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Post by keen101 (Biolumo / Andrew B.) on Jul 9, 2011 2:37:29 GMT -5
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Post by mnjrutherford on Jul 9, 2011 8:50:53 GMT -5
Any way to help?
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Post by steev on Jul 9, 2011 11:24:32 GMT -5
She is right on the money. The neighbor who objects needs more fiber in his diet. I hope she is also gardening her backyard. Suitable equals common? Extraordinary equals uncommon!
For at least 30 years, I have driven on one of Oakland's main residential boulevards past a veggie garden maintained in two large (~10'x14') verges between the sidewalk and the street. The houses on that side are against a ridge to their south, so their backyards are cramped and shady. It's obvious that garden is productive and doesn't negatively impact anything; it's a fairly toney neighborhood.
I think I'll try to contact that city government to give them some feedback on how this ridiculous prosecution is advertising their fair city nation- and world-wide.
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Post by steev on Jul 9, 2011 12:04:31 GMT -5
Oak Park City Planner Kevin Rulkowski's phone number: (248) 691-7450.
This drone needs to get some "suitable" sense about productive use of taxpayer resources. He should make this BS disappear faster than his credibility as a useful public servant.
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Post by stratcat on Jul 9, 2011 12:59:44 GMT -5
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Post by seedywen on Jul 10, 2011 15:21:57 GMT -5
Also from Julie's blog, a poem, describing her situation.
The Oak Park Outlaw
The scofflaw, Julie Bass, Rejected trees and grass, And took to life of crime With parsley, sage and thyme.
Her crime is avant garde: The beds in her front yard Contain illegal greens, Like peppers, peas and beans.
Thank God the planner saw Within the public law, A means to prosecute Before she planted fruit.
The plaintiff, Kevin R., The Oak Park planning czar, Will see the line is towed By pointing to the code.
But folks can misconstrue What’s ‘suitable’ to do, So Kevin has deferred To ‘common’ as his word.
And what is more unique Than cucumber or leek, When planted in a bed Where grass should grow instead.
Uncommon as they are Outside a mason jar, She’ll need to clear her yard Of broccoli and chard.
Then justice will prevail, And Oak Park can exhale, Devoid of squash and kale, With Julie safe in jail.
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Post by 12540dumont on Jul 10, 2011 15:23:10 GMT -5
I used to live in Los Gatos. Then it was not a very upscale neighborhood. I grew grapes on the fence and watermelon in the front yard. My yard wasn't big enough, so I rented the neighbor's front yard too. I planted corn there. She was about 90 then and she said it just made her happy to sit on her front porch and watch the corn grow.
The neighbors thought I was a little odd. Said I should get a "farm". But no one tried to get me to take it out.
I think the world would be a better place, and it would be a better use of resources if everyone had a vege garden instead of a front lawn.
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Post by stratcat on Jul 10, 2011 15:30:53 GMT -5
Food Not Lawns
When Dad (RIP) was a kid, 85 years ago or so, my place in town had a barn.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Jul 10, 2011 16:12:28 GMT -5
I used to live in Los Gatos. You don't happen to know Dennis Varney do you?
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Post by lavandulagirl on Jul 11, 2011 7:36:16 GMT -5
Apparently, the complainer is also employed by the city. Surprised? Nope. According to Julie's lawyer, having physical presence at the council meeting on the 26th will be important. Saddle up, Michigan peeps!
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Post by steev on Jul 11, 2011 14:12:07 GMT -5
One wonders why stupidity so often seems determined to draw attention to itself. I guess it's in the nature of the affliction.
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Post by deanriowa on Jul 11, 2011 14:26:29 GMT -5
I did not see "suitable" defined as common in my dictionary.
Dean
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Post by steev on Jul 11, 2011 19:55:53 GMT -5
Some people think they can just declare things to be so; it's called royal prerogative. It would seem Rulkowski has a high opinion of his importance and/or a low opinion of other people's intelligence/education.
I doubt he will make it through that meeting without it being demanded that he reveal the dictionary on which he bases his dubious definition. I think he's going to regret starting a fight with people who are not afraid, but eager, to get down in the dirt.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Jul 12, 2011 5:42:59 GMT -5
When is the meeting supposed to occur?
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bertiefox
gardener
There's always tomorrow!
Posts: 236
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Post by bertiefox on Jul 12, 2011 5:56:57 GMT -5
Surely this MUST be unenforceable in law and with a smart lawyer it should be thrown out. Plants are plants, and just though we eat some of them and not others, it doesn't mean they aren't 'suitable'. Here in France the city and town planting schemes are full of red and colored chard (beet leaves) and red kales. Those are strictly 'vegetables'! And it's possible to eat many things regarded as principally 'flowers'. Asparagus is grown both for eating and as an ornamental.... true of so many things. In the end this comes down to the aesthetic judgement of a city hall official and the judgement of the home owner. I hope she fights this to the end as it is a nonsense and a gross intrusion on personal rights.
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