Dear Cody:

I am totally opposed to the City of Gaffney’s latest brainstorm — to begin dictating paint colors as well as other “architectural standards” in the historic district. When I read the article about the possible move, it struck me like a bolt of lightning. It is preposterous and downright arrogant.

I live on College Drive. However, over the past years I have not noticed a house painted purple or red, major appliances on front porches or other defects that require the city to step in and show us what we should do.

Instead, what I have noticed is one serial rapist, one serial killer close by, vandalism, constant door-to-door begging, business being conducted without the benefit of a business license or proper zoning as well as more and more houses designed for a single family mysteriously being converted into multi-family college housing. Therefore, the best thing the city can do to help us with the actual problems is begin dictating paint colors.

I think the City of Gaffney has plenty to do without the establishment of an official Gaffney Homeowners Harassment Committee. The committee will be charged with scrutinizing the paint color as well as other improvements a homeowner may want to make.

Homeowners in many other residential neighborhoods in the city should be treated with just as much respect and consideration as those of us who live on College Drive, Limestone, Petty, Rutledge or the area where the college is located. I cannot believe city officials would consider implementing such a plan while ignoring other neighborhoods. Are they not part of the city? Are these other areas not important?

If the city wants to implement this plan, then do it for all residential areas of Gaffney. To do any less looks a lot like selective discrimination.

If the measure is allowed to move forward, look for more and more houses in the historic district to become multi-family houses with many college students becoming your nextdoor neighbors. Just think, more litter, more late-night parties, more sunbathing on the rooftops.

I may even decide I want to declare my house and property on College Drive a safe haven for illegal aliens and invite 25 to lease my house. They could pool their money and I would accept the payment from only one resident.

Here’s an idea. Just punish the poor suckers who actually own a house in the historic district and live in it. My professional advice: Butt out or get voted out!
Dr. Steven Woodward
Gaffney, S.C.