Posted on 08/06/2011 3:22:19 PM PDT by nickcarraway
"The price of organic food is kind of through the roof," said Julie Bass.
So, why not grow your own? However, Bass' garden is a little unique because it's in her front yard.
"We thought it'd be really cool to do it so the neighbors could see. The kids love it. The kids from the neighborhood all come and help," she said.
UPDATE: Story becomes internet sensation around the world, click here.>>
Bass' cool garden has landed her in hot water with the City of Oak Park. Code enforcement gave her a warning, then a ticket and now she's been charged with a misdemeanor.
"I think it's sad that the City of Oak Park that's already strapped for cash is paying a lot of money to have a prosecutor bothering us," Bass told FOX 2's Alexis Wiley.
"That's not what we want to see in a front yard," said Oak Park City Planner Kevin Rulkowski.
Why? The city is pointing to a code that says a front yard has to have suitable, live, plant material. The big question is what's "suitable?"
We asked Bass whether she thinks she has suitable, live, plant material in her front yard.
"It's definitely live. It's definitely plant. It's definitely material. We think it's suitable," she said.
So, we asked Rulkowski why it's not suitable.
"If you look at the definition of what suitable is in Webster's dictionary, it will say common. So, if you look around and you look in any other community, what's common to a front yard is a nice, grass yard with beautiful trees and bushes and flowers," he said.
But when you look at front yards that are unsightly and overgrown, is Bass' vegetable garden really worth the city's time and money?
We asked Rulkowski what he would say to those who feel this is ridiculous.
"I would argue that you won't find that opinion from most people in Oak Park," he responded.
"I have a bunch of little children and we take walks to come by and see everything growing. I think it's a very wonderful thing for our neighborhood," said neighbor Devorah Gold.
"They don't have (anything) else to do (if) they're going to take her to court for a garden," said neighbor Ora Goodwin.
We did find one neighbor who wasn't a fan and thinks it needs to go.
"I know there's a backyard. Do it in the backyard," he said.
"They say, 'Why should you grow things in the front?' Well, why shouldn't I? They're fine. They're pretty. They're well maintained," said Bass.
It looks like this critical debate is headed for a jury trial and neither side is backing down.
"I could sell out and save my own self and just not have them bother me anymore, but then there's no telling what they're going to harass the next person about," Bass told us.
There's another pretrial scheduled for July 26. The next step could be a jury trial.
It is NOT her property! The city can do anything they want,they are her landlord.
OK, let’s start voir dire.
“Panelist #1, do you or anyone in your family grow vegetables?”
This could rival the Scopes monkey trial.....
On the bright side, there is still a possibility that we’ll see Moochelle in Leavensworth for the same crime.
They must purchase their food through government-approved vendors.
That way, when Agenda 21 says it is time to starve the peasants, all we have to do is flip a switch.
If it’s an elected official acting like this it’s probably a democrat. Though I do know of republicans who get on power trips, too.
“Do you or your family grow vegetables, eat vegetables, personally fondled vegetables, know any vegetables by name, or watch Veggie Tales?”
I grow my herbs and veggies in the back yard, tropical flowers in the front.
The mango tree is in front though, and the neighbors STEAL them!
I wish I had planted it in the back.
Police state alert.
Wouldn’t that be great?
This story is four weeks old. The City of Oak Park backed down and apologized to the woman.
I live in the Detroit area and am very familiar with this. It’s over!
Mango tree? what state/city are you?
I live in S. Florida. I also have avocados and bananas (in the BACK yard! LOL)
We live in San Diego and I have not seen a mango tree here.
Buy a mango, eat it, and stick the seed in the ground. That’s what i did! hahaha
Nothing like national attention and ridicule to smack a little sense into an idiot official, at least sometimes.
I saw a picture of her garden when I first saw the story, and it looked very neat and attractive. While a vegetable garden in the front yard might be uncommon, I didn't see a thing wrong with hers!
What do you do with a prosecutor who misrepresents the dictionary. According to the online Merriam Webster it means "adapted to a use or purpose; satisfying propriety; able, qualified"
What do you do with a prosecutor who misrepresents the dictionary. According to the online Merriam Webster it means "adapted to a use or purpose; satisfying propriety; able, qualified"
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