Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 14, 1994                   TAG: 9409140073
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: FAIRFAX                                 LENGTH: Short

LAWYER HAS THE `BETTER MOW' BLUES

Fairfax County ``has no business telling me to cut my lawn,'' Goldbecker, a lawyer, said Monday.

The county requires residents to cut grass that is more than a foot tall on residential lots a half-acre and smaller. Goldbecker said the policy is unconstitutional.

``How are you supposed to cut it to 12 inches? Get out there with your scissors? If they want it, they'll have to come and walk over me.''

The Board of Supervisors on Monday denied his appeal and ordered the county staff to cut Goldbecker's lawn.

``Their next step is to get in trouble if they try it,'' Goldbecker said. ``They can't just cut my lawn, my private property. If they want to come on this property in a legal way, they would have to go to court and get an injunction against me.''