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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 2018)
12 Wednesday, February 7, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Citydissuesdwarningdtodtreedservices DeepdintodthedOutback By Sue Stafford By Katy Yoder Correspondent Columnist In response to multiple recent instances of trees being either cut or pruned without authorization within the city limits, the City has sent a letter out to all tree ser- vice professionals in the area, reminding them of several important requirements. The exact penalties for the recent infractions are cur- rently under consideration by the City’s legal counsel. Providers were instructed to be sure their work will comply with specific guide- lines before performing any tree work in the city. Sisters has earned the designation of Tree City USA for 10 years. “The City of Sisters lead- ership and broader commu- nity takes the management of our urban forest very seri- ously,” read the letter that was sent out over the signa- ture of Public Works Director Paul Bertagna. The four main guidelines regarding work performed on trees within the city limits of Sisters include: • Work performed within the city requires that you have a City-issued business license even if your busi- ness is based outside the city limits. • All trees located within the public right-of-way or on City-owned property are City property and may not be trimmed, cut or have decorative lighting attached without securing affirma- tive, written approval from the City prior to commencing the work. Any materials cut from these projects may only be disposed of in accordance with conditions of approval Two weeks in a cabin alone. Just me for a room- mate. Facing the past head- on. No cell service or Internet connection. Now that’s a rec- ipe for upheaval — or possi- bly epiphanies. That’s where I’m headed and that’s what terrifies me. When I applied for a residency at PLAYA, near Summer Lake in Oregon, (not Mexico, as some of my optimistic friends surmised!) I really didn’t think I’d be accepted. I looked at the people on their website who had received residencies and they all sounded hip, coura- geous and well-educated in their craft. Not me. I applied anyway. By the time this column is in your hands, I’ll be there. Hopefully, I will be settled in my little space, writing, remembering and sorting the last eight years out. I see myself dumping a box of puzzle pieces on a table and slowly sifting, turning over and finding the connections that bring the picture into focus. There’s fear in the pro- cess of discovery and recol- lection. I’m hoping morning meditations, shivery walks and the preparations I’ve made beforehand will keep me on an even keel. I grew up sailing on San Francisco Bay. The memory of our boat, Symfony, tipping pre- cariously from high winds PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS Trees in City right-of-way may not by cut or trimmed without prior written approval from the City of Sisters. specifically written for each request. • Sisters municipal and development codes contain specific requirements for altering or removing trees on public and private prop- erty. Additionally, there are significant penalties includ- ing fines that the City may assess if trees are altered or removed without permission. • You may also be liable for timber trespass if you cut or damage a tree belonging to another, including trees owned by the City, without the owner’s permission. State statute provides that a timber trespasser may be liable for up to three times the value of an illegally taken tree. It is your obligation to deter- mine ownership of a tree, and secure proper permission, before beginning work. Regulations were reit- erated by Bertagna with, “Failure to follow ordinances and regulations protecting City trees could result in sig- nificant fines, penalties, and other consequences. Please For the Meat Lover… always contact the City before working on any tree!” These requirements apply to property owners as well as service providers. This mailing came as a result of trees being removed over the last several months from City rights-of-way by the Sisters School District and by contractors hired by private citizens living along South Pine Street. Additionally, the school district conducted extensive thinning of ponderosa pine and juniper trees on school grounds, which raised con- cern on the part of residents, the City, and the Urban Forestry Board. A stop-work order was issued by the City until review of the project was completed by the Urban Forestry Board and recom- mendations issued by the City Forester Dan Galecki. and her rails dipping into the cold water filled me with both fear and excitement. We always made it safely back to the dock. I’m telling myself this will end the same way. But there are real things to worry about. Trauma that happened in a mainly idyllic childhood infected me with night ter- rors. I still wake up scream- ing. People stand at the foot of our bed, or hover above me. Most of the time, they’re not even menacing. My brain is spring-loaded to choose terror over safety. The sight of a man’s dark shape or an old woman in a green dress get the same response. Most of the time, I don’t remember these epi- sodes, but my poor husband sure does! The next morning, some- times I’ll have a vague recol- lection of screaming or see- ing someone. Other times, he has to tell me what happened. I know why this started; I just can’t figure out how to make it stop. I know I’m safe. I’m an adult and I’m way less vulnerable than when I was 10 years old. My subcon- scious still hasn’t gotten the memo. The slow unraveling of my story will hopefully, shore up my psyche. That’s the reason for this residency. To sit down and write what I remember and discover what was hidden. I’ll take it slow, but I will keep going. Attention MUSIC TEACHERS! Piano? Drums? Fiddle? Ukelele? Clarinet? Flute? Guitar? Saxophone? Let the Sisters community know about the lessons you offer! Place a classifi ed ad in the Nugget’s CLASSES & TRAINING category. Just $2 per line the fi rst week, $1.50 per line on repeat weeks. And it goes online at no extra charge! Placement deadline is Monday before noon at 541-549-9941 or nuggetnews.com. …on your Valentine’s Day list! 541-719-1186 110 S. Spruce St. Open 9 AM -7 PM Every Day M E AT S • C H E E S E S • E AT E RY • D R I N K E RY
