Hi Linda,

No apologies needed or necessary. I am with you here.

Kenneth R Sword Jr

God forgive me for this because I find Sonny's demeanor absolutely revolting, but, if his statement about having juvenille delinquents is true, as a parent, I would also be concerned.  There is no way for the surrounding neighbors to know what these juvenilles have done, due to privacy laws so I could see people being somewhat skeptical about THAT ONE POINT.

I do, however, wonder why it is that Sonny does not relocate if Angel's Gate is such an issue for him.  Just as Angel Gate can relocate, so may Sonny.

Thanks for your understanding (even it it's only on the one point). The reality here is that it is 10 concerned families, not just 1.

Sincerely,

Sonny  

Sonny,

By no means do I want to appear as lecturing you, but I must tell you....if you're looking for people to be sympathetic, or even interested for that matter, in your position, you may want to re-think your tactics.

Adland is full of the MOST WONDERFUL, intelligent people, (with the highest concentration in Linda's forums...am I right?) who would, more than likely be more than happy to hear you out and maybe even give you an idea or two on how to possibly rectify or at least compromise your situation to suit everyone's needs and desires.

Your combative, insulting tactics are just going to get you ignored.....around here anyway.

Stepping off the soapbox.....have you approached the people of Angel's Gate to inquire as to the nature of the crimes committed by these juvenilles?  Have you  suggested a pool of people that may be a "more desired" (for a COMPLETE LACK of a better phrase) group of people to volunteer as opposed to these "juvenille delinquents"? 

I live in a very small neighbor and we try very hard to resolve whatever issues arise so that all neighbors are content and supported. 

If the condition of the residence is so deplorable, why not fundraise to have local construction workers make needed repairs and/or abodes to house the animals.  Another idea maybe to have the shelter offer "tours" of the shelter to local schools for a nominal fee to help offset costs and maintain the residence.  Children love animals, and from my own experience with my daughter and our family dog, animals are a tremendous learning tool for children to learn empathy, responsibility, etc.

My point here is that there are A MILLION ways to live side by side that don't include such combative stances. 

This 'strange people'/'juvenile delinquent' argument is specious.  First, there is nothing in the world to prevent friends, relatives, and/or hired help from any of the families on this block from being an undesirable person.  Don't blame the fact that you need to take personal responsibility for your children on one neighbor.

Second, if there are juvenile delinquents there doing public service, there should be some supervision.  There always is, in these cases, or if there isn't it's something to address with the people who should be supervising them. 

Are the garbage cans blocking your driveway?  Address that, not the number of them. 

I have a similar situation in my neighborhood, which by the way consists of nine houses on less acreage than your one.  We have a group home for the intellectually challenged, and there are some issues, not with the residents but with some of the circumstances.  A bus service enters our small private lane, blocks our driveways, is too heavy for the street that we discovered was poorly engineered after we moved here, and is noisy.  Did we go to the city council to have the residents kicked out?  NO!  We went to a public hearing to address the bus situation.  Afterward, I realized it could have been addressed privately with the administrators who run the group home.  All it takes is some civility and some patience.

Now, I don't know whether the owners of Angel's Gate are civil, but I do know that you are not, from your entries here.  Why don't you try it?  Ever hear the phrase you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar?

Cheri