Pines are worthless.
Gail Stebbins awoke to the clamor of chain saws Thursday and was shocked to see a city crew dismantling an 80-foot pine in front of her Peachtree Street home.
The crew told her the homeowner wanted it removed -- and even produced a work order with a transcript of a complaint that the tree was "leaning" and could fall and "kill someone."
"I told the man I didn't ask anyone to cut it down," Mrs. Stebbins said. "Then they tried to tell me they had talked to my husband, which wasn't true, either."
Although she asked them to stop cutting, the crew removed the tree anyway.
She complained to Augusta Commissioner Joe Bowles, who discovered that the person who requested the removal of the tree wasn't anyone from Mrs. Stebbins' home -- or even her street.
The caller lived around the corner on Walton Way, but the crew apparently thought that caller was the homeowner.
Mrs. Stebbins asked Mr. Bowles if someone could send a city crew to cut trees at someone else's home simply by making a phone call.
"That's what we're trying to find out," Mr. Bowles said. "The concern starts from there and goes on to wondering why they would continue to cut it down when she clearly said she didn't want it cut down."
Dennis Stroud, assistant director of the city's Maintenance Division -- who oversees the tree crews -- said it doesn't matter who asks that a tree be removed -- or who asks that it not be removed.
"She doesn't own the tree," he said of Mrs. Stebbins. "It's not her property -- it's on county property. So it doesn't matter if she wants it removed or not."
Mr. Stroud said he approved the removal of the tree because it was found to be dangerously diseased, and that it is not unusual for a concerned resident to call in a request for tree removal.
Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Pines are worthless.
How does one "dismantle" a tree?????
So, which was it? Was it leaning badly or was it dangerously diseased? Guess it could've been both. Oh, well. The homeowner should look at it this way, at least there'll be alot less pine cones to pick up! I'd get'em to grind out that stump though.
OK Dennis Stroud, this may not be her property but she has to maintain it. You need to finish your work and remove that eye sore of a stump from her yard. Grind that stump, remove the chips, put some dirt down and plant some grass. You need to make that look like that tree never existed.
Your Disgusta Government at work.
Assuming a tree is on your property because it's in front of your house doesn't make it so. Why is this even news worthy?
Who Cares???? What No News Again Today???
This is on par for Augusta, no one in charge in this city knows what their doing. Never has, politicis should require some formal education in economics, business, something that shows they are educated enough to handle the task at hand. NO, as long as the people want them...Whow, does that statement ever spill over. Reminds me of someone who just allowed $165,000,000 in employee bonus's. So far I am not impressed with his performance.
iletuknow...Again another useless statement. I am amazed at the people on this forum. No one can stay on topic. Did anyone read where this article was asking for opinions?
Just My Opinion ...Is that the stance you would take if those workers were on your property? Cutting down your tree? Then ignoring you when you say STOP? I seriously doubt it! Come on would some of you wake up?....... RW1953 ...If you don't care? Why open your BIG MOUTH? I know, no one listens to you in real life so now you have captive audience. OMG
Gail Stebbins..If you are reading this call Ken Nugent & sue the city of Augusta, that will get their attention! That's the only way to get anything done in this politically hick town!
politicallyNcorrect, you make justus4all look bright. If the tree was on city right of way (apparently is was) and was either diseased or leaning it presented a potential hazard and removal was appropriate. Had they left it in place and it had fallen on a car or home, people like you would have been the first to complain about the city not doing thier job. As for Mr. Stroud's qualifications, you obviously couldn't afford to buy a clue.
The statement that this tree was on county property makes this entire discussion moot.
Then get the City to remove the stump..Just like City of Augusta, everything done half [filtered word].
politicallyNcorrect: "no one in charge in this city knows what their doing." Uh, I believe you are mistaken; they knew exactly what they were doing-they were cutting down the damaged tree!! If you read the article and looked at the photo you could see the tree is far from the house in the background, which probably means it WASN'T on the homeowners property...As far as your rant regarding politics I have one question: She called and got the answer from Mr. Stroud, it may not have been the answer what she wanted but she got an answer, deal with it, it happens, sometimes you lose... You had an assumptive homeowner come out and disturb a city crew cutting down a tree, and was proptly told to mind her business...Politics was absent from the scenario...And most politicians have a degree, perhaps not necessarily in economics and business, but truth told having a background in economics and business doesn't make you prepared to serve people, which is what politicians are SUPPOSED to be doing! Your idea lacks fundamental thought and depth, sounds like assumptive rantings...
Unlilke you all I believe in due process. As citizens we have rights this was handled just like Obama is doing with our money he gives it away & no one gets a say in it. That's what happened with this tree, the lady should have been contacted before just showing up & cutting it down. You people are so eager to fight with anyone & it seems you don't care for anyone's right's but your own. You all wake up every day to sign on & harasass any & all you can. Anyone who does not get on board with the way you think, you all attack like mad dogs. This tree inncident was simply handled wrong, you would not be happy if it were your tree & you know it.
(Q)That's what we're trying to find out," Mr. Bowles said. "The concern starts from there and goes on to wondering why they would continue to cut it down when she clearly said she didn't want it cut down."(UQ) This was written by commissioner Bowles, he is clearly stating they should have STOPED untill some questions could be answered. Any one with haly a brain would agree it should have been handled in this way. Right or wrong only concerns you when it's your rights. You all at like little brats & wanting to fuss & fight like kids. The lady clearly had rights & you all don't care about them. You all act like little brats & cause all the trouble you can..Silly little people no one has any rights unless you agree what they should be.
Wasn't a man in Augusta in trouble a couple of years ago for trimming "his trees" that he had planted on the right of way?
They were Crape Myrtles as I recall. So Augusta, which is it? Do YOU have control of trees along the streets, or do the homeowners? Like others have said though, come back and finish the job on this ugly tree stump.
the tree does not belong to her period. she would be the first one to complain if it fell on her property. if diseased, it could fall, hit a person walking. why is that so hard to understand....
Joe Bowles is wrong. It happens. Why shoudl someone be contacted about removal of a tree that is not on their property? What rights were violated, it wasn't her tree? By the way, do you live in Richmond County?
areyoukidding ..your response is what people do when they will not admit being wrong. Everything you said is not the the answer. They should have stoped to get some answers & commisioner Bowles agree's. That is all that this is about. As usual Augusta handles things wrong when they clearly should do otherwise. And as usual you all talk about everything but what's right.
This guy Stroud is the problem. He assumed way too much authority, is defending an indefensable position, hasn't a clue as to how to deal with people, and is handling it all wrong. Fire this moron.
You all (citizens of Augusta) do realize that, had the tree fallen, YOU would be getting sued for damages. Encouraging a lawsuit against yourself is pretty doggone stupid Mr. Correct.
edieed, on what facts do you base your opinion?
So what number do I have to call to have them cut a tree down, Im on peachtree too.....
The result. Who's next on this guys list? He's out of control. This is the kind of person who, if you put a badge on him, could really do some serious damage. One of these days he'll land the City in court, you watch.
Again, based on what? The crew cut down a tree that was on city property that presented a safety hazard. How is that "out of control"?
The tree, while on the right of way, was in her yeard. Just like your sprinkler system, it may be yours but the city has a right of way that extends across property lines. That is so you can't hold up improvements, i.e. utility lines, water sewage, not take down someones tree. The guy from the trees dept should be made to apologize for his rude tone towards the homeowner and the person that falsified the complaint, saying they were the home owner should be jailed for impersonating the homeowner. If this doesn't fly, just call in this persons address to have the mailbox, the lawn, treees and any cars parked out front removed from the property. After all, according to the tree dept, anyone and have this done.
The right of way is not your yard. The tree crew could have removed the tree with no call. Their mission is to try to remove trees that are diseased and present a hazard to life and property. I seriously doubt the guys on the tree crew were the ones that took the call. They probably had nothing more to go on than the information that a resident on the street called in to request removal of a hazardous tree. They did their job. Unless you were there, you are assuming that the people were rude and the homeowner was a model of decorum. Again, the tree was on city right of way. The call could have been from anyone and the responsibility to remove a hazard remains.
This was a public safety issue. Nothing more, nothing less. You people are amusing.
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