Homeowner barks out protest in Cedar Rapids

A Cedar Rapids homeowner is “dog-gone” mad about complaints from his neighbors in their historic residential area. Ben Walker and his family share a home in the city’s Redmond Park Grand Historic district. Neighbors have lodged several complaints against the 38-year-old, saying his porch and yard are in a “constant state of disarray.” In defiance, Walker has taken the mess to another level. He’s spray-painted black Dalmatian-like spots on his white 2-story home on Grand Avenue Southeast. In an effort to get the neighborhood off his back, Walker also painted some mocking phrases; one proclaims “Go Postal,” referring to a postal worker who lives next door. The city’s investigating, but officials say the case may have to be settled by a personal lawsuit. A spokesperson for the neighborhood association calls the whole situation “unfortunate.”