That’s a Red Light, Green Goers

DAISY PROM

Staff Writer

If you’re planning to “go green” anytime soon, don’t expect to save any money. In fact, expect instead to be treated like a hippie and be scorned for being rebellious, much like how OC residents Quan and Angelina Ha were after removing their front lawn to conserve water.

Sure, they may have saved tens of thousands of gallons of water in the process, but just look at the hideously empty, naked piece of land that’s left there. Orange County officials, newly titled, “The Front Lawn Fashion Police,” handled those Ha barbarians right away and arranged a lawsuit.

In 2007, the Ha’s water usage was close to 300,000 gallons a year, but ever since they Houdini’d their lawn, the number has gone down to around 58,000, saving quite a truckload of money. However, the major disappearance of grass on the Ha property apparently defies a very fine-printed city code that requires 40% of their yard to be “landscaped predominantly with live plants,” which I’m sure is a vital law in every city’s constitution. Mr. and Mrs. Ha may be looking to preserve the earth’s natural resources while simultaneously saving money, but Heaven forbid they do it at the cost of their city’s aesthetics.

Not ones to revolt, the Has happily cooperated by placing wood chips and drought-resistant plants in their yard, like good, peace-loving hippies do. Yet, this does not change the fact the their front yard is still defined as “ugly” by officials. Regardless of their efforts, the Has have been summoned to court for committing this misdemeanor, ironically being prosecuted with their own tax money.

Though cities like Alhambra fine those using too much water and not contributing toward environmentally friendly causes, OC sues residents who don’t try to contribute to beautifying the city. Instead of putting tree-huggers under reprimand, we should commend our earthy friends, and put this bickering to an end.