Wyss: Even Tidy Bowl man might disapprove
Various clichés and even a nursery rhyme come to mind when pondering the potted potties in the Highland Drive yard of Lakemoor resident Tina Asmus.
Mary, Mary, quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
In toilet bowls, with rocky rows,
Annoying the neighbors so.
In the case of Asmus’ unusual garden display, yes, beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but Asmus’ choice in “planters” does leave something to be desired. That is how several of her neighbors feel, in any case, and they have taken their displeasure to the new village administration of Todd Weihofen, who became village president in May.
A violation notice – under the village’s public nuisance ordinance – has been issued to Asmus, who has until June 28 to remove the offending toilets from her yard or face fines.
Asmus has vowed not to comply. And with village ordinance enforcement among Weihofen’s immediate goals, the potted potties promise to be an early test of the new regime’s mettle.
Should you be curious, as I was when I heard about the brouhaha bubbling around Asmus’ garden, the planted toilets can be seen in her front yard at 134 S. Highland Drive, a block or two south of Route 120, via Short Street.
Let’s just say it could look a lot better. For example, the red marker used to draw a tongue-wagging face on one of the toilet lids – and to display notes to her neighbors – does little to add to the ambiance.
For the record, I’m not a fan of a number of things that people put in their gardens, including most gazing balls, all garden gnomes, or those bent-over cut-outs of Betty Farm Wife and Bob Bib-Overall Guy.
And my boyfriend and I presently are at odds over the aesthetic value of a certain rusted-out, antique push mower.
But hey, who died and named me the arbiter of good taste, right?
Precisely no one. And the fate of Asmus’ display certainly does not rest with my opinion of it.
Truth be told, little riles property owners more than having government tell them what they can and cannot do on said property. And a small part of me applauds Asmus for standing up for her right to display her unique brand of imaginative gardening.
However, the larger part of me appreciates that rules exist regarding property maintenance – especially in residential neighborhoods.
It is best, of course, when neighbors can simply talk things out, find common ground, and whenever possible, compromise.
These potty planters, however, might tip the compromise handle toward flush.
• Cyndi Wyss is a Northwest Herald community editor. She can be reached at 815-526-4534 or cwyss@nwherald.com.
