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<DIV>Hope you all don't mind, but I"m reposting this out of concern that it got
buried in the illegal immigration debate, and I'm also sending it to each
councilmember as well .....</DIV>
<DIV>Thanks, Adrianne</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Hi Everybody....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Maybe I'm the last to know, but it's my understanding that the council is
considering reducing the height your lawn can be before you are cited from the
current 10" to 6" or 8", depending on which councilman you ask.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I understand that we are trying to keep things tidy around here, but I
don't think reducing the maximum height of one's lawn before you get cited is
the way. I believe the amount of time you get to abate the situation (once
you've been cited for a too-long lawn) has been reduced, and that, I
believe, is the way to promote that tidyness we are all looking for.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Here's why I think the code for grass height should remain as it is, at
10". Even when I mow my grass, I mow at the highest setting
(~4")because cutting too short is not healthy for the lawn. Not only
that, but since I have dogs, if I mow it any lower, I won't have any grass by
summer. I believe lowering the threshold is an unreasonable
burden to homeowners, especially this past week in which my grass grew six
inches in TWO DAYS. It's unreasonable to expect a homeowner to mow
the lawn two or three times a week, and I can't afford to hire someone
to mow the lawn. With the ten inch maximum threshold, mowing once a week
seemed to work just fine. Reducing the maximum threshold to 6 or 8
inches doesn't sound like a lot, but I think it's the difference between having
to mow once a week or twice a week. Or more.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Not only that, but the additional use of a lawnmower is a further detriment
to the ozone layer and increases greenhouse gases. No, I'm not in the
market for an electric mower anytime in the near future. I just don't want
to produce twice as much with the equipment I already have.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>And finally, every year I have the cutest toads that live in my front
yard. I spend a goodly amount of time going over my front lawn foot by
foot to shoo them away before I mow. If I have to mow more often to
satisfy an arbitrary reduction, I double or triple the chances I'm going to
mince my toads. I know, it's a minor point, but not if you ask the
toads.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>I ask that if other residents have the same concern about the council
changing the ordinance that they contact their councilperson and let them
know immediately. They might be voting on it next week.</FONT></DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>You can go here to get the contact information for your
councilperson:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial><A title=http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/parkcouncil/index.cfm href="http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/parkcouncil/index.cfm" target=_blank>http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/parkcouncil/index.cfm</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I'm just asking our mayor and council to be reasonable. Thanks.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Adrianne Lefkowitz<BR></DIV></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>PS: As an additional bit of information, I was told by
the mayor that it was doubtful that many citations are actually issued at 10",
so the law isn't even being enforced until the grass is higher than current
code. I ask the town to start enforcing the law as written before we write
a more restrictive law over it. </DIV>
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