No headline

For 30 years, I have lived at the top of Gold Creek Ridge Road. In that time, I have seen over 50 families come and go. There is one thing they all have in common: They are all sure they have the right to absolutely free year-round access at my expense and that of three other families, one on each wing of the road.

To be sure, when these people arrive in the spring, they tell you what great people they are and how they always pay their way. By mid-winter, they are a little short, and will get you taken care of on payday. By the time I get done grading their ruts out in the spring, I am the “stupid, one-eyed idiot fool” and I do everything wrong and all the people who don’t pay or do any work hate you. I would think through full disclosure that these very entitled people are aware that they are responsible for an equal but proportionate share of expenses according to use. And that’s fair market value. They simply choose to steal services and then belittle, berate, threaten and vandalize cars and equipment, run over my dog on purpose in his driveway in front of me and then tell me they didn’t do it while the dog is howling in pain.

Perhaps people should talk to an attorney to find out what they’re responsible for and maybe they might learn others have rights, too. And since so many people go on about their awesome religious audacity, they should ask their God and get back to me.

TIM STOUVENEL

Sandpoint