Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Alley obstruction violations


There's been plenty of smoke in our eyes lately, and plenty of reasons to appreciate our neighbors and local officials for their support and hard work during the Castle Rock Fire. So, to call the recent south valley smoke a screen for the city of Hailey to impose its will uncontested reeks mainly of paranoia.

To paraphrase Tom Hellen's recent letter to Hailey residents, it has come to my attention that many of us face a $300 fine or six-month jail term for "violations" that date back to the last century.

City property owners generally understand and comply with the city's right of way with respect to Hailey's alleys. Our utilities are buried and serviced there, and the alleys are kept, with few exceptions, unobstructed and tidy. Though not everyone's back alley scene is beautiful, some are. A favorite place to walk and smell the flowers, the Hailey alleys serve the multiple purposes of residents, utilities, the city, contractors, cats, dogs, birds, bees and the odd moose. The alley edges provide a great place for the compost pile, a bed of poppies, canoe or camper shell. It may be a subjective leap to say this stuff enhances Hailey's character, but if it's not really in the way, what's the problem?

How much room does the city need and why? Please work with us and consider your tone. To be given ten days to deal with decades of overflow at a time when many residents are out of town is unreasonable. To be threatened with jail is outrageous.

Scott Douglas

Hailey




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