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| Sidewalk roped off from a tree hanging on wires |
UPDATED: In late January, mothers walked their children down this hill to school, many unaware of the blue spruce leaning over their heads, balanced on utility lines.
Yes, the third wave of our January snow, ice and rain storm was hard on neighborhoods. It took four days to close this sidewalk on Education Hill and seven days to remove the tree hazard. Fortunately, neighbors pressed; and no one was hurt.
City and utility companies were slow to respond, despite the imminent danger. Various distraught neighbors called 911, the mayor's office and utility companies. Public Works identified the wires as "harmless phone lines" owned by Comcast saying, "it is their responsibility to remove the tree." Two Pubic Works employees and a police officer looked it over and "walked on," according to an Education Hill resident, John.
Frustrated and upset, John emailed city councilman and
Ombudsman Pat Vache' on January 31, John wrote Pat, "I cannot believe how hard it's been to get Redmond's attention on this." (John had called 911 twice, PSE and several neighbors on January 27.) Another neighbor called Comcast and walked them to the site. The tree was finally removed February 2 after city Ombudsman-of-the-month Pat Vache' stepped in and had the sidewalk barriers installed. Mr. Vache' went out of his way to help us. Read More >>
Comcast told Pat they'd be out by 12 Noon. They weren't. Mr. Vache' drove by every day to see that the tree was removed and check up on the neighbors. City staff had left it up to Mr. Vache' and neighbors to stir Comcast into action. Another neighbor called Comcast and walked them down to the site. Frontier lines were on the poles and causing Comcast to hesitate. Mr. Vache' described the issue in a public meeting with the Mayor. Emergency response improvements weren't discussed in public.
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| Pat Vache' |
About Pat Vache': Pat is our City Council President this year. He had Ombudsman-of-the-Month duty in January and city contact of last resort. (If you ever need help from an Ombudsman, email:
council@redmond.gov.) Pat's been a city councilman for 16 years and is one of the most engaged citizens in our community. Pat and his wife co-founded the Lake Washington Schools Foundation. This year, he's Board President of Hopelink, Pat's a Trustee of the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce, and on the Board of Directors for Redmond Economic Development Association (REDA). He's spearheading "One Redmond" for the city. He and his daughter run a successful Redmond business, HR Kinections. In his "spare time," he responds to our urgent requests for help when the city can't...and goes fishing with several of his many grandchildren!
Report and tree photo By Bob Yoder
Please send your stories or comments and photos to me at redmondblog@gmail.com to post here!
Many thanks to Pat Vache in getting this hazzard attended to. It is distressing that this danger was literally dangling over our heads while various city departments played pass-the-buck with our safety. How reassuring that there are still a handful of people down at City Hall that watch out for the citizens and keep our streets and neighborhoods safe.
ReplyDeleteHow come the property owner wasn't responsible to remove the tree. Why is it expected that the city or some business is expected to incur the costs of the removal of a tree that obviously was on private property. No wonder the government is short on money - everyone expects that "they" are responsible.
ReplyDeleteAs I understand from reading Mr. Vache's email, the utility company is responsible for paying and removing the tree, not the city...and Comcast did pay, I believe, not the taxpayers.
ReplyDeleteThe Administration understands this process but was lapse on contacting the utility to get the job done (cable repair cos. are very hard to reach). Public works/police awareness and mitigation of the imminent danger was unusually delayed.
Citizens contacted 911, the Mayor's office, Public Works, and even the police. The wires were identified as "harmless." Yet the City was expected to respond and take the heat on this while it was Comcast's responsibility to take action. Many city employees had to address this situation yet you claim that City and utility companies were slow to respond, despite the imminent danger. Need to change your slant - your article focused on the lack of response from the City rather than thanking the City for intervening.
ReplyDeleteThank you for you review Anony2 - Does anyone have another point of view or want to say something about this? I think I've said my peace and other readers should have a chance. Thanks for contributing Anony2.
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