City Hall Takes Note of Front-Yard Garden Protest...And?Heather Callaghan The city took note of the protest at City Hall with supporters of Jason and Jennifer. However, they want a compromise and thats where we really need to pay attention. Of course, in truebureaucraticfashion, they came up with a complicated list that actually contains many more restrictions, including heights, lengths, reduced portions of front-yard gardens, and, additionally new restrictions on side and backyard growth. And what of bureaucrats reasons for going after gardens in the first place? Nameless complaints from neighbors supposedly for their garden being an eye sore. How many unprofessional things could we say in response to that? An eye sore complaint that warrants total uprooting of a garden on privately owned property? What about all the other problems the city ignores like, I dont know, hundreds of front-yard-garden protesters? There is a nearby neighbor who has a shrill, yipping dog that Id love to muzzle. But many of us would not resort to complaining to officials about it, and thats more of an annoyance than a neighbor who invites everyone (city officials included) to eat free veggies from their immaculate garden. Inedible gardens, vines, pink flamingos, and garden gnomes are more obnoxious than that. The neighbor takes care of the dog for two reasons: love of family pet, and home protection. The Helvenstons are working hard to insulate themselves from a broken economy and do what they love with no impositions. They invite everyone to join them who would want to muzzle that? You can also voice your opinion to the city with the following contacts: City Planning Division Mayor Buddy Dyer Join the Helvenstons on Facebook Helvenstons Petition: Source: Read other articles by Heather Callaghan Here 