Local News
City, Please Leave My Oak Tree
By
Jun 2, 2009, 03:00

After 30 years and raising 4 boys and 2 girls that spent their time under her grand old oak tree, Debra Freeman is hoping the city will find a way to leave it standing.  As of now, the plan is to take several old majestic oaks for paving and improvements to Williams Street.

See the road and hear Ms Freeman describe the situation

Ms Freeman, a resident of Williams Street off of Butler Ferry, could not be more pleased that the city is now planning to pave and install sewer and drainage to her home.  "I'm ready for the upgrade in facilities but not at the expense of this tree and my neighbors." she stated.

At left, green is present dirt road and yellow is the proposed paved road.
The present plan, shown on the left, will straighten out the road that now curves.  Straightening the dirt road, she told us, will create a situation where, when one neighbor steps out of his front door, he will step onto the street.

Ms Freeman says she does not understand why the road needs to be straightened, especially with the vacant land on the other side of the road. 

It is giving land to one landowner while taking too much from others.  She stated there should be a way to take land from both sides of the street and not create the problems the present plan now does.

Ms Freeman stated she will be addressing the City Council tonight regarding saving her tree and her neighbor's property.