Chatham Village on Mt. Washington (houses, neighborhoods, living)

[jmantra]

In 2007, Chatham Village was included in the American Planning Association's list of Great Neighborhoods as part of its great Great Places in America program, which recognized 10 neighborhoods from across the nation for good design, function, sustainability, and community involvement

My blood was boiling when I read this. This stems from an incident that occurred in 2004. They received award in 2005. Here's what happened:

I was on my way to visit my cousin who lives on Mt. Washington, I was coming from the east suburbs and had to cross the liberty bridge to get to where my cousin lives which was on South Avenue close to Route 51. Well I was unaware of the traffic pattern changes that occur during rush hour on the liberty bridge. Instead of going through the liberty tunnels, I ended up on Mccardle Roadway and could not find any place to turn around. So Itried to navigate my way around Mt. Washington to try to find my cousins house.I somehow ended up in Chatham Village and my car broke down on me right as I was entering the village. Between being lost, my car breaking down, my cell phone low on batteries with no charger I was very upset and distressed. Then to add insult to injury doesn't one of the wonderful patrons , this old guy, of Chatham Village come rushing out of his house, not to help me like a patron of a "great neighborhood in America" but to yell at me ranting about how I am on private property, he was rude to me the whole time I was there and offfered little to no assistance. He cared more about the fact that I was on private property more than the fact that I was in need of assistance.I tried to explain and got lost and ended breaking down there Thankfully despite the low power on my cell phone I was able to get a hold of my uncle.

Does a community that treats people like this deserve an award? I understand them not wanting see strange vehicles rolling through their community considering some of things that go on in Mt. Washington, but c'mon I got lost and broke down. A neighborhood that is "a great neighborhood" would have wondered what I was doing there, but would have offerred assistance once they saw I was in trouble. Instead this douchebag just rubs salt in the wound. He was more concered about his precious little neighborhood than the well being of a fellow citizen who was not looking for trouble.

I am not sure if this guy represents the mentality of the entire neighborhood, but if it does shame on them. If I had the power, I would have the award revoked and given to a more deserving community.

[Copanut]

Chalk it up to one old fart giving a community a bad name. I know a few in that plan, it's a good place.

[BrianTH]

In my experience, there are some jerks living everywhere--and they are often likely to be more visible than average.

[hempfield mania]

My wife (GF at the time) and I used to walk/jog and bike all through the neighborhood and mountain bike on the trails in the woods behind there all the time when we lived on Mt. Washington and never had a problem. Everyone was always friendly and would say hi. Just one bad apple probably. Our neighborhood is great where I live but I think every neighborhood has someone like that. Almost all the neighbors get along great, help each other out, watch out for each other's houses when on vacation, etc. but there is one older guy down the street (we call him "Sarge" or "Mr. Friendly") that is the most unfriendly person you would ever meet. Never says hi when you greet him on the street if he is walking, yells at you if you walk on his side of the street (while on the street), calls police on neighbors if cars are there visiting for a party, etc. and happen to park in front of his house on the street ( even though it is perfectly legal), screams at the next door neighbors 2 yr old girl if she even touches a blade of grass on his lawn even though there is no fence (their daughter and our daughter are friends), etc. Some people are just miserable and you can't do anything about it. The kicker is, his wife is the total opposite.