I've been threatened with violence - oh, my!
Regarding the illegal business a neighbor 2 doors down started in our residential neighborhood. Which I mentioned in a previous post. The matter will be addressed at Thursday night's town council meeting, for which I have as usual prepared a written statement. I find that reading aloud instead of speaking extemporaneously helps me be far more concise and even-tempered.
In a long conversation with another concerned neighbor, I found out that the wife had essentially called me an ungrateful wretch for not appreciating "all that's been done for me in the past" as if I hadn't paid them well for every bit of it, even asking them first for some things because I knew they needed the $ so badly. But without mentioning my name, she wrote on her FB page that if I ever step foot on their property again, she'll punch me out.
I no longer have one shred of sympathy for that couple. They had indeed always been polite with me, and as the town outlier I never heard from others about how they've really been behaving. Apparently they've managed to scare quite a few people. I knew that the man who bought the house between us 2 years after I moved here is a bully (thank goodness he moved!), as well as one of those 'citizen militia' guys who play soldier in the woods on weekends and plot armed overthrow of the federal government. But I didn't know the two guys were close buddies, and that the one with the illegal business is also involved in the alleged 'Patriots'.
So I laughed and told the neighbor I was visiting over the fence with that even a big woman like Pam would have a hard time landing a blow on me, especially when I'm forewarned! because even at my age I haven't forgot everything I learned at a full contact dojo in Los Angeles. I never made it to black belt because we moved, but as a shorty I know I have an actual advantage over a larger person. Especially a big woman about twice as wide (and slow) as she ought to be.
The visiting neighbor said I should tell our alderman about the FB page with the threat, but I'm not going to until I persuade someone with access to that FB page to snatch me a copy. Otherwise Pam might take it down and I'd never have proof. Anyway, I want to read it.
That sort of thing does make a lot of people back down, especially women alone. But I was taught to lean in and my reaction's different. It actually emboldens me. I already know from talking to my alderman that the entire board's against what's happened. He told me that a home business license was indeed granted, but since the application was under false pretenses - claiming it was only temporary and for 1 or 2 vehicles to be worked on of an evening - invalidates it immediately. I also learned that the owner had been warned that if any neighbors complained, he'd have to quit. The appeals process for a variance can be quite expensive and the neighbors would then be invited by registered letter to voice their concerns in private. So I know the answer would be negative.
And yes, I'm just the sort to voice my objections openly at every step of the way. So nobody will get any peace until mine's restored. I kept quiet when the guy started driving a semi home at night since he at least parked it off street and I knew they were on the verge of losing their home. But since then he's gone to work for 2 different places in town and got fired from both for, you guessed it - bullying and laziness on top of it. So I have zero sympathy left. I made an L.A. police chief back down in public and I'm not afraid of this local bully either. Yes, I recognize the danger but I've always in my heart fiercely castigated people who enable them, so I have no excuse for rolling over either.
When the council reaches even an initial decision, I'll post it here - if I'm able.
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