My week was saddened by the unexpected passing of an impressive old, shade-giving tree across the alley; a cacophony of saws and a very loud chip grinder early Tues. a.m. drew most of the neighbors' out to take a look. I experienced a twinge of sadness combined with puzzlement; I hadn't noticed that the tree looked like it was diseased or otherwise failing. The feeling was similar to hearing about the passing of someone you'd been fond of, but hadn't talked to or heard about in awhile. It turns out, the tree was perfectly healthy. My neighbor simply wants an attached rather than unattached garage, and the tree was in the way! We made the connection as we saw workmen tear down the old garage, and debriefed other neighbors about bad blood in the neighborhood stemming from the "tree-for-attached-garage" trade (we're the newcomers on the block). My tree-clearing neighbors may feel that their house is improved, but there's no doubt in my mind that the neighborhood as a whole is diminished by their actions. Wouldn't it be nice if the law somehow took into account the rest of the neighbors' interests and wishes, and not just the self (and selfish) interest of one??? Ross Kaplan Fulton __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
