Grieving Mother Asks "What is Freedom"?

From the Daily Iowan

Angry residents have submitted a document to the Iowa City City Council demanding that a motor home owned by Maliphone and Patty Sourivong be removed from the couple's 759 Sandusky Drive front yard.

The petition - signed by 19 homeowners - contended that the vehicle is in violation of a city zoning code and called it an "eyesore."

City Manager Steve Atkins said the document was composed by a group of neighbors that believes the ordinance needs to be enforced.

"The petition has no legal standing," he said. "It is just the residents expressing their opinions."

The 24-foot RV previously belonged to the Sourivong's son, Kampha - a specialist in the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry who was killed in Iraq on Sept. 30, 2006, and posthumously promoted to a sergeant.

"I will fight the city, because my son died for freedom, and if my neighbors would be that heartless and feel that way, then maybe they should move out of the neighborhood," Patty Sourivong said. "What is freedom if I can't park my RV there?"

In February, the motor home parked outside the residence in Iowa City sparked controversy in the neighborhood.

As of Monday, the vehicle remained in the same spot, and residents of Sandusky Drive, such as John Bovey, remained irked about the vehicle's presence.

"I object to its being there, because it is a violation of the city ordinance, and ordinances have to do with the safety and welfare of everybody," he said. "Besides, it is ugly, and it is unsafe for neighbors who are pulling out."

Bovey said he would simply like to see the ordinance enforced as it is all over town.

Atkins said the Sourivongs' lawyer plans to propose possible alternatives for the camper, but he doesn't think the residents will be "in the mood for special accommodations."

Patty Sourivong said when the family asked the city for a code variance, they were told it wouldn't apply to them. As of April 19, she said, she and her lawyer had not seen the neighborhood petition, though others had told her it exists.

While there have been many complaints from neighbors, Patty Sourivong said, she has found some who sympathize with her situation.

"Two ladies brought me flowers and told me they supported me 100 percent," she said.