http://miva.dmregister.com/miva/cgi-bin/miva?news/live/display.mv+direction=showstory&showrec=4

Man paints black spots on Cedar Rapids house Posted at 8:19 on 02/05/2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A 92-year-old house in one of Cedar Rapids' historic districts has been painted with Dalmation-like black spots and phrases such as ‘‘my house,’’ ‘‘for sale’’ and ‘‘go postal.’’

Ben Walker, 38, said the messages are meant for his neighbors and intrusive city inspectors.

‘‘Basically, it’s a message to them to leave me alone,’’ Walker said.

Walker, his wife, Sherry, and their three children have lived in the house for about a year. Neighbors have complained about the condition of the house and the old car seats and exercise treadmills Walker has collected on the porch.

Walker said he felt he needed to give people something they could really criticize.

‘‘Now they have something they can complain about,’’ Walker said. ‘‘They don’t know how bad it can be until it gets worse.’’

Neighbor Stefanie Kohn said she can’t understand Walker’s reasoning.

‘‘I just think it’s kind of foolish to deface it like that,’’ she said.

City officials said historic district rules may not restrict the type of paint put on a house. An assistant to the mayor said the city’s legal staff is looking into how the issue can best be handled.

Walker said he’s considered selling his house, which is assessed at $66,000.

‘‘I’d be willing to look at any offer,’’ he said.

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

Answers

Lessee. Could be worse. There could be toilet seats on the front lawn.

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

I don't understand people like this. If keeping junked autos in the yard, painting the house bright purple, or building sculptures from toilet seats is important, why live in an area where such activities are going to upset the neighbors to the point that they file suits with the city code enforcement? MOVE. There are lots of neighborhoods where such activites will go unnoticed since everyone else does the same thing. And vice-versa. Those who want a junk-free yard should not live in neighborhoods where people park cars, working and otherwise, on the front lawn. Asking them to clean up ain't gonna work. MOVE.

Interest rates are excellent right now. (:

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

The nerve! If that man wants to paint his house like a dalmation, why, he oughta be able to do it. The house is valued at 66k, though, not a thoroughbred. A mutt pattern would have been more appropriate.

Do you know there are people in this city who have painted their houses Carolina blue??? Aaaaaaaaaargh! Perfectly nice houses, too--otherwise.

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2002