Post by: RadioFreeSeaLab on June 29, 2007, 10:35:10 AM
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6725421
Quote
White Cloud yard police put man in jail
Updated: June 29, 2007 08:50 AM
By PATRICK CENTER
WHITE CLOUD -- A Newaygo County man could spend another weekend behind bars if he doesn't take care of his yard.
David Burch says he tried to seed the yard last fall but it wouldn't take root. This all stems from a contractor who failed to sod the yard in the first place. Now a judge is saying, do the yard or do the time.
"The people who work at the court, at the jail, thought it was funny," Burch said. "They said there had to be more. I said, 'No, it's just because I don't have grass growing.' They said, 'You're in here for that?'"
He claims he is not skirting the law. Burch said the contractor for his new house is responsible for the lawn. But a White Cloud city ordinance states otherwise.
"This has been in the courts for over a year," said White Cloud Police Chief Roger Ungrey. "I believe Mr. Burch has made an attempt. He did bring me in some receipts for grass seed."
But when it didn't grow, a county judge ordered the yard planted. It never happened. Again this April - no sprouts. Then, in jail, an inspiration. Burch is sodding his yard with donated turf.
"He has been working on it," Ungrey said. "However, he remains to this day noncompliant."
That is because the backyard must also be green.
But will the patchwork sod qualify as a lawn? "It's not your normal sod that you would have, that you would go to a sod farm and purchase," Ungrey told 24 Hour News 8. "So that remains to be seen. I can't answer that question."
Burch was back in court Thursday. The judge told him he has two weeks to complete the job. If not, it's another weekend back in jail.
Updated: June 29, 2007 08:50 AM
By PATRICK CENTER
WHITE CLOUD -- A Newaygo County man could spend another weekend behind bars if he doesn't take care of his yard.
David Burch says he tried to seed the yard last fall but it wouldn't take root. This all stems from a contractor who failed to sod the yard in the first place. Now a judge is saying, do the yard or do the time.
"The people who work at the court, at the jail, thought it was funny," Burch said. "They said there had to be more. I said, 'No, it's just because I don't have grass growing.' They said, 'You're in here for that?'"
He claims he is not skirting the law. Burch said the contractor for his new house is responsible for the lawn. But a White Cloud city ordinance states otherwise.
"This has been in the courts for over a year," said White Cloud Police Chief Roger Ungrey. "I believe Mr. Burch has made an attempt. He did bring me in some receipts for grass seed."
But when it didn't grow, a county judge ordered the yard planted. It never happened. Again this April - no sprouts. Then, in jail, an inspiration. Burch is sodding his yard with donated turf.
"He has been working on it," Ungrey said. "However, he remains to this day noncompliant."
That is because the backyard must also be green.
But will the patchwork sod qualify as a lawn? "It's not your normal sod that you would have, that you would go to a sod farm and purchase," Ungrey told 24 Hour News 8. "So that remains to be seen. I can't answer that question."
Burch was back in court Thursday. The judge told him he has two weeks to complete the job. If not, it's another weekend back in jail.
Post by: Nick1911 on June 29, 2007, 10:41:09 AM
<---- Yard Police
Ha! Beat El T to it!
Post by: onions! on June 29, 2007, 10:48:45 AM
Post by: grampster on June 29, 2007, 12:08:33 PM
You must have grass in your yard in White Cloud. You don't need teeth in your mouth, however...or shower at reasonable intervals. heh.
In fact, the young pickpocket that got the snot kicked out of him by a 72 year old ex marine and ironworker lived up here in Newaygo county. I think there is a video going around on Youtube. Gene pool is somewhat suspect in certain regions nearby.
Post by: Sergeant Bob on June 29, 2007, 12:09:13 PM
Post by: Antibubba on June 30, 2007, 12:58:54 AM
Can you imagine the trouble he'd be in if he were growing vegetables?
Post by: Tallpine on June 30, 2007, 03:31:35 AM
Post by: wmenorr67 on June 30, 2007, 04:27:34 AM
Quote
That is because the backyard must also be green.
Where is the paint.
Post by: Bogie on June 30, 2007, 06:43:09 AM
Will kudzu grow there?
Post by: Sergeant Bob on June 30, 2007, 11:11:31 AM
With different kinds of grass, you could probably spell something...
Will kudzu grow there?
Will kudzu grow there?
You're evil.
Post by: Firethorn on June 30, 2007, 04:57:21 PM
Quote
That is because the backyard must also be green.
Where is the paint.
My thoughts exactly. I'd practically be willing to sit in jail every weekend rather than do lawnwork...
edit: Second, nastier thought: Roundup to some of the other lawns of parties in this fiasco.
Post by: jselvy on July 01, 2007, 02:52:55 AM
Jefferson
Post by: ilbob on July 01, 2007, 04:11:44 AM
Is it just me or is this a totally ridiculous use of police and judicial power?
Jefferson
Jefferson
Its not just you, but I suspect there is a little more going on than is being stated. Usually these kind of situations are portrayed in a very one sided way by press reports.
There was a guy in this area who got fined pretty seriously for not having grass. The paper made a big deal about it, and he claimed he was doing some kind of wild bird sanctuary and the lack of grass was supposed to facilitate native plant growth. But, he was also causing serious mud problems for his neighbors as he was up on a slope and mud from where his grass wasn't would go down the hill into other people's yards. They were the ones making the biggest noise about it.
Post by: Hawkmoon on July 01, 2007, 03:56:46 PM
Is it just me or is this a totally ridiculous use of police and judicial power?
Jefferson
It is not just you ...
Jefferson
Post by: MechAg94 on July 01, 2007, 05:39:58 PM
It would be interesting to see the whole story on this.