An Open Letter to our Neighbors and the Neighborhood

If you are reading this, it's because you've become aware of the neighborhood hate, and we've directed you to this website. This website is not being promoted or marketed anywhere; however, it is our intention to explain to the public what has been going on in our neighborhood.

My name is Dan, and I purchased my home here in Meyers in May of 2004 (21 years ago).

I also own and operate; Lakeside Pest Control and Dhondt Pest Control (based out of our homes), and we've been legitimately and legally operating as home-based businesses since 2004, as well.

I will politely point out the fact that we are "still here" and it is because we have the legal right to do so. If, however, you don't agree with me, let me share three words with you:

Home Owners Association

So... a few years ago (2021), we became aware of and heard about false rumors and outright lies that have been directed against us.

These actions have been utterly HATE oriented.

However, in spite of these abrasive behaviors, we've attempted to reach out, but have yet to receive any sort of response, from anyone.

(except for Amy, who extends her middle finger at us as she drives by)

To that end you, the reader, can be the judge.

Rowan v. Post Office (back in 1970)

Dear neighbor...

Let me teach you something today that your civics teacher never told you - and the courts hope you never find out or else their dockets will fill up with lawsuits.....

You have TWO rights that live in direct tension with each other.

Both are real. Both are protected.

Most Americans only know about one of them.

The first one everybody knows:

The First Amendment. Say what you want. Protest. Preach. Picket. Knock on doors. Shout from the rooftops. America was built on it.

But here's the one nobody talks about.

The Supreme Court - in a case called Rowan v. Post Office (back in 1970) said this, and I want you to read it slowly:

"The right to be left alone is one of the most cherished rights known to man."

~ One of the most cherished rights known to man ~

The Court didn't stop there. They said - and this is the part that should shake you - no one has the right to press even a good idea, on an unwilling recipient.

Not a bad idea. Not a dangerous idea. A GOOD idea. If you don't want to hear it, you have the right not to be forced to.

Then came Frisby v. Schultz in 1988. The Court said targeted picketing - showing up at someone's home, their unavoidable space - can be restricted. Why? Because a captive audience has rights too. The Court called it the captive audience doctrine. If you cannot leave, you cannot be forced to receive.

And in Hill v. Colorado in 2000, the Court upheld buffer zones - spaces where people trying to enter a location cannot be cornered into confrontation. The reasoning? You should not have to abandon your right to be somewhere just to escape someone else's speech.

{Now here is where Professor Toto connects the dots for you}

We live in an age where everybody thinks their right to speak trumps your right to be left alone.

Social media mobs. Protesters at private homes. Activists who will follow you to your car. Ideologues who show up where they know you cannot leave.

They'll scream "First Amendment!" at you, while violating your most cherished right - the right to simply be left alone.

The First Amendment protects your right to speak.

It does NOT give you the right to force your speech on someone who cannot escape it.

Most Americans do not know the difference.

Now you do.

Professor Toto | Tomorrow's News Today

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And, for my neighbors in Tahoe...

The "right to be let alone" is a foundational legal principle often referred to as the right to privacy. It was famously defined by Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis in 1928 as "the most comprehensive of rights and the right most valued by civilized men."

Key aspects of this right include:

Origin: Coined by Samuel Warren and Louis Brandeis in an 1890 Harvard Law Review article, it describes the general right to privacy.

Legal Standing: The right is enshrined in the Fourth Amendment, prohibiting unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.

Definition: It is interpreted as the right to be free from unwanted intrusion, annoyance (***), or interference, and sometimes as the right to remain anonymous.

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(***) Dave, Karen & Amy -

I've already stated that it's not my job to give you legal advice.

So, I'd suggest that you avoid any further annoyance...

Or... let's find out who has the bigger checkbook, by going to court...

Here are 5 Letters Addressing the Hate-Oriented Behaviors:

11/10/2023

Robin Alexander
Narragansett Cir.
S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Hello Robin,

The purpose of my letter is twofold;

Firstly, im reaching out with respect to a note that you apparently placed in our mailbox yesterday (11/9).

I'm kindly advising you that I believe that the survey marker that you have referenced is not currently in the correct location.

I will make two brief observations with respect to this;

1) myself and Eric located this marker (about 10 years ago) and that was the catalyst for me to place some additional "rebar markers" further along the property line (those can be seen along my chain link fence, and the rebar markers have been there since). Those informal "rebar" markers were in fact "in line" with the survey marker in question.

2) Beyond that, a few years ago (when the STPUD was installing water meters and making changes to the water connections) the survey marker was in fact dislodged from the ground.

In summary, if you have had a professional survey performed, I would kindly ask that you forward a copy of that to me.

In conclusion, I would submit that the marker that you have referenced has been tampered with (as spoken of above) and no longer correctly represents our common property corner.

The second part of my letter to you relates to my complete loss of understanding in connection as to why your mannerisms and tone of speech towards myself and my wife are, as they are?

The last formal communication that we had (with you and Eric) was during the traumatic fire of 2021, as we evacuated we said our goodbyes... Subsequent to our collective return to our homes, there has been a palpable and complete change of attitude from yourself as well as a few of the other neighbors, towards us.

I will make a further remark in connection to the cordiality that existed a few months prior to the fire, in that we had given you and Eric some blueberry preserves (from up in Oregon that we returned with) and you kindly had given us some Huckleberry Jam or preserves. I believe our relationship at that point in time was quite cordial.

If you'd care to share some insight as to the reasons as to why the "change of heart" I would welcome the insight.

However, if your only complaint is the exterior lighting that I employ around my home, then I would point out that if my simple lighting affects you that adversely, and if you do not possess the cordiality to communicate with me in some neighborly capacity, then I'm not sure what to say...

However, I don't believe that the lighting situation is the true catalyst as to your feelings. To that end I would invite you to educate me.

On a related note, Aimee has shared with me that on at least two occasions when she arrived to attend the neighborhood exercise class, you made it very clear you could not stay with her being present, and you then left the exercise class.

Perhaps your actions spoken of above are an incorrect conclusion on her part?

However, when she is in the front yard, and sees you drive by without looking at her (as is also now the case with a few others), it's hard not to draw a conclusion.

To wrap it up...

If the neighborhood (as a whole) has some sort of "problem with me" I guess you're going to have to collectively point it out (as opposed to the "Peyton Place" type of Gossip that is going on), beyond mere gossip there are a number of outright lies that have been perpetuated against myself personally, that I have become aware of.

But in the meantime, the collective actions towards my wife are unfounded and lacking basic human kindness.

Awaiting insight -

Daniel Dhondt

1763 Narragansett Cir.
S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Enclosure (your letter)

Certified mail # ________________

Date: Thu, Aug 22, 2024
Subject: Mailbox issue...
To: Robin Alexander

Hello Robin,

I'm reaching out to you once again, but on this occasion, it is in connection with your unwarranted parking of your personal vehicle in front of our mailbox.

We have spoken with the Sheriff and his advice (very specifically) was to file a Restraining Order.

His instructions were to the effect that your obvious and intentional parking, immediately adjacent to our mailbox, serves "no legitimate purpose."

Those concluding words were the specific words that he coached us to make use of.

Your activities in connection with this appear to have started while we are absent during the first week of August.

(sub-note: In a very interesting coincidence, upon the day of our return, Monday the 12th, our dogs escaped from our fully fenced and very secure front yard. Upon inspecting the front gate, it was evident that someone tampered with the latch. I'm not sure how to speculate, but our dogs have been fully secure in the front yard all summer long and in previous years.)

Robin, I am once again at a loss to understand your recent actions. Moreover I reached out to you last fall, and I wrote you a kindly worded letter asking as to why the change of disposition and attitude towards myself as well as my wife?

There was no response received to that letter, verbal, written, or otherwise. I will correct myself as you did in fact, verbally accost Aimee earlier this summer (speaking in an angry raised voice fashion while stepping onto our property, and while walking a dog and approaching Aimee) suggesting that our mailbox is located on your property.

Robin... The mailbox is not located on your property. It is, in fact, located on the public easement.

In summary, there are three points I'm going to share with you, Robin;

1) Do not trespass onto our properties in any capacity. If you have something to say to me, I suggest you send it in a letter or retain an Attorney and take whatever legal action you feel is warranted.

2) I'm kindly asking you to cease your activities in connection with the parking of your vehicle in such a way as to obstruct our mail delivery. Please recognize that it is a Federal offense to obstruct the delivery of mail (please see the enclosed documents), at the very least, your actions are utterly unkind.

3) At the worst, your actions fall into the category of "Hate"...

In conclusion, my last remark (#3) is what is occurring collectively by a few key persons within the neighborhood, and we have been documenting it.

If you wish to avoid finding yourself embroiled in "hate" related litigation, I'd kindly ask that you avoid actions that suggest that you are part of the "neighborhood hate" that Scott Parlet, has spoken of.

Respectfully,

Daniel DHondt

6-12-2025

Dave & Karen
1693 Apace Ave.
S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Good morning, Dave -

Dan, here, your "neighbor" :-)

Dave... We are now entering roughly year number three of the abhorrent behavior that you have been directing towards me (primarily) as well as my family members.

[Sub-note: Ironically, yesterday, Aimee received a very kind interaction with Scott, and given the fact that we just arrived a few days ago, Aimee was very happy to receive this gesture of kindness from Scott].

However, my comments at this moment are directed towards yourself and your wife Karen.

Earlier this morning your wife walked by with her dog, and as she was walking by it was very apparent (from the way she was holding her cell phone) she was clearly videotaping activity occurring on my properties. I hope she enjoyed the view, I suspect that you cannot do anything more than admire the fact that my yards are well kept, and that things are neat, clean and tidy.

However I know that's not the reality of the purpose of Karen holding the camera, pointed at us.

Dave, I (we) have patiently endured your actions, hoping that the neighborhood "hate" would subside. This "hate behavior" has in fact been perpetuated by yourself, and you have managed to rally a couple of the neighbors to participate in this as well.

Let me be very candid Dave. I have successfully complied with all of the so-called "anonymous" complaints (sub-note: through our multiple requests to numerous agencies, we do have your name on one of the unfounded complaints). My point: there is a pattern of harassment going on, and slanderous remarks, emanating from you. And guess what? I have the legal right to "peaceful enjoyment" of my home(s) and property, and the "right" to "feel safe."

In any event, in light of your wife's s actions this morning, it is apparent that we are now entering yet another summer filled with "hate" related actions from you.

It's apparent (from those neighbors who are kind to us, and who have heard from you, and shared with us), that you are desperately trying to make us leave.


Dave... Let me share a few thoughts for you to ponder;

Did you know that sheds and related structures have a set-back requirement (usually 5'), and there's no grandfather clause. Truly I was amazed with the crane that brought in your shed.

Did you know that the ONLY place that vehicles, boats, RV's (etc) are allowed to be parked (or stored on) are paved surfaces (asphalt, pavers, etc) that have been permitted for parking. Moreover, most homes are only permitted for parking on the paved areas in front of the garage. Additional parking can be obtained, but it's a process (and a fee), plus your property needs to have the "coverage" - thankfully we do.

I have to wonder about the "upgrades" that you have made to the forest service lot - logs that are not native as well as the LARGE boulders that you have placed over your property line and onto the aforementioned lot. I wonder what the TRPA would have to say about that?

Your front lawn... although I enjoy the beauty of your front lawn, the fact of the matter is you have planted a lawn on a public easement area. An easement area that the public has a right to walk on (and park on), and of course, if you turn (return) this into a gravel area, you'd have a lot more parking room. Personally, the lawn is beautiful, but I would submit that this poses a safety hazard as the public at large does not know this is a public area, as a result of your actions.

Lastly and most significantly, my daughter Sable has returned home (she was living back East for about a year and a half), and amazingly and most alarmingly, in the 6 weeks she has been here, your mannerisms directed towards her (meaning the menacing looks that you give her) have now made her feel unsafe to be outside of her home. My wife has also expressed concern and is constantly looking for more ways to light up our property so she feels safer!

Dave it's obviously not my job to give you legal advice. Moreover, the attorneys that I consulted with have of course suggested that I have no communication with my neighbors and do my best to be utterly neutral in all capacities. However, I would very much prefer to avoid escalating things into a legal matter. But be advised that we have also been documenting what has transpired; harassment, slander and hate behavior.

Dave, with respect to my daughter Sable, and her same sex partner, I would certainly hope that you do NOT have any sort of problem with them. However, be advised that my daughter has indicated that she is going to independently contact an entity in California known as California Vs. Hate (look them up) if your actions directed toward her continue (BTW, once again, your wife made it very clear she was filming her on Thursday morning).

In conclusion, we can move forward in one of two ways; We can begin a legal battle,or I would humbly suggest (in an effort to somehow get back to some sort of normal status) is that the next time you walk by you raise your hand (with all five fingers) and give a gentle wave, or you can simply keep your eyes to the ground and walk by in a neutral fashion.

Again the ball is in your court.

Respectfully,

Daniel DHondt

1763 Narragansett Cir
S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Date: Fri, Jun 13, 2025
Kevin & Debbie McCarthy
1778 Narragansett Cir
S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Hello Kevin and Debbie,

I'm reaching out to let you know that I'm really at a loss to understand what has transformed with respect to your feelings towards myself and Aimee over the last year and a half or so?

The fact that you drive by, or pass by while taking your dog for a walk, and are unwilling to look our direction, or offer a simple wave is rather dumbfounding.

We've been neighbors and friends (or were) for a dozen years. We've helped you with personal projects in the backyard of your home, and we have greatly valued Kevin's help with plumbing and related issues in years past.

Your life of course is yours to pursue in whatever fashion you see fit. However, it is sad to think that you don't have the ability to communicate with us directly if a problem exists?

In the final analysis, I don't have any grievance with you whatsoever. However, it sure would be nice to return to some level of basic human kindness and cordiality.

There's an old saying that I believe applies here;

"People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"

I'll try to clarify;

In the last couple of years, I've dealt with several agencies that have arrived at my home(s) due to anonymous complaints, about alleged code violations (I know, it sounds alarming), apparently from someone in the neighborhood with a vendetta. The actions (the gossip weve become aware of) is slanderous. We even heard the word hate has been used...

Fortunately we've been able to overcome everything that we've been faced with. However, here are just a few (too much to list) of the things that we've learned;

Did you know that sheds and related structures have a set-back requirement (usually 5'), and there's no grandfather clause.

Did you know that the ONLY place that vehicles, boats, rv's (etc) are allowed to be parked (or stored on) are paved surfaces (asphalt, pavers, etc) that have been permitted for parking. Moreover, most homes are only permitted for parking on the paved areas in front of the garage. Additional parking can be obtained, but its a process (and a fee), plus your property needs to have the "coverage" - thankfully we do.

We've also learned that almost all code enforcement action is the result of an anonymous complaint from a neighbor.

For clarification, please recognize that I do NOT believe that you have ever contacted code enforcement in any capacity. However, I believe that the main culprit was Robin (who, of course, has moved away) and another guy who is still nearby...

In summary, I'm not aware of anything that we've done to offend you, and I'd love nothing more then to see a wave from you as you drive by, or a simple hello as you walk past. You're certainly welcome to stop by or call if you care to discuss anything,

If not, I know where we stand.

Likewise, you also understand where I'm coming from.

Respectfully,

Daniel DHondt 1763 Narragansett Cir.
S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150


Oh... one more thing...

I do recall our last (in person) conversation, it was about two years ago, and as I was lamenting some of the "neighborhood hate" that I was experiencing, you shared a statement with me (and within a word or two), you stated; "its a shame that neighbors can't talk to each other and work things out"

Yes, I would definitely have to agree!

6-20-2025

Amy & Bobby
1772 Narragansett Cir
S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Hello Amy (and Bobby),

Amy, this letter is primarily directed towards you.

As a point of reference, myself and my wife have been gone since the first October 2024 (absent for 8 months) and have just arrived less than a week ago.

Amazingly, and upon seeing you for the first time on Monday (the 16th), and while we are peacefully working in our yard, you drive by and prominently extend your middle finger towards us in a very angry fashion, and you "carried this gesture" as you turned the entire corner and continued past... Moreover, about 15 minutes later you returned and you repeated the same process.

Amy, I suspect you have talked with Dave and Karen, as I have recently put them on formal notice of impending legal action.

Be advised, that this notice (that you've just been served with, by a process server) will be the last time I "informally" communicate with you.

In other words (and it's certainly not my job to provide legal advice), the next time a "process server" serves documents (from me), you will have the opportunity to spend thousands of dollars as we face-off in a Court of Law, if that's the road you want to travel...

Amy, my wife and family have the right to peacefull enjoyment of our home and property and the right to feel safe.

Your actions and verbal remarks have been repeated, deliberate, hostile and offensive, and has created distress and discomfort for ourselves and our family members. In other words, we have been damaged and our legal right to peace has been invaded. The legal term is referred to as "civil harassment" (among other violations, including "hate" related actions).

The repeated complaints that yourself (and others) have made to a variety of agencies; code enforcement, law enforcement and other governing bodies has been exhausting. Yet, we are still here, owing to the simple fact that we are operating within the bounds of Law.

Amy, I'm truly at a loss to understand the nature of this "neighborhood hate" that has been going on for over 3 years.

What I do know (for a personal fact) is that about 3 years ago we spoke in person (for the last time). It was the occasion of a traffic citation on the windshield of my truck (subsequently dismissed), and you and Bobby happened to be standing outside when I discovered the citation.

I then approached you (with the citation in my hand) and I innocently said; "wow it looks like somebody in the neighborhood doesn't like me"... (end quote) and upon sharing those words you pretty much "went off like a firecracker" talking about how I had no business operating a business here in this neighborhood and you continued with a series of negative remarks directed towards me. I was very much taken off guard, but my closing remarks to you were quite simple, I said;

Well, if that's the case I will either have to relocate my business and I owe you an apology, or the reverse will be true.

That was the last spoken words that we have had, other than you yelling at me when I took some photos down the street documenting some of the very same problems that my neighbors were having, that I was alleged of having...

In closing, the "ball is in your court" and you are of course free to exercise all of the Rights and Liberties that the constitution guarantees all of us. Up until it infringes upon my rights...

But, you are not free to choose the consequences, and that's where the legal action starts.

In summary; "win, lose, or draw" you'll have the opportunity to explain to a Judge your actions (against our extensive documentation) and that Judge will decide...

My suggestion... is that you mind your own business and that you cease the slanderous comments and related activities, stated above.

Respectfully,

Dan Dhondt
1763 Narragansett Cir.
S. Lake Tahoe, CA 95150

In regards to this text screenshot below, for the benefit of the reader, midway though these hate directed actions towards us, Dave lost his dog. I asked him about it and said I would go help to look, and apparently I was his neighbor for a few minutes while I was looking for his dog. Subsequently to this, his actions have reverted back to the hate mentality.