I caught my trustpasser!!!!!

I've been reading about these folks a good bit, from info on their site as well as links from governmental agencies referencing them. Just Google Ionia, Inc. Alaska and lots of stuff pops up.

It doesn't sound like the folks living there are commitable. Just that they have some issues. They have a medical professional consulting monthly, so they are not abandoning treatment. In fact, it sounds like treatment is their major focus, and that folks come to seek that treatment who don't live there permanently.

I've lived on communes, albeit not in ones that cater to mentally unstable folks. The one stand out here, particularly given Kasilofhome's last post is that its easy to lump folks together when they are in a living situation like this and forget that people are individuals. Just because there happens to be one or two jerks in a group of seventy people doesn't make the whole group bad. It sounds like they are wanting to resolve the situation and are not happy with the indiscretions of one of their members. We had more than our share of folks that we had to do some pretty hefty apologizing for.

Ionias ultimate shortcoming is likely that they are so standoffish towards their neighbors. The locals around one of the places I lived had all sorts of weird stories about the commune I lived on. All it took to dispell them was getting to know a few of them, inviting them over for dinner or a couple of beers and letting the word spread on its own.

Mental health issues are very difficult to deal with. There was a lot of back and forth at the place I lived over what to do with the occasional person who showed up and obviously needed a lot of help. Sometimes, we let them stay and tried to help them deal with their issues. Sometimes we called the professionals, or relatives and had them leave.

The sort of group decision making and conflict resolution that goes on at these places is not a whole lot different than an average town or city council meeting. It does tend to be less formal, with more room for everyone to be involved and have a say. Same problems, either way.

Hopefully, this experience will make it easier to deal with any issues that come up in the future with these folks. I definitely admire your approach, Kasilof, and wish you luck.

Kasilhof - these people sound like they have more in common with you than not - they have some laudable homesteading goals.

I understand your anger about trespassing and the trails being cut - I would be furious! But if this is the action of one or two members, that's no reason to condemn the group as a whole.

I hope you find a way to resolved this situation in a positive manner,

good luck!

Kasilofhome, I applaud your ability to be understanding of the group's reluctance to mingle with outsiders, and also your ability to realize that you're dealing with the actions of one or two members whose behavior is not necessarily inidicative of the group.

I think you're well on your way to a peaceful resolution. The chicken manure conversation was a big plus. You've managed to convey to them that you're upset about the trespassing and destruction, and at the same time you're willling to work with them so that everyone can benefit. Kudos to you.

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Our homestead-in-the-making: Palazzo Rospo
Eating the dream

The Drama is over and it ended very upbeat.

The "male spokesperson" come on over to our place with a smile on his face and a laugh in his voice he ased "Permission to board" What an Ice breaker We all laughed and talked and listened.

They seem to have a core population and some that visit. The person on our land was a visiting guest who had been there sometime ago before we got here. The land was goverment land and it was a free for all for years till we got it. (which is why we have such a problem esp durring moose season)

Wth the Main "road" dividing my property some of the people did not understand that we owned all on both sides of the "road" not just the one that our cabin and living area is at. This did cross the sign and blocking cable but felt that it was an absentee owner so he felt no harm was being done in resuming what he had done legally in the past. I know that many persons came up to Alaska during the building of the pipeline and got land and left with the intention of some day returning I also know that 3 families have claimed to built their homes on vacant land for which I wonder if it is possidable that some poor soul has lost legal interest in the land in the past 20 years. His actions of hiding make sence and in reality he was most likly scared to death of me vs hiding. Well the end is that now the whole group knows that the all the land is ours and that a phone call is needed to inform us that they would be using it if they want to. (that way we know what is going on on our land)

Isn't it great that for once what could have been a nasty neighbor story ending with each party getting to know each other better!!!!
I must hand it to those of you who understood what I was looking for in help and who came thru.
I must also credit the Ionia group for their handling of the issue.
If they or I had been ugly it could have been different. I am not holding myself above others on this board who have had problems such as mine that have turned ugly but rather counting my blessings that I could get rid of my anger here and not subject them to it and thus give them attude before they opened their mouth. Much of the credit is due to the Group. You know who you are that helped take a moment and pat yoursef on the back for aiding in keeping the peace.

Well done K,excellent job.

BooBoo

You rock Kasilofhome!

__________________
Amanda

"Live and let Live!!!"

"Courage is being scared to death--and saddling up anyway" John Wayne

Let me stress the kasilofhome handled this very well and should be praised for her attempts to make things work for all parties concerned ) Great Job kasilofhome

Hugs
marlene

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

A shining example. Well done!

__________________
Our homestead-in-the-making: Palazzo Rospo
Eating the dream

I'm so glad it all turned out so well!

Please understand that it takes both sides have the right goals, both sides tring and both sides showing respect. I was very lucky in that they are peaceful people.

Kinda funny it this group that I was dealing with might seems to many to be really wacko and there for a real threat. Now from what I read on another thread (we all know which one) P was dealing with "normal" people. I would much rather My neighbors vs her neighbors. I am often asked What is it like to live near "Those people" I feel safer with them because they know that they have issues they are actively attempting to deal with thoses issues. Now the neighbor who is mentally ill and unaware of it or around persons who would rather hide the problems or excuse the problems they are to me much more of a danger.

This case went well.
Please understand that I am having vision problems and can not read the screan too well today I go to the eye dr. to find out the problem of my blind spot plus I am a bad speller and new to computers. I will also have some VERY GREAT NEWS TO SHARE about what our community is like.

Hunting season is getting ready and right now I face daily challenges from tresspassors. Signs do not help, It is such a large area and the Prize moose are on our land. Since this issue I have had 2 other persons on the land. One I caught one got away one was caught.

That one took a bit to educate about tresspassing (note 19 year olds learn better when you have the key to the ATV in your possession) Those with bad attudes will have the choice of (note each case will be handled to best meet the issues being dealt with)
But here is our basic thoughts
1. Walking home, calling the trooper, hiring a tow truck and being charged with tresspassing. (note I do not allow un insured un reg, moter rigs on property -Rules out the ATV from moving on their own) The cost of the nearest tow truck is $175.00 for the call out.
or
2. Installing up to 100 feet of fencing at their expence (I just scored on lots of fencing at the dump to lower their cost) and having a sign on it

THIS 100 FOOT STREACH OF FENCEING IN STALLED BY ___________IN LIEW OF FACING TRESSPASING CHARGES.

This is a hope to clearing let the public know that I am trying to watch my property. I am only wishing to change the attudes to a more restcfull time. Please note that up here there are tons of legal place's to ride so it really is a case of "I want to do what I want and my wants are more important than your rights" in most cases not all

I really feel for those who have rotten neighbors because if people do not try to work together it can become a war. I really got lucky

That fence idea is great if you can make it work.

For painting the actual sign you might want to know that the usual spelling is 'lieu', rather than 'liew', and 'trespassing' rather than 'tresspasing'.

(I'm not trying to be a 'spelling nazi' here, just trying to help you with the sign.)

I do not know what is wrong with your vision but there are some causes of 'blind spot' which have to be fixed within 24 hours to reverse them. Please ask your doctor if you need to be seen right away. Make sure that the DOCTOR, not just the RECEPTIONIST, knows you have vision loss.

My brother is an opthalmologist.

Congrats Kasilofhome, it sounds like you resolved the problem. I am glad your neighbors came through too with a friendly attitude. It is a much easier living environment to have neighbors to like each other!!