Government

Nanny-State Madness: Woman Faces Jail Over Veggie Garden

Julie Bass is facing serious jail time for growing veggies in her front yard.

Nanny State Madness: Woman Faces Jail Over Veggie Garden

Ms Bass and her family live in a modest home Oak Park, Michigan and after a sewer line repair forced them to dig up their front yard, they decided that instead of replanting it with grass, they would grow vegetables in nice, raised beds. The city of Oak Park does not like the idea and wrote Julie a citation. She disagreed and is now facing a jury trial and possibly 93 days in jail.

The city and the Bass family are at odds over the meaning of the local code that reads;

“all unpaved portions of the site shall be planted with grass or ground cover or shrubbery or other suitable live plant material”

Julie Bass says that her vegetables are planted material and quite suitable. The city views them as an eyesore that needs to be hidden away in the back yard. And so, the expensive machinery of local government will grind towards a jury trial. Yes, 12 citizens could be called to serve on this case, to decide if raised-bed gardens are “suitable live plant material.”

Julie has taken her fight to the people and started a blog called “Oak Park Hates Veggies”.  The blog has many interesting stories, as well as recipes and of course updates on the battle with Oak Park. On the blog I learned that rain barrels and bat houses are also forbidden in Oak Park, MI. (Is collecting rain in a barrel viewed as cheating the city out of money that they could have made selling you water? And what could possibly be wrong with encouraging mosquito-eating bats to nest on your property?) There is also a tidy synopsis of how this all started;

after our sewer pipe was broken by the city’s tree roots, we had to dig up the entire lawn to get to the pipe and repair it (at our expense, thank you oak park…) after that we were left with a front yard covered in mounds of dirt.

we became interested in putting garden beds with vegetables, so i called the city to find out if it was permitted. after speaking to the person in charge of zoning, we were told that we probably couldn’t do a garden because nobody had ever asked about it before. since that is obviously not proof that it can’t be done, i asked the zoning person to please check on it for me. in our next call, he told me that he had been able to find out that we cannot put a fence around our front yard (????) but he had been unable to find anything about vegetable gardens in the front yard. the only thing he could find said that the city does allow decorative plantings.

ok, i thought- we have our answer. we can do decorative plantings- exactly what he told me we could do. WE WERE NEVER TOLD NOT TO DO IT. (contrary to his assertion on the news last night- ugh!!)

so, we had someone professionally make the garden beds so they would look nice. we planted grass on the front part of the yard, and put pathways between the garden boxes. we bought a pretty bench swing, and got pretty trellises for the tomatoes and the peas. we put garden paving stones out to make it nicer. we planted everything cleanly, in nice rows, with no huge plants that would hang over or look unkept. we thought we did pretty much everything in out power to comply with the city’s allowance of decorative plantings.

a week or two later, the code enforcer came out and gave us a warning- no vegetables allowed in front yard- must relocate. so i had a very pleasant conversation with the code enforcer and explained that i was under the impression that what we were doing was fine, and if it wasn’t fine- please show me where it says vegetables are prohibited. it doesn’t say that anywhere- but they told me that if i did not move the garden, i would get a citation. i kind of thought they were bluffing- just trying to pacify someone or something…

A broken sewer line connection caused the Bass family to re-think their front yard, and now they are engaged in a David & Goliath-like battle against their town. Of course the local media is gobbling up a story like this;

Oak Park Woman Faces 93-Days in Jail For Planting Vegetable Garden: MyFoxDETROIT.com

We are constantly bombarded with news stories about municipal governments facing one financial crisis after another. Many of these were caused by bloated governments filled with waste, fraud and abuse. The people of Oak Park, MI (myopic code enforcer who issued the citation) can now see with greater clarity where their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent.   And what about the prosecutor who is gathering evidence and preparing for a pre-trial hearing slated for later this month, are there no better uses for his/her time?

We will update as information becomes available, in the meantime, please take the poll on this issue.

H/T AOL’s Weird News & HuffPo

Comments (224)

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  • Pyx
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:23am

    Vegetables grow just fine and not that she needs it but, there are EDIBLE FLOWERS.

    A chart of EDIBLE FLOWERS is at : http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/blflowers.htm

    Of course, Oak Park, Michigan would not be able to tax the edible flowers either.

    Report Post » Pyx  
    • Non-regulator
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:26am

      If the garden were planted to spell “go muslims!,” the city would probably give a medal. I hope that the jury isn’t full of sicko lefties that love government becasue government before gardens.

      Report Post » Non-regulator  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:18pm

      LAST TIME !!! THE GUB-MENT works FOR US. THEY ARE NOT THE BOSS OF US (yes I’m shouting)

      IT is about property rights. THEY could plant a nice BOX WOOD hedge around it and have their garden inside of that, it will take time for the boxwood to grow of course…tough. BUT I think it’s a great idea! Front Yards usually get the best sun… They could have an arbor, vines, whatever. IT’S THEIR PROPERTY!!! WE need to SHRINK this oppressive GUB-MENT 90% NINETY PERCENT!!

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:22am

    I remember vividly a garden my parents had in the 60′s in our spacious front yard. How us children loved to pick peas and carrots and munch on them. Our government is way out of hand, right down to city government. They have all become the enemy.. how very terrible that we live in the times we do, when a family cannot even grow produce that empowers them. These city EMPLOYEES need to remember who they work for. Recall them.. fire them whatever it takes to remove them from office. The people can do it, it just takes one step and some courage. Go to planning and zoning and ask that the law be changed. Unfortunately thats what it takes. Sad though that we buy the property and then are dictated at what we can do with it. Maybe thats what we need to do, if they want to tell us how and what we have to do, then the city can pay our taxes and a portion of our house payment.

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
    • observerrage
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 12:04pm

      We need to quit asking and TELL them to change things! Asking to a politician tells him he’s got a choice, and being rebellious by nature will NOT do your bidding!

      Report Post » observerrage  
    • Victoria Foster
      Posted on July 21, 2011 at 12:35pm

      I agree. We paid for it, it’s ours. Funny, when you really think about it. If you say “no more property taxes” then someone yells about police and fire depts. If that’s the case then why are the police and firemen the first on the chopping block during budget problems. Why are there SO many people you have to ask when it comes to you doing something to your property, shouldn’t there just be one guy to open the book and look at the rules voted for by the people of the town. And can that same person not write the tickets, eval. property, and such.

      Report Post » Victoria Foster  
  • psst
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:22am

    Gardens? Uuugg.
    Michigans prefers all the abandoned crime ridden houses and bidnizes that have fled.(union thuggery)
    This woman should have built a small house on this spot so the crack dealers can negotiate w/ their “Clients” in private.
    Now that would be considered good citizenship.

    Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:20am

    Progressives want to control everything and they write laws and create regulations to control businesses
    and peoples daily lives.They started one hundred years ago and Barry is just accelerating the process,just look at the ten planks of the communist manifesto,much of it is in place already.

    But the beauty of it is, according to the sick twisted ideology of the progressive,it‘s done gradually over time so by the time you realize you’re living under tyranny it’s too late.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • ofallon
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:18am

    A jury is going to love Julie Bass. Hope they give her ample compensation for mental anguish, trashing her yard and harrassment for starters.

    Report Post »  
  • leftcoastslut
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:17am

    the school district should move one of their stops to this location and while waiting for the bus they can learn that food actually is grown from seed and the grocery store does not grow it.

    Report Post »  
  • The Bushmaster
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:13am

    I say recall everyone involved. Clearly, they are misappropriating funds to prosecute this woman for growing vegetables on her own property when in these times of fiscal crisis the money would be better spent elsewhere. I support her and truly hope she sticks to her guns. Even if she loses, she will garner huge local publicity showing the stupidity of her local government….. The voters will then wreak havoc upon their bloated sense of self importance… Just goes to show you NEVER really own your own property.

    Report Post »  
  • bringbackSAC
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:13am

    Oak Park nice spending of your tax dollars, find a real crminal to take to court. Hey Mayor and city attourney I do not see politics in your future.

    Report Post » bringbackSAC  
  • christos
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:13am

    …….Ridiculous don’t they have better things to do with their time,rather than meddle in others business,the garden looks greatly tended so what is the problem,others should model their front lawns like this also creative and useful,it’s her lawn–meddlers remember what +JESUS+ said about you,

    Report Post » christos  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:12am

    Well, if Obama gets his way, we’ll all have solar panels on our roofs and windmills in our front yards. How attractive is that?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Charles
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:10am

    The peoples republic of michigan doesnt want people to own guns either.

    Report Post »  
  • WitegaSchadde
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:08am

    Government: Uh oh looks like we have another person trying to be self sufficient and self sustaining. We cant have that. That will marginalize us and take away some of our authority.

    This reminds me of the minature communist gated communities that tell people they cant park their car in their driveway, cant have a pink plastic flamingo in their yard or mount an American flag on the deck. I have actually heard of people going to others houses with a ruler and measuring the length of their neighbors grass and then complaining to the homeowners association. (Wife was an accountant for a property management firm. The stories I could tell)

    I would tell the city to go to hell and take the citations, the jail time and everything else. Free thinking individuals need to stand up against the new Amerika.

    Report Post » WitegaSchadde  
  • BIGJAYINPA
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:06am

    Is it time for the torches and pitchforks yet???…..Just sayin’

    Report Post » BIGJAYINPA  
    • Donna
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:48am

      not sure, but i know quite a few that have been checking to make sure their torches and pitchforks are ready when the time comes……..

      Report Post » Donna  
    • quicker
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:50am

      How about garden hoe` s and rakes.

      Report Post » quicker  
  • USAMama
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:02am

    I am so sick and tired of these “rules, laws and regulations”. Gone are the days when we could say this is a “free” country… unless of course your an illegal alien then its free, in the “free” school, “free” healthcare, “free” housing sort of way.

    Report Post » USAMama  
    • Fly Old Glory 24/7 365
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:54am

      yep, sick and tired of all the rules. To hec with law and order. Everyone do whatever they want. Its a free world, who are these cities to have ordinances like this? How dare they? How dare they? Anyone know the symbol for sarcasm?

      Report Post »  
    • SacredHonor1776
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:04am

      Is she using monsanto approved seeds?

      Report Post »  
  • Aaron in Polk County
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:02am

    Hey, the City ownes the first ten feet of anyone’s yard. You just have to pay for it, but the City dictates what can or can not be placed there.

    If you don’t like the law, move or change the law. But don’t whine to us when the law is enforced.

    Report Post » Aaron in Polk County  
  • Donna
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:01am

    Please show the City of Oak Park your displeasure with this action.
    I am choosing to send them a sealed packet of seeds.

    Their address is:

    City of Oak Park
    13600 Oak Park Blvd.
    Oak Park, MI 48237

    Tel: 248 691-7450
    Fax: 248 691 7165
    email
    krulkowski@ci.oak-park.mi.us (planning director)
    rfox@ci.oak-park.mi.us (city manager)

    Report Post » Donna  
    • FLYOVERSTATEIOWA
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:15am

      Love this Idea!

      Report Post » FLYOVERSTATEIOWA  
    • jedi.kep
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:00am

      I sent them an email. How stupid can people get and still breathe?

      Report Post » jedi.kep  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:33pm

      DONNA, this is the perfect way to blog!!! THANK you for your HELPFUL information. I hope every one Emails them and I hope you will re post this for people who don’t read from Oldest to Newest!

      This is truly what I think BLAZE was begun for…sharing REAL information and seeking solutions!! CONGRATS!

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
  • TH30PH1LUS
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:58am

    It’s not an eyesore, TRUST ME. I’d much rather have some lady tending her veggie garden, than unmowed, weed-infested, garbage-strewn front yard of some I’ve seen!

    Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
    • quicker
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:48am

      Pretty and in a bikinni would be nice also.

      Report Post » quicker  
  • Oh, God!
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:58am

    So much for property rights.

    Report Post » Oh, God!  
  • nomercy63
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:58am

    Backyard ok!!!!! Front yard not ok!!!!! Not hard to figure out!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • B4B
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:57am

    What a joke.
    That’s what ya get for “going green”.

    Report Post »  
  • Paige
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:57am

    Too much government. Not enough common sense.

    Report Post » Paige  
    • Robert-CA
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:44am

      Yep the government is calling for everything to be green & when a citizen decides to go green the government tells her : NO or it’s our way or jail .
      Nice job KGB we need more of Marx & Mao .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
  • Paige
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:56am

    Too much government.

    Report Post » Paige  
  • TheCenturion
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:56am

    IF, and I stress IF, the city code prohibits “front” yard gardens, then she is clearly in violation, BUT I highly doubt if front yard gardening is even addressed in the city code.

    They are out of control!!!!

    It’s time to reverse the fear —- liberty versus tyranny.

    Report Post »  
    • arx
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:03am

      what gives the right of any city to prohibit front yard gardens? or anything else that a person wants to do with THEIR property that doesn’t affect others? Screw their laws.

      People are much too disposed to accept illegal and tyranical laws as correct, just because they are written down somewhere.

      Report Post » arx  
    • Donna
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:06am

      1. There was a judgement call at City Hall on what ‘suitable’ means – living in Michigan’s economy, I know all too well that vegetable gardens are much more suitable than a lawn (and where are the green activists? plants that produce things instead of a lawn that requires water, maintenance, etc)
      2. TECHNICALLY she was doing container planting – just really big containers

      Guess sustainable communities do not include self-sustaining households……

      Blessings!

      Report Post » Donna  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:41am

      What could be more suitable in our day and age than vegetables!? Imagine a whole block of front yard vegetable gardens– can’t get any “greener” than that! It would change peoples lives. Not to mention the “negative” carbon footprint it would leave.

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
  • BlackAce41
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:55am

    Of Course they want to tax it. I mean they go and ruin her front yard and then while she is doing some on HER OWN property she is facing jail time. This is a perfect example of too much GOVERNMENT!

    Report Post » BlackAce41  
    • loriann12
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:28am

      Exactly! It’s her property and she should be able to do with it as she pleases. But, of course, we all know that we only buy the top soil these days. We have to sign a paper saying if they find gas, or precious metals on our property, it belongs to the city/state. We don’t actually OWN the land anyway. Another way socialism has crept in.

      Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:51am

    .
    It’s not the garden they object too. It‘s they can’t figure out a way to TAX IT…….

    Grow your own….Food that is……….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • arx
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:00am

      Kevin Rulkowski is the dipsh&t city planner who is making an issue out of this. Here is his email and phone if you want to give him a piece of your mind:

      ‘krulkowski@ci.oak-park.mi.us’

      248 691-7450

      Report Post » arx  
    • MidWestMom
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:18am

      Didn’t our Gardener in Chief, Michelle encourage all Americans to plant “Victory over Obesity” gardens?? And her’s is on the lawn of the White House where I believe its been shown to foreign dignitaries.

      Report Post »  
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