[Smokin' Joe]

I have lived next door to someone who COULD NOT keep their house up. We helped. Sweat equity, a weekend, and a loyal neighbor henceforth, who incidentally got better, whose economic situation improved, and would pass the favors on anytime. Neighborhoods used to be a lot more neighborly.

[Hunble]

Smokin's Joe, you are an honest American and still understand what this country is all about.

[mel]

You can say that again. I have never in my life seen neighbors like the ones I have now. It is a "desireable" neighborhood, but I am thinking that just the plain old suburbs would be friendler than this.

[Coleus]

Neighborhoods used to be a lot more neighborly. >>

you're right, a scout troop or church group could help too, even habitat for humanity. But in this case you are in a town with some snobs.

[SevenMinusOne]

I have lived next door to someone who COULD NOT keep their house up. We helped. Sweat equity, a weekend, and a loyal neighbor henceforth, who incidentally got better, whose economic situation improved, and would pass the favors on anytime. Neighborhoods used to be a lot more neighborly.

Agreed 100%! -

This Country is going off the deep end. The notion that the Gov't should be going around laying fines down over a situation like this is utterly mind numbing. All the Gov't has become is nothing more then a revenue enhancer for itself.

[Independentamerican2]

"Neighborhoods used to be a lot more neighborly".


Its sad but I would really have to think hard to come up with the names of my neighbors on either side of me..

[SUSSA]

Mahwah used to be that way, but a bunch of people moved out there to get away from the cesspool they created in Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Paterson, Passaic, etc., and now are recreating the same cesspool, but with bigger yards and more trees. Back in the 50s and 60s the town would have called a couple of the churches and got this fixed for her when they fined the dishonest contractor who cheated her.

[Madame Dufarge]

have lived next door to someone who COULD NOT keep their house up. We helped.

We did the same.

You're right about the nature of neighborhoods now.

[jerry639]

If no one else has thanked you for helping out your neighbor, I wish to do so. Thanks.
I always thought that was what being a good citizen was all about. Helping out less fortunate people.
Just think how much better this lady's situation would be if others were like you. How could her neighbors just sit around and complain and not at least offer to help her?

[El Laton Caliente]

I'm with you Joe. From the sounds of the story she has lost her husband and health and was the victim of construction fraud while trying to maintain a home for her children and herself.

The neighbors should be pitching in to help instead of filing complaints... at least in the Christian U. S. of A. I grew up in...

[Conservative4Ever]

Smokin' Joe - MineralMan
Thank you for your comments. If ever I am in need, I hope to God I have neighbors such as you. This is what America is all about. The visual of a 'barn raising' comes to mind. Not unlike helping a neighbor who is in need of assistance.

[Gator113]

Smokin' Joe, you are welcome to be my neighbor.

[ahtnamas]

I've done volunteer work in each of the communities that I have lived in since I was 14 years old. I agree with your attitude of offering help to neighbors when in need. There were many inaccuracies in the article, and some blatant lies. I don't have web access at home so must come to library to get online. The police broke into my house without a warrant and then assaulted me. The house is not an eyesore-no ones house in the Northeast looks good in the winter. I've have worked on improving my property for 25 years. I need to find someone who can help me set up a web site so I can get the truth out. The town has been terrorizing me for six years-since my husband and I separated.

[redheadtoo]

Neighborhoods used to be a lot more neighborly.

That is true. I don't know any of my neighbors anymore. It was good of you to help your neighbor out. But no one has the right to infringe on their neighbors like that. This woman obviously can't manage the physical and financial responsibility of home ownership and needs to sell her property. She will be much better off in a small apartment.

[EBH]

We have similar laws on our books here. We actually get a 'city inspector' out in the Spring.

We have an elderly neighbor who just isn't mobile enough anymore to maintain the exterior of his house. The neighbor's and the city work with him to help keep his property up. Nothing wrong with kids going over to cut grass, pull weeds, and plant flowers etc.

There was a time in this country when neighbors helped neighbors. She fell on hard times, had a round of illness, got scammed by a contractor, and sounds like she needs some good old fashioned neighborly help.