Just... wow. In another decade we will probably be facing jail time for sneezing in public places because it spreads the cold and causes health insurance bills to go up.

Mow your lawn... or risk jail time in Canton, Ohio

8 hours ago

CANTON, Ohio — Homeowners who don't mow their grass in the northeast Ohio city of Canton now face stiffer penalties — including possible jail time.
The city council unanimously passed a law Monday that makes a second high-grass violation a fourth-degree misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $250 and as many as 30 days in jail.


The previous law only made the first violation a minor misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $150 but no jail time. The new law is to take effect in 30 days.


"This is the type of action we need to take in order to clean up our neighborhoods and our city," Mayor William J. Healy II said.


The laws are an effort to reduce the roughly $250,000 the city spends to cut about 2,000 private lots each year and to address public complaints, Councilman Greg Hawk has said.


Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Get a goat, problem solved.

The laws are an effort to reduce the roughly $250,000 the city spends to cut about 2,000 private lots each year and to address public complaints, Councilman Greg Hawk has said.Why cut your own lawn when you can get the government to do it for you.

Why cut your own lawn when you can get the government to do it for you.

One of the solutions the radio talking heads were offering up this morning was to attach a fee to the property tax bill, similar to what is already done with arrears for public utilities. Of course, that would necessitate paid employees to collate the data and adjust billings and record transactions, etc. And paid employees get benefits, so does the solution save money or generate further costs?

I think returning to public stockades is a better idea for some of these misdemeanor offenses that are so irritating.

I saw an interview with a city official on this a couple days ago. this mostly targeted at owners of empty lots who never before any maintainance. they dont expect or really dont want to actually have to jail anyone. he also stated it wasn't about saving the more but more about bieng able to have city employee's performing more pressing and important duties than playing local lawn care boys.

They are having the grass problems in New Orleans too. People who haven't rebuilt are letting the land run wild. If the city has to cut it they can be fined or put in jail :)

Caltrans sprays killer in the weeds that grow on the side of the freeways in california. If someone is "breaking" the high grass law, send the sprayers over and just kill everything. Let the homeowner pay to redo the landscaping.

Did anyone do the math on that? $250,000 the city spends to cut about 2,000 private lots is $125 per lot. uhh, me thinks someone is making some money. I paid $45 for half an acre while I was on vacation last month here.

$125 per lot per year isn't that bad, I assume that covers multiple spring and summer mowings.

Caltrans sprays killer in the weeds that grow on the side of the freeways in california. If someone is "breaking" the high grass law, send the sprayers over and just kill everything. Let the homeowner pay to redo the landscaping.Not that I'm opposed, in fact it's a great idea, except that bermuda grass will laugh at your silly pesticide.

$125 per lot per year isn't that bad, I assume that covers multiple spring and summer mowings.
/nod I projected my expense to theirs I think, thanks.