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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Matter of Opinion

Hoarders: Collecting stories here


(Dave Chameides shows some of the six months' worth of trash, including plastic and glass bottles stacked up the stairway, in the basement of his home in Los Angeles, Tuesday, July 1, 2008. Most outsiders would likely write off Chameides as a hoarder. But the man who made a commitment to stop throwing anything away for one year prefers to think of the plastic trays, wrappers and used tea bags in his basement in more lofty terms - it's his contribution to the study of consumerism. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon))


Our editorial today began:

The disorder is called compulsive hoarding, and many sufferers keep the disorder a secret from neighbors by piling stuff inside their homes. But sometimes the newspapers, plastic bags and spare parts spill onto the yard. The "collections" become eyesores and fire hazards.

Have you ever lived next to messy neighbors? Known or loved a hoarder? Did anything work to get the mess cleaned up? Get help for the hoarder? Stories, please.



A Matter of Opinion is really a matter of three opinions – those held by the people responsible for the opinion pages of The Spokesman-Review. Check in regularly to find out what they’re up to, what they think and where they differ and to joust with them if you want.