Yesterday, a friend of mine ask me which person at City Hall gave Alabama Power “permission” to cut down the beautiful trees across from City Hall. I told her that I didn’t think anyone at City Hall had the power to make that decision and especially give “permission” for such an act.That person would certainly not be very popular in this city right now. Could someone at City Hall please tell us that person’s position and also the job description for that position? A person with such power could really make dangerous decisions.
Perhaps this person thinks they are working for Alabama Power. Better still, maybe this person should be working for Alabama Power instead of the City of Jacksonville — if they like the way the city looks without its beautiful trees.
According to City Council member Sandra Sudduth, when speaking to the Kiwanians, she stated that the council’s project that she is particularly proud of is the work done to keep Jacksonville beautiful. She said, “We want this city to be a place you will be proud of, a place that you can bring your friends and you can talk about what a clean and beautiful place it is. We also want to do good planning. We still want to maintain that small town atmosphere.”
I agree with this whole-heartedly. However, I cannot understand why our beautiful trees were not mentioned in our Jacksonville beautification plan. How can our city remain beautiful with all its historic and other beautiful trees cut down or butchered when left standing?
How can we stand by and watch Alabama Power cut these trees to the ground, much less give them “permission” to do so?
Why was a preservation plan for our trees not addressed? Are we as Jacksonville citizens willing to stand by and watch this happen? We don’t need to feel that our hands are tied and there is nothing we can do. We can say “no” to things that we know are wrong, and we can demand justice and accountability for things that are right. We cannot stand by and be complacent — thus allowing bad things to happen.
I received a letter from the National Arbor Day Foundation inviting Jacksonville to become a “Tree City USA.” I received a packet of information for this prestigious honor. Do I dare present this information to our City Council for approval and action? This would absolutely be a positive step in the right direction. I would even be willing to help if needed, as I am sure many more citizens in this city would do the same. I am very proud of this city, and I am very proud to be living here. I cannot imagine living anywhere else. I want to help protect and preserve its historical beauty.
I heard a sermon preached on this subject just last Sunday and it is so appropriate. God sent this sermon especially for me to hear so I would know in my heart that I am doing the right thing. The preacher said, “Evil prevails when righteous men do nothing. We are the only hands and feet that God has. If we fail God by doing and saying nothing, then we will suffer loss. What we say shall prosper. I may not be able to do everything, but I can do something. We don’t know the ‘secret’ wishes of God.”
Some of us have been working very hard for the past several weeks to save the trees in Jacksonville. I feel that it’s time we all got on board. Either you are for us, or you are against us. You need to take a public stand to help protect and preserve our beautiful trees. The people of Jacksonville need to know where our leaders stand on this issue before our next election.
The preacher of the same sermon also said, “Have you taken a stand? Have you written one letter? We must stand up for our rights. We must reclaim America. The great sin of the Christian Church is the sin of doing nothing at all.”
Barbara T. Wilson
Jacksonville
We can manage our trees cooperatively
Jacksonville’s street trees are a resource both the city and the power company manage for our safety and benefit.
As Jacksonville residents, we need to consider the benefits and the management costs of our street trees to reach a sound decision about how to manage them.
We’ll reach a better decision if we all become more informed and cooperate. One place to start is the Center for Urban Forest Research at the Pacific Southwest Research Station (http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/programs/cufr/).
This Forest Service research station has developed free tools that communities can use to compare the costs and benefits of street trees.
Planting, pruning, and liability are some costs; energy conservation, storm water runoff control, and carbon sequestration (reducing global warming) are some benefits. In cities across the U.S., trees typically return $1.30 to $1.60 for every dollar invested. Unless my math fails me, that’s a 30-60% return on investment.
The recent tree controversy has highlighted a real opportunity for Jacksonville.
Without minimizing Alabama Power’s legitimate concerns about liability and maintenance costs, proper management of our trees could draw visitors to Jacksonville, as well as lowering our power bills and reducing flooding.
Pete Conroy of JSU has worked hard to alert tourists to the unique natural beauty of northeast Alabama. We are near the southern terminus of the Chief Ladiga Bike Trail, which soon may draw cyclists from Atlanta. We have the newest wilderness area in the country – Dugger Mountain – right out our backdoor, as well as the Pinhoti Trail, now connected to the Appalachian Trail that runs all the way to Maine. On McClellan, we recently added the Mountain Longleaf Pine National Wildlife Refuge; many of us have those protected pines growing in our yards or next door. And the Park Service, the Forest Service, and JSU have just broken ground for the Little River Canyon Field School, sure to attract many visitors.
By seizing this opportunity to manage our trees cooperatively, we can maintain our quality of life and assure that Jacksonville remains one of the “coolest” places to live in this part of the state.
Scott W. Beckett
Jacksonville
Don't remove entire trees
When commenting on the damage from recent storms, the Jacksonville News quoted Alabama Power spokesman Buddy Eiland as saying, “This kind of validates what we’ve been saying.”
If Mr. Eiland was referring to trimming trees as opposed to eradicating trees, then everyone agrees. No one wants power outages or their car or home damaged by falling limbs. What the citizens of Jacksonville oppose is Alabama Power’s new policy of systematically removing entire trees within 15 feet of power lines, leaving behind naked streets trimmed with stumps. Adding insult to injury, they’re using our money, collected through our electric bills to harm our yards and property values!
Now Alabama Power may rumble about increased costs, raising rates, etc., but don’t be fooled. According to their website, August/September marks its 238th consecutive quarter of dividend payments. Through hundreds of petition signatures, the large attendance and unanimous opinions voiced at the City Council meeting, numerous complaints to the Public Service Commission, and even chaining themselves to beloved trees, Jacksonville citizens have embodied our state motto, “We Dare Defend Our Rights.”
Alabama Power has a choice: Continue cutting and face delays, hearings, local and state intervention and hoards of angry customers, or continue the trimming policy and maintain harmony and appreciation.
Susan Hug
Jacksonville
Golden Saw musicians play at Senior Center
The Jacksonville Senior Center located in the new Community Center is blessed with many activities for seniors.
Weekly activities include exercise class, gospel singing, bingo, and a program.
Recently, the musicians from the Golden Saw Music Hall have agreed to come and play at the Center on the first Monday of each month at 10 a.m.
They are wonderful!
Next Monday, Aug. 6th, they will play at the Center.
For those who enjoy their playing and those who are curious to hear them, you are all invited!
They will play some country, some bluegrass, some gospel and some oldies. There is no charge – you will be enriched!
Carter Jones
Director
Jacksonville Senior Center
