THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2017
FEATURES
Tree dispute with neighbors
Dear Annie: Our next-door meaning they really didn’t
neighbors, the “Johnsons,” need to be cut down anyway.
Fast-forward one month.
must hate trees. Our neighbor-
hood is full of beautiful mature Mr. Johnson again complains
trees. When the Johnsons pur- about our tree. We told him
chased their home, they imme- that we did have it trimmed
diately cut down every tree in and that we had used up our
tree trimming bud-
their yard. Last year,
DEAR
get for that year. His
they complained about
response was that he
some branches that
ANNIE
knows we have more
hung over their prop-
money than that.
erty line and a few that
Fast-forward
a
were over their house
few more months. We
— not touching their
have dogwood trees in
house, however.
the corner of our yard
Our city code says
and found they were
we are not required to
Lane
stuffed full of twigs,
trim them. But being Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
branches and string.
good neighbors, we
My husband cleaned
contracted a licensed
tree trimmer. He asked to park it out. Forty-five minutes later,
his ladder truck in said neigh- the entire Johnson family
bors’ driveway, which he said (mom, dad and two boys) was
would reduce the bill by 50 on our front step. Mrs. Johnson
percent. We told him to knock said her 9-year-old son was so
on the door and ask them sad that his fort had been taken
down.
before starting.
What should we do here?
The tree trimmer showed
up and was working, when Mr. I’m voting for a fence, but we
Johnson came out and said he like all the wildlife that fre-
had to move the truck because quents our neighborhood. —
it had been on his driveway too Midwestern Nana
Dear Midwestern: I’d like
long. The project was halted.
No branches were weak or for you to tell this family to go
damaged in the first place, climb a tree, but you do have
to live next to them for the
next who-knows-how-many
years, so it’s best to stay some-
what amicable. It sounds as if
they’ve an overgrown sense of
entitlement. The best way to
nip that in the bud is to respond
with strength — not by bullying
them but by refusing to acqui-
esce to unreasonable demands
or apologize for things that are
not your fault. Explain that you
only hired a tree trimmer in the
first place because you wanted
to be neighborly — emphasiz-
ing that in fact, the city code
doesn’t require you to trim
them and that you won’t be
doing so.
As for the issue of their
children climbing your trees:
If one of them were to fall
and get injured, you might be
legally liable — and something
tells me the Johnsons would
have no qualms about suing.
Tell the parents not to allow
the children in your yard. If
it keeps happening anyway, a
fence may be necessary. Con-
sult the laws in your state, and
look into styles that would per-
mit wildlife but not wild chil-
dren to pass through, such as
thinly spaced iron bars.
3C
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll sharpen
your disputing skills, speak up and counter the
positions you don’t agree with. Your primary op-
position will be a voice in your head that needs
to be set straight.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Today you are like
a universal remote control. You fit into almost
any situation and are effective in your ability to
influence the scene with the appropriate button
pushing.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Tension of any
kind is an impediment to creativity, productivity
and social ease. Avoid it, diffuse it, or flee it
entirely. It may be easiest to wish everyone well
and start new in a fresh environment.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll make
tough demands of yourself, but as long as
they are in line with what you enjoy you’ll be
successful. On the other hand, you have zero
tolerance for tedium, so don’t even put those
tasks on the schedule.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You typically think
of cleaning and reorganizing as a means to an
end, but actually it’s an involving, interesting
and even enjoyable process in and of itself
today. Simple, inexpensive improvements bring
joy.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll make a
change gradually, as moderation fits your
personality. An approach that’s too strict only
inspires you to rebel against your own
authority.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The Japanese proverb
says, “Fall seven times; get up eight.” But no
one will keep you from lying there for a moment
of recovery to ponder and process what just
happened.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You take
pride in holding up your end of every bargain.
But it may benefit all involved in the current cir-
cumstance to renegotiate the agreement. This
time, give yourself more breathing
room.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your good manners
attract luck. You’d be surprised how many forget
to add the “Please” and “Thank you” when
addressing clerks, waiters, family and angels.
(Even angels appreciate being graciously
addressed!)
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It will be easier
for you to influence people you have an affinity
for. It’s as though people can sense your true
feelings. Find something to love about those
you need to sway.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Maybe you think
of a certain form of entertainment as “mindless,”
and yet there’s something compelling about
it that resonates with you. There’s a benefit to
exploring it further that offers valuable insights
into your own psyche.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There are those
who make a hobby out of attracting trouble.
You’ve an expanded capacity for empathy, and
yet there’s a point at which you’re not doing
people favors by permitting them to be their
weakest selves.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (June 10). Success
starts with a dream. Wings of imagination will
ultimately lift you toward improvement in many
areas of your life at once. Polish and shine a
talent when the right teacher comes in August.
Doors will open wide for you after you circulate
your resume in September. Family celebrates
with you, big-time, in December. Libra and
Taurus adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5,
34, 10, 28 and 37.