THIS? Is why people hate government

Today we received a citation warning in the mail from the City of Seattle, informing us that one of our neighbors had filed a complaint about us. A complaint which will result in a $500 fine if we do not take corrective action by July 7. And what is the terrible offense that we've committed against the neighborhood? Loud dogs? Naked limbo parties at all hours? No, it's worse. I offer you photographic evidence of our crime:
Yes, we have been cited for "vegetation obstructing the public right-of-way." The vegetation in question being lavender.

But wait, there's more!

You see the problem here, right? Nope, it's not the "for sale sign" that somebody else put on our property without our permission. No, we have also been cited for "vegetation that overhangs a public sidewalk within 8 feet of the ground" AND "vegetation that overhangs the street or alley within 14 feet of the ground."

To the neighbor who took the time to call this in to the city inspector, I say: BITE ME.

To the city inspector who took the time to drive all the way out here, photograph our property, and issue us a citation, I say: Dude. Seriously. Get a life.

And you know, the irony is, for 14 months we have lived directly across the street from this:


A burned-out arson hulk, site of crack-smoking, all-night cat orgies, indigent copper salvagers, waist-high grass, and flurries of asbestos-filled ash when the wind really kicks up. But the REAL neighborhood blight? Is obviously our unsightly lavender flowers.