trash all over your yards and god knows what else. You can build your houses any way you want to cause Damnit, nobody is going to tell you what to do cause the is America!!!

You didn't answer my question.