Dear Editor:

In February, we found out the Meadowood Neighborhood Association had been established 18 months ago. The board members of the MNA initiated the building of an eight- foot tall masonry block wall, and are in the process of circulating a petition to collect signatures to get this issue on the November ballot.

Several of us who oppose the wall, have canvassed our entire Meadowood neighborhood to get opinions and/or cheaper alternatives. While talking to residents, we discovered that many people have been laid off, some are expecting a possible lay off, and some have been trying to find a job for over a year (barely surviving on a one spouse income). Many of the residents are over 60 years old, retired (not by choice), and are working minimum wage jobs. In this same age group, many are paying for their own medical insurance, since they are not old enough to qualify for Medicare.

There are many medically disabled, and/or physically disabled residents who are not handicapped enough to qualify for the 50% reduction in property taxes offered by the State of Colorado. For those residents who do qualify, we know this reduction can be suspended at any time.

Many residents have paid off their mortgage, live on a fixed income, and struggle to meet the increasing prices of medicines, groceries, utilities, water, and gas. How can they be expected to pay an estimated $32 a month more (or higher based on their property value) for 20 years for a $16 million plus block wall? A 90 foot section (equal to the average length of one back yard) would cost in excess of $65,000. Face it! There are many working people with decent incomes who can't afford this extra expense.

Many residents call this concrete wall the "Berlin Wall," or a "prison wall." Rightly so, as we will no longer be allowed to see over a wall that is 4 inches taller than an average ceiling, or be allowed to receive the sunshine that helps vegetation grow. I call it a "concrete band aid." I feel it is being used to cover up all the wounded homes in this neighborhood so that people driving by will think we are rich, and will start patronizing the nearby businesses.

In reality, while residents pay for the wall, the wounded homes and yards will continue to seep and rot under this bandage. Eventually the residents may be forced to move because they may lose their homes. Empty homes deteriorate without care, just as wounds do without attention.

I can't help but wonder what each of you will think of this concrete wall, when and if any of you end up in the financial predicament these folks are in. Will you think it so great?

The residents, who are able, should have pride and the initiative to repair and/or replace their own fences and keep their yards presentable. Then help your neighbor who may not be able to make his yard presentable, instead of grumbling about the condition of his fence and yard. I feel our yards and fences should be our choice, within reason, as long as they meet City Codes, by keeping them maintained and in good structural condition.

Most of the residents agree that the fences presently surrounding the area are in need of repair and/or replacement, but there are better and less expensive ways to improve the fences without putting such a financial hardship on residents at a time when the economy is in such disarray. Doing so helps no one. I thought the purpose of the MNA was to improve the neighborhood, and help the residents.

Candy Clabaugh

Aurora