Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Trustee Set to Reap Millions From Pilfered Tree: Arboriculture in Cold Spring, reprinted from PPCNR.com
JUN 26TH, 2014
Trustee Set to Reap Millions From Pilfered Tree
Arboriculture in Cold Spring
At the village board meeting on Tuesday it was a hot time in town when shocked trustees learned that Trustee Tree Girl’s once pathetic tree named “Larry” had real value.
Little did anyone know that the sickly sapling, owned by the village, would grow into the mighty oak that dropped the golden acorns. But as everyone knows, if juicy peaches, or golden acorns, fall on your property from someone else’s tree, they are yours to keep.
The tree, which some thought Trustee TG illegally placed on her own property, apparently needed personal attention while recovering from fungus on “his” tree parts. Trustee TG admitted that she is neither a certified arborist nor a licensed alchemist, and she stressed she was only trying to help poor “Larry” out.
Now, some angered residents and village trustees believe, Trustee TG harvests tens of thousand of dollars worth of “Larry’s” shiny nuggets each day–money that should have gone to the seniors.
While tempers were flaring, there was even an accusation that a trustee trespassed to view the tree up close. The trustee did not say where he was during the time when the trespass allegedly occurred. See what one peeping Tom provided to the PCNR here.
Where one trustee was furtive, another was bitter, calling the acorns worthless fool’s gold and demanding to know when she would be receiving a money tree.
Apparently, Trustee Tree Girl is already making plans for a brand new car with the nuts she’s squirreled away. She’s also helping the tree committee prepare a Q&A for village residents on how they can turn their trees into ATMs.
On Facebook, however, the scuttlebutt said Trustee TG was looking to upgrade her living situation. Now with “Larry” around, she needs a bit more space. She’s keen on either a home on High St. or something less run down in Garrison that comes equipped with concentration-camp-like security for “Larry’s” protection from spying and prying eyes.
Wherever she lands, sources say she’ll try to bring “Larry” with her.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Ginned-up Controversies ... and the price we pay....
A few days ago photograph of my garden was circulated in our Village, and accusatory questions raised regarding its content.
Because of this at last night's Village Board meeting I preemptively explained my role in fostering an ailing oak tree which is part of the Village's tree inventory and requires a sheltered environment and TLC. You can find out more about that here.
After I read my statement the PCN&R and Trustees Bowman & Fadde began an accusatory line of questioning which suggested wrong-doing on my part - and insinuated theft of municipal property.
On June 25th the PCN&R displayed a photograph of my garden attributed as "Photo Provided At the Village Board meeting."
Clearly - given the circulation of the photograph well before the meeting, and before the issue had been raised by me in public - there was a concerted effort to gin-up controversy which does not exist.
This effort appears to be lead by the PCN&R and our Freshman Trustees. It appears to be part of a continuing campaign to undermine the public trust and erode faith in our local government, our elected officials and appointed volunteers.
For me, I believe this campaign is retribution for standing up for my Constitutional right of Free Speech during and after our Village Election in March. See also links below.
But for the rest of the community, I believe these efforts are aimed at discouraging and intimidating residents who would otherwise enthusiastically contribute their time and talents for the benefit of our community.
That is a loss for all of us.
***
Correcting the record again ... Hawkins wants greater certainty of the final costs ....
At its June 24th workshop, the Village Board discussed accepting the Marino Family's offer for the Grove Property.
Contrary to reporting in the PCN&R on June 25th it is not "because of "Hawkins' effort to obtain more funds, the matter will be discussed at another meeting."
The matter will be discussed next Tuesday, July 1st because I asked that the Village take time to have more certainty of the final cost of removing the Grove's oil tank and confidence in the condition of the ground under the tank before the Village Board commits to a final purchase price on the Grove.
The Village Highway Department will excavate the oil tank next Monday, June 30th. At that time the Village will have better information about the condition of the site and the final cost of the tank removal.
***
I believe the Village would be remiss (if not negligent) if it were to agree on a sale price for this property before knowing with greater certainty that no additional monies will be required to be spent related to the oil tank's removal. In the event the Village uncovers oil-contaminated soil during excavation, the Village will be obliged to undertake a clean up that will cost us all much more than the modest $1,460 price of the tank removal.
I appreciate and respect the fact that despite the fact that they may have disagreed with my concerns, Trustees Campbell, Bowman and Fadde deferred voting to establish the sale price until next week when the Mayor will also be present to discuss.
Many thanks, My Colleagues.
Correcting the record again ...
At its June 24th workshop, the Village Board heard public comment from Kathleen Foley, a member of the Tree Advisory Committee.
Contrary to reporting in the PCN&R on June 25th, the Tree Advisory Committee does not and has not "[wanted] the committee to have jurisdiction over trees on private property"
For that matter, Kathleen Foley has never wanted the committee to have jurisdiction over trees on private property.
Contrary to reporting in the PCN&R on June 25th, the Tree Advisory Committee does not and has not "[wanted] the committee to have jurisdiction over trees on private property"
For that matter, Kathleen Foley has never wanted the committee to have jurisdiction over trees on private property.
Village Board Resolution #43-2013 states clearly that the purpose of the Tree Advisory Committee is "to assist in the development of an ordinance to create a Tree Commission and a public Tree Management Plan for overseeing the proper planting, pruning, preserving and health, community management and involvement of the replacement and of existing and future trees located or to be located within the Village rights of way"
Village of rights of way are not private property.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Anthracnosis on Quercus Rubra ...... nerdy but completely salvagable, thank goodness!
One of the consequences of stress on our trees is the leaf disease anthracnose which is caused by a fungal infection of the fungus Apiognomonia.
One of our recently purchased shade trees slated for planting on the north side of Main Street became stressed in the heat wave we enjoyed in late May and started to display characteristics of ill-health before it was planted. Our Forester from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation identified its symptoms as anthracnose.
 |
| Dolefully infected leaf. |
According to our DEC Forester, anthracnose - like many fungi - is ubiquitous in our environment and will proliferate when a tree is in a stressed or weakened condition. Antrhacnose effects deciduous hardwoods including but not limited to Ash (Fraxinus), oak (Quercus), sycamore (Platanus), maple (Acer), and dogwood (Cornus). Symptoms can include: Small dead spots on leaves, dead leaf margins and tips, brown, dead areas along leaf veins, large dead blotches between leaf veins, premature defoliation, twig death, bud killing early in the season resembling frost damage, often the lower and inner leaves and branches of the canopy show most severe symptoms. Unfortunately, these symptoms were displayed by our Red Oak making the tree unsuitable for planting in the full sun of our Main Street for both aesthetic and health reasons. Our DEC Forester has recommended shelter of partial shade and regular watering to set our infected Red Oak to rights. You can read a little about that here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)