Change Is Not Always Good
Reading about the recent vandalism, I can’t help but put in my two-cents worth. We have lived here nearly 25 years. We used to love this quiet peaceful neighborhood and respectful neighbors. In just the last five years we’ve seen a tremendous change.
Let me start with the bridle trails. They used to be lovely to walk either alone or with dogs or ride horses. A few years ago, signs were posted prohibiting motorized vehicles. The signs have been ripped out in our neighborhood and ATV and motorbike traffic is at an all-time high. At one point I contacted the Suncrest Park Association to find out about enforcing these signs. I received a rather belligerent response from a female respondent, echoed by several other Association members via CC to my e-mail telling me that she funded the signs for her son’s Eagle Scout project. An admirable project for an honorable institution but if it was only to fill the square of a scouting badge, totally meaningless without enforcement. The bridle trails are eroded, filled with trash, and other unwanted personal property.
Neighbors have become uncivilized—each and every week you can read an account of some of the latest outrageous behavior in this very newspaper. From uncontrolled animals, vehicles, teenagers, and/or firearms and explosives our quiet, little slice of heaven is on the brink of becoming what we all moved here to get away from. Two recent incidents come to mind: (1) someone turned around numerous stop signs, not only creating a serious traffic hazard but causing the county unnecessary expenses in today’s significant budget shortfalls to reposition these stop signs and (2) vandalism to mail boxes. Having communicated with the Stevens County Commissioners, there are no leash laws, no noise ordinances, open fire restrictions and, other than the law enforcement officers who live here, limited patrols. Even our local citizens’ patrol (bless them every one) has become, through no fault of their own, less effective. Basically, our neighborhood has become a free-for-all – with no consideration for anyone.
When did country living become a total disregard for other people and their rights? What happened to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you?” I have become ashamed of my neighbors.
Lyn Willers