When you own something, you can do what you like with it, as long as it doesn't interfere or violate anybody else's rights.
Not so in Athens, Alabama.
The city has passed an ordinance making it ILLEGAL keep a vehicle on your property that isn't able to move under its own power. Those in violation can face a fine anywhere from 100-500 dollars... and even jail time!
It's being called the 'junk car' ordinance.
The purpose is to clean up yards and neighborhoods that look, well... 'trashy.' Afterall, who wants to live next door to someone who has a junkyard in their front yard?
I don't. Do you?
Probably not. But we don't get to decide how ours neighbor live and maintain their home and its appearance. We can't choose our neighbors nor can we dictate how they live their lives. Besides, someone having a defunct car parked in their front yard (or back) doesn't interfere or violate anybody else's rights.
You may not like it. But you may not like the way your neighbor trims his bushes once a month either.
The real travesty in this new ordinance is that those in violation can be face a YEAR IN JAIL if convicted.
Wouldn't you sleep better in Athens knowing that the streets are safer with all of those 'defunct car owners' behind bars?
Afterall, it just looks trashy.
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2 comments:
I don't think we need to clog up the jail cells with trashy neighbors, but how else can we stop this. If you have ever lived beside a junk addict, then you can sympathize with the ones who support this new law. First you have roaches, omg, a nightmare that never goes away. Then you have snakes and rats. And sometimes all three. It may be their right to trash their property, but if they can't keep the rodents,roaches and snakes on that property, well they don't have the right to send them my way. After all, I have to keep my doggie on a leash and in my own yard.
I believe this is an issue of liberty and freedom, something that shouldn't be stopped.
However...
When someone's property or the byproducts of their property encroaches on yours, that's an issue of trespassing. That's why you keep your dog on a leash.
I appreciate the dialogue!
-Colby
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