If you have any feelings for the old cottonwood at Gantenbein - today is the day to say goodbye - it is now being taken down.
On days when its cotton is in my food, mouth, and eyes....I go yuck! [or went yuck]
But on the many more other days - when it was alive with birds and their singing - well that made up for eating cotton...
But after today - no more. It's a tree I have a view of from my house - it will be odd to look out and not see it and I can only hope that what seems like millions of birds - find new homes.
And as a cynic who has no trust in an administration that disses real science - I ask - what if as soon as next year when we have real scientists back in the administration of government agencies [you know the ones who don't alter finding of their subordinates] - what if they then decide that old trees on levees are a good thing?
Addendum - beware - if you walk near the tree - a chorus of tree cutting idiots will wonder aloud what would happen if a tree limb were to fall on you...I walked by with my dog [the road is blocked off at the other end so the tree direction was about it for dog walking] and we were way outside the orange cones. A bicyclist also went by with his 2 kids. We all got called stupid and we were all wished damage done to us by falling tree limbs... [nice people]
I went back with my camcorder and they were silent- easier to be stupid when there is no video around!
Showing posts with label Bridgeton trees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bridgeton trees. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Tree Cutting Has Started
This morning the tree cutting started at the school end of the road so they can be done with that before students return to classes.
It was sad watching large old trees disappear in moments. I shot some video but will not get it edited and uploaded til later tonight.
The cutting will continue westward as the weeks go on....
br>
It was sad watching large old trees disappear in moments. I shot some video but will not get it edited and uploaded til later tonight.
The cutting will continue westward as the weeks go on....
br>
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Tree Updates
Many have asked when the trees will be cut - I don't know. Some trees had city permits and the appeal deadline has passed for those needing permits....
I am guessing it depends on DD2 getting the permits in hand for all trees so they can hire the crew and remove all the trees in short order. We'll know when they start - it will be noisy here!
And a reminder - there is a meeting about the Trammell Crow apartment complex Wednesday August 6th at the Marriott - 7 PM
I am guessing it depends on DD2 getting the permits in hand for all trees so they can hire the crew and remove all the trees in short order. We'll know when they start - it will be noisy here!
And a reminder - there is a meeting about the Trammell Crow apartment complex Wednesday August 6th at the Marriott - 7 PM
Monday, July 14, 2008
Tree Update
Today the notices were posted along the road or tied on the trees that are to be cut down.
Some trees do not need city permits and some do. For those needing permits - there is a time frame in which to comment on the permit.
The tree committee and the drainage district agreed on these marked trees and signed off on the plan...so these trees are going to be gone! If one is your favorite - go take a picture soon...
Click on this sentence to read the Certification Plan.
Some trees do not need city permits and some do. For those needing permits - there is a time frame in which to comment on the permit.
The tree committee and the drainage district agreed on these marked trees and signed off on the plan...so these trees are going to be gone! If one is your favorite - go take a picture soon...
Click on this sentence to read the Certification Plan.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Oregonian article
Today's Oregonian has an article about the Bridgeton tree issue. Read it for an overview and update:
Click HERE
In my recollection of legal lingo there is a saying something like "a trial is the prime example of the failure of negotiation"....well that's what happened here. Only after a trial, and after the city's request that the two sides negotiate followed by the city's denial of the permit that the DD requested and requested that it happen AFTER negotiating - only then did the two sides sit and talk.
What a waste of tax payer monies. Not only is the BNA Board still looking for ways to raise money to pay off the legal fees, taxpayers paid for the court time and will also wind up paying for the cost of the DD attorney fees!
Maybe the next time an issue arises, the "powers that be" will not lie to the citizens but will try to communicate honestly and in good faith before taking unilateral action - and maybe the neighborhood association will start communicating to it's constituents openly and in a more timely manner.
Click HERE
In my recollection of legal lingo there is a saying something like "a trial is the prime example of the failure of negotiation"....well that's what happened here. Only after a trial, and after the city's request that the two sides negotiate followed by the city's denial of the permit that the DD requested and requested that it happen AFTER negotiating - only then did the two sides sit and talk.
What a waste of tax payer monies. Not only is the BNA Board still looking for ways to raise money to pay off the legal fees, taxpayers paid for the court time and will also wind up paying for the cost of the DD attorney fees!
Maybe the next time an issue arises, the "powers that be" will not lie to the citizens but will try to communicate honestly and in good faith before taking unilateral action - and maybe the neighborhood association will start communicating to it's constituents openly and in a more timely manner.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Brief Summary of Pen2/BNA Meeting
The following is a summary of the 10/30/07 meeting (3-6pm) with Pen2:
At the suggestion of the City Forester, Dave McAllister, BNA and Pen2 met to work towards a mutually agreed upon plan for tree removal and mitigation.
Present:
BNA: Walter Valenta, Tom Kelly, Alise Goforth
Pen2: Dick Shafer
ACOE: Jeremy Britton
The group walked the length of the levee from Marine Drive to Columbia Way West Moorage to inspect marked trees and then sat down to discuss the situation.
No decisions were reached - and a second joint meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, November 6 at 3 pm.
At the suggestion of the City Forester, Dave McAllister, BNA and Pen2 met to work towards a mutually agreed upon plan for tree removal and mitigation.
Present:
BNA: Walter Valenta, Tom Kelly, Alise Goforth
Pen2: Dick Shafer
ACOE: Jeremy Britton
The group walked the length of the levee from Marine Drive to Columbia Way West Moorage to inspect marked trees and then sat down to discuss the situation.
No decisions were reached - and a second joint meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, November 6 at 3 pm.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Trees not requiring a permit for removal
From what I understand the 40 trees not requiring a permit for removal are the little ones that are not in the forty-five foot right of way.
So this 40 includes the little trees at Captain's Moorage, the firs trees at Columbia Way west, the little trees at Wayne's (which are no longer tagged orange), and little trees at the Mews.
And maybe the one at Blue Frog, but I think it is too close to the street right of way.
So this 40 includes the little trees at Captain's Moorage, the firs trees at Columbia Way west, the little trees at Wayne's (which are no longer tagged orange), and little trees at the Mews.
And maybe the one at Blue Frog, but I think it is too close to the street right of way.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Tree removal permits - update
One of the BNA board members has tried, without success so far, to meet with the Pen 2 people to see if they can work out a joint plan as suggested by the City.
In spite of the city request to negotiate - Pen 2 went ahead and requested a permit to cut 124 trees under the emergency tree removal provision of the City code.
This application was denied as the City does not find there to be an emergency but 40 of the 124 trees identified in the application fall outside of City regulation.
Which are those 40 trees is unknown right now - and the question has been put to the city.
Updates posted as they arrive on my computer : - )
In spite of the city request to negotiate - Pen 2 went ahead and requested a permit to cut 124 trees under the emergency tree removal provision of the City code.
This application was denied as the City does not find there to be an emergency but 40 of the 124 trees identified in the application fall outside of City regulation.
Which are those 40 trees is unknown right now - and the question has been put to the city.
Updates posted as they arrive on my computer : - )
Notes from a meeting with the Portland Police Bureau
The following notes are from a meeting between Bridgeton residents and the Portland Police Bureau.
The meeting took place October 22, 2007
#####
Present:
* Portland Police Bureau - Lieutenant Robert Day, Officer Colby Panter
* Ellen Osoinach, Deputy City Attorney
* BNA - Brian Stipak, Carol Emory, Leslie Sawyer
Meeting purpose was to discuss possible conflict over cutting Bridgeton trees and the Police Bureau's response to a conflict.
Brian stated that we hope the drainage district will act lawfully and follow required City tree permit procedures, and that the possibility of illegal tree cutting may now be lower because the board of supervisors for the drainage district may now be more involved. Brian stated that the BNA would act legally, would only intervene to stop illegal cutting, would not trespass on any private land against the wishes of a landowner, and would phone 911 as part of our response to illegal cutting.
Brian also gave Lieutenant Day and Ms. Osoinach copies of the letter signed by Bob Eaton which was distributed to residences in the Bridgeton area on September 18, 2007 informing them the drainage district would cut trees starting the next day. Brian pointed out the section in the letter which stated "any attempt to delay the progress will result in arrest of the person".
Lieutenant Day said that it would have been nice if the drainage district had contacted them before saying that the police would arrest people. He and Ellen Osoinach explained that the police would not arrest people for standing in the way of tree cutting unless there was a court order saying that residents could not interfere with the cutting, or unless someone was attempting to harm another person or property. Ms. Osoinach expressed concern about the potential for protesters to trespass on the private property of owners who actually wanted their trees cut.
Overall, Lt. Day was reassuring and made clear that the Police Bureau would not take sides in the conflict and would not arrest any Bridgeton residents on the basis of what was said by a drainage district official.
Carol said that the actions of Dave Hendricks as the operations manager for the drainage district has caused many people to have grave concerns about the safety of the levee. She cited how Hendricks said in court that he disagrees with the City Attorney and the City Forester and believes that he has the right to cut trees without obtaining tree cutting permits. She voiced the concern of many residents about the effect of removing trees on the safety of the levee and houses. She also repeated Brian's hope that the drainage district now will go through the tree cutting permit process with the City Forester.
Leslie said that we would probably not have thought of intervening to stop illegal tree cutting, except that the City Forester said that his response if the drainage district cut trees without going through the proper tree cutting process would be to fine the district. That would be a double hit for the residents. The trees would be gone with a higher potential of levee failure and the residents would have to pay the fines through increased taxes.
Lieutenant Day and Officer Panter have driven the area and were aware of the power company "trimming" of the trees at the school and the trees already cut at PYC. They did not know that all of those trees plus most of the other big and small trees on the levee were slated to be cut. They now understand the magnitude of the number of trees slated to be cut and our concerns for the safety of the levee.
They said that any call concerning tree cutting on Bridgeton Road would be taken seriously and there would be supervisors on site as well as police. They welcomed the constructive purpose and manner of our contact, Brian's patient persistence in arranging the meeting, and said that it was useful for them to be able to alert the day officers who might be less familiar with the neighborhood than the evening officers who attend our meetings.
#####
The meeting took place October 22, 2007
#####
Present:
* Portland Police Bureau - Lieutenant Robert Day, Officer Colby Panter
* Ellen Osoinach, Deputy City Attorney
* BNA - Brian Stipak, Carol Emory, Leslie Sawyer
Meeting purpose was to discuss possible conflict over cutting Bridgeton trees and the Police Bureau's response to a conflict.
Brian stated that we hope the drainage district will act lawfully and follow required City tree permit procedures, and that the possibility of illegal tree cutting may now be lower because the board of supervisors for the drainage district may now be more involved. Brian stated that the BNA would act legally, would only intervene to stop illegal cutting, would not trespass on any private land against the wishes of a landowner, and would phone 911 as part of our response to illegal cutting.
Brian also gave Lieutenant Day and Ms. Osoinach copies of the letter signed by Bob Eaton which was distributed to residences in the Bridgeton area on September 18, 2007 informing them the drainage district would cut trees starting the next day. Brian pointed out the section in the letter which stated "any attempt to delay the progress will result in arrest of the person".
Lieutenant Day said that it would have been nice if the drainage district had contacted them before saying that the police would arrest people. He and Ellen Osoinach explained that the police would not arrest people for standing in the way of tree cutting unless there was a court order saying that residents could not interfere with the cutting, or unless someone was attempting to harm another person or property. Ms. Osoinach expressed concern about the potential for protesters to trespass on the private property of owners who actually wanted their trees cut.
Overall, Lt. Day was reassuring and made clear that the Police Bureau would not take sides in the conflict and would not arrest any Bridgeton residents on the basis of what was said by a drainage district official.
Carol said that the actions of Dave Hendricks as the operations manager for the drainage district has caused many people to have grave concerns about the safety of the levee. She cited how Hendricks said in court that he disagrees with the City Attorney and the City Forester and believes that he has the right to cut trees without obtaining tree cutting permits. She voiced the concern of many residents about the effect of removing trees on the safety of the levee and houses. She also repeated Brian's hope that the drainage district now will go through the tree cutting permit process with the City Forester.
Leslie said that we would probably not have thought of intervening to stop illegal tree cutting, except that the City Forester said that his response if the drainage district cut trees without going through the proper tree cutting process would be to fine the district. That would be a double hit for the residents. The trees would be gone with a higher potential of levee failure and the residents would have to pay the fines through increased taxes.
Lieutenant Day and Officer Panter have driven the area and were aware of the power company "trimming" of the trees at the school and the trees already cut at PYC. They did not know that all of those trees plus most of the other big and small trees on the levee were slated to be cut. They now understand the magnitude of the number of trees slated to be cut and our concerns for the safety of the levee.
They said that any call concerning tree cutting on Bridgeton Road would be taken seriously and there would be supervisors on site as well as police. They welcomed the constructive purpose and manner of our contact, Brian's patient persistence in arranging the meeting, and said that it was useful for them to be able to alert the day officers who might be less familiar with the neighborhood than the evening officers who attend our meetings.
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