“Summertime
When the livin’ is easy
Fish are jumpin’
And the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy’s rich
And your ma is good-lookin’
So hush, little baby
Don’t you cry”
– George Gershwin
It’s Summertime. Again. Time for the Paris Chamber’s annual rant on “Paris Texas – where weeds reach higher”:
The Widow’s mite is often greater than a rich man’s thousands.
The City of Paris codes regarding grass and weeds:
- “It is a violation for any person owning, claiming, occupying, or having control of any property within the city to permit
weeds, brush, vegetative growth, or any objectionable or unsightly matter to grow to a height greater than 12 inches.
- “If the property is five acres or more, the owner or person in control is required to mow at least a 100-foot perimeter from the property line.
- “If a person fails to comply with these requirements and is convicted in the City of Paris Municipal Court, the fine could be as much as $2,000 for every day the violation exists. The city can also correct the violation at the owner’s expense and assess an administrative penalty of $220. If the costs of the work are not paid within 30 days, a lien will be filed against the property.”
A draconian approach – if you’re not one of the who-you-are or the who-do-you know crowd.
But it’s June, and weeds are bustin’ out all over. Again.
There are weeds – no, grass – all over Paris that’s higher than 12-inches. In some places, weeds are already three feet fall. Some even taller. Many, as they sing in Oklahoma, are as tall as an elephant’s eye.
Regardless of the policy, there are places where weeds three feet tall (and taller) are still standing from last year.
Pitiful.
(There’s no excuse for it.)
We’ll see what tomorrow brings . . . .
Forgive us, but that bit in the code on any “objectionable or unsightly matter” with its 12-inch high requirement: There’s gonna be some really short people walking around if the city ever enforces it.
Why do we have ordinances, if they won’t be or can’t be enforced or enforced equally in all areas inside the Paris city limits?
The city demands that citizens follow the city’s policy and city ordinances when the city, itself, doesn’t do it. Just look at the city’s rights-of-way.
The Paris Texas Chamber of Commerce actually believes (despite what some may want to claim) that each citizen has an obligation and responsibility to the community in which they live, work or do business. Examples being you don’t litter, rob, steal, injure or kill people, and break other reasonable laws. We also believe, on the other hand, that a community – even Paris, Texas, where weeds reach higher – also has an obligation and a responsibility to each citizen to act without favoritism or different considerations.
Decisions should never be based on perceived percentages; whether it’s the widow’s mite or the rich man’s thousands.
Paris Texas: “Where Weeds Reach Higher”
Darn that dream
and Bless it, too
It haunts me
that it won’t come true
O, darn … darn that dream