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Post by dgriffin on Aug 11, 2008 14:55:05 GMT -5
Gee, Ralph, I wonder if the Democrats ever thought of that?  They don't often seem to think about who pays for anything, except "the rich" (you and I.) You've got me thinking about whoever in this day and age would even consider a curfew as a practical solution. It could be a great idea, of course, or would have been in an earlier time. Too much sensitivity to rights here in the 21st Century. Too many groups organized for protest for these days. Would bring Al Sharpton to town, for one, and other unemployed celebrities.  |
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Post by rickolney on Aug 11, 2008 22:17:19 GMT -5
Well, there ARE sections of Utica that NOBODY should be walking around later after dark within. Certainly kids under 15 years have no place being out beyond midnight without supervision. So I agree with FrankCor on this.
And, it just so happens that even here in Mohawk, we have this problem every once in a while. Kids, out walking, late, after 1am and earlier in the morning ... talking, swearing, without a care in the world.
I have a village sign very near my home. Next to the sidewalk. Kids like to slap it with their hands. Sometimes they hit it with a stick or baseball bat. I've even had one instance of a bottle being thrown at it.
The other night this happened, and I had just turned off an upstairs bedroom light. Looking out the window, I saw four girls and two boys, all looking younger than 16 years. Now, before I go further into what happened please understand that we have raised 5 children. Our youngest is 17 yrs of age, excellent grades, community minded, well rounded. NOT like these noisy spoiled brats that feel the need to walk back and forth each night from Ilion to Mohawk and back.
Anyway, I can normally ignore youngsters being youngsters. But this particular instance one of the boys with a big mouth looks up and sees me ... hollering, "What are you looking at M_ _ _ er f_ _ _ er!?
I didn't say a word. I got out of the window and went downstairs. My 22 year old son and my 17 year old son just happened to see me coming down the stairs and got up from watching television to see what Dad was doing. I went outside, and the time it took me to slip on my slippers insured that the group of 6 made it 3 homes down the street to the corner. Yes, they were still very loud. I walked to the sidewalk and, lo and behold ... little Mr. Mouth saw me and (again) shouted an obscene word. By this time my two sons were on the front porch. I grumbled past them and the three of us went inside.
10 minutes later the group comes back. Only they're walking slower now. I have a perfect view of their approach up the sidewalk. And, yeah, I get up to put my slippers on...just in case. My 17 year old right behind me. As I open the front door, they had just gotten past the front of my home. Then, from around the corner of my house comes Mr. Mouth cutting across my front lawn. I challenge him to stop asking him what he was doing back there. He swears at me and I respond how he needs his little ass kicked. He walking away and throws his hands up in the air to say, Go ahead! Come on! I'm a minor B_tch you'll go to jail.
My 17 year old son, who has NEVER gotten into any fights (that I'm aware of) except to wrestle with his older brothers at various times while growing up shouts back, " Yeah, I'm a minor too. And if you come back by here you're going to catch an ass whooping." I was more concerned that it could escalate, but the kid didn't say anything back. So far no retaliatory damage. Just kids. Unsupervised. With parents that wouldn't appreciate me and my family treating them to this sort of nonsense in front of their home or in their neighborhood. No, I'd say that curfews have a place these days.
Back last fall, I watched two late teens break into the place across the street. I called the police. They got caught by an Ilion police car coming in from one side and a Mohawk police car coming in from the other side. Next thing there are two Herkimer County cars and in 15 minutes the two boys were taken away.
Nope, 15 years and younger is too young to be out unsupervised after 1am. Just my opinion.
R.
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Post by dgriffin on Aug 12, 2008 19:33:37 GMT -5
Something happened like that about 30 years ago with a neighborhood kid. The kid gave me some lip and so I called his father and told him about it. I don't know what happened, but I never heard about the incident from either of them afterward. I'm still waiting for the kid's apology. When my son was guilty of something similar, I personally walked him over to another neighbor's home and witnessed my boy apologize to the older man and offer to make it up to him.
The old man was a prick, frankly, and neither of us enjoyed the encounter. But it was the right thing to do.
It's not about kids' behavior. It's about parenting.
That kid on your lawn knew he would not be held accountable, even if he was caught. If he thought there was even a remote possibility of getting caught and punished severely, he would have turned tail and went home to bed.
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Post by rickolney on Aug 13, 2008 18:48:22 GMT -5
Yes, you're right. And I've since had a talking to my 17yr. old about this incident. I don't need him thinking that as a minor he's untouchable, although I'm sure he knows that. But I talked to him to reassure myself. One more year hereabouts. Then he's off to Ithaca and we're headed north. I love Mohawk, but I really am ready for more peace and quiet.
R.
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Post by dgriffin on Aug 13, 2008 21:19:58 GMT -5
... but I really am ready for more peace and quiet. |
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Post by rickolney on Aug 16, 2008 15:23:56 GMT -5
... but I really am ready for more peace and quiet. North! To peace and quiet, where neighbors are not as physically living space close and without wandering kids with nothing to do. To northern weather that is a natural protection to the sea of ignorant humanity with no concern for others. That is the best answer I can provide you, Dave. And I enjoy most people regarding talk and such. I'm not anti-social or introverted. I'm just sick of the constant meandering. |
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Post by dgriffin on Aug 16, 2008 19:51:14 GMT -5
Ah ... to the woods! Well, you destroyed my view of Mohawk as a peaceful, idyllic little village on the river. Must be like any other small town.  I have this plan for living on the ocean. I sell my house here and take the money directly over to the Atlantic Ocean, right on the shore, where of course it would buy me only a parking space. So I turn North and keep going up the coast until I find a house on the water I can buy with the money. Where do you think I'll wind up? Greenland? |
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Post by rickolney on Aug 18, 2008 9:25:21 GMT -5
Ah ... to the woods! Well, you destroyed my view of Mohawk as a peaceful, idyllic little village on the river. Must be like any other small town. I have this plan for living on the ocean. I sell my house here and take the money directly over to the Atlantic Ocean, right on the shore, where of course it would buy me only a parking space. So I turn North and keep going up the coast until I find a house on the water I can buy with the money. Where do you think I'll wind up? Greenland? Dave, I'd also have to add that my view of Mohawk was also diminished by that nights goings on. I had a short laugh at your expense, my friend, regarding your trip up the Atlantic coast. My bet would be possibly Nova Scotia unless you can find a piece of jagged rock and sand to squat upon. Yes, the woods! What is it about people that there has to be a four lane paved road where two lanes served a purpose for years? I'd rather listen to mourning doves and woodpeckers than 18 ton trucks and loud motorcycles. |
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Post by stoney on Aug 18, 2008 9:30:21 GMT -5
You'd better save your pennies, Rick. Land up north is very expensive, with high taxes to go along with it.
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Post by dgriffin on Aug 18, 2008 14:31:41 GMT -5
Rick, I think Stoney is right. Better to go south to the old second growth forest and farmland of New York's Southern Tier. I keep hearing stories about how CHEAP land is there. Maybe Norwich or Oxford or to the west of that area.
But taxes might kill you anywhere in this state.
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Post by dan on Aug 18, 2008 14:56:49 GMT -5
www.lauranyland.comI'm a regular to this website. The land looks "dirt" cheap. (Sorry, couldn't resist it)
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Post by dgriffin on Aug 18, 2008 16:41:57 GMT -5
Dan, by the map, the area looks about half way between you and me. This area is of interest to NY City retirees, from those I spoken to. So prices might be even cheaper due west.
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Post by dgriffin on Aug 18, 2008 22:05:31 GMT -5
Here you go, Rick. I wish I could remember how to find this place, but you'd really like it!  |
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Post by clarencebunsen on Aug 18, 2008 22:06:23 GMT -5
Dave,
From person experience there are some VERY quiet areas in North Dakota.
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Post by dgriffin on Aug 18, 2008 22:25:21 GMT -5
CB, I drove through North Dakota once. I'd stop at gas stations when they appeared every few hundred miles and ask, "Does this ever end?"
"Yes," answered the girl as she was swiping my card at Laura Lee's Gas and Gurgle, "but not until you get to heaven."
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They don't often seem to think about who pays for anything, except "the rich" (you and I.)
