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.