Letter to City Government/El Paso

The following is a letter I sent to the City Government after receiving a threat to clean another persons property or be sent a bill if I refuse.





April 12, 2008

Open letter to the Mayor of El Paso
City Council Representatives,
City Manager,
Media outlets


Dear Folks,


I returned home on 4-11-08, from a long day at work to find that I had been conscripted into the service of the City of El Paso.

Left on my front door was a notice from the Department of Environmental Services Division. It indicated the weeds in the alley behind my house had an "accumulation of weeds/grass over 12 inches" (w/in 10 ft from the rock wall of your property.) Alas, they caught up with this master criminal, Vietnam era Air Force veteran, with 20 years of civilian law enforcement and six years as a sign language interpreter for the deaf.

This alley- a narrow street; esp: a thoroughfare through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots or buildings. (Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, 1995, pg. 30.) Not, it is the freaking desert. Depends what the meaning of is is.

I checked with neighbors to see if other criminals had been rounded up. I found one. He received a notice. He told me when he saw it he immediately entered his yard to determine the problem. I advised him they were talking about the other side of his wall. He indicated that was not his property and asked how he could be held responsible for that. I spoke with another neighbor who had weeds and debris but no notice. I explained the requirement and he asked me if we could move our rock wall outward since we were responsible for the 10 feet. I had additional questions also. I wondered since I'm a senior citizen if I were to drive around through the desert to access the Alley, and got stuck in the desert would the city pay for the wrecker to rescue me. Then I thought if I jump over my six foot rock wall and break my leg will the city pay the medical bills. Then I thought what if I stroke out while chopping these weeds will the city care for my family. Another question I had was whether or not I might be arrested for trespassing as this property is not mine. I have noted that a colony of prairie dogs reside beyond my fence as they have dug under it on occasion to eat flowers in my yard. Perhaps the city should consider doubling all property taxes, and fund an environmental impact study to see what effect the removal of this grass and 12 inch weeds will have on them. What of the prairie dogs? My apologies I have one more question. There is some kind of bush and a cactus, should I kill them or are they exempt? City please respond as I need answers to my questions, particularly about the cactus and bush (both over 12 inches), Live or die?

On one other occasion I had difficulty with that property. I was leaving to work approximately 15 years ago when two sheriffs deputies were at my front door. They had paper work that the city was suing me for failure to pay taxes on the property beyond the rock wall. I informed the plaintiffs that if they send me the title for the property, and name me the owner I would pay the taxes. I was not the owner then nor am I now.

This notice threatens that if I do not clean the alley within 7 days the city may clean it and send me a bill. It says that I caused it or allowed it to grow. I say the city caused it to grow. The city water reservoir, to the east of me , on a couple of occasions (possible repairs) has been drained. They tried to wash my back wall down as they ran the water right past it. The wall stood however the grass grew. The city caused it not me. (What of the prairie dogs?) The other possibility is I allowed it. I did not. It is not my property, and I never payed attention to it nor gave permission for it to grow. I never even thought about that property except for the time they sued me claiming I owned it. Could that land be after me?

Concerning this conscription issue, should the A.C.L.U. be coming to my aid? Why stop at 10 feet is my question? Marty Robbins Park is close to my house. The city maintains (ha ha) that property. Hint: Marty check your south fence, same problem, same alley/desert. You might take a peek at the reservoir also. Unless of course these rules apply only to the serfs and not the ruling class. The park is full of sticker weeds, has graffiti, and frequently looks sorta pitiful. Why not make me responsible for that. You could assign my neighbors to clean up the remaining desert around El Paso. Another question, will we get paid?

You may be thinking, old man, you have a job just pay someone to clean it. Wait until the city cleans it and sends you a bill, ( you can always get a second job in order to afford that.)

Today, I was discussing with my son his school assignment concerning the U.S. Constitution. In reading and analyzing it I was struck by the diametrically opposed concepts and principles of this nations founding, and those of a political sub-division run amuck.

How could a person be against a quality of life issue? I have thought about it, but I cannot see how forcing me to jump over my six foot wall, and chop weeds with my high blood pressure will improve my quality of life. Lower my property taxes, that would do it. Petition the U.S. Congress to investigate property taxes as they did those oil company executives. I understand you're attempting to save the world one rock wall, ten foot strip at a time, but it really didn't help me.

In conclusion, one final question. Since I have been captured and brought to justice is there a time table for the retribution against the following: The one or two vehicles a week that stop in the 11400 block of Cedar Oak and dump vehicle loads of trash out? What about the party goers that stand in the street at 1 A.M. drinking beer throwing their beer cans and bottles onto the street and into the desert (excuse me alley). What about the ones having sex throwing out their condoms on the street and alley, or the ones using drugs. What about the daily stream of teenagers that cut the fence and enter the reservoir for the same above stated reasons. What about the wonderful children spray painting the signs around your reservoir and the nearby businesses. Now that this master criminal is out of the way hopefully the enforcement officer can move on and solve these less offensive crimes.

Respectfully Submitted



Andrew C. Smithson
Master Criminal,
Faithful Tax Payer and Voter