trees

In all the townlet squables about enforcing codes on tree limbs that are intruding into the public easement, neighbors often say that of course they don't want to hurt public safety.

I believe them.

But an event in Indy yesterday did draw into relief the importance of keeping public right-of-way clear. A sixteen year old boy was killed when his bus on Monday came too close to a tree in the morning fog. The kid was hanging out the window of the bus, and the impact killed him.

Most of us who are baby boomers went through our infant and toddler years without the benefit of car safety seats. And growing up in Texas, I often rode in the back of a pick-up truck. I survived, but if I had a child today I'd do what I could to keep them safe.

It's one of those things adults say to kids, don't hang out the window of a moving vehicle. Don't do it. This kid did and it lost him his life.

Supposedly the city had planned for this particular killer tree to be removed. Very sad story.