Nosy neighbour has too much time on his hands

Dear Annie: My husband, “Ken,” has been self-employed for 25 years. He owns two large trailers and has always parked them in our driveway. However, in the past two months, we’ve had visits from the police department nearly Dear Annie: My friend “Lonnie” every night. A neighbour we smokes both tobacco and have never met keeps reporting marijuana in the presence of her us. He complains that when my young child. Any time I mention husband gets home from work, he the subject and tell her I don’t sometimes parks his truck with support her smoking, she ignores one tire resting in the dirt. me. I feel terrible being associated

A city ordinance requires us to with a person who can’t see have the section where we park the effect tobacco and drug use either rocked or paved. We can’t will have on her child. I often afford it right now. Times have wonder what will happen when been really tough. Ken tries very her daughter realizes that her hard to park our trailers and truck entire schedule is based around in our driveway without touching Mommy’s smoke break. any grass, but it’s difficult to do. I am ready to move on from this The police have been sympathetic, tainted friendship, but hate the saying the neighbour is targeting thought of never spending quality us. They know him as the local time with Lonnie’s little girl. She is troublemaker. He has a view of our always put on the back “burner.” driveway from his backyard and Any suggestions? watches it all the time. Burnt-out Friend

We are honest, hardworking Dear Friend: Lonnie is addicted. people and wouldn’t harm a soul, Quitting is too difficult for her, but this situation has become and she doesn’t want to be personal. Yesterday, we asked the lectured about it. She is unlikely police officer to file a neighbour to admit she values her smoking nuisance report. We don’t know above her child’s health. Is there what else to do. I can’t sleep, and a father in the picture? Would he I’m scared for my family. I have no do anything about this? Would idea what else this man is capable you be willing to report Lonnie of. I’m ready to have a restraining for possession? Regardless, order placed against him, but as far please stick around in order to as I know, he doesn’t approach our keep an eye on the child. Offer to house. He only watches it, which babysit. Take her to your home creeps me out even more. Can we or to the park as often as you can. do anything? We hope Lonnie will soon realize Illinois Neighbor the damage she is doing and

Dear Illinois: Your unkind, nosy shape up. neighbour has way too much Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy time on his hands. He can watch Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime your house from a distance all editors of the Ann Landers column. day long if he wishes, and as long as you keep violating a city ordinance, he will keep reporting you. First, see whether there is a neighbourhood association that could help the two of you resolve this. Sometimes, such neighbours simply crave attention and need to feel important. Then start saving your pennies to enlarge the driveway area.