Grade the property; then he'll mow

To Whom It May Concern (since the totally illegible signature on the notice looks like chicken scratching after walking through our wet lawn.)

I am in receipt of a violation notice about 8-inch grass/weeds on my property. There have not been many days available to cut the grass, due to the rain we have been experiencing. There have been a only a few good days to cut, but that still doesn't mean that I am available to cut the grass those days.

Our grass stays wet longer because of the Village of Wheeling's failure to grade our land properly before we moved in nearly 27 years ago.

I will cut the grass as soon as it is dry enough.

We keep a part of our garden in prairie plants, because we live in the Prairie State. As citizens of Illinois, we have a right to honor our state by keeping a little patch of prairie on our property. The garden is also a playground for our dog, and prairie plants help to satisfy his hunting instinct.

If the Village of Wheeling has the time to measure the height of our grass, it means the village is overstaffed. Additionally, in my experience of over 27 years of dealing with village staff, most of my encounters with them is that they are incompetent and unhelpful.

I feel that this violation notice is part of a vendetta that the Village of Wheeling has pursued against me, since I have written several letters criticizing the governance and management of the Village of Wheeling to the Wheeling Board of Trustees and to the Daily Herald.

I have written to Village Manager Mark Rooney several times. His response is no response. This demonstrates his inability and unwillingness to serve the Wheeling taxpayers. He is incompetent and should be fired.

I would like this entire matter reviewed by the Village Board. This is not the last time you will hear from me.

Would you rather deal with me in court?

Donald H. Lamb

Wheeling