So mad I could spit!

13 years ago

I'm supposed to be doing homework - I have two assignments due in 4 hours! - but I am so mad I need to get this off my chest so I can concentrate.

The city has sent out contractors to repave our streets, and they are doing my street today. I have some old crabapples close to the road, and I saw them whack at the branches with a backhoe, breaking them off so it would be easier for the large trucks to get by.

I was still in my PJs, so I ran and changed, then went outside after the damage had been done. They broke off a small branch (no big deal), and quite a large branch, one of the main branches of the tree.

When I got outside on of the workers was taking pictures of the damage, so they must have known they did something wrong. He told me there was no other way for them to get by, and they will be by later to saw off the jagged end when the branch once was. I pointed out that this large branch was obviously there for decades and didn't need to be removed when they had previously repaved the road, and he referred me to the forman for the job.

I talked to the forman, who admitted that he wished they had asked him first because he would have told them not to do it, it probably wasn't nessessary. He then gave me the number of someone at the city who is heading up this project.

I'm so mad!!! I haven'ty talked to the city guy yet because I don't know what I want, other to b*tch. I really want my branches back, but that's not going to happen. I am going to go take my own photos of what they did, but what do I do with them?

Just watching them WHACK at my old tree with their backhoe was infuriating.

What would you guys do about this?

Nicole

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Comments (3)

jay06
13 years ago
Well, if the tree was in the city's right-of-way, which it most likely was since it was close to the road, you probably shouldn't expect much more than an apology from the city and its contractor. This will be a lesson for the city on how not to do a street project. Residents should be forewarned that workers will be on their streets, and any obstacles should be pinpointed and discussed with the affected residents beforehand. I do this type of municipal PR for a living, and it's extremely important if a city wants its projects to run smoothly.
gracie-2006
13 years ago
I am so sorry for you and your horrible situation. It can not be fixed unfortunately, and that is what makes it so disturbing. Why in the world would they think they could do something like that without the homeowners permission? You should complain as high up on the chain of command that you can go. What a shame! Keep us posted!
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Shannon01
13 years ago
The bummer here is that nothing is going to restore the damage. Very sad. I would be livid!!! I have a cement block wall that is on two sides of my yard as I am on the end or corner with greenbelt behind me. It is really nice because we have trees all around but on the other side so no maintenance. Every now and again the county comes out and trims or whatnot. I have spoken with the supervisor on many occassions and he told me that if anything bothers us, looks overgrown, etc we can call him directly and they will immediatly take care of me. He said they do this for anyone in our type of location. We have called and each time they are fabulous. Your situation, even it they had the right away, just goes to show how workers, not all but many, just want to do the job but not necessarily do it right or well. No pride in quality or work. Unfortunately this is where this world is. Sorry, again.

So mad I could spit!

Comments (3)

jay06

gracie-2006

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Shannon01

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