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OPINION

Pathological neighbor: Doc’s ill will is unhealthy

Letter
Comments (20)

Saturday, February 6, 2010

(Updated 3:00 am)

I welcome a story offering a diversion from the trials and tribulations of Mr. Alston, Ms. Hayes and the dashing Mr. Edwards.

Sunday’s story by Lorraine Ahearn on the retired pathologist and his neighbors was such a diversion (“Welcome to the neighborhood. See you in court,” Jan. 31).

I’m no med school grad, but I know how to use a search engine.

Pathology: “The scientific study of the nature, origin, progress and cause of disease.”

The doctor, I suppose, retired from medicine and was not forced out. Presently, however, his analytical skills appear suspect. Perhaps the manic behaviors, his early morning photographic sorties, not to mention the pressure of driving while taking pictures, have dulled his diagnostic powers.

I’ll help him identify the real neighborhood illness.

Doc, the nature of this pathology is you. The disease’s origin infecting, seemingly, your entire neighborhood can be traced to you.

Further, this malady has progressed to its current state because of you alone. You, sir (I use that term with trepidation) are the cause of the illness experienced by people who live near you. Now you’ve forced the targets of your obsessive self-preoccupation to sell?

Potential buyers should get a CDC sign-off on the potential hazards of living near you.

As Luke says, physician, heal thyself.

Jeff Hayes
Greensboro

Letter To The Editor

Article: Too much misinformation on health care (Feb. 11)
Article: Preserving Glenwood, one piece at a time (Feb. 11)
Article: Joke’s on us (Feb. 11)
Article: Turn on spigot for rich or for middle class? (Feb. 11)
Article: Friendly area already is choked by traffic (Feb. 11)
Article: Alston dictates policy that restricts freedom (Feb. 10)
Article: Parents owe children love and guidance (Feb. 10)

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mamaboilermaker

February 6, 2010 - 6:27 am EST

Indeed, that situation serves as a warning to anyone who is considering purchasing a home with a homeowner's association attached to it. Don't do it! You are buying a dormant disease that could wake up and attack you at any time. If you have an HOA, you are not really the full owner of your property--unless you do exactly what some little group of dictators tells you to do.

Of course , bad neighbors can happen anywhere; but an HOA gives them delusions of grandeur.

chickenlittle02

February 6, 2010 - 9:03 am EST

I can see where you might feel that way Mama, but my experience has been different. Our HOA isn't run by a few but by a vote of a quorum. We have 4 rental houses in our neighborhood that have been horribly neglected by the owners, to the point of not only being an eyesore but a hazard. Our HOA has researched options we have as a community and is acting in our behalf to rectify the situation with the owners. I'm sure they won't like it. But a house is a big investment, and often it is more effective to act collectively than it is to act alone, and cheaper as well. I wouldn't have the resources to go after the owner of each rental house in our neighborhood, but collectively we can address it.
That being said, this doc sounds like a nightmare. One thing about the original article though....I don't recall there being anything about his side of the story. Maybe he wouldn't speak. Maybe no one else in the neighborhood took his side either that could speak to it. But I would have loved to hear what he had to say for himself.

mssuzq

February 7, 2010 - 12:10 am EST

If you look back at the bottom of the first column on page A7, it does state clearly that Mr. Matthieu declined to be interviewed. He was contacted by Ms. Ahearn & offered the opportunity to tell his side of the story; but instead of choosing to speak with her, he refused to answer questions and referred her to his attorney. Who of course says Mr. Matthieu is acting within his rights; isn't that what Mr. Matthieu is paying him to say?

Jbird

February 6, 2010 - 12:39 pm EST

There's no HOA in Spring Lake Farms just a dictator that is on a kick that says do as I say not as I do!! Let's not forget Don Matthieu's wife former president of NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally ill) has her name all over the internet for that with the Spring Creek Rd. address and that's okay? Why won't NAMI help this guy? What's wrong with them? They sound like they just want to turn a blind eye to it...

Jbird

February 6, 2010 - 12:39 pm EST

It's like a bad rash that keeps spreading that won't go away!!

Panacea

February 6, 2010 - 9:04 am EST

Given the extreme nature of this guy's behavior, why didn't the judge rule the doc had to pay his neighbor's legal bills?

I agree with mama on HOAs. I bought my place in part because it doesn't have one.

mamaboilermaker

February 6, 2010 - 9:32 am EST

why didn't the judge rule the doc had to pay his neighbor's legal bills?

That is my understanding of the British system where loser pays. In America, anybody can sue you for anything, with no penalty to themselves. They just have to buy an attorney.

Jbird

February 6, 2010 - 12:42 pm EST

The judge can't rule the doc pay his neighbors legal bills because Mr. Matthieu gets to the very end and takes a dismissal on the frivolous lawsuit then turns around and sues them for the same thing!!! Crazy!!! It sounds to me like public support is behind the Millers!! Go Millers!!

Jbird

February 6, 2010 - 10:08 am EST

The neighborhood Spring Lake Farms has NO HOA, just a vague covenants and the covenants aren't even attached to all the lots and/or neighborhood scheme. Also they're are two covenants that are different from each other!!! So which one does the neighborhood go by? On another note, it's been a nightmare....you don't even know the half of it!! Spring Lake Farms would love to hear the docs side as to why his wife operates out of her home for NAMI (National Alliance of the Mentally Ill) Why is that Okay Mr. Matthieu? Furthermore his wife should know that Mr. Matthieu needs help with his actions and should get him help especially since she has ALL the resources at her fingertips!!! What is wrong with Mr. Matthieu's attorneys enabling him to continue to torment the Millers? Can't these people see that Mr. Matthieu is using the legal system to harass the Millers and Mr. Matthieu is using the system to gain access to the Millers personal and private information! If Mr. Matthieu was just concerned about covenants then why does he need to go to Ohio and research Mr. Millers oldest daughter custody records? Good question? We all would like to know that....the number of photos is now in the thousands!

hugh

February 6, 2010 - 11:58 am EST

In this day and age persistent, targeted, secret photographing of somone's children has implications that could end up with a photographer being investigated by the state.

Jbird

February 6, 2010 - 12:51 pm EST

I think you commented on the first letter to the editor Hugh!! You're one smart guy! I wonder if Mr. Matthieu has one whole room dedicated to the Millers in his house. That's scary!!

njpk

February 6, 2010 - 11:59 pm EST

Hugh, Mr. Matthieu was tried and convicted for misdemeanor stalking. He was given a sentence of prayer for judgment, & a restraining order to stay away from the Millers & refrain from taking photos of them. He has appealed his conviction and is waiting to be re-tried. In the meantime, he has decided to renew his harassment of the Millers. Perhaps he thinks this will result in the stalking charge being dropped? But, isn't that now up to the prosecutor? Or the State of North Carolina, under whose laws he was convicted?
Mrs. Matthieu has been named as co-plaintiff on every action that has been filed by her husband. She is at least aiding and abetting his actions, if not actively participating as his accomplice and partner in crime.
Yet she is or was the chairperson for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill? How does a national organization condone such behavior from one of its officers? It sounds like both the Matthieus need help from NAMI.

mssuzq

February 7, 2010 - 12:15 am EST

JBird, regarding your question "What is wrong with Mr. Matthieu's attorneys enabling him to continue to torment the Millers?" IMHO there is a simple five-letter answer: G-R-E-E-D. As long as Mr. Matthieu is willing to pay them, they are willing to let him continue to pay them.

mssuzq

February 7, 2010 - 12:34 am EST

Restrictive covenants are put in place with the intention to protect the value of homes in the neighborhood. Mr. Matthieu's bizarre behavior has undoubtedly caused more harm to the property values in his subdivision than any violation of covenants, no matter how blatant. I would rather deal with cars up on blocks and holiday decorations left up year round than know there was someone living near me who was stalking me and photographing my children--and being forced by the very legal system that's supposed to protect me, to turn over copies of my house plans so he knows where my children's bedrooms--and mine--are.
Perhaps the residents of Spring Lake Farms should consider banding together, as in chickenlittle02's example, and suing Mr. Matthieu for recovery of the loss of value their properties have undoubtedly suffered as a result of his actions.

hangten

February 6, 2010 - 10:52 am EST

This guy is obviously disturbed. How does he have the right to take photos of children? Where is the safety of the children? How can the Millers be comfortable in their own home? I would be a complete mess if I knew a strange man was watching and taking pics of my every move, not to mention digging up things like custody records from another state, and copies of the millers house plan!!! What in the heck are these people thinking to allow this guy to be anything other than LOCKED UP!! I would be getting myself a hotel room for the fear of my kids and send this NUT JOB the bill. This Story is just Unbelievable!

Jbird

February 6, 2010 - 12:49 pm EST

He has no right to take pics of children at any time, not even one time. I wonder how he would like it if someone had a camera pointed at his house every chance they had while he was raising kids? It's just plain weird!! I haven't spoke to one person that knows about this that thinks this is normal!!

hugh

February 6, 2010 - 1:10 pm EST

"How can the Millers be comfortable in their own home?"

I am not an attorney but it might behoove the "victims" in this case to have theirs look into charges of harassment and infringement upon the right of "peaceful and quiet enjoyment" of their property.

If it is as bad as it is being construed to be the table might be turned in their favor.

hugh

February 6, 2010 - 11:46 am EST

HOA's empower tyrannical personalities. Obsession shows a lack of substance in character and betrays a miserable individual.

My folks live in an area that is heavy in retirees and have seen it countless times in volunteer organizations. Someone who was a powerful big-shot in their career retires, suddenly feels dis-empowered and seeks to reestablish that authority among their new associations; Being blinded by their own narcissism they fail to see that everyone around them is looking at an emperor with no clothes.

Jbird

February 6, 2010 - 12:30 pm EST

Exactly Hugh! It's like it's a control thing with Mr. Matthieu and he thinks he's the President of an HOA that don't exist in Spring Lake Farms! I wonder if Mrs. Matthieu agrees with Mr. Matthieu or is she being controlled too. In any case it don't matter because she needs to be held responsible for her actions too. Her name is all over the lawsuits too. These people need to mind their own business and need to check their own backyard. What an awful way to spend their "Golden years" by trying to ruin a young family! They should be ashamed of theirselves. It sounds like Don and Carol Matthieu don't care if they bankrupt this family and that's just disgusting!!!

FairForAll

February 6, 2010 - 5:22 pm EST

Jeff Hayes has offered a very insightful observation of this whole deplorable situation: the problem IS the Matthieu family. What did Miller do to get placed in the crosshairs of Matthieu’s sights, thus becoming entangled with pointless legal jousting and enormous expense? Did they operate a commercial business, warehouse electrical supplies, or generate lots of business traffic in the neighborhood as the Matthieus contend? Nope - only in the imaginations of Don and Carol Matthieu was that the case.

Miller is guilty of being a self-employed electrician who did bookwork and made phone calls from his home, and drove a van to his jobs. That’s it. Is that not totally criminal and disruptive? Sadly, in the eyes of the Matthieu Gestapo, it is. But judging from Ahearn’s article, that’s not how the rest of the neighbors see it.

The Millers deserve a handsome award for their years of torment. The pain and mental anguish from such an ordeal will be with them a long time.