Posted by Dennis Herrick on August 28, 2008 at 07:11:21:
In Reply to: Can't believe I missed it, thanks! posted by Dennis Herrick on August 27, 2008 at 13:07:54:
Isn't it amazing that everyone want to have a stake in your property. The Fire Department wants a say, the Police Department wants a say, Town Hall Wants a say and then there are the neighbors. The more they regulate, the higher it costs to build a home and live in it. And at tax time these nice folks are nowhere to be found. You want a say, then you can jolly well help me build my home and pay my taxes.
From the Eagle Tribune August 22, 2008 09:40 am. I just love the comments. I think Matt's from Plaistow.
House fire was at property targeted under 'anti-blight' bylaw
By Brian Messenger
bmessenger@eagletribune.com
ANDOVER — Firefighters were hampered by a cluttered yard while trying to extinguish a blaze at a home occupied by an 80-year-old woman this week.
Obscured by overgrown trees, bushes and shrubs from three sides, the house lot at the corner of Elm Street and Rock Ridge Road was also littered with objects ranging from boxes, bottles, and a tarp to old carpets and a humidifier.
It made it difficult for them to run hoses and set up ladders
The home, owned by Mary Manock, was featured in a Town Meeting slide show by supporters of an anti-blight bylaw seeking enforcement of property maintenance standards in town.
Potential obstacles were not limited to the outside of the home, which sustained smoke, flame, heat and water damage, according to Andover Deputy fire Chief Richard Hartman.
"Access outside the building was obviously impeded," said Hartman. "We had a number of extra obstructions. ... They had their challenges getting around inside."
But, Hartman said firefighters were still able to put the fire out within 20 minutes.
An electrical malfunction in the kitchen stove was deemed the cause of the fire.
Manock, who said she did not have insurance, was unable to return to the home following the Wednesday night fire and social service agencies were working to find her shelter. She said she had lived there for 30 years since her husband died.
The home is across the street from Merrimack College's rear entrance along Ridge Rock Road.
And Now For The Comments:
Maybe she didn't have the money for the yard work or removal of trash. She is 80 years old and most 80 year old people live on a fixed income. The reason she probably did not have insurance either. Poor woman.
boo hoo, poor me, poor me. this house is an eye sore and the only tragedy is that it didnt burn completely down. if you cant afford to take care of a home, sell it and move to a condo and stop being a burden to everyone around you.
How, exactly, is this any burden on you? It's not your property - it has no effect on you whatsoever.
I'd rather have 10 properties like this than yet another McMansion.
No you wouldn't and you shouldn't be afraid to admit it. Not living next to homes like this is why we buy in North Andover and not Saugus.
Wow.. Arn't you something.
That is just plain RUDE!!! You were probably one of those bratty kids that didn't respect your elders. f it is such an eye sore, you go clean the yard..
Hey Mat,
If this womans home was such an eyesore, why didn't you and your neighbors show a little compassion and volunteer to help the woman out? I only hope that when you're 80 years old that your children have the same attitude you do and throw your A $ $ in a nursing home.
I can't wait until your 80 and hanging on to everylast thing you have. we can talk then....
Where was Senator Sue Tucker, Chair of Elder Affairs, to help this neighbor.
Probably out at DD's like all the other elective officials :/
I BET IF SHE DECIDED TO GO INTO A NURSING HOME THE TOWN WOULD BE RIGHT THERE TO SELL HER PROPERTY OFF. SO WHY DON'T THEY JUMP AND HELP HER CLEAN UP HER PROPERTY BEFORE HER TIME ENDS ON THIS EARTH? BET SHE WOULD BE VERY GREATFUL FOR THE HELP. WHERE ARE THE "BOY SCOUTS AND GIRL SCOUTS" WHEN NEEDED.
Take care of yourselves and stop looking to Big Brother to save you after you make a bad decision. I am not a "bratty kid" I am a guy that didn't look to others for anything and never needed that which I couldn't provide for myself. I don't see any of you bleeding hearts organizing a team clean up for this "poor woman".
She is a burden to her neighbor's property value as no one on earth would want that shack next to their home.
I too provide for my family. I'm sure when this woman bought her house 30 years ago at age 50, she had a job and was self efficient. She could be a mean old bitty for all I know. . .but a little compassion from neighbors can go a long way. By the way, I do volunteer my time by helping feed the hungry, clean up along our rivers, building homes for Habitat for Humanity and shoveling elderly neighbors out in the winter. Maybe when the lady finds a new neighborhood to live in, the Eagle Tribune will let us "bleeding hearts" know where she is so we can help her out.
I am not sure if the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts do this type of volunteer work due to the liability involved. Unfortunately, everyone is sue-happy and if one of the kids got hurt on the property while helping out, some parent would sue.
I organized a caregiver project for a woman in NH in the same situation. I'm sure MA has organizations like this too. Elderly Affairs could help in this area too.
hey where did my last comment go??
Does Mat work for the tribune website? Did he delete it??
lol
Mat...you are definitely 'the MAN' I can only hope and pray that all the wonderful things you have and work so hard for last for your whole life. May you never lose your family and become any kind of problem to anyone! I wish you a long and healthy life and a strong mind and body to go with it. When you are old...maybe you will do the right thing and die as soon as you cannot maintain your home "properly' and do the world a favor! You are one major piece of work, my man!
AMEN to that!!! Very well said.
I worked in a Nursing Home for years and his comments are ridiculous, if he only knew what went on behind the scenes.
I have to agree that Mat is a piece of work. When we were growing up we had an elderly couple that lived a few doors down from us. My mother made SURE that if that couple needed shoveling out in the winter, or if their trash barrels needed to go out, that my brothers and I would be there to help them, and we were informed by our mother NOT to take a dime if it was offered. That couple held on to their home as long as they could (they actually both died in that house) and they were NEVER a burden to their neighbors. It just goes to prove that those who buy in Andover/north Andover are just whining babies.... I bet 90% of the neigbors bought in that neighborhood well after she and her late husband had lived there.
It funny that in all of your outrage none of you will actually do anything about the situation. In all of your whining about looking to someone else (boy scouts, girl scouts, neighbors, town government) you are just proving my point.
You are all hypocrites, at least I am honest - even if my point of view is out of line.
Thanks pal. All the best for you as well.
You can delete my postings all you want.........Mat's still a tool.
Matt,
Some day you will be old and lonely. Your lack of compassion is pathetic. Why should she have to sell the home she has lived in for over thirty years? Just so your property values aren't affected? Then don't by a home near hers....Just remember everyone gets a loaf of their dough.