On April 9, 2002, I went to Pauley Drive in West Hempstead to determine if Nichols had, in fact, moved.

The first neighbor I spoke with informed me Nichols moved after the people she sold her house to, "kicked" Nichols out of the house Nichols sold them.

This neighbor informed me that Nichols dogs would frequently roam the neighborhood unsupervised. Several neighbors, including children, were bitten by Nichols dogs. She also informed me neighbors were reluctant to take action against Nichols because they felt sorry for her when she would lie down on the ground and start crying and carrying on, apparently seeking sympathy.

Several times during our chat, this former neighbor of Nichols, who lived across the street from her, referred to Nichols as, "nuts."

After speaking with this neighbor, I noticed a person exiting Nichols former residence. I engaged him in conversation.

He informed me he was the new owner of the residence. The new owner, John, stated that after closing, he went to move into the house Nichols sold him, only to find Nichols had not moved her belonging out of his new house. He told me he was left with no other option but to move Nichols belongings out of his house for her. He placed her belongings by the curb before Nichols loaded them into containers and had them carted away.

John told me that all his new neighbors knew Nichols was, "nuts." He also informed me Nichols kept three or four dogs in the house and a few in the backyard.

Before ending our conversation, John gave me the name of the realtor who sold the house for Nichols and suggested I contact him if I wanted to locate Nichols.

After speaking with John, I went to speak with the people who lived directly across the street from Nichols corner house. A young woman with several children in the house answered the door and was reluctant to open the screen door to speak with me, a perfect stranger to her. I applaud her for using common sense. She suggested I speak to her next door neighbor. Instead, I went back across the street and spoke with Nichols former next door neighbor.

After ringing the bell, I was greeted by a man who told me his name is Gordon. Gordon told me he did not know Nichols very well and he, "steered away from her because I had a funny feeling about her."

Gordon also told me he was not happy with the way Nichols maintained her property because it, "looked like hell." Gordon informed me he had his own landscaper take care of Nichols property and that Nichols promised to repay him for this service. She never did compensate Gordon for his act of kindness.

Gordon stated that he and Nichols were never, "buddy, buddy," but he did act neighborly toward her by waving hello when he saw her. Gordon was very surprised that after living next door to him for three or four years, Nichols did not bother to say goodbye to him when she moved away.

While speaking with Gordon, without provocation, he informed he wished he could remember Nichols maiden name. He also stated that Nichols had married and divorced in the time she lived next door to him. Gordon asked his wife, Carol, if she could remember Nichols maiden name. Carol could not remember it either, but took the time to locate an old address book and find Nichols maiden name. Carol informed me Nichols maiden name is, Klimin.

Gordon went on to tell me that his new neighbor, John, filled five dumpsters with "shit" while repairing damage that was caused by Nichols animals defecating and urinating in her house.

Gordon was reluctant to speak about gossip or rumors concerning Nichols and suggested I speak to the neighbor across the street, whose son looked after Nichols animals from time to time.

I took a walk across the street and spoke with a very nice woman who immediately identified Nichols picture while pointing to her former residence. My conversation with this woman, who I will refer to as Mrs. Smith, revealed she is a compassionate person who, in a way, befriended Nichols.

Mrs. Smith informed me her son would look after Nichols animals when she was away. Mrs. Smith also stated that the people who bought Nichols house gutted the residence because of the condition that was created by Nichols cats and dogs. At this point, Mr. Smith joined us and interjected that Nichols, "had a lot of cats and dogs." Mr. Smith also stated that, "she [Nichols] was nice when she moved in here, but then she had a lot of problems."

Mr. Smith told me that Nichols always wore a rather large leg brace. He went on to tell me that Nichols once owned a horse that she kept at a local stable in Hempstead. He told me that he and his wife had once visited the stable and observed Nichols riding her horse. He went on to say that he did not know how Nichols managed to ride her horse while wearing the leg brace. The Smiths also told me that Nichols had once fallen off her horse and sustained injuries.

Mrs. Smith volunteered the fact that Nichols had married after moving in across the street from her and her husband. She also stated that after her divorce from her husband, Victor, Nichols depended on the Nassau County "HEAP" program to pay her heating bills.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith talked about the boat and two "rotting" cars which Nichols kept in her driveway for about three or four years. Mrs. Smith went on to tell me how the manner in which Nichols maintained her property had caused some neighbors to call the police. Mrs. Smith also stated some neighbors were annoyed with Nichols because her animals would get loose and raise havoc in the neighborhood.

Mrs. Smith told me "all the police officers" in the neighborhood knew Paula Nichols because she was the victim of harassment by some of her neighbors. She also suggested that the police showed deference to Nichols because of her [alleged] physical problems.

Mrs. Smith stated she could not count the number of times the police were called to her street because of problems involving Paula Nichols. Mrs. Smith said, "if she [Nichols] spit on the street, the police were called." Mr. Smith quickly added, "I never saw a cop on this street till Paula Nichols moved in."

As our conversation concluded, Mr. and Mrs. Smith agreed that Paula Nichols had physical and mental problems.

My conversations with three of Paula Nichols former neighbors revealed Nichols is a person who apparently lacked concern for her neighbors and neighborhood. Her former neighbors painted a picture of a person who was harassed by her neighbors and who apparently thought of herself as a helpless victim.

Other than to "thank" the nice people on Pauley Drive, who now have their neighborhood's peace and tranquility restored with Nichols departure, need I say more?