Let Freedom (From Dumb Fines) Ring!
Here’s a little bit of good, common-sense news to celebrate this Independence Day: city officials in drought-stricken Sacramento have decided against fining a local couple for not watering their lawn. Guess the ongoing news coverage embarrassed the right people into doing the right thing.
A little background: after California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared emergency drought conditions in the state early last month, homeowners Matt George and Anne Hartridge decided that lavishing grass with a precious liquid wasn’t the right way to deal with the crisis. So they stopped watering their lawn. Naturally, the grass responded by turning a crisp, dead brown. And, naturally, some disapproving lawn-lover complained.
That complaint brought out a city inspector, who cited George and Hartridge for allowing their front yard to become a “public nuisance.” Had the charges stuck, the couple would have been on the hook for a $746 fine (hey, they did save money by not watering the lawn, right?).
Fortunately, a wiser decision prevailed … spurred, most likely, in part by the outrage of other environmentally minded citizens. According to the Sacramento Bee, more than 160 readers posted comments on the story on its Website, and others went straight to City Hall with calls or emails.
In addition to dropping the penalty, the city is also putting together a flyer to inform residents about code-compliant landscaping alternatives to water-thirsty lawns. The handout is expected to be ready next week.
Let freedom from dumb fines ring!
