Taking issue with request to water trees

I read with amusement, irony and annoyance the Whitefish Pilot’s Aug. 12 story titled, “Councilor asks residents to water thirsty trees.”

Part of the irony is that the city, without consulting with property owners, planted a slew of trees (that appear to be glorified bushes) in the boulevards associated with many neighborhoods, but especially along Colorado Avenue.

One of the problems with Colorado Avenue is that the sidewalk associated with this street is only on the west side, hence only the property owners on that side received trees. Yet the sidewalk was intended to benefit both sides, as well as encouraging an alternative biking and pedestrian route to Wisconsin Avenue. One could argue that both the sidewalk and boulevard that runs the length is solely the city’s responsibility based upon this perspective.

The trees planted in the boulevard in my neighborhood were done without any consultation whatsoever with any of us. I did not ask for nor should I be expected to maintain trees planted without my permission, knowledge or consultation--especially since they don’t match or complement trees that we have planted.

As a former city attorney of this fair city, I take exception with the city’s assertion that these trees are now our responsibility?

This is especially annoying in light of my almost $200 a month water bill for my limited lawn which is on a sprinkler system.

If Whitefish, a community surrounded by water, had reasonable water rates, our trees — our whole community — would be looking a lot better than it currently does. When I served as a staff attorney with the Montana Consumer Council in Helena 15 years ago, I found it strange that Whitefish’s water rates were some of the highest in the state. I still do.

As to the assertion by the city that property owners are responsible for the sidewalks and boulevards, it appears to be only the city’s “suggestion” rather than an actual legal requirement.

From the city’s perspective, unless you are willing to swear out an official complaint, the city takes no responsibility in enforcing municipal ordinances or laws. I think the city would be hard pressed to show any enforcement of the snow removal requirements, as reflected by the ignoring of snow removal along the same properties that run the length of Colorado Avenue.

Some property owners on Colorado Avenue and elsewhere throughout Whitefish, go years, if not decades, without shoveling their sidewalks in the winter time.

Since one of council member’s favorite running routes is Colorado Avenue, I would encourage him the next time to take a breather and take in the boulevard and trees located on the city’s Mountain Trail Park backside that is bordered by Colorado Avenue. Perhaps the most stressed out and dying trees on Colorado Avenue are located on, yep, the city’s property.

In fact, the city’s failure to care for their boulevards has resulted in a number of the city’s trees dying the last few years. I have never seen the trees or the grass associated with these boulevards ever watered. For pride of ownership on Colorado Avenue, the city comes in dead last. Apparently not a lot of tourists use this route.

Before lecturing us on our responsibilities regarding the appearance and condition of our boulevards and trees, how about a little leadership by example.

The sad fact is that the city could take the lead and use their water trucks and personnel to save not only the trees on their property but all the trees along Colorado Avenue and throughout our community — with nominal expense and effort. But that is not the leadership being shown by any part of the city or council in this area.

For the record, I have diligently cared for, watered and fertilized the trees planted by the city on my and my neighbor’s property. They might be ugly, but it is one of those things attributed to God that I subscribe.

Trees by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

— Tom Muri, Whitefish