Community Commentary - MARGARET SNYDER
Margaret Snyder
o7 “They took all our trees and put them in a tree museum
And they charged all the people a dollar and a half just to see ‘em.
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”
f7 -- Joni Mitchell from her song “Big Yellow Taxi”
The acrid smell of death hangs in the air on this blistering,
90-degree August afternoon. The murder victims, all branded with an
ominous white “X,” are methodically taken down by orange-shirted
“contractors,” one by one. Residents stand by helplessly and watch their
beautiful, tree-lined street transformed into a desolate concrete desert.
The wondrous, twisting carob branches reaching out across lawns were
70 years in the making. Within hours, all that remains is a patch of dirt
and sawdust. With nothing in the way to impede its progress, the freeway
sounds seem ever closer. The afternoon sun bakes the lawns and gardens
unaccustomed to the direct sizzling rays. The big, yellow machine of
death is parked like a sentry beside the last branded victim. Come
morning light, the murderers in hard hats will return to the scene to
carry out their contract. The last victim on the block will fall to
progress.
What crime did these victims commit? Was their only crime to be carob
trees or were they executed because they “ruffled” some concrete
sidewalks and driveways? Sidewalks and driveways can be fixed. It takes a
lifetime to grow a tree. Each carob tree on the block was sheared off
indiscriminately, whether diseased and ailing or healthy and thriving.
Who knows how many little animal and bird creatures were displaced, or
worse, as a result of this project. How much higher will our
air-conditioning bills climb now that our shade is gone? How much more
water will it take to keep our lawns green as they lie exposed to the
parching sun’s rays?
Were environmental studies done to analyze the impact? Did the city of
Glendale adhere to Section 65402 of the Government Code? According to
this Act: “All local agencies shall prepare, or cause to be prepared by
contract, and certify the completion of an environmental impact report on
any project they intend to carry out or approve which may have a
significant effect on the environment. When a report is required by
Section 65402 of the Government Code, the environmental impact report may
be submitted as a part of that report.” (Environment is defined by the
act as the physical conditions including land, air, water, minerals,
flora, fauna, noise or objects of historic or aesthetic significance that
exist within the area affected by a project.) How will this effect the
property values in our neighborhood? The graceful tree canopy was a big
part of the neighborhood appeal.
*
In my research, I came across an old Jewish story that seems
appropriate for this occasion: A Jewish scholar named Choni Hame’agel
once came upon an old man planting carob trees. He asked, “When will
these trees bear fruit?” The old man replied, “In 70 years.” Choni asked,
“Are you sure you will still be alive at that time, so that you will be
able to eat the fruits of your labor?” The old man answered, “My
ancestors planted carob trees for me, and I am now planting for my
children and grandchildren.”
Choni sat down to eat and soon fell asleep. A boulder hid him from
sight and he slept for 70 years. When he awoke, he saw a man picking
carobs. He asked the man, “Who planted these trees?” The man replied, “My
father’s father planted them.” Choni then remembered the old man’s words
and realized that 70 years had passed.
We have not been allowed to enjoy the fruits of our ancestors’ labor.
The carobs they planted for us 70 years ago, now lie lifeless in large,
yellow coffins, like yesterday’s trash. The longtime residents on our
street were robbed of their legacy and only the youngest of residents in
our neighborhood will ever enjoy the beauty of the little “twig trees,”
dwarfed by their supporting structures, that they will plant to replace
our stately carobs.
Is this the plan for our Jewel City in its entirety? For many Glendale
residents, a big part of the appeal of this town is the wonderful old
tree-lined streets. You can be sure that if this plan is carried out
citywide, there will be a steady exodus from this former “emerald” city
to greener pastures. In the name of progress, please save the trees our
ancestors planted for the future.
* Margaret Snyder is a Virginia Avenue resident.
CUTLINE: With more carob trees being targeted for destruction,
Margaret Snyder is not alone in voicing concern. Students, including
Rachelle Peralta on the right, at Jefferson Elementary School hold up a
banner Friday saying goodbye to 39 trees due to be cut down. The trees
are being removed because they are diseased, according to city reports.