THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 26, 1995 TAG: 9503240201
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
I am angry. We have lived in Lakeville Estates for over 33 years and it is a fine place. Now our civic league has, without the people voting on it, put out a flier telling everyone to ``report all zoning violations.'' Why am I upset? Because these things have happened or will happen:
1. One family was told by total strangers to buy siding for their unfinished garage because the bricks weren't ready and these folks didn't like it unfinished. They even tried a petition.
2. While painting the garage doors, the owners were told, ``I hope you are not painting it that color. It is awful.'' Williamsburg blue is awful?
3. A high fence was built by a homeowner to keep kids from drowning in a borrow pit. Parents were furious. The owners were harassed. A drowning would have been better?
4. There are two families here harassed for parking vehicles on a curve. Those doing the harassing will not listen to the fact that without these vehicles there, cars have been driven on people's lawns, almost killed a child in the one yard and left long, deep tracks in the yard across the way. Motorcycles fly around one corner and up in other yards. The parked vehicles slow drivers down.
5. About the violations, will these vigilantes measure the grass with a ruler? Will they turn in some arthritic-kneed owner whose garden is not weeded? If I put small figures in my yard, will they report me as having ``tacky'' ornaments or write nasty letters? Will they start on construction equipment there on business for three or four days? If a truck is dirty, will that owner get a nasty letter?
Speaking of nasty letters, two families have already gotten them. The one yard simply didn't suit the writer; the other was not done because the family was in another state on emergency business.
And houses? Have these people the right to tell others to take a child's college money to redo siding? Or money for medication? How about grocery money - does that have to go for paint or new siding? How about unpainted boxes around a pump or a pile of bricks? What if trees are trimmed and it takes a homeowner with arthritic shoulders several weeks to cut up all the wood? If I clean my garage and leave the stuff out for two or three days working on it, will I get a nasty letter? If a boat sticks a bit beyond the house, is someone going to have you cited? You bet your boots!
The laws were made for deteriorating houses, junk cars that are abandoned death traps, yards that harbor snakes, rats and dangerous junk scattered or piled up. Not homeowners who are tired, ill or broke just now. Some people just need a bit of time, help or the next paycheck to handle things.
We in our section of this neighborhood would rather go offer to help paint, mow or whatever. We keep an eye on each other and we care. What we do not want is ``Big Brother'' to cause hurt, fear and anger in any of our neighbors. Vigilantes want to rule with nasty anonymous letters and the fear of city citations. We believe in share and care.
Joan R. Akers
Sunnyside Drive by CNB