When a truck full of boxes pulls into your development, you never know who you might move in. Not all neighbors are neighborly. Some are downright scary.
Residents in Nipomo recently found out just how scary neighbors can be after a fire destroyed a structure intended as farmworker housing.
Residents living near the structures weren’t happy about the proposal. So someone decided to courageously make his or her opinion known, under the cover of darkness, and take a stance, anonymously, by burning the place down. What the pluck?
What’s more, another strongly opinionated person, who felt such conviction about his or her beliefs, took to that pulpit of vulnerability that is the social media comment section of a local news outlet, and under the pseudonym of a notorious outlaw laid out his heart, suggesting that there should’ve been farmworkers in the structure.
Like I said, you never know what scary people may end up living next door.
Don’t fool yourselves people. The fire was about more than just objection to inarguably overcrowded living conditions proposed for houses in a single-family residential neighborhood. The act goes to the root of a greater problem in this country right now: A growing sense of hate and entitlement, a sentiment of “us” and “them.” A dehumanization of people we see as lesser or different than us. A lack of empathy.
Greg and Donna France, who were in the process of buying the development, said they were only trying to provide housing for their workers.
The Western Growers Association encouraged the prosecution and condemnation of the responsible individuals.
Andy Caldwell, of the Andy Caldwell Show, took to Facebook expressing outrage about the incident. He said the Frances tried to do the right thing by contacting authorities and their county supervisor to ensure they are in compliance.
San Luis Obispo County supervisors were aware of the objections, and some even acknowledged that the proposed plans—16 people in the three bedroom house—amounted to unhealthy living conditions. In hindsight, perhaps they should’ve taken a more proactive approach to addressing those concerns.
Instead they said there is no ordinance in place limiting the number of occupants.
While I don’t condone the cowardly actions of those responsible, nor do I agree with the spirit in which the action was taken, I do believe that locating what amounts to overcrowded dorm rooms in a residential neighborhood is inappropriate. More importantly, housing 16 people in a house is inappropriate.
The need for farmworker housing is present and isn’t going to go away. Our city and county officials need to address the issue and make sure there is a balance between providing safe living conditions while not infringing on the reasonable expectations homeowners have for their neighborhoods.
SLO County Fourth District Supervisor Lynn Compton was quoted in the media saying that there is no ordinance in place that would prevent someone from turning a residence into farmworker housing in the future.
In an atmosphere of intolerance for others, and an increased need for sanitary living conditions for temporary workers, that’s a scary thought.
The Canary needs a soft lullaby and a nap. Contact her, quietly, at canary@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Apr 14-21, 2016.