Revamped letter

16 years ago

Since Diane will have to have her 9th back surgery, we need to get this done, if we are going to do it.

I left out the word manure. I figured that would send their little hearts racing!

It really is not that big of a deal if I have to move a couple plants. Now!.... if they start on the back yard, I will sick my dogs on them.

Will this shade my eyes?

{{gwi:596936}}

Just stay in the shade

{{gwi:596939}}

Or be a cool dude

{{gwi:596942}}

Please play with me

To Parkwood Maintenance Association

I'm requesting to have my landscape plan

approved for these reasons.

As the former owners of Cricket Landscaping Design, my sister and I have over 80 years of combined landscaping experience. We specialized in creating water conservation designs for the physically challenged gardener. This is a low maintenance inexpensive gardening style for any homeowner.

Today everyone talks "go Green" and for years we have advised "go green" before it was called "go Green".

We are both in our 60Âs and unable to mow large areas. I had my third back surgery in 2006. My sister will have her ninth in June.

Our plan is to create a themed low-water landscape with retention of a circular grass path for aesthetics and continuity of the neighborhood.

The other areas will be a manicured xeriscape, with eco friendly layers of compost, organic soil mixes and mulch, planted with perennials and small shrubs.

I assure you this will be non-polluting environmental habitat, once the soil and plants are installed.

As a grandmother and a great grandmother it is our goal to conserve a pollutant free environment for future generations.

There has been a huge decrease in pollinating insects due to lack of habitat. This has a very high potential to effect food supplies and thus the economy.

I am sure you are aware a large part of the organic waste generated ends up choking landfills, producing harmful greenhouses gases and creates serious disposal problems for local communities. There is no longer an "over there " place to put waste. The use of nutrient-rich, worm casting based product, instead of mined chemical fertilizers, further helps to protect the earth, air, and water from toxic pollution.

Kathryn Cooper

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Comments (11)

FlowerLady6
16 years ago
Very nicely put Kathy. I hope this mellows them out and they let you get on with beautifying your front yard and their community.

FlowerLady
lorna-organic
16 years ago
Hi, Kathy, that is a friendly letter. Personally, I wouldn't mention pollinating insects. If anybody on the board is allergic to bee stings, the idea of a bee in the neighborhood might send them off the deep end! Butterflies create caterpillars, so some people wouldn't like the idea of that either.

Good luck! By the way, I love the photo of your Collie, or Sheltie--what a beauty.

Lorna
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Yes, I realize that the coverage is still going to be there. That's not the point. The point is that NO ONE IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY seems to know about this, nor is ready for the changes that will be taking effect in just 3 days. AND it has not be well-disseminated to those on Medicaid, apparently, because from what DD was finding today, no one knows about this. The nursing homes also DO NOT KNOW THIS--this friend HAS been investigating, and until one friend clued her in, NO ONE ELSE has breathed a word. Even the letters from the state, apparently have different dates on them. We're looking at a real mess, in a state where a high percentage of people DO use the medicaid system, where there are going to be a lot of problems that are going to cause all sorts of issues in the next weeks. Oh, and for whoever asked--New Jersey. In all honesty? The first thing that crossed my mind when DD told me all that they've been through today, was that my aunt who died in January was going to run out of money right around now, had she lived, and we'd have not only had to deal with getting her qualified, but the fact that apparently the state has not properly prepared the medical community for the switchover.
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todancewithwolves
16 years ago
Just a thought. You may want to define the word Xeriscape as some people may not know the definition. You could use; Xeriscape landscaping, by definition, is landscaping designed specifically for areas that are susceptible to drought, or for properties where water conservation is practiced.

Good luck!

Edna

p.s. Ruari would love to play :OP
{{gwi:596948}}
PattiOH
16 years ago
I thought it was a fine letter, Kathy, and your dogs' photos are darling.
Love at first sight here, with that beautiful collie!!!

Patti
girlgroupgirl
16 years ago
I'd agree with: not mentioning any poo, not mentioning insects of any kind, and defining things a little more like "low water plants" and "xeriscape". You might simply say "low water plants like daylilies, and chrysanthemums" - mentioning a few plants someone might very well recognize.

Giving your credentials is an excellent touch, it states you are professional and can with within specifics.

I hope this satisfies the "powers that be". They are probably mostly worried that you will have a very non-manicured, wild looking front yard that might pave the way for others to re-interpret any kinds of rules.

GGG
natvtxn
Original Author
16 years ago
Dang, I missed the boat. I should have included this on my plan.

{{gwi:596951}}

They would have p**ped little green bb's
keesha2006
16 years ago
I like the revamped letter, and if thaat doesnt work, send the dogs visiting..they could win anyones heart!!
mora
16 years ago
Kathy, well said, I can't believe you and your sister are having to go through so many "hoops" to appease folks who should just trust you in the first place; I mean really, these folks need to give themselves a "shake" and direct their meddling efforts to the "real" problems of the world...You go girl, M
DYH
16 years ago
Good letter. Wishing you all the best to get the approval. Hang in there!

Cameron
Steveningen
16 years ago
It's good, Kathy. It's polite, well written and let's them understand you know what you are doing. Personally, I would leave "xeriscape" in. Never hurts to send them to Wikipedia and learn something.

Now if this letter doesn't convince them I have one more suggestion. You might drive around the neighborhood and make sure the people on the Board have lawns that live up to the letter of the law. A couple of unflattering pictures could prove embarrassing. It also doesn't hurt to see that their friends haven't been given a wink and a nod on questionable projects. Just saying.

Best of luck, but really, I think you have this one in your pocket.

Steven
lorna-organic
16 years ago
I'm LMAO, Steven. I bet Kathy is out there going round the neighborhood with her camera right now. What an excellent suggestion! Of course, as you say, only employed if more ammo is necessary.

Lorna

Revamped letter

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FlowerLady6

lorna-organic

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