On 24 Jul 2007 14:34:26 -0700, Banty wrote:
:In article , Dan_Musicant says...
:
:On Sun, 22 Jul 2007 19:08:06 -0000, Lawrence
:wrote:
:
::I would ask him once to clean it up. If he did not do so then I would
:
ut on my rubber boots and gas mask and go out there and do it
::myself. Then I would make a point of letting dip**** know that I had
::to do it. Give him a call or visit as you are going out to do it.
::Put the dog**** on his curb on trash day and put a big sign on it that
::says DOG ****. This dude may get it or not. Though the solution is
::unpleasant, it beats the alternative.
::
::The alternative is calling the authorities. As far as I am concerned,
::you never call the authorities on your neighbor, very dangerous. That
::guy knows where you live. What do you really know about him and what
::he is capable of?? If the authorities approach him about his yard he
::will know it was you that went behind his back when you could have
::asked nicely or done it your self or both.
:
:I see the smarts in this but am fearful of jumping the fence and doing
:the job myself.
:
:Or perhaps you see the folly of the advice that you tresspass, because the owner
f the property may do something evil if you turn to authorities. Pretty
:contradictory if you ask me...
Yes, "folly" is a strong word, and I was trying to be diplomatic and not
aggravate a poster and so I paid a compliment instead.
:
:If we shared the yard, that would be another matter. I
:don't know what this guy is capable of but he hasn't come off to me as
:heavy so far. I know just about nothing about him, however. In any case,
:I don't think that most people think it's acceptable to just go onto
:another person's property and do ANYTHING. Well, certainly there are
:exceptions to that and we can all think of some, I'm sure, but cleaning
:up his dog's poop wouldn't, I think, be included.
:
:Yesterday I decided that I really do have to take action. I've been
:doing a lot of work in my yard, and even 40 feet or so from my back
:fence, the smell was very annoying at times. I am sure that it had to do
:with the fact that the air was pretty still at the time. Even so, it was
:so bad that I realized that the situation is intolerable. I looked over
:the fence a few times, but as usual he wasn't around. I haven't been
:seeing his dogs back there, either. I think they are grossed out by
:their ****-area and avoid it when they aren't ****ting.
:
:If I don't encounter him, I may take the direct approach and knock on
:his door. Of course, I could always send him a letter, but I'd rather
:talk to him directly, although I haven't imagined yet just what I'm
:going to say and how I'll say it. Sometimes I guess it's OK to just
:speak your mind and see what comes out of your mouth! I was prepared to
:do that yesterday, but didn't see him in his yard over his fence.
:
:
:Folks will run around crying like chickens that you'll be boiled alive if you
:talk to anyone or call the proper authorities, but really, the sensible way to
:go is:
:
:0. Try to get a feel for how reasonable the person is, if you perhaps should
:skip to step #2. Ask other neighbors if they have any dealings with him.
The guy's not a complete mystery to me, but I know only what I've seen
and heard over the fence. A year ago I had to have all my neighbors sign
a petition so I could get a city use permit approved, and he was one
front door I knocked on. Interestingly, around 3-4 years ago (?) he had
a party in his back yard,
AFAIK no others have occurred. The attendies
seemed like nice folks and all kinds. Friends, relatives, colleagues, I
don't know, maybe the lot. Certainly, he wouldn't dream of having
another such party without cleaning up his yard. Indeed, I wouldn't
dream of having a garden party without him cleaning up his yard! I'm
sure some of the rest of the neighborhood is affected including the
folks just east of me, but being youngish renters they are too timid to
complain.
The guy has a flag in front of his house, not an American flag but one
with a peace symbol on it and a color combination I'm not familiar with.
He doesn't seem like a peacenik, but who knows? Anyway, that would seem
to be a good sign that he's into communication and getting along.
Obviously, he has a problem, though.
:
:1. TALK to the neighbor. Believe it or not, he may not really realize how it's
:affecting others. I've seen people respond positively to stuff that I wouldn't
:expect. People I wouldn't expect to. But good stuff often happens when you talk
:with your neighbors. Have him over for a beer. Besides, if you do need to go to
:authorities (step #2), the first thing you'll be asked will be: "Well, have you
:tried talking to your neighbor?"
:
:Pretty good likelihood you won't need to go further..
I agree. It just hasn't happened yet. Thanks.
:but if you do have to:
:
:2. Go to the town/city and ask what ordinances are applicable and where this
:lies. It most likely falls under the "dog" statutes having to do with keeping
:dogs such that they do not have large impacts on neighbors. Could even be
:health, probably a nuisance problem. May even be an issue for the local SPCA.
:Then call the applicable authority. They may be sympathetic to taking a look at
:it themselves so as to not make it an actual complaint from you.
:
:3. Stand by your actions if you need to go to authorities. IF he confronts you
r even another neighbor brings it up, say - There was a problem; it had to be
:dealt with. Rinse lather repeat as necessary.
:
:It's unlikely the situation will escalate. But you have a problem now that's
:really making it hard for you to enjoy your property, right? Therefore, less to
:lose by trying.
:
:Cheers,
:Banty
I will try. I'm not losing sleep on this, it's just I'm wanting to run
into him rather than knock, but I may just say screw it, I'm knocking on
his door.
Dan