Citizen complaints

[davidk]

I was at the township meeting tonight and saw the group that appeared to complain about the tar and chipping of the roads.
These people came to give the Supervisors grief about an attempt to prolong the life of public roads and save the taxpayers, all the taxpayers, money.
While I have given the various guys up front plenty of grief over the years it has always been over serious issues that affect, usually, many people. The garbage contract for instance.
At the same time when they do something right I also stand up and support them. Fortunately over the years I have done the latter far more than the former. Including tonight
I have a long history of attending meetings and participating in township events as well as holding various positions, not to mention a period of insanity when I decided to run for supervisor (and again currently as I am an applicant for the open seat). In short I know what the supervisors go through on a daily basis. Trust me, their not in it for the money nor the glory.
The people complaining are hard pressed to set foot in the building twice a year to vote, yet they come out and cry about not being informed about what's going on in the township?!
They thought they should have been notified about the tar and chipping.
They complained about having the dust and loose stones to deal with. I told them try living on a dirt road which gets oiled annually.
They have no idea how much money has gone into maintaining the townships roads over the last twenty years or so.  If the roads weren't chipped, especially with the wet weather and impending winter, they would be almost impassable come spring. Then we would have to spend hundreds of thousands in engineering fees as well as paving to replace them. Far more than thses individuals will pay in taxes over the entire span of their residency.
Contrary to popular belief new homes do not generate near enough taxes to cover the addtional expenses. I have seen the studies.
They are po'ed about their kids not being able to play in the street. If the kids get hurt they will sue.
The kids do not belong in the street to begin with. How dare they even consider suing over their kid getting injured.
Years ago I could have sued the township over a civil rights violation that would have bankrupted the place. Yet I just let the issue pass as I did not want to punish the residents.
Many people in this township live on either dirt roads which may never be paved or state roads.
Those on state roads pay just as much, if not more in township taxes, property and wage, as those in the developments. Yet what do they get for that money? Not a whole lot. Especially when you consider the expense of paving and re paving roads.
Yet others have the gall to complain about a little dust and some loose stones?
Said loose stones are ending up not in their yards, but in the township right of way. Even then I will gladly trade them raking their yard this one time for all the years I have raked our yard due to our gravel driveway. Not to mention the annual oil on my vehicle from the townships road.
This year the only notice we had when the road was going to be oiled was when we saw the truck turn around at our gate.
One woman stood and said she took exception to my attitude. Fine! The feeling is more than mutual.



Thanks. Now maybe I can get some sleep tonight after venting.

[davidk]

Please excuse the typos, poor grammer, ect. in my rant. I was on a roll.

[JoeP]

Loved your "rant" Dave - thanks - I couldn't agree with you more.

I have had the misfortune over my working years to live in planned communities and developments, also known as zoned suburbia, all with their manicured lawns - not a mushroom, weed, dandelion or patch of clover in sight.  And all the leaves in the fall were dutifully gathered and hauled off to the nearest landfill.  Some places had covenants that defined what trees and plants you could grow, the maximum length of your grass, how many cars could be parked in your (paved) driveway at one time, how to cleanup your dog poop, no feeding of birds allowed (because they leave bird poop around), when the autumn leaves should be removed from your property and what colors you could not paint your house.  Definitely no burning or shooting either.  Yet all the houses were neatly lined up, there were sidewalks and curbs, street lights and the streets were sanitized or rocks and other debris less the little ones fall and hurt themselves.

Over 20 years ago my wife and I decided this way of life was not a way of living and we moved to Newton, a decision we will never regret.  Zip public utilities here then other than electric and telephone, cable came later.  For the first 15 years our road was dirt and we endured the annual and always over generous township oiling - rarely with any notice.   Mud, slime and massive potholes were the norm during the spring thaw.  Lots of dust (in the house) in the dry seasons.   Our driveway, as most others, is dirt and gravel.  Our children were small and there were no nearby families with similar age children so I kids had to walk (heaven forbid) or navigate the rocks, holes and/or oil on their bikes to see friends.  They had their share of bruises and cuts from falls on the dirt road, and some occasional ruined clothes if they landed in fresh road oil.  They lived and without suing anyone.

When you choose to live in a rural, quiet, peaceful and beautiful community such as Newton, you trade in some urban conveniences for the privilege of wholesome living.  For those who don't get it - this is heaven here and for those who want the antiseptic and rock free way of life, with curbs, sidewalks and cul-de-sacs, they should consider relocating to one of the several nearby "upscale" communities that cater to this pristine way of life.

As for me, I'd rather listen to the wind in the trees, and the sounds of the wildlife and enjoy nature for everything it is worth rather than be around people - especially those types with rocks in their head.

Didn't mean to rant on either..........

[JoeP]

Back in October I ranted on about the wonderful way of life we have here in Newton, one that you won't find in planned communities and suburban developments.

I would like to add we have many natural benefits here , including the freedom to live the lifestyle we wish, to raise animals, hunt, target shoot, put a shed on our property, build our house (or add on) to the size we want - all with out too much restriction.

But slowly, this country way of living is giving way to the new planned community coming to Newton - complete with a list Covenants & Restrictions.  

The name of this community is Cherry Ridge, the Home site is here ->
http://www.land-view.com/index.cfm

and the Convents & Restrictions are here -> http://www.land-view.com/privacy.cfm

While this is definitely "upper crust", I not so sure it really is "country living" in the truest sense of the word.  Just my opinion.

[davidk]

Joe,
I went through the development last night and cannot see where there are any views the sellers are advertising.
Okay, maybe one or two lots will have a small view of Bald Mountain if the homes are built in just the right way.
Most of them are below the level of Newton Road and thus the only view they will enjoy is the neighbors property.