Neighborhood Aesthetics

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter in response to the coward who sent me an anonymous letter calling my house and property an eyesore. Didn’t your Mother ever tell you, that if you had anything to say that was important, to make sure your name was on it? Who do you think you are to force your personal uptight aesthetic on an entire neighborhood?

I have never missed a town meeting dealing with issues concerning my neighborhood. Correct me if I am mistaken, but I don’t recall a meeting voting for anyone who could claim authority over neighborhood aesthetics. Yes, there is a sign on my front lawn saying, “Stop the Condos.” If you knew anything about local politics you would know that the sign is not a reference to the Walnut Tree Hill Condos, but a reference to zoning changes sought and declined by the town, for the Alberts Hill land development. It is also in protest to the zoning changes sought for the affordable condo plan right in our neighborhood, on Church Hill Road. I suggest you become active in town and community affairs. Keep your opinions of personal aesthetics to yourself.

For the record, I enjoy my voluptuous shrubbery and the naturalistic quality of my property. Maybe a trip out west to our country’s national parks would loosen you up. Although I sincerely doubt this would make a difference in you. As for the litter along the roadside in front of my house, I already periodically pick it up and deposit it in the dump. I do not wait for lose the litter day. I sure would like it if my neighbors, who seem to lose things from their cars, would take the time to retrieve their belongings. I don’t think that will happen any time soon. So I will continue to do my civic duty and pick up the litter.

As for your comments about the state of the paint job on my house, they are off base. I am also not concerned with my lawn equipment being in plain view. You are entirely too uptight. Perhaps you need to take a vacation. Maybe you are unstable and need some counseling. If I took a poll of my neighbors, I feel pretty sure that they don’t feel the way you do. In the future, keep your negative comments to yourself. If you do feel inclined to share them, be brave enough to sign your name to them. Only cowards send unsigned comments through the mail.

Yours,

Virginia Gutbrod

4 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook                   February 2, 2006