Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

The biggest mistake people make when choosing a place to buy is not 
carefully checking out local attitudes on religion, politics, 
cronyism, etc. Here is yet one more example:

Dear Gene,

I moved to the Berryville, AR area six years ago. I read your book 
and did my homework. I own a lovely 16 acre property with an 1870 
home, barn plus many pastures, ponds, outbuildings. You name it, I have it!
However, I inherited a "crazy" neighbor from whom I bought the 
property. He has vandalized and sneaks into my home weekly. (It was 
his home, his turf.) Locks do not stop this guy. No report w. the 
sheriff or anyone else ever is processed. Ex deputies tell me he 
drinks coffee w. the sheriff. From what I have learned from the 
natives; he is a barn-burner, grudge-holder, sexist abuser who is 
from one of the most troubled families in Carroll Cty. He lives on an 
contiguous piece of property and built his new home so he overlooks 
this place. I remember your book mentioning problems w. the locals: 
the Eminence, MO family who moved away. In a nutshell, I must move 
on. It turns out this guy is a "stalker" and watches me constantly. 
I'm single and use to run around in the buff. I have seen him so it's 
obvious who is doing all these petty crimes. His son also is "in" on 
it: paw is near 70, sonny, 45.
However, I'm a writer and realize, aside from this awful experience, 
I am to live elsewhere. The cosmos is screaming. However, now that 
I'm savvy on neighbors and the preponderance of these kinds of 
people, what can I do to insure this never happens again? I thought 
maybe you address this more in your newer edition if there is one. 
Also where do I move is my own question? I find the Bible Belt 
stiffling even though I grew up in MO. It just screams, "these folks 
are not your clan".
Thanks,