Mailbag

How about making a statement about the ordinance a part of the closing documents for all house sales in the city and also providing such a statement when a new owner signs up for city utilities? Or how about its enclosure periodically with the city utility bills or in the Glendale Water & Power newsletter?

The tree ordinance is important for maintaining the unique beauty of our city, but the fine structure certainly should be revised, including caps and contractor fines. City communication to homeowners about the ordinance must be improved to negate the “I didn’t know about it” excuse.

ROBERT MORRISON

Glendale

Homeowners’ rights should be foremost

It is a shame that the city has to realize it has a problem with a ridiculous episode as we have seen in the past months (“City to tweak tree law, again,” Monday). I live in Whiting Woods and have not had my trees trimmed in at least five years because my tree guy, a certified arborist, can’t figure out how to trim 10% from an oak tree. If you will come and look at the trees after the trim and the houses around it, I think you can see that the trees that were trimmed look much better and healthier than the ones around it.

I am willing to bet that the majority of people who are in favor of taking property rights from the homeowner by these types of ordinances see these trees only as they look at the hillside. They do not have to deal with the mess they produce every year. The oaks drop very hard to remove sap, and the sycamores are a leaf-producing nightmare.

Sure, preventing developers from clear cutting is probably a wise thing to control. But when you are dealing with a few trees that may be damaging your house and your property value, the rights of the homeowner should be paramount.

JIM OWENS

Glendale

Undoing is part of decorating live trees

The Community Commentary “Spruced-up pine trees exemplify season,” Saturday, by Alina Der Sarkissian was lovely and heartwarming.

My friend and I decorate a tree every year, too. We take great pride in selecting just the right tree. We also “un-decorate” the tree when the season is over. However, most of the people who decorate a tree don’t come back to take their items off. By the end of February, we take it upon ourselves to take all the remaining decorations off, carrying them home to the trash.

Please, if you decorate a tree, un-decorate in a timely manner.

MYRNA STEELE

Glendale

Couple make trees on Verdugo a must-see