Neighborly help should be voluntary

I don’t live in Roselle so I’m sure my snowblower isn’t one of the six that didn’t help Caryle Sistos (Fence Post, Feb. 13) on her block. In fact, on my block I ended up helping three other neighbors; plus my driveway makes four that I plowed.

Let me tell you, I was exhausted. Twenty inches doesn’t blow as easy as four inches. The reason I’m writing is to state a simple fact: I did it because I wanted to, not because it was expected. The great thing about this country is anyone with a Visa card can buy a snowblower, I’m living proof. In July when my bill comes, I don’t ask any of the people I helped to pay a few bucks to the card.

The other part of my story is you don’t have to be rich. I’m retired; I have a small pension. Not old enough for social security so I drive a school bus to help with the bills.

In conclusion, America gives you the right to buy or not and lucky for those who do buy; we have the right to wear blinders as Ms. Sistos stated. Heck, if you look at this whole thing in her light, I can sell my mower and wait for her husband to come by and take a few swipes out of the yard while I go do some fun things.

Ed Slanina

Naperville