A Different Kind of Neighborhood Watch on E. 7th Street
A Kensington reader passed on a note left by a nosy neighbor/concerned citizen (which is it, do you think?). It reads: “As I pass through my neighborhood, I find it necessary to remind my neighbors of their responsibility to keep our home values high by not only taking care of the inside of their homes…
A Kensington reader passed on a note left by a nosy neighbor/concerned citizen (which is it, do you think?). It reads: “As I pass through my neighborhood, I find it necessary to remind my neighbors of their responsibility to keep our home values high by not only taking care of the inside of their homes but also of their front areas. I have taken the liberty of grading each home and front areas. This letter is just a reminder and not intended to injure or insult anyone. I am sure we all want to maintain our property at the highest of standards and therby [sic] insuring that our property values remain high. This is a preliminary rating another [sic] will follow at a later date.” Luckily, there are many A’s. Our flummoxed reader writes, “I’m all for working to make our block look as beautiful as it can be, but really this is creepy! Don’t you think? Have you heard from others who have received similar letters?” We haven’t. Have you?
Oh, I should add that this douche bag obviously graded his or her own property to increase deniability.
This douche bag is obviously either a recent buyer or a current seller on that block (most likely the latter). Good use of online resources can narrow down the list to a very small number of names very quickly. I won’t name names, given the general (and I think wise) policy of this site, but anyone who is interested can figure it out for themselves.
Although most of the homeowners on my block (including me) do a good job of keeping their properties clean and proper, this would start a divisive campaign to figure out who was behind the note and even more animosity and personal grudge-holding than is normally present. The letter is basically an anonymous threat to the “non-A” owners. Not good. Better to employ some actual guts and confront your neighbor directly. You know, like a human being.
DOW what on earth does that comment mean? You’re not kidding anyone.
The thing that is most distasteful here (besides the creepy eye picture) is that the guy seems fixated on “Property values” –
honestly this is one reason why we are in this financial mess right now, a retarded fixation on ‘property values’ if your not selling ultimately who the f^ck cares about “property values”
The legitimate issue is “we all LIVE here and as a good neighbor it is appropriate to maintain the block”
Read Montrose Morris’s response. I’m all for advocating better awareness but in many of these neighborhoods money is an issue. still and all this is NYC- privacy is an issue and so is respect for boundaries. The visual comfort of the people who walk down the street really isn’t a homeowner’s responsibility although in an ideal world it would be great for every houses on every street to be a work of art.
People form block associations and try to work together- and that’s really great. But you need to reread the letter- it goes far beyond neighbors working together – this is one person appointing him (or her)self the guardian of the streets.
It is in everyone’s best interests to keep up their homes and most people realize that. But traditionalmod and MM are right- there are other issues. I understand the point of someone who invests a million or 2 into their home and wanting to keep property values high- on the other hand, that’s a personal choice they made for themselves and really not the responsibility of their neighbors to protect that investment.
DIBS- sorry. I just hate when I use a rational argument. So unlike me 🙂
John Crow was the one doing all the complaining about Union Hall.
I think the scale is A is the best since there are – signs as well.
However, when I was in school there was no E, only A,B,C,D and F. A report card, like a stock recommendation, is useless unless there is an explanation of the grading system.
Now I’m spending too much time on the rationalization of this idiot’s endeavor bxgrl!!!!!!
I live on East 7th, but I didn’t get this letter. Then again I live in a big co-op. Brownstoner, without revealing addresses, can you clue us in to which blocks this person reviewed?
DIBS,
John Crow, the former governor of the Bank of Canada? I’m not sure I get the reference.
to All:
We don’t know what the grades mean, nor do we have any idea of the criteria. He could very easily weigh most heavily on trash, weeding and other annoying-but-expected house upkeep. And A could well stand for Awful, since the person included a grade of E (Excellent?) That would seem to make more sense if there was motivation top write this letter in the first place.