Letters to the Editor
outonhighway61
Published Letters: 1
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They're more than poisonous: without watering, oleanders can damage sewer lines and foundations
[Read the article: The strange case of midnight renegade oleander gentrification camouflage]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Under dry conditions, oleander roots can be invasive, growing into thick mats that can weaken structures if they're not managed properly. This means that unless the LW's area gets plenty of rainfall, the elderly neighbor must now pay for additional water to keep the uninvited hedge from damaging her property. The NIMBY's actions seem to show an astonishing lack of respect for the old woman's autonomy. Perhaps she would have liked to choose the type of plant that went into her yard?
"Letting it go" is, in part, how we've come to the state of community disengagement that Cary laments in his response. It takes time to get to know people when race and class divide, but living in a similar neighborhood, I've learned it's not impossible by any means. It doesn't happen over the fence, or by saying hello on your way in and out of your house. Invite the old woman and her son over for dinner, for pete's sake! How hard can that be? Make it simple and welcoming and focus on getting to know her. She comes from a generation where that's what neighbors did. They talked about the weather, or their families, or their yards. Don't miss this opportunity, LW. She'll be gone soon enough.
And I'd show the NIMBY your letter to Cary. Seeing herself in print might shock her into a bit more awareness.