OT: Nasty Neighbor - Round 2

17 years ago

I am the one who was cited via nasty neighbor for having trash in yard (wintersowing). I called city inspector who was supposed to come out (after sending the nasty notice that threatened jail and fine) and who then would not come out - he just left me hanging.

My privacy fence is set 18 inches from property line. My nasty neighbor decided to put a fence in his yard to keep in his dog. I saw the posts, and found 2 in my yard. I visited him and his fence people, explained the 18" easement of fence, told them no way could they put posts in my yard. They all agreed and had already found the property marker (in one of the post holes). I said he could tie to my fence if the 2 portions were easily removable and were not set in posts on my side. We still had to go to other side for maintenance. Thought I was being nice.

Next day, found the 2 holes in my yard with posts set in concrete. Used blue paint, marked them with signs. Went to his front door, no answer, but he does not work. Called police, city hall, lousy inspector for advice and help. Hah! They basically told me to deal with him or go to court. Some tax paid help here.

I typed a note, made copies, placed one in baggie - taped to one post, went to door again, rang again, no answer again, went to mailbaox and left note. Neighbor comes outside. Wants to know what is wrong.

I said no posts and he had agreed. He said he needed the posts. I said no posts and no attachments. He said he would attach without a post. I said no attachments. He said that he did not like me. I just smiled.

Geee, wish he had tried this when I first started to quit smoking. I am almost civil now. Wish he had when the nicotine craving was really really really .....

I heard loud noises - not sure what - found the 2 posts out of the concrete. Not sure how he did that. I took pictures of the posts on the ground, the empty post holes, the 18 inch sign, the whole area. If I have to go to court, I will start smoking again, then try to quit. ;)

Stupid nasty neighbor. I did try to be nice at my expense, and look where it got me. Stupid man..

Carol - still off nicotine and not yet on alcohol.

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Comments (11)

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
17 years ago
Oh my!

Hang tuff!

Sue...
annebert
17 years ago
I think you did very well to stay calm and stick to your guns. He figured that if he ignored you you wouldn't have the guts to stand up to him. And by not blowing your top and screaming at him, you will look really good in court if the time comes.
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karyn1
17 years ago
I can think of a good place where you could tell your neighbor to stick his poles! Good for you for not backing down and for handling it without losing your cool.
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sheltieche
17 years ago
I know in my community one has to have building permit to have any construction done and even the fence requirements have to be approved by building inspector. My neighbor and us have this fence between us which is ugly and he wanted to change it and village would not let it since it is exactly on the property line. Since I have row of clematis on my side it does not really bother me. My hubby insist on being nice to all our neighbors and so we are, trying never have any conflicts...
carolkcmo_5
Original Author
17 years ago
OK. Just checked. Saw string on stakes by fence - measured it - and I cannot believe it - it was 18 inches from my fence. I took more pix. I guess he believed me. I will have problems getting into one side because cable TV box is in the way, but can get into back from other side. No problemo. Nasty man now stuck behind 2 fences. Goodie.

Why are bullies allowed? Mothers should cut that off in the formative years.
webkat5
17 years ago
You are cracking me up! What a fiasco...glad you held your ground... :o)
brightmoregirl
17 years ago
carolkcmo, my mom had 2 good sayings, (1) kill them with kindness, smiling and keeping calm is the best way to do it.
(2) no good deed goes unpunished, agreeing to let him use your fence and then it all went wrong, falls under that saying. way to hang tuff.
jennie
carolkcmo_5
Original Author
17 years ago
I am soon to be a grandmother. Two siblings are being adopted from another country. The kids are just beautiful. We have been trying to adopt for 2.5 yrs now. My grandkids will NOT be bullies. If they are later, I will come back from ***** and whip them into shape. I'll teach them to garden, but someone else will have to teach them to cook. Sigh

Good luck to all you gardeners. My purchased plants just came in. Lots of peanuts to get rid of. I have tons of delphiniums - mostly blue. I put down compost everywhere in the regular garden - terraced on a hill.

I am also doing food in containers and have 4 tomatoes - different colors - no idea what I am doing yet on these - just guessed what to get. I am doing peas, beans, squash, cucumbers, peppers, spinach, lettuce, basil, etc. A regular truck farm. ;)

My redo on winter sowing is doing great and some of the earlier sprouts were not killed by the late freezes. I think I am doing great - will see if that true blue larkspur blooms too. Cannot wait.

My grandkids may get here before the season is over. If not, the garden will tie me over til then. Good grief I have no patience. My quit smoking and this waiting could have killed off that nasty old man - he should be grateful. I still feel like going over and doing something. My daughter is afraid I will yet. I guess you can see my tolerance is low. Maybe get more tums? I used to live on them. Cannot believe I am not an alcoholic.
Sorry to ramble. And, I am still fighting the rodents, using repellant and wire mesh. That old man should be grateful he can still walk. Enough.

Carol
ellenr22 - NJ - Zone 6b/7a
17 years ago
You handled your situation with grace and a sense of humor.

And did not haul off and pop nasty neighbor in the nose.

Good for you.

ellen
irisgirl
17 years ago
I congratulate you on your grace and tact. I'm afraid I would have failed. Another Carol (in CO)
roflol
17 years ago
Congrats on staying calm in the face of insanity; glad I did not have to organize a "Bail local gardenweb buddy out of jail for justified crankiness" plant sale. You could post the packing peanuts on freecycle; they will be claimed within hours, if not minutes, if my experience is any indicator.

Congrats on the incoming grandkids too. :-)

Terri in Lee's Summit

OT: Nasty Neighbor - Round 2

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Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

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OT: Nasty Neighbor - Round 2

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