A few years ago, we rented in Greenville and looked for homes in several nice middle-class neighborhoods. We ended up getting transferred before we found a home. But I do recall writing a letter to The Daily Reflector remarking on how surprised I was to see cars and trucks parked on the front lawns in many of these neighborhoods.

Now we are back in the area and again looking at homes to buy. As we drove through neighborhoods like Lynndale, Westhaven, Brook Valley (older part), Cherry Oaks, etc., we were again struck by how many homes had cars and pickups parked in their front and side yards. It seems even worse than a few years ago.

You could tell from the ruts and bare spots in the yards that these vehicles had been parked there many times. To the nearby neighbors and visitors to the area, these homes certainly must look like eyesores or used car lots. Certainly the folks who live in these areas can afford to add or extend their driveways to allow proper parking of their vehicles.

When last here, we confirmed with the city that it is illegal to park vehicles on yards or any other unimproved surfaces. I feel sure that most of these neighborhoods also have covenants that say the same thing.

Shame on the people who park vehicles on their front yard. They don't care their property looks junky, how their neighbors feel or how much they lower property values.

Shame on the Greenville police for not enforcing the law. Shame on the neighborhood associations for not enforcing their own covenants.

ROGER GOINS

Greenville