http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011..._jail_planting
_veggie_garden.php

It just doesn't get more ridiculous than this.

Julie Bass of Oak Park, Michigan -- a mother of 6, law-abiding citizen,
and gardener -- is facing 93 days in jail after being charged with a
misdemeanor.

Her crime? Planting a vegetable garden in the front yard.


Bass says that she planted the garden after her front yard was torn up for
some sewer repairs. Rather than wasting the opportunity to start with a
clean slate by planting a lawn, she decided to really put the area to use,
and plant a vegetable garden.

Her garden consists of 5 raised beds, where she grows a mix of squashes,
corn, tomatoes, flowers, and other veggies. Bass received a warning from
the city telling her to remove the vegetable garden, because it doesn't
adhere to city ordinances (more on that later.) When she refused, she was
ticketed and charged with a misdemeanor. Her trial, before a jury, is set
to begin on July 26th. If she is found guilty, she can be sentenced to up
to 93 days in jail.

About the City Ordinance

Supposedly, Bass is in noncompliance with a city ordinance that states
that only "suitable" plant material is allowed on the lawn area of
residences. When local media asked city planner Kevin Rulkowski what that
meant, he said suitable means "common:" lawn, nice shrubs, and flowers.
However, the city ordinance does not specifically state that those are the
only allowed plant materials.

About Oak Park

This is not some gated community with HOA regulations. This is an
ordinary, working class neighborhood in Oakland County, Michigan. Like
nearly every other city in my home state right now, Oak Park is facing
financial issues. Here at home, people are amazed that a cash-strapped
city has the resources to investigate, charge, and prosecute a resident
for something as innocuous as planting a vegetable garden.

What's Being Done

This story is gaining traction all over the web. Gawker covered it this
morning. There are Facebook pages devoted to supporting Mrs. Bass and her
family during this ordeal. Will social media help change the city's mind?
That's what many of us are hoping. Local television affiliates for ABC and
Fox news have already covered the story, and media attention continues to
grow.

How to Help

If you want to help support a gardener's right to grow food for her family
(even if it is -- gasp -- in the front yard!) there are several things you
can do:

1. Email or call officials for the city of Oak Park. Mrs. Bass has listed
contact information for the mayor, city manager, and other city officials
in the sidebar of her blog.

http://oakparkhatesveggies.wordpress.com/

2. "Like" the Oak Park Hates Veggies Facebook Page.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oak-Park-Hates-
Veggies/184553881597878?v=wall

3. Spread the word via Facebook and Twitter. By gaining attention to this
particular issue, with this particular homeowner, the hope is that other
cities will reconsider before they harass another homeowner for something
like this.

What do you think? Should a front yard vegetable garden be a crime?

Comments:

Grommitt Eckhart

Michelle Obama put 1100 sq.ft. of vegetable garden on the south lawn of
the White House. If it's good enough for the leader of the free world,
then what the f**k is wrong with Oakpark?
868 · Like· Reply · July 8 at 1:08pm

Grommitt EckhartIf GW Bush could get involved with that unfortunate brain-
dead woman in Florida, then why can't Ms. First Lady get involved in this?
Does someone have her on Twitter?
81 · Like· Reply · July 8 at 1:31pm.

John Russell Posson · E-5 Genorator mechanic at Indiana Army National
Guard
Here here, and again as i said in reply to a previous poster, TBH IMO a
city should not be allowed to say you cant, provided you properly take
care of it...

33 · Like· Reply · July 8 at 1:53pm.

Julie Chippindale · Proston, Queensland
Michelle Obama may have been allowed to put a garden in but she was NOT
allowed to say it was organic as others would then question why!!!!

30 · Like· Reply · July 8 at 2:43pm.View 24 more.

Shelley Smith · Traditional Mysore-Style Ashtanga Yoga Instructor at
Pineapple Yoga ? Kauai
uh-oh. once people begin planting more VEGETABLES, they'll start getting
HEALTHY too! good health could cause CLEAR THINKING, which might lead to
AWARENESS of the source and impact of everyday food choices on both
personal health and planet. awareness is likely to result in BREAKING
ADDICTIONS to the toxic chemicals in processed foods and then REFUSING to
purchase or consume the dangerous packaged/processed/GMO substances which
are poisoning the average american eater every day. from there it's
inevitable that the innocent vegetable planter will eventually be
TRANSFORMED into a happier, healthier person supporting a happier,
healthier planet AND will start to INFORM their friends and family about
how they got that way, INSPIRING others to plant their own veggies too...
(dangerous indeed, hmmm?)
463 · Like· Reply · July 8 at 3:55pm


--
Obama's black racist USAG appointee.

Eric Holder, racist black United States Attorney General drops voter
intimidation charges against the Black Panthers, "You are about to be
ruled by the black man, cracker!"

Eric Holder, prejudiced black United States Attorney General settles the
hate crime debate, "Whites Not Protected by Hate Crime Laws."

Nancy Pelosi, Democrat criminal, accessory before and after the fact, to
former House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel of New
York's million dollar tax evasion. On December 3, 2010, Congress voted to
censure Rangel for 11 ethics violations. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
fought removal of Charles B. Rangel from the House Ways and Means
Committee.

Felony President. 18 USC, Sec. 600. Promise of employment or other
benefit for political activity

Obama violated the law by trying to buy Joe Sestak off with a political
appointment in exchange for not pursuing an election bid to replace Arlen
Specter. Obama violated the law by trying to buy former Colorado House
Speaker Andrew Romanoff off last fall to see if he'd be interested in an
administration job -- instead of running against Sen. Michael Bennet.

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