Her name is Julie Bass. She is a common person, just like you. Julie, however, managed to gain popularity into a case that can be considered one of the most ridiculous occurrences to take place lately. According to city officials, Bass has committed a crime. This crime is connected to the manner in which Bass maintains her front yard.
Julie Bass is a gardener. This is where her ‘criminal behavior’ starts. The lady decided to plant a vegetable garden in her front yard – a decision that has managed to offend city officials.
Her garden suffered some damage due to sewer repairs taking place in the area. Bass decided to make use of the situation and to plant some vegetables in her front yard. Shortly after her beds appeared, Bass received an official warning to remove the vegetable garden from her front yard.
She refused to comply. As difficult as it is to believe, Bass was charged with misdemeanor because of her refusal to remove the vegetable beds. A court hearing is scheduled for the end of July. If she is found guilty, Bass faces 93 days in prison! All that for having several vegetable beds in her front yard.
Rules are rules and violators should certainly get punished. The crime that Bass committed focuses on the fact that local authorities in Oak Park, Michigan allow only certain types of plants to appear in front yards.
These types of plants are labeled as “suitable.” The problem stems from the fact that no official document states what suitable plants are. Local media asked an official about this ambiguity. According to city planner Kevin Rolkowski suitable plants are defined as the ones that appear commonly in gardens.
Interesting case of law being applied for whatsoever no reason…
Are city authorities taking their power a step too far? Did somebody get offended by the vegetable garden that Julie Bass planted in her very own front yard, due to the fact that she was unaware or unwilling to comply to some vague local rule?
The issue has already managed to gain popularity. Numerous web reports have popularized the story and people are already offering their support for Julie Bass. Social media have become platforms for people to express their opinion and to offer support to Bass and her family.
To learn more about the issue, you can visit the blog that Julie Bass maintains. It also contains contact information, in case you want to address Oak Park officials.
Do home owners have the right to plant food in their front yards? Vegetables are certainly far from the decorative plants that are typical for gardens. Does this fact, however, make it illegal for people to plant squash and tomatoes in their yards?
The manner in which the story unfolds is yet to be seen. Julie Bass is refusing to remove the vegetable garden and city officials will have the final say. Meanwhile, social media outlets will keep on giving people a chance to express their concern and support.