Blue states buzz over secession - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - November 09, 2004
I have been writing about secession for years, but I used the term figuratively to describe the way CID owners could "secede" if they lived behind walls and gates, had privatized public services, and could deduct their assessments from their property tax bill. But now secession is being put forward by the losers of last weeks election as a semi-serious proposal.
The thing is, I have a vague memory from history classes of the Democrats doing the same thing in, let's see...wasn't it about 1861? So I guess they are building on a historical precedent here. I also recall that it didn't turn out that well for them. Not only did the Democrats lose the Civil War, but after the war ended the Democratic Party was relegated to minority party status at the national government level until the 1932 election. Oh, there were a few moments in the sunshine--Woodrow Wilson, for example--but basically 1861 to 1933 was dominated by the Republican Party. Is history repeating itself?
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Monday, November 08, 2004
brendoman-dot-com: United States of Canada
Now, this is funny. I guess we down here in "Jesusland" should quake in fear of the mighty Canadian military...eh?
Now, this is funny. I guess we down here in "Jesusland" should quake in fear of the mighty Canadian military...eh?
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Red State, Blue State...Red County, Blue County
Here's the familiar map, but this time it is in three dimensions so you can see the population density. Quite a sight, and it demonstrates how the densely populated counties--the ones with big cities--differ from the suburban and rural counties. This, more than any bogus exit poll asking about "morality," tells the story of the election.
Here's the familiar map, but this time it is in three dimensions so you can see the population density. Quite a sight, and it demonstrates how the densely populated counties--the ones with big cities--differ from the suburban and rural counties. This, more than any bogus exit poll asking about "morality," tells the story of the election.
THE END OF SUBURBIA
Here's the web site for the film...
Since World War II North Americans have invested much of their newfound wealth in suburbia. It has promised a sense of space, affordability, family life and upward mobility. As the population of suburban sprawl has exploded in the past 50 years, so too the suburban way of life has become embedded in the American consciousness. Suburbia, and all it promises, has become the American Dream. But as we enter the 21st century, serious questions are beginning to emerge about the sustainability of this way of life. With brutal honesty and a touch of irony, The End of Suburbia explores the American Way of Life and its prospects as the planet approaches a critical era, as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply. World Oil Peak and the inevitable decline of fossil fuels are upon us now, some scientists and policy makers argue in this documentary.
[more]
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Fill her up.
Here's the web site for the film...
Since World War II North Americans have invested much of their newfound wealth in suburbia. It has promised a sense of space, affordability, family life and upward mobility. As the population of suburban sprawl has exploded in the past 50 years, so too the suburban way of life has become embedded in the American consciousness. Suburbia, and all it promises, has become the American Dream. But as we enter the 21st century, serious questions are beginning to emerge about the sustainability of this way of life. With brutal honesty and a touch of irony, The End of Suburbia explores the American Way of Life and its prospects as the planet approaches a critical era, as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply. World Oil Peak and the inevitable decline of fossil fuels are upon us now, some scientists and policy makers argue in this documentary.
[more]
-------------------
Fill her up.
Realty Times - Review of "The End of Suburbia"
"Fahrenheit 9/11," The Corporation," "Bush's Brain," "Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry," and all the other films among the sudden rash of political documentaries don't really hit home like the lesser-known "The End of Suburbia." "The End Of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and The Collapse of The American Dream" is the latest chilling report about how the decline in oil supplies will impact the American Dream -- especially the suburban version
"Fahrenheit 9/11," The Corporation," "Bush's Brain," "Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry," and all the other films among the sudden rash of political documentaries don't really hit home like the lesser-known "The End of Suburbia." "The End Of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and The Collapse of The American Dream" is the latest chilling report about how the decline in oil supplies will impact the American Dream -- especially the suburban version
Yahoo! News - Wisconsin City Allows Teaching Creationism
This, on the other hand, is not from The Onion.
This, on the other hand, is not from The Onion.
The Onion | National Museum Of The Middle Class Opens In Schaumburg, IL
SCHAUMBURG, IL—The Museum of the Middle Class, featuring historical and anthropological exhibits addressing the socioeconomic category that once existed between the upper and lower classes, opened to the public Monday. "The splendid and intriguing middle class may be gone, but it will never be forgotten," said Harold Greeley, curator of the exhibit titled "Where The Streets Had Trees' Names." "From their weekend barbecues at homes with backyards to their outdated belief in social mobility, the middle class will forever be remembered as an important part of American history."
[more]
-----------------------
It's from America's Finest News Source, so it must be true.
SCHAUMBURG, IL—The Museum of the Middle Class, featuring historical and anthropological exhibits addressing the socioeconomic category that once existed between the upper and lower classes, opened to the public Monday. "The splendid and intriguing middle class may be gone, but it will never be forgotten," said Harold Greeley, curator of the exhibit titled "Where The Streets Had Trees' Names." "From their weekend barbecues at homes with backyards to their outdated belief in social mobility, the middle class will forever be remembered as an important part of American history."
[more]
-----------------------
It's from America's Finest News Source, so it must be true.
La Vina irking county:
Motion will OK lawsuit to create public trail
I like this because it's from the Pasadena Star-News. Being a former Pasadenan (that's where we moved after leaving Maine--see below) anything with a Pasadena or Altadana dateline is of global significance. And here the La Vina HOA, a gated compound--pardon me, community--is trying to keep a foothill trail private, to the consternation of the guardians of the public weal. Thanks to Fred Pilot for the link.
ALTADENA -- Supervisor Michael Antonovich plans to introduce a motion at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting that would require county counsel to take the steps necessary to secure a public trail around the upscale La Vina residential community. The La Vina Homeowners Association, which represents more than 200 homeowners in the gated La Vina community in Altadena's foothills, owns 108 acres of open space that forms a ring around the development. A group of trail advocates known as the Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group formed by Antonovich to make the Altadena Crest Trail continuous from Eaton Canyon to the Arroyo Seco has raised concerns at the county level about the resistance users have met on trails around La Vina. The La Vina Homeowners Associ ation posted new "No Trespassing' signs in May along a trail in Millard Canyon.
[more]
Motion will OK lawsuit to create public trail
I like this because it's from the Pasadena Star-News. Being a former Pasadenan (that's where we moved after leaving Maine--see below) anything with a Pasadena or Altadana dateline is of global significance. And here the La Vina HOA, a gated compound--pardon me, community--is trying to keep a foothill trail private, to the consternation of the guardians of the public weal. Thanks to Fred Pilot for the link.
ALTADENA -- Supervisor Michael Antonovich plans to introduce a motion at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting that would require county counsel to take the steps necessary to secure a public trail around the upscale La Vina residential community. The La Vina Homeowners Association, which represents more than 200 homeowners in the gated La Vina community in Altadena's foothills, owns 108 acres of open space that forms a ring around the development. A group of trail advocates known as the Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group formed by Antonovich to make the Altadena Crest Trail continuous from Eaton Canyon to the Arroyo Seco has raised concerns at the county level about the resistance users have met on trails around La Vina. The La Vina Homeowners Associ ation posted new "No Trespassing' signs in May along a trail in Millard Canyon.
[more]
Saturday, November 06, 2004
MSNBC - Welcome to what used to be Centerville
How't this for a dateline?
THE TOWN FORMERLY KNOWN AS CENTERVILLE, Maine - Mention Maine and most people think of autumn leaves. But the fall foliage masks a troubled landscape. In Cooper, Maine, citizens say they want to dissolve their town to lower taxes. Going out of business appeals to small places like Cooper, where only 145 people live. With no jobs and an aging population, the tax base is shrinking even though the costs of government keep rising.
"It just got to be more than we could handle," says Sue Dorsey.
Dorsey says that's why the 26 residents of Centerville let the state take over their affairs — everything from education to snow removal.
"There was more to do and less people that wanted to do it," says Dorsey.
Centerville not only locked the door to city hall, it sold it for $3,500.
Since 1980, nine towns in Maine have ceased to be. And more are talking about it. A huge area — half the state — is now part of what's called "the unorganized territory," where there's no local government.
[more]
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I was born in Maine and lived until I was about 9 in Brownville Junction, a tiny place in the Great North Woods. They could well be among the places considering this option.
How't this for a dateline?
THE TOWN FORMERLY KNOWN AS CENTERVILLE, Maine - Mention Maine and most people think of autumn leaves. But the fall foliage masks a troubled landscape. In Cooper, Maine, citizens say they want to dissolve their town to lower taxes. Going out of business appeals to small places like Cooper, where only 145 people live. With no jobs and an aging population, the tax base is shrinking even though the costs of government keep rising.
"It just got to be more than we could handle," says Sue Dorsey.
Dorsey says that's why the 26 residents of Centerville let the state take over their affairs — everything from education to snow removal.
"There was more to do and less people that wanted to do it," says Dorsey.
Centerville not only locked the door to city hall, it sold it for $3,500.
Since 1980, nine towns in Maine have ceased to be. And more are talking about it. A huge area — half the state — is now part of what's called "the unorganized territory," where there's no local government.
[more]
--------------------
I was born in Maine and lived until I was about 9 in Brownville Junction, a tiny place in the Great North Woods. They could well be among the places considering this option.
Friday, November 05, 2004
Photos from the anti-Bush rally in San Francisco on November 3, 2004
If you want to see some truly disturbing photos of some very unhappy campers in the American Never-neverland, here they are. Not for the faint of heart. If any nation would like to take these folks, I think we could get along nicely without them.
If you want to see some truly disturbing photos of some very unhappy campers in the American Never-neverland, here they are. Not for the faint of heart. If any nation would like to take these folks, I think we could get along nicely without them.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
The Moby Option...
It's not a Robert Ludlum novel. It's singer Moby's proposal for those who supported Kerry...secession. Breaking up the US into three separate "stans."
He doesn't use capital letters. It's kind of an e.e. cummings sort of thing, I guess. I mean, he's so sensitive that he wouldn't want to privilege the first letters of sentences just because they happened to be arbitrarily placed at the beginning.
Thus spake Moby:
can someone remind me why secession is not an option at this point? i mean let's be realistic, we live in a divided country. can't we have the breakaway republics of 'north-east-istan' and 'pacific-stan'? wouldn't the red states be happier without us? we could still travel freely and trade freely with them, but can't we just leave? then you could have 3 countries: northeastistan pacificstan redstateistan
---------------
You can read the rest of Moby's collected wisdom on politics and other topics of which he is equally ignorant at this link:
http://www.moby.com/index2.html
It's not a Robert Ludlum novel. It's singer Moby's proposal for those who supported Kerry...secession. Breaking up the US into three separate "stans."
He doesn't use capital letters. It's kind of an e.e. cummings sort of thing, I guess. I mean, he's so sensitive that he wouldn't want to privilege the first letters of sentences just because they happened to be arbitrarily placed at the beginning.
Thus spake Moby:
can someone remind me why secession is not an option at this point? i mean let's be realistic, we live in a divided country. can't we have the breakaway republics of 'north-east-istan' and 'pacific-stan'? wouldn't the red states be happier without us? we could still travel freely and trade freely with them, but can't we just leave? then you could have 3 countries: northeastistan pacificstan redstateistan
---------------
You can read the rest of Moby's collected wisdom on politics and other topics of which he is equally ignorant at this link:
http://www.moby.com/index2.html
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
US News Article | Reuters.com: Unhappy Democrats Need to Wait to Get Into Canada
But can't they make an exception for Michael Moore?
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Disgruntled Democrats seeking a safe Canadian haven after President Bush won Tuesday's election should not pack their bags just yet.
Canadian officials made clear on Wednesday that any U.S. citizens so fed up with Bush that they want to make a fresh start up north would have to stand in line like any other would-be immigrants -- a wait that can take up to a year.
[more--not Moore]
But can't they make an exception for Michael Moore?
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Disgruntled Democrats seeking a safe Canadian haven after President Bush won Tuesday's election should not pack their bags just yet.
Canadian officials made clear on Wednesday that any U.S. citizens so fed up with Bush that they want to make a fresh start up north would have to stand in line like any other would-be immigrants -- a wait that can take up to a year.
[more--not Moore]
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
ScrappleFace: Kerry Votes for Bush, Before Voting Against Him
Just continuing the election coverage, keeping you aware of current developments.
Just continuing the election coverage, keeping you aware of current developments.
Legal Affairs publishes article on HOA conflict
Here's the link to this article--thanks to Fred Pilot, because I thought it wasn't online:
http://www.keepmedia.com/pubs/LegalAffairs/2004/11/01/636320
"Home Is Where the Heart Is," By Ross Guberman "...provided your dog's weight does not exceed 30 pounds, your shutters are painted a tasteful hue, and your lawn is in accordance with the standards mandated by the architectural-control committee."
Here's a snippet from this long and well-written piece, including a pungent comment from yours truly:
Most HOA board members, who are volunteers, fashion themselves as community representatives or homeowner advocates. But a few board members are hungry for power, their rule subject only to term limits, recall, or rejection at the next ballot box. Corruption can be as unbridled in HOAs as in big-city politics. HOA board members have been caught fixing their own elections, finagling kickbacks for themselves from contractors, and using their newfound authority to settle scores against neighbors. Some residents claim, for example, that after they've protested HOA policies at board meetings, they've been slapped with citations for obscure rule violations, such as putting their trash out on the wrong day or failing to remove weeds around a tree. "The problem with HOAs is that it's a kangaroo court that resolves these conflicts," said Evan McKenzie, a University of Illinois at Chicago political science professor and the author of Privatopia: Homeowner Associations and the Rise of Residential Private Government . "An unaccountable board plays judge and jury."
Here's the link to this article--thanks to Fred Pilot, because I thought it wasn't online:
http://www.keepmedia.com/pubs/LegalAffairs/2004/11/01/636320
"Home Is Where the Heart Is," By Ross Guberman "...provided your dog's weight does not exceed 30 pounds, your shutters are painted a tasteful hue, and your lawn is in accordance with the standards mandated by the architectural-control committee."
Here's a snippet from this long and well-written piece, including a pungent comment from yours truly:
Most HOA board members, who are volunteers, fashion themselves as community representatives or homeowner advocates. But a few board members are hungry for power, their rule subject only to term limits, recall, or rejection at the next ballot box. Corruption can be as unbridled in HOAs as in big-city politics. HOA board members have been caught fixing their own elections, finagling kickbacks for themselves from contractors, and using their newfound authority to settle scores against neighbors. Some residents claim, for example, that after they've protested HOA policies at board meetings, they've been slapped with citations for obscure rule violations, such as putting their trash out on the wrong day or failing to remove weeds around a tree. "The problem with HOAs is that it's a kangaroo court that resolves these conflicts," said Evan McKenzie, a University of Illinois at Chicago political science professor and the author of Privatopia: Homeowner Associations and the Rise of Residential Private Government . "An unaccountable board plays judge and jury."
The News-Press: Bonita Springs - Judge hears Pelican suit against WCI
From southwest Florida comes this story of alleged developer misconduct:
The Pelican Sound Golf and River Club claims WCI failed to account for homeowner association money that should have been turned over when residents took ownership in January 2003.
WCI attorney Thomas Roehn argued in a hearing Monday that Judge Jay Rosman should throw out the majority of the 23 complaints.
The lawsuit's allegations include:
• The reserve fund collected by WCI and paid into by members for future repairs and maintenance was empty.
• WCI marketing and development expenses were subtracted from accounts funded by homeowners for the operation of the association.
• Payment due to the association from cable television service provider MediaOne was remitted to WCI but never turned over to the homeowners.
• WCI filed incorrect personal property tax returns, incurring taxes, penalties and filing fees the association was required to pay.
[and other allegations--or in Florida, maybe they call them "alligators"]
From southwest Florida comes this story of alleged developer misconduct:
The Pelican Sound Golf and River Club claims WCI failed to account for homeowner association money that should have been turned over when residents took ownership in January 2003.
WCI attorney Thomas Roehn argued in a hearing Monday that Judge Jay Rosman should throw out the majority of the 23 complaints.
The lawsuit's allegations include:
• The reserve fund collected by WCI and paid into by members for future repairs and maintenance was empty.
• WCI marketing and development expenses were subtracted from accounts funded by homeowners for the operation of the association.
• Payment due to the association from cable television service provider MediaOne was remitted to WCI but never turned over to the homeowners.
• WCI filed incorrect personal property tax returns, incurring taxes, penalties and filing fees the association was required to pay.
[and other allegations--or in Florida, maybe they call them "alligators"]
Monday, November 01, 2004
ScrappleFace: Supreme Court Orders Polling Halt, Names Bush Winner
You heard about this, didn't you?
I just discovered that all yesterday's posts didn't get posted here due to some sort of Blogger glitch. I have corrected the problem--but there was some good stuff that now is gone into the ether.
You heard about this, didn't you?
I just discovered that all yesterday's posts didn't get posted here due to some sort of Blogger glitch. I have corrected the problem--but there was some good stuff that now is gone into the ether.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
HOA ombudsman in Florida?
A bill creating a state ombudsman for homeowner associations is expected to be introduced in the state Legislature in December.
It's the latest effort of the statewide Cyber Citizens for Justice Inc. to rein in homeowner association board authority and restore rights to residents.
The bill calls for a position similar to the condo ombudsman, implemented in the round of new condo and homeowner association laws that went into effect in June and October. The ombudsman is a neutral third party who solves disputes between condo owners and boards.
The homeowner association ombudsman would share an office with the condo ombudsman in Tallahassee. Homeowner association residents would pay $4 a year to fund the office, which is how the new condo ombudsman works.
[more]
-----------
Thanks to Fred Pilot for this link. Looks like CCFJ is back in the trenches again.
A bill creating a state ombudsman for homeowner associations is expected to be introduced in the state Legislature in December.
It's the latest effort of the statewide Cyber Citizens for Justice Inc. to rein in homeowner association board authority and restore rights to residents.
The bill calls for a position similar to the condo ombudsman, implemented in the round of new condo and homeowner association laws that went into effect in June and October. The ombudsman is a neutral third party who solves disputes between condo owners and boards.
The homeowner association ombudsman would share an office with the condo ombudsman in Tallahassee. Homeowner association residents would pay $4 a year to fund the office, which is how the new condo ombudsman works.
[more]
-----------
Thanks to Fred Pilot for this link. Looks like CCFJ is back in the trenches again.
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Tucson Weekly: Humble Home--Association-weary homeowners team up to fight back
OK, maybe they aren't raising holy hell. But milling about the Pima County Courthouse, a band of buttoned-down, middle-aged, disgruntled homeowners sure are unleashing a little heck.
Take Patrick Dougherty. Neat and tidy in a crisp blue blazer, he holds a carefully lettered sign that reads "DOES YOUR HOME BELONG TO YOU OR YOUR HOA?" The Las Vegas resident hasn't used his real estate license much lately, not since becoming a paralegal impelled to help elderly homeowners fight their homeowners associations, or HOAs. These cul-de-sac kingdoms need the boot, he says. "A high percentage of retired people are losing their homes" because they can't keep up with association fees. "And many times, association boards are just operating outside of the law."
Dougherty's strong feelings drove him all the way from Vegas, along with fellow real estate agent Nancy Barr, for this Oct. 18 rally. They're here to support Mika Sadai, a multi-homeowner who might get smacked with $400,000 in fines and lawyers fees. Sadai's six-year fight with her northwest Tucson HOA over a crooked board election--a battle costing $650,000 to wage--all comes down to her 2 p.m. court slot.
...
Along with promoting a comforting uniformity, they also control the minutiae of daily existence for affected residents, right down to where you plop your petunia patch. All too often, say critics, that power is abused by neighbors with scores to settle. Those mandates often include big fines for tiny infractions such as planting the wrong type of shrubs, leaving a garage door open or even erecting a flagpole. Failure to pay up can mean a lien against your home, or even foreclosure.
,strong>The result may be a national backlash, says Evan McKenzie, a University of Chicago researcher, and author of Privatopia: Homeowner Associations and the Rise of Residential Private Government. The book is highly critical of many association practices. Left unchecked, they "can really create little neighborhood Hitlers," McKenzie said in an earlier interview with the Tucson Weekly.
Still, he's guardedly optimistic that the HOA juggernaut sees a need for change. "I think they realize that it comes down to giving these communities a chance to become communities," he says.
Lawmakers are listening as well. Arizona legislators recently passed statutes preventing HOAs from seizing homes for unpaid fines, and requiring that they follow open meetings laws.
[more]
This is a good article, even if they did quote that McKenzie guy.
OK, maybe they aren't raising holy hell. But milling about the Pima County Courthouse, a band of buttoned-down, middle-aged, disgruntled homeowners sure are unleashing a little heck.
Take Patrick Dougherty. Neat and tidy in a crisp blue blazer, he holds a carefully lettered sign that reads "DOES YOUR HOME BELONG TO YOU OR YOUR HOA?" The Las Vegas resident hasn't used his real estate license much lately, not since becoming a paralegal impelled to help elderly homeowners fight their homeowners associations, or HOAs. These cul-de-sac kingdoms need the boot, he says. "A high percentage of retired people are losing their homes" because they can't keep up with association fees. "And many times, association boards are just operating outside of the law."
Dougherty's strong feelings drove him all the way from Vegas, along with fellow real estate agent Nancy Barr, for this Oct. 18 rally. They're here to support Mika Sadai, a multi-homeowner who might get smacked with $400,000 in fines and lawyers fees. Sadai's six-year fight with her northwest Tucson HOA over a crooked board election--a battle costing $650,000 to wage--all comes down to her 2 p.m. court slot.
...
Along with promoting a comforting uniformity, they also control the minutiae of daily existence for affected residents, right down to where you plop your petunia patch. All too often, say critics, that power is abused by neighbors with scores to settle. Those mandates often include big fines for tiny infractions such as planting the wrong type of shrubs, leaving a garage door open or even erecting a flagpole. Failure to pay up can mean a lien against your home, or even foreclosure.
,strong>The result may be a national backlash, says Evan McKenzie, a University of Chicago researcher, and author of Privatopia: Homeowner Associations and the Rise of Residential Private Government. The book is highly critical of many association practices. Left unchecked, they "can really create little neighborhood Hitlers," McKenzie said in an earlier interview with the Tucson Weekly.
Still, he's guardedly optimistic that the HOA juggernaut sees a need for change. "I think they realize that it comes down to giving these communities a chance to become communities," he says.
Lawmakers are listening as well. Arizona legislators recently passed statutes preventing HOAs from seizing homes for unpaid fines, and requiring that they follow open meetings laws.
[more]
This is a good article, even if they did quote that McKenzie guy.
NJ.com: Campaign sign draws fines
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP - The well-manicured lawns in the age-restricted community where George Shafer lives hold a variety of signs, from plastic posters announcing home security systems and wooden NFL banners to hand-painted placards welcoming friends.
But the cardboard Bush-Cheney campaign sign Shafer has outside his home in Village Grande at Crosswicks Creek has drawn the ire of the local homeowners association and is earning him $50 a day in fines.
Shafer, a retired IBM salesman, refuses to take it down. Although the Village bylaws prohibit residents from displaying signs of any kind on their properties, the Korean War veteran says the rule is being unfairly applied to him and others with political signs.
[more]
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP - The well-manicured lawns in the age-restricted community where George Shafer lives hold a variety of signs, from plastic posters announcing home security systems and wooden NFL banners to hand-painted placards welcoming friends.
But the cardboard Bush-Cheney campaign sign Shafer has outside his home in Village Grande at Crosswicks Creek has drawn the ire of the local homeowners association and is earning him $50 a day in fines.
Shafer, a retired IBM salesman, refuses to take it down. Although the Village bylaws prohibit residents from displaying signs of any kind on their properties, the Korean War veteran says the rule is being unfairly applied to him and others with political signs.
[more]
BostonHerald.com - Local/ Regional News: Tenant's success fighting crime prices her out of her home
An unfortunate reversal of the old "there goes the neighborhood" phenomenon--tenant activist makes the hood safe for gentrification:
For most of the 10 years she has lived in her three-bedroom apartment on Codman Park in Roxbury, Betty Smith has been fighting to keep the drug dealers off her street.
Lately she's been winning.
But her efforts to make her block safer have had the perverse effect of helping to price her out of her home.
A few months ago, her landlord told Smith he was raising the rent from $825 a month to $1,600 a month. Smith is now afraid she'll have to leave the neighborhood she worked to make safer for her two boys, 17 and 12 years old, as well as two foster kids placed with her by the state.
{more]
An unfortunate reversal of the old "there goes the neighborhood" phenomenon--tenant activist makes the hood safe for gentrification:
For most of the 10 years she has lived in her three-bedroom apartment on Codman Park in Roxbury, Betty Smith has been fighting to keep the drug dealers off her street.
Lately she's been winning.
But her efforts to make her block safer have had the perverse effect of helping to price her out of her home.
A few months ago, her landlord told Smith he was raising the rent from $825 a month to $1,600 a month. Smith is now afraid she'll have to leave the neighborhood she worked to make safer for her two boys, 17 and 12 years old, as well as two foster kids placed with her by the state.
{more]
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