snow removal

So can the city afford to trim (their) trees in the boulevard?

So let me get this straight . . .

We don’t want to take money from FEMA because they are the big bad Feds (who we actually pay taxes to, so we are essentially taking money from OURSELVES to fix a problem WE have).

Then we find out we don’t need to take the money because the city is in ‘fine financial shape’ so we pay for this branch cleanup out of the city coffers (also our money).

Factor in that the city has saved millions this winter due to the lack of snow and snow removal (somewhere around $7 million).

So why hasn’t the city been budgeting for tree trimming all along? We apparently have the money to do the ENTIRE city at one fast blast, why not section it off over a 5 year cycle?

Funny how the city conveniently ‘doesn’t have the money’ in a normal budget cycle, but when a natural disaster occurs we have all kinds of cashola, enough to give the FEDS a middle finger and to cleanup the whole kit and kaboodle.

My suggestion is to implement a program every year to trim the trees in the boulevard, because, you know, like, we have the money. Oh, yeah, and F’CK the Feds who wants their (our) money anyhoo?

Poetry Club w/ Steve Boint

Interlude
(after the ice storm of 2013)

Let us walk the asphalt sea
now that the ice is off the trees
and view the islands of debris.

Let us speak
of easier times,
of neighbors
and building a home
(not rebuilding).
Remember that owl sitting in the walnut
where the big branch used to be?

Come—
let us stroll and reminisce
and share the future’s hopeful kiss.

—Steve Boint (author of “Frail as Paper”)

Snowgate Art (H/T Angry Guy)

I listened to an attorney and a prominent doctor in town discuss the medical dangers of scooping snow out of the end of their driveways, tonight at work. They both confessed to me, ‘Snowgates’ are the way to go.

While I tried to make some time elapse image of snowgates in use, I think I got to ‘photoshoppy’. But, as for art, this turned out pretty cool.