Western Minn. city settles case over garden
The City Council in the western Minnesota town of Watson has agreed to let a town resident keep a vegetable garden which had sparked turmoil in the community.
The city of Watson took Aziz Ansari to court in 2008 over Ansari's vegetable garden. The city said the hoop coverings over the garden violated city ordinance.
Ansari, who was born in Pakistan, said racial prejudice was the motive behind the city action. The town split over the issue, and the dispute lead to heated arguments at City Council meetings.
In the settlement, Ansari gets to keep his gardens, plus the city will pay him $50,000. City Council Member Mike Huntley says the deal is good for the community.
"It was time to put this behind us," says Huntley. "I think both sides are ready to get this thing dealt with and move forward."
As part of the settlement Aziz Ansari also agreed to drop his federal discrimination suit against the city.
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