I agree that the tree removal along Beechwood Rd. was a huge mistake. It looked like a country lane prior to the tree removal; aesthetically the city and its residents lost in that debacle.

Anytime there are mature trees in a right-of-way or a private yard there is a potential risk. I doubt that the Ritz family/residence were more at risk than any other resident/residence in proximity to WPs wonderfully mature trees. Isn't that the purpose of homeowners insurance? The destruction of mature trees may contribute to a loss in value to area properties. A house on the tree lined Beechwood Rd. would have more appeal than the current view.

Is it time to reconsider merger with another municipality, say, St. Matthew's? Being part of a 4th class city would provide more services, i.e. garbage pick up, leaf removal, enhanced police protection, etc. Perhaps the benefits would outweigh any potential down side.

Merger

Cities can vote to merge with other cities according to one of the lawyers who put together the law that allowed the City of Louisville and Jefferson County Fiscal Court to merge after a vote by the citizens. There have been rumors before the vote to merge that Metro. Louisville government would go to Frankfort to have the state legislature abolish the 5th & 6th class cities in Jefferson County. The rumor I spoke of was going around before the vote to merge and is only a rumor that is at least 5 to 6 years old.

As far as the Beechwood tree situation many, if not all, of the trees were dead and dying and most of the trees had vines on them as big as a man's arm. I voted to remove the trees and relandscape this area only because of a safety issue, because the city knew the trees were in poor shape and we could be held liable in a lawsuit. It is easy to say that if a tree falls on your house you have homeowers insurance to cover the repairs, but there are ocassions when a accident does happen the home owner has to move in with family members or live in a motel for a period of time.

I know my response may not make everyone happy or agree with me but I will say that we have a dedicated Mayor and Council who try their hardest to do a good job and hopefully make a majority of the citizens happy. I do not always agree with the other Council members on city matters but we are all trying to do a good job.

Merger

I forgot to tell D. Trimble that I am one of the Concilman on the City of Woodlawn Council.

George Langford
Councilman

I agree

I completely agree. Beechwood Road looks terrible. I am disheartened every time that I drive down the street. Curb appeal has completely gone out the window for Beechwood Road residents and the city. The ''re-landscaping'' is nothing like I thought it would be. With all of the various fences however, it will be impossible for any green landscaping to look decent. The existing trees were in no worse shape than most of the trees that line our city's roadways and even the trees at the end of Westport Terrace by the Kroger store.

To Mr. Langford, I appreciate the hard work that many council members contribute (not all, but many). And I especially appreciate the work when it is unbiased and make decisions when they are not a conflict of interest. I especially appreciate that you take the time to respond to the posts on this site, but I do think the comment the other resident made about needing the additional junk day was uncalled for. Not everyone these days expects everything for free as your post implied.