Tree City Ordinance To Be Considered.

The regulation of the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees, shrubs, and other plants located on public right-of-ways, public easements, public parks, and all property owned by the City of Carthage will be considered by the full Council at tomorrow’s regular meeting. The meeting was postponed from its regular Tuesday time due to several Council members attending the Missouri Municipal League seminars in Kansas City.

The proposed ordinance would not affect trees located on private property, but would affect trees located between the sidewalk and curb. This area is commonly referred to as parkway, and is owned by the City. Some of these trees are planted by owners of property adjacent to the parkway and would be regulated under the proposed ordinance.

The ordinance would authorize the establishment of a Tree Board, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council.

The Board would be responsible for developing "a management plan for the planting, care cultivation, pruning and removal of trees, shrubs and plants located on City property. The plan may include provisions designating the species of trees, shrubs and plants to be planted, preserved and removed or replaced.

Such plan shall be presented to the City Council for approval and upon acceptance and approval by resolution of the Council, such plan shall constitute the official comprehensive tree, shrubs and plants plan for the city."

The ordinance would prevent any tree to be planted closer to any curb or sidewalk than two fee for small trees, or three feet for larger trees. Specific types of trees and their categories are outlined in the ordinance.

Other specific regulations include:

"No street trees shall be planted closer than 15 feet from any street corner, measured from the point of nearest intersection curbs or curb lines. No street trees shall be planted closer than ten feet from any fire hydrant. Trees which overhang sidewalks or walkways shall be pruned not less than eight foot above said sidewalks or walkways.

"Tree Topping. It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, or City Department to top any street tree, park tree, or other tree on public property. Topping, rounding off or pollarding is defined as the systematic cutting back of limbs with the tree’s crown to such a degree as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes, or certain trees under utility wires, or trees obstructing alleys or streets, or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from this section at the determination of the City Forester or Tree Board.

"Public Tree Care. The City shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain, and remove trees, plants, and shrubs within the right of way or bounds of all streets, alleys, lanes, squares, and public grounds, as may be necessary to insure the public safety.

"Utilities. No street trees other than those species listed herein as small trees in the city’s official list of acceptable street and park trees may be planted under or within 15 lateral feet from any overhead utility wire, or over or within 5 lateral feet from any underground water line, sewer line, transmission line or other utility.

Dead or Hazardous Tree Removal. The City shall have the right to cause to be removed any tree located within the public right-of-ways, public easements, public parks, and all property owned by the City that is dead or has been declared a hazard.

Enforcement of the Ordinance. It shall be unlawful for any person to prevent or interfere with the Tree Board or any of its representatives or agents while engaging in public tree care.

Spacing. The spacing of street trees shall be in accordance with City’s official list of acceptable street and park trees and no trees may be planted closer to each other than the following: small trees, 30 feet; evergreen trees, 30 feet; and large trees, 50 feet; except in special plantings which have been designed by a landscape architect and approved by the Tree Board.

Graphic Art Opportunities

Due to our recent purchase of additional equipment and expansion of our Carthage, Missouri facility, we are currently taking applications for the following positions:

Press Operator. Must have experience operating an A.B. Dick 360, Chief 117, Heidelberg windmill, power cutter, and folding equipment. Dark room and layout experience.

Bindery: General bindery, padding, stitching, booklet assembly and binding. Some lifting involved.

Pick up an application at 213 Lyon, Carthage, Missouri, or call for appointment. 417-358-5174 Fax 417-358-3168 email: mmail@morninmail.com

Carthage Printing Services

"Latest technology, Old fashioned values."

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

It’s good ta see that the evenin’ paper takin’ an active role in expressin’ opinions that deal with the local issues of the day. Although at times I have been known to openly disagree with those opinions, I still feel it’s always good ta have more than one viewpoint present in any discussion.

The very fact that there is a difference in opinion shows that there is a reasonable amount of thought goin’ in to attempts to solve any particular problem facin’ the community. As has been the policy of the Mornin’ Mail for several years now, we welcome any opinion that is based on some reasonable about of fact.

It’s also good ta know that issues we talk about are also considered worthy of mention in other publications. After all....

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Dear Tom and Ray:

I'm in the process of shopping for a new car and would like your opinion. I'm in a quandary over safety issues. Our plan all along had been to get a minivan. We have two young kids, currently own a Sable wagon, and we're ready to move on to the "minivan stage of life." I've test-driven a few minivans and really like the new Toyota Sienna. But I also want the safest vehicle I can get, so I drove a Volvo wagon, which I liked. The problem is that the Volvo is not a van and doesn't have the space advantage that we want. My question is, will the Sienna be as safe as the Volvo? I know the Sienna has steel side reinforcements and other stuff, but I want to know if I'd be making a responsible choice if I opted for the Sienna over the Volvo. What do you think? —Jane

TOM: Geez, Jane. This is a difficult decision to make for another person. Is the Sienna as safe as a Volvo wagon? No. But is it a "responsible" choice? I'd have to say "sure."

RAY: Most of the minivans are reasonably safe vehicles these days. But you do trade off a little safety for their convenience and relatively low price (for the amount of space they afford.)

TOM: But if safety is absolutely the most important thing on your list, then a Volvo wagon probably would be a better choice for you. That doesn't mean a minivan is unsafe. It's just not as much of a tank.

RAY: On the other hand, if you drive the Sienna responsibly - which I know you will - and keep your kids properly belted or "child-seated" in the back where they belong, you'll probably be fine - unless you happen to be broadsided by a Ford Expedition!