Dear Editor,
Moving into a neighborhood in Southern Utah brings curiosity, excitement and fulfillment as those moving in have succeeded in achieving a major goal of independence.
Families and those already residing in the area usually welcome the newcomers with treats of homemade bread, cookies or even a green gelatinous mass with carrots suspended in the middle. Friendly gestures meant to help in getting to know each other.
Some residents of a neighborhood may be reclusive and nonchalant about their xeriscaped property, while others spend hours each day primping their yard to be a sanctuary. Both styles are a choice of the individual property owner. Unfortunately, choices made by one resident in the neighborhood can have a negative outcome for the others.
Shortly after a house became a rental property of a reputable agency and the new neighbors were welcomed the Southern Utah way, those neighbors became a blight on the block. The manicured landscape was dying, garbage was regularly overflowing from their receptacles and respect for others’ property was non-existent.
An accident due to a youth playing in his dad’s idling truck, broken vehicle windows being dropped onto the middle of the street and left for cars to swerve around and a dog or two left to wander the block because of the usually open front door, prompted established neighbors put their properties up for sale and move away.
Conversations with these neighbors about the issues with other residents of the area were never met with remorse (in the case of the accident) or understanding.
Many Southern Utah neighborhoods and sub-divisions have written rules such as a HOA. Yet, common sense should prevail even when written conditions of the neighborhood do not exist.
While neighborhoods change, people should not make a neighborhood change adversely.
Letter by: Ben Pollchik
Photo Courtesy of: Unsplash.com
