Notice! No, I did NOT put up the 10-foot high eyesore next to my Apalachin business, Don Davis Meats, Charpit, and Deli. This was done by Thomas Lanza, of the Dug Out Sports Bar next door. If I had to put up this fence, it would have been a simple, 8-foot fence according to the Dug Out's original agreement with the Town of Owego Planning Office and me. Why is it 10-feet high?

When the Dug Out opened, I agreed to let them use the side of my lot for parking. This privilege was abused by many of their patrons.

Many times, cars or trucks parked in the center of my lot, blocking the entrance to my store while the store was still open. This made it difficult for my customers to shop.

Many times, cars were left in my lot overnight, blocking the entrance and the delivery door to my store.

To add to this aggravation, the next morning I would have to clean up my lot, picking up beer bottles, cans, underwear, and condoms (and sometimes even money, unfortunately, not enough!).

I took it upon myself to clean my lot daily so that the children in our neighborhood would not be exposed to this trash.

To all of my customers, I apologize that you can no longer read our daily specials on the road sign on Route 434 in front of the Dug Out. After two years of giving the Dug Out FREE PARKING, they gave me 24 hours to remove my sign. What's the old saying? Nice guys finish last. Please feel free to call us at 625-2081 for daily special and hot soup of the day.

It's hard to be a good neighbor if your neighbor can't be good to you!

You can fence me in, but you can't drive me out!

Happy New Year.