I hate to bring up bitter memories from April, but I thought that some of you would find this interesting
[b said:Quote[/b] ]Prickly issue: Local man's cactus collection may be cause for his eviction (see photos)
Reported by Barbara Gauthier
POSTED: Thursday, June 02, 2005 9:32:07 PM
UPDATED: Thursday, June 02, 2005 10:41:00 PM
# AMHERST -- A prickly issue in Amherst could cause one homeowner to be evicted.See photos: Garden of cacti (1 of 4)
It’s all about the man’s cactus collection. The managers at the mobile home park where he lives say either the homeowner or the cacti must go.
Troy Sigler takes great pride in his cactus collection.
“It’s very peaceful to me,” he says. “It reminds me of a desert which is a very quiet - serene and peaceful place.”
But, Sigler’s peaceful place at Westwood Mobile Home Park could force him to find a new place to live. Managers of the mobile home park say Sigler must remove all of the cacti by June 24th or face eviction.
Ii definitely feel like I’m being singled out,” Sigler said. “A lot of people here have gardens and they’re not being told to remove them.”
Many of Sigler’s neighbors agree - they like his garden and say management isn’t being fair.
“I think it’s beautiful,” neighbor Donna Brubaker said. “I don’t know why they’d want him to get out of the park for it.”
Park management say the issue isn’t so much that they don’t like the way the garden looks - they say its about access if they need to get behind these homes – it’s tough to get through. Besides that, they say this set up is against park rules.
“There’s over a hundred cacti and they are impeding on gas lines and water lines and there are safety codes, health codes that he is infringing on,” said Heather Burls, the park manager.
Dozens of park residents signed petitions supporting Sigler’s garden, but not everyone loves it.
“Some of it is very interesting … some of its ugly … it’s a bit much,” said Bernice Siwierka.
Sigler says if he has to, he’ll dig it up, but hopes for compromise.
“To me, it’s appealing … it makes the park look better,” Sigler said.
Residents of the mobile home park are allowed to have small gardens, but they say Sigler’s is just too big.
Management says it’s willing to work with him to reach a compromise.
[b said:Quote[/b] ]http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_fullstory.asp?id=35830