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What is this?
City can't govern Mother Nature
Published Friday, June 19, 2009
If a tree falls in the empty woods, it doesn’t make a sound. But if a tree falls on a car, it’s a call to action.
In the last few weeks, Natchez has seen two freak incidents in which trees or tree limbs fell onto moving cars.
First on Canal Street then on Morgantown Road, two drivers had unexpected roadblocks.
Thankfully, both drivers walked away from their totaled vehicles unharmed.
The first incident sparked Natchez aldermen to discuss the city’s role in offering protection to motorists by trimming tree limbs back from the roadways.
We are glad the aldermen are considerate of safety, but we don’t think trees are something that can be governed.
Of the thousands of trees in Natchez, only two have fallen on vehicles recently. Sure, that’s two, too many, but let’s be realistic. Has man ever been able to stop Mother Nature?
Cutting trees and limbs back from roadways is a monumental task. “Where to begin?” is the true question.
And even if the city were in the tree-trimming business, a tree could still fall on another vehicle.
The city’s budget is in no condition to start new projects, especially unrealistic ones.
We don’t want to see any drivers injured or cars damaged by falling trees, but we also simply cannot control such.
The city leaders need to focus repairing a broken budget and governing the people — not the trees.
Comments
Posted by EnKiKur (Marty Ellerbe) on June 19, 2009 at 12:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The city leaders need to focus on governing the people? Is this China or Korea?
Hey, Democrat! In this country the people govern the government, not the other way around! Or at least they have the right and duty to.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 6:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish the city would govern the folks that trash the walkway along the bluff. And the folks that let houses rot. And the silly skateboarders. And the rude folks on loud motorcycles. And the gnats.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 6:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is cheaper to plan cutting these trees than it is to clean up after a storm. This is one of those basic needs I keep mentioning. Trimming back the trees benefits more people than mowing parks and ballfields.
Posted by Torch (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for a common sense artical. We can't cut every tree limb over hanging the roads. We can't afford to fill the pot holes or fix our bucket truck. They are talking about laying people off.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
are you kidding.....
"where to begin"?? It doesn't matter, just get started and don't stop. Any member of the public works crew with one eye and half a brain can ride along and look up and figure which limbs are likely to be a danger, and CUT THEM DOWN!!
should the police quit patrolling the streets because there are too many people speeding to give tickets? NO!
Should public works quit clearing drainage ditches and cutting grass because it is too much work? NO!
Should the tax collector quit collecting taxes because it is too much trouble? NO!
Governing trees? What an stupid remark, all you need is a chainsaw to "govern" any tree, and anyway, no one is talking about cutting every tree alongside the road, only dangerous limbs that are way out over the road precariously .
this is an ongoing task that should be constantly monitored and not allowed to get out of control
just like anything else, we all have our daily chores that have to be tended to or things get out of control, including keeping tree limbs cut back constantly
so quit making excuses for being LAZY and get those tree limbs cut back for everyone's safety
this has got to be the most lame editorial yet, absolutely no logic at all, other than a call for city officials to be negligent and lazy in their duties to take care of our city streets
Posted by fraidoclowns (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree. Two trees have fallen on cars in how many years? We're in the worst financial crisis since the depression. We don't need to spend money on something we have no control over, especially since those two people had obviously done something terrible and God was trying to get 'em.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess it is true you can't govern mother nature. What you can do it cut down trees. Why waste the effort to trim limbs especially if the tree is on a right of way. Cut it down and be done with it. Most of the trimming done by entergy was of trees on right of ways. If they had cut them down they wouldn't have to do it again for a decade. Trees are leaning over highways and streets all over town. This area used to have a lot of loggers, maybe some of the trees have enough value to be cut by them.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Another thing you can't do ,heard cats on a trail drive to Montana.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do you hate trees so much scotty?
Loggers aren't going to cut the trees unless they have a lot of trees in one small area to harvest, then they do not clean up. One tree here and one there won't do it for them.
Posted by southernwoman (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The cut trees/limbs can be used/sold for firewood. Seems to me that trees should be kept trimmed and healthy or be cut down by the property owner so as to not cause being on the streets of Natchez so hazardous.
I don't see this as city responsibility or liability - I take care of this myself on my property - and I'm a dam librul.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree southernwoman
I've cut two big oaks out of my yard that were hazardous, not so much as a road hazard as a hazard to my own house, but yes anyone with trees or bushes that are a road hazard should get off their lazy tail and cut them back or down altogether
my neighbors, especially after the last tornado caused many trees to fall and crush houses, are cutting trees to make their houses safer, and the same goes for the road, CUT EM BACK OR DOWN
and the city has property on which trees need to be cut and the paper shouldn't make excuses for the city not to get it done....
and AMEN Enkikur, we the people, for the people, by the people......and liberty and justice for all
Posted by double011 (anonymous) on June 21, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me ask you Democrat, if those trees would have landed on you walking along the bluff, canal st or Morgantown road would you want action, ITS NOT MOTHER NATURE WHEN THE TREE WAS ROTTEN AND THEY HAD PRIOR , KNOWLEDGE, BYW this is the third occurance one happened on the bluff in front of 150 spectators at a chamber of commerce event guess what the CITY HAD TO PAY MY FRIEND for his loss.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on June 28, 2009 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not scared. Hmmm. Let's see, a choice between tree-covered lanes, tree lined streets and the occasional limb falling.
Odds are it will not be me on the city streets, and I have to clean my own driveway, anyhow. That is likely where my limb will come from.
Keep the tree lined and tree covered roads lush. Have the crews look up to see the ones that are impending.
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