Dear Editor, For years I lived in an old farmhouse on Diana
Avenue. The only vestiges of our rural suburban neighborhood are
George Bagoy
’s meticulously kept walnut orchard and a seven acre parcel
across from my house which adjoins a 1.5-acre parcel that belongs
to an 80-year-old neighbor, Mrs. Pumphrey.
Dear Editor,
For years I lived in an old farmhouse on Diana Avenue. The only vestiges of our rural suburban neighborhood are George Bagoy’s meticulously kept walnut orchard and a seven acre parcel across from my house which adjoins a 1.5-acre parcel that belongs to an 80-year-old neighbor, Mrs. Pumphrey. Her late husband built their modest house on their land many years ago and it housed their children, horses and other pets. Her grandson and his wife now live on the property and help take care of their grandmother and her land.
The seven-acre parcel across from me belongs to an elderly woman who rents it to a family that has kept it in tip-top shape. She promised her husband she would not sell the land as long as she lived unless she was in dire need. I love sitting on my front porch and watching the sunrise with no interference from a huge two-story house blocking my view of the mountains of Coe Park.
I also love going across the street to pet and feed the goats my neighbor has acquired. He and the grandson of Mrs. Pumphrey constructed an expansive chain link fence for their animals, which consists of several goats and horses (I believe about seven goats and three horses) on their adjoining eight acres. The animals are well cared for and many people pass by with their children to watch and feed the goats which are friendly and come to the fence. It made me happy to see children and adults who are so disconnected from nature to stop by in their SUVs to talk to and feed the animals.
Now this bit of nature and nurture and coming together is kaput. Someone complained and insisted the city bring their inspectors and legal experts to force Mrs. Pumphrey’s grandson to move out of his moveable trailer in back of the main house and both he and my other neighbor are being forced to get rid of all their animals. There is a law that says your fence has to be 100 feet from any existing house.
I have never been bothered by noise from the animals or flies. I have not heard any of my immediate neighbors complain. The city does not investigate on their own. They go out only when someone makes a complaint. I feel sad that we will now retreat behind our six foot fences, use our front yards only for parking and getting into our cars and continue the pattern of anonymity and isolation that is a sign of our times.
Natasha Wist, Morgan Hill
