Greenwood man hangs trailer from tree to get attention of city council

GREENWOOD, Ind. (WISH) — Several Greenwood residents are speaking up in support of one man’s protest.

The efforts have even forced city council members to consider reworking an ordinance that’s causing problems.

The ordinance states that residents can’t parks trailers on grass, even in backyards.

After getting cited for that ordinance, one homeowner hung his trailer from a tree, inches above the grass.

Claude Tate is upset about the ordinance, which took effect just last year.

“That’s not right,” he said, “You’re taking over my property.”

So he decided to use the trailer to make what he calls political protest artwork and it’s getting a lot of attention.

After getting his citation, Claude and his wife Liz took their frustrations to the city council several times.

But he said they haven’t felt taken seriously.

So last week, he had an idea.

“We were coming out of the house and I said ‘you know what? I could just hang the trailer in the tree,’” he said.

The trailer in the tree comes with a sign that states “this artwork represents the death of property use rights in Greenwood.”

“I don’t have a problem when the city says the front yard is a showpiece for the neighborhood and your house,” he said, “But when they start saying what I can and can’t have in my backyard, I think that’s an overreach of government.”

If it was attention he wanted, he’s certainly received it.

On Wednesday night, a council committee held a special meeting just on this issue to hear from residents like the Tates.

“They were at the meeting last night, as were about nine other people who stood up and talked against the ordinance,” Council Member At-Large Chuck Landon said.

“One guy had to sell his boat because he couldn’t meet the city’s requirements,” Tate said.

“They were very passionate, they all made different points, and very good points,” Landon said.

Landon said he was persuaded by the meeting to try to make a change to the ordinance.

But that will be a decision for the full city council in a future meeting.

Tate said at least he finally feels like the issue is being discussed.

“I knew I wasn’t alone on this,” Tate said.

There is no official date on when this issue might end up on a city council agenda.

However, all the comments from the public are being sent to the council members for their consideration.