The disabled man I care for and I moved to this neighborhood just over a year ago. We both grew up in NE Dallas and we moved from a 3500 sq foot home. The house he bought was to say the least ddilapidated. He put allot of money in to the house to make it livable and be the last house he buys for himself. If he had known that the City Code enforcement would continually ask for permits ( which for our safety .. can be dealt with ) It seem as though it was one thing after another. Finally a year or more after the remodeling was complete we had to somehow deal with a bunch of furniture that was no longer needed. I will say this.. That was on my plate. Taking care of a grandchild during the day, a disable man and a teenage son, I was not the quickest in getting this task done. So If any of you aren't familiar with Garland, ( which we are not .. we are from Dallas ) I had no idea that a child's toy in my back yard or anything no in approved weather proof containers would get me tons of code violations. It was letter after letter, stating "remove the care parts from your back yard" which in fact was a water hose reel. Or " you can not have in door furniture on or under your car port" which in fact were waterproof covered boxes from a boat. What Happened to the Good Ole Days went you were welcomed into a new home. Were was just a piece of mail explaining what it meant to be a good citizen of this neighborhood. Are we just supposed to know that when the city doesnt pick up the recycling today, how do I know they are not coming tomorrow? So so yes. another Violation. Does anyone living on this street not appreciate that the house with the broken windows and dope fends are gone? You get someone in here that has,to say the least got running water and power back into a house that didn't have it for two and a half years would be glad that life was back in a house that was so obvious an eye sore and a criminal oasis. But No.. Not good enough for this neighborhood. Lets just Harass them until they leave.
What I have read about this area of Garland is that you want to make it a good neighborhood, safe and clean.. Crime Free would be Great ! or better yet you just want to walk down your streets again. And I will say this at 11:00 pm.. The world around here becomes quite. Yes, it does feel safe at night I know you have spent many of hours and tons of prayer for it to be what it is now. So different from the Dallas I knew just 7 miles away from the house we just left.
I would love to say that this was the best move I ever made, However, it seems as though we are not wanted here. And to those people how make sure the code enforcement is called for a piece of paper or a bike in my back yard. If you are trying to imporve the neighborhood with the way it looks. Worry about the unnatural colors people around here paint there homes. Electric Blue, Fuchsia, Orange and Purple. I just don't understand how you can notice a bike in someones back yard but you don't notice the Far Out Colors Painted on a house. And, Also, When you get past the color of said home, Notice the 5 bikes, the recliner on the front porch, the stove and refrigerator also.
Or Better yet notice that your neighbor is using the water hose outside for water, because the water doesn't work inside and there are 5 or more people living there.
So the way I feel is I can paint my home, the tree's windows and carport purple with neon green polka dots and that would be ok as long as I dont have 1 childs toy visable from the street.
Thank you for making someone new feel so unwelcome.
Danielle
PS.. It is almost a shame to think of the money that has been invested in this little home that the people on this street are not greatful to see the criminals gone from here. Its a shame that in this day and age people are so quick to point a fingers and assume than walk up and knock on a door and say welcome to you new home. Here is a book of the codes for Garland ( in case you are not from here ) And My name is Nancy I live 4 doors down. If you need anything please feel free to call or drop by after 4 pm.
This is how it should be .. Peaceful you have made it. But Friendly it isn't.
AND ONE LAST THING.. HOA??? FOR REAL? I HAVEN'T PAID ANY DUES OR TIES... SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN. ONE MORE WAY TO STICK YOUR FINGER IN SOMEONES BACK TO FORCE THEM TO DO THE VERY THING WE ALL WANT.
YOU ATTRACT MORE FLIES WITH HONEY. NOT FORCE.
I'm sure there is not one person on this block or in this neighborhood that only wants a place for the kids to be safe, our home and belongings to be safe, less and less crime.. a better looking community.. and peace at night instead of sirens.
I think that about sums it up.. So Back Off ... Wake Up... Before you run all the good out of here.
