A Gathering of Neighbors

Last night, my neighbors got together for an annual event at our local park our neighborhood association, a local church, and the city's parks and recreation department throws. We had over 120 people come with their kids and we ate hot dogs and hamburgers, hung out, and genuinely enjoyed the pleasure of each other's company.

Sometimes in the fray of politics and social activism I lose sight of "we, the people" because of the tensions that politics and issues create. However, I never lose faith that "we, the people" are going to be all right. Democracy, despite its imperfections, works.

When Tip O'Neill said that all politics are local, he must of been referring to events like last night. Good people wanting no more than to enjoy a night with people they know or want to know. Because a simple truth about all of us is we want to know we'll be okay. No matter how complicated the issues or conflicts may be, we all want to live in a good neighborhood.

Every issue has more tan one side, it is true, but it is the philosophy we take when we sit across the table from our adversaries that makes the difference between a "winner take all" conclusion or a result to which we all can agree occurs. Robert Frost said "Good walls make good neighbors," but in my realm of experience, breaking down walls is the better road.

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.

Followup to Sourivong Family/Neighbors Story

Last night my wife and I drove the length of Sandusky Dr. and saw exactly two campers. One was parked on the lawn at 759 Sandusky of the owner's property and the other was parked in the street further down (also in front of the owner's property). There were many pickup trucks and cars parked on the streets, lawns and driveways too. From my vantage point, there is nothing that would indicate property values would be any more jeopardized by the Sourivong's camper than any other mode of transportation that is parked around there.

In reading the city council packet, from what I could determine, the neighbor's petition is based more on lack of understanding than concerns about property values. Folks, please, live and let live.

Where is the Humanity?

Iowa City's Patty and Maliphone Sourivong lost their son, Kampha, last year when the 20 year-old 1st batallion, 133rd Infantry Iowa National Guard soldier was died Sept. 30 of injuries sustained when his vehicle received small arms fire during security operations in Al Asad, Iraq. The Sourivong's have a trailer parked in front of their home in memory of their son.

According to the Press-Citizen, "The neighbors, however, say the trailer violates city ordinance because it is too big to be parked in front of a residence and have created a petition to force the Sourivongs to remove the trailer. In their petition to the city, neighbors said the camper is an "eyesore" and "adversely affects" property values."

According to The Red Bull Web publication:

"[Kampha] Sourivong, who joined the unit when it first mobilized in October 2005, was also known for his easygoing attitude. The 20-year-old from Iowa City, Iowa, had just joined the National Guard the year before, partly out of a desire to earn money for college, his fellow Soldiers said.

Sourivong came across as nervous and shy at first, yet he began to come out of his shell as the deployment wore on, his team leader, Sgt. Ryan E. Shaw of Norwalk, Iowa, said.

"He was the type of guy to give someone his last dollar just so they could get a soda," Shaw said.

Shaw said Sourivong was a good Soldier, who, if he ever had a question about a task, it was never why he needed to do it, but was how he could do it right. Cain said he always tried his hardest and still carried himself with a quiet grace.
"He did everything with a smile on his face," Cain said. "He always put 100 percent into everything he did.""

As much as I am against this war, I know the way we treat each other is the basis of all war. This example of inhumanity deeply saddens me. I wonder if these concerned neighbors had taken the time to talk to the Sourivong family if they would feel the action was needed?