Reading your editorial last week one might not realize that Mineola has been named a tree city for the past 28 years. One might also get the opinion that Mr. Brummell is a lone hero. But here is the reality of what is taking place.
Each year for the last 28 years Mineola Village has been recognized for planting trees throughout the village. Indeed, the current budget recently approved has an extra $50,000 for tree plantings to replace trees lost due to Sandy and the subsequent snowstorm.
One only has to travel along Jericho Turnpike to see the trees planted through the years versus the absence of trees in other localities along this road.
Periodically, residents including myself have requested the village remove trees along the sidewalk. The village will come check the tree and make a determination to cut tree down and replace or advise the resident that the tree is still healthy.
Our village consists of mostly properties that are 40 feet x100 feet or 60 feet x 100 feet. Trees planted long ago have in some cases grown to enormous heights and can now if unhealthy become a hazard to residents and their property. Proper planning is now in effect to mitigate this problem.
As for Mr. Brummell, unfortunately it is my belief that he is an environmental extremist who ultimately hurts his cause. He reminds me of James Cagney in “Mr. Roberts.” He should concentrate his energies where he lives.
Carmine Festa
Mineola
