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As an avid reader of graphic novels - or funny books - the way libraries shelve or classify some of these books is a little distressing. I've heard of several libraries filing "Watchmen" in the children's or young adult section, and it really has no place being in either of these places. Yes they have pictures, but comic books can be as mature and no less challenging than any other medium.

That said, if a child has permission to rent any book he or she wants, librarians have no right not to let them. This kind of reminds me of the overzealous video clerk who refused to rent me Todd Solondz's "Welcome to the Dollhouse" even though I was allowed to watch whatever I wanted, and saw R-Rated movies all the time. This lady was trying to use her personal opinion to control what I watched, when the truth of it was that the film is more appropriate for teenagers to watch than the swill being made for them today.

as long as it gets kids to read, i'm all for it as long as it's not hardcore pornography. there is so much censorship done in the name of "for the children", but what do you think 13-to-19 year olds are talking about in the first place? if parents are so concerned about kids "getting ideas" from various forms of media, perhaps they should reflect on their own experience as a teenager. and besides, if our schools had a "contraceptives" instead of an "abstinence" sex-education curriculum, there would be far less to be concerned about. americans need to stop being so puritanical and get with the times.

The League of Extradinary Gentlemen does contain sexual situations, but it is not pornography. The artwork is horrible anyway. Well written, terribly drawn.

I enjoyed it anyway. :)

It is not up to a library to decide what kids can and can't read. Parents must step up to the plate and monitor what their kids are doing.

And I doubt kids or parents would realize or understand the content of graphic novels like the Watchmen, League, or similar books with serious themes if they bought them at Barnes and Noble, where they are available on the shelf with titles such as Superman, Batman, and Spiderman. People need to understand that comic books (graphic novels) have grown up, and the situations and content are similar to those found in other media. This is a good thing actually, as some very fine stories are being published as graphic novels.

If your kids like graphic novels and comic books, take them to a comic book store and go with them. The people there are usually very knowledgeable, and can steer both kids and adults to the kinds of titles that will appeal to them.

SEX, SEX, SEX! Its everywhere and I am sick, sick, sick of it. I am sick of my neighbors too and their silliness, but no one wants to help me unless I can recognize their thingies in a police line-up. Read on..

Mr. Carles Frye of 215 Liberty Road, Reidsville, approached Council about a situation in his neighborhood. He complained that his neighbor was urinating within 15 feet of his backyard. They were throwing big parties with 40-50 people there and having big fires on their property as well, Mr. Frye said.

Mr. Frye said anytime he brought up an issue Council couldn't talk about, let him know and he'd bring up the next issue.

Problems escalated about three weeks ago, Mr. Frye said. A police officer came to his house about 10:30-11 p.m. because police had received a complaint that his daughter was playing the music too loud. The complaint came from a neighbor, and Mr. Frye said he knew which neighbor. Mr. Frye said he was working at the time and was not at home. His wife asked the police officer why he was coming to their house and saying something about the music being too loud and not doing anything about the neighbors in the backyard? Mr. Frye said he was quoting his wife and daughter, who said the police officer told his wife that if she didn't shut up, he was going to put handcuffs on her and take her to jail right then, Mr. Frye said. His daughter spoke up and said why are you doing this, Mr. Frye said. The police officer threatened to handcuff the daughter and take her to jail too.

The Mayor stopped Mr. Frye. Mayor Donecker asked the City Manager if he was aware of this incident? The City Manager said he wasn't sure if he was aware of this particular case. Mayor Donecker said the City Manager needs to talk with the Police Chief about this and they shouldn't talk about it anymore because it is a personnel issue. The Mayor said he didn't want to give Mr. Frye a false sense of security that they, the Council, was going to do something about it. Mr. Frye said he has filed a complaint with the Police Department already.

The other issue was his neighbors creating fires and urinating near his backyard. Mr. Frye said he had surveillance videos of the neighbor doing this, which he had given to the secretary at City Hall over four weeks ago. He said he was hoping that the Mayor could reply. Mayor Donecker informed Mr. Frye it was not within the scope of his responsibility to watch surveillance videos. He said this was a situation that he could not become involved in, either personally or as Mayor. He suggested Mr. Frye go to an attorney for legal advice.

Mr. Frye said he had, but he couldn't afford the $4,000 to $10,000 the attorney would charge. Mayor Donecker said this is not a City matter but is a squabble between neighbors. He said he was sorry it was going to cost Mr. Frye, but there was nothing he could do.

Mr. Frye said he couldn't understand why the City Council couldn't create an ordinance making it illegal to urinate on private property. City Manager Almond said the City could make it illegal on public right of ways but not on private property.

Mr. Frye asked Council members how they would feel if someone urinated about 15 feet in front of your daughter, in view of your property and swimming pool area. The Mayor said it would only happen one time, and he would put up a fence. Mr. Frye said he has a fence up around his pool area. He said he felt the City should be able to do something.

Councilman Festerman said he would think if the neighbor did this in front of the daughter and she saw him exposing himself, something could be done. Mr. Frye said no, the neighbor turns his back to the fence. The Mayor again recommended a fence, something with overlapping borders so that people can't see through it.

Mr. Frye asked what were the height restrictions for fencing? City Manager Almond said he didn't know, but he didn't think there was a restriction. Mr. Frye said the neighbor had urinated near his backyard at least 137 times since December of last year. Again, the Mayor told Mr. Frye the best thing to do was to put up a fence.

Mr. Frye asked again whether Council couldn't enact an ordinance. The Mayor said that, unfortunately, on private property, if they wanted to be like an animal, they could.

Mr. Frye also complained that the neighbors have been draining water onto his property. Codes Inspector Tim Warner came out and looked at it, and told him it was a "natural flow."

Mr. Frye talked about the fires that are created on the neighbor's property. He said Fire Chief Bracken said he doesn't know how high a fire can go. The fires blow smoke all over his picnic area, he added. Mr. Frye said the neighbors' children also trespass on his land, but he won't call the police out on the children.

Fencing was discussed again. Mr. Frye said he has about 485 feet in the back of a yard and its shaped like in a triangle. His current fence is only around the pool area.

City Attorney Bill McLeod reiterated what the Mayor had said, stating that most of what he had said wouldn't fall in the City's realm of responsibility.

City officials told Mr. Frye that there was a City noise ordinance.

Mr. Frye complained that the neighbors kept a dog lot within 10 feet of his property line. The dog kennel had smelled so bad that the animal control officer did come out and make the neighbors clean it out and put lime down. City Manager Almond said there is a City ordinance against a dog kennel being too close to a property line.

Councilman Festerman said they could try to come up with all the "magical bullets," but it comes down to harassment. He said he wished Council could help Mr. Frye, but he agreed that building a big fence seemed the best answer. He said he hoped Mr. Frye hadn't brought more retaliation upon himself by appearing before Council today. He asked Mr. Frye if he had thought about moving? Mr. Frye said that's not what this country is all about.

Mediation was suggested if a mutual friend could be found to handle the dispute. Mr. Frye said he didn't know of any mutual friends, and he didn't think mediation would work.

steppingup@triad.rr.com