Re: “Clean up this carport … or else!” (editorial, March 8).
I am never surprised at your defense of “personal liberties.” And although “liberties” should not be tread upon, when exercising your rights I think it is incumbent upon a civil society to ensure that such exercise is not damaging another’s rights. I was taught that all rights are accompanied by responsibilities.
If you feel it your constitutional privilege to stack years worth of “acquisitions” in your carport for all the world to see, and you live in a subdivision atmosphere, you are probably single-handedly dragging down property values in your neighborhood. If the home next to yours is for sale, what do you think is the likelihood that it will sell quickly, and at a decent price, while you exercise your “rights”?
On the other hand, if you live out on acreage and your storage habits are not visible to neighbors, knock yourself out.
I believe communities should set standards. I also believe that as a property owner, I should have the right to expect others in the community to uphold certain standards or suffer the consequences of coerced compliance.
No, it should not be left up to a single individual to set those standards, but when a properly-appointed committee agrees that your property is blighted, you need to take corrective action.
All the new, big money in recent years has been spent east of “old Destin.” Fresh and clean are preferred over old and tired. Old Destin needs to police itself, or the Luckiest Fishing Village will become the Tackiest Fishing Village.
— JOHN BURNS
Destin