After hearing complaints last month about Pacific Grove’s tree removal and replacement law, Mayor Dan Cort has asked a city board to revisit the ordinance and see if modifications are in order.
Some residents say Pacific Grove has an unreasonable and “criminalized” ordinance requiring a permit for anyone removing a tree from their property and an agreement to replace it with at least two similar trees within 30 days.
Tag Archives: Dan Cort
Hear-Old Editorial – Tree Posse
Is the tree ordinance enforcement by newcomer Thom “Belly” Akeman a sign of the true mission of the green and sustainable movement that Mayor Cort endorses: The end of personal property rights?
Appropriately designed to promote addition to the urban forest rather than deletion, it generally requires the planting of two replacement trees for each one removed, a provision that rankles the side that does not care for the ordinance.
Adding to the tensions, the ordinance-friendly side apparently took it upon itself to set out on inspection missions to determine to what extent the provisions were being honored or dishonored. Though it does not require any significant intrusion to determine whether a tree exists, that has set off loud allegations of trespass and warrantless search
Mayor Cort Dismisses ‘Moron’ Incident
Mayor’s full attention:
Letters From The Editor.
Apologizing is meaningless
my personal policy of zero tolerance for name calling or put-downs and bullying has been violated. Apologizing is meaningless. And it is always helpful to learn how a public official really thinks.
Mayor Cort DID Call Resident “Moron”
On March 19, Mayor Cort sent an e-mail to his wife, Beth Cort — the organizer of Trees for PG, a volunteer effort founded and initially funded by the Cort family — referring to Booth’s letter, and asking her to “Please set this moron straight.”
Beth Cort forwarded Booth’s letter and one of her own in rebuttal to all six other members of the City Council, as well as interim City Manager Charlene Wiseman, in a message she said inadvertently included the “moron” remark.
Beth Cort said she didn’t notice the remark was in the forwarded e-mail when she sent it, adding that her husband has since apologized personally to Booth.
And add Beth Cort to the roster of offenders.
Free Speech Still Free . . . For Now
They will be back, probably with a different approach. Mayor Cort says so, ya morons.
“I don’t think stifling the public is the thing to do,” said former Councilman Daniel Miller.
Former Councilman Bob Davis said the purpose of the policy allowing the public to pull consent items “was the right of the public to be informed on every item on the agenda.”
Speaking in favor of the two measures was resident Joy Colangelo, who said that whether residents pull agenda items early in the meeting or wait until the end, “somebody has to wait” because subsequent hearing items on the council agenda are pushed back.
“I guess we’re going back to the drawing board,” Cort said, after council members declined to offer a motion to vote for either item.
Did The Mayor Call Mrs. Booth A Moron?
Georgia Booth dared to stand up and speak out about being contacted by newcomer Thom “Belly” Akeman and his tree posse. Mayor Dan Court also seems to have gotten an email from Georgia, of which he forwarded to his wife. Too bad that she did not snip the Honorable One’s comments before replying to Mrs. Booth . .
Last week Ms. Booth received an email from Beth Cort, the mayor’s wife, responding to Ms. Booth’s concerns about the city’s role in “Trees for PG,” a private group. Ms. Cort’s email contained more than her response to Ms. Booth. Previous communications were attached to the email sent. Among them was an email from Dan Cort to his wife, which read, “Please set this moron straight. Thanks, Dan.“
Coming up next week, Mayor Cort will jump a shark at Lovers Point . .
Beware Of Thom Ache-Man’s Tree Posse
P.G. newcomer and former Hear-old reporter is out busting anyone who’s cut down a tree and not replaced it. He has absolutely no authority to do so. Should be removed from committee.
P.G. Beautification and Natural Resources Committee member Thom Akeman told residents if they didn’t comply the city’s tree ordinance — which includes replanting two trees when one is removed- they faced penalties.
And Mayor Dan Cort said he heard from several people who thought Akeman specifically overstepped his role as a city volunteer.
“There were several letters and emails that I got from some of the people he visited and from their friends who felt it was something he shouldn’t do,” Cort said.
Though Cort said he understands the frustration and desire by some citizens to speed up city work, he said any sort of enforcement effort should be left to city employees.
I’d Walk A Mile With A Service Camel
None of these, what say my service camel?
Last week the New York Times reported a national trend of disabled people replacing service dogs with more exotic animals — such as monkeys, parrots and small horses.
And you don’t have to go far to find an example. One resident of Pacific Grove uses a miniature horse for stability as she moves around her home. The horse is often seen being walked around a neighborhood not far from the beach.
According to the Guide Horse Foundation, miniature horses make good service animals because “they demonstrate excellent judgment and are not easily distracted by crowds and people.”
But there is a growing debate over whether unconventional service animals such as monkeys and pigs should be allowed to cozy up to people in restaurants, stores, churches and other public places.
“Where will it end?” asked Pacific Grove Mayor Dan Cort. “Because camels could be good service animals, too.”
P.G. Moves To Refill Reservoir
If this is such a great idea, why was the reservoir drained in the first place? Earthquake safety? Pollution?
The City of Pacific Grove is taking a pro-active approach in the Central Coast water crisis. The city is moving forward with a plan to restore a water reservoir.
The proposed project would sit on the current operations yard for California American Water on David Avenue in Pacific Grove. The site was previously a dam that was built in the late 1800’s.
The reservoir would store storm water runoff that is otherwise unused. The are also plans to pull water from underground springs throughout the city.
Mayor Cort Dismisses Write In Challenger
Mayor Dan Cort this week blasted a last-minute write-in campaign by a longtime city resident to run against him in the Nov. 4 election.
Ted Hollister, who has lived in Pacific Grove for 49 years, announced himself last week as a write-in candidate for mayor, which makes him Cort’s only competition.
“I’ve been overwhelmed with the response,” Hollister told The Pine Cone. “Honestly, it’s very humbling to see all the support.”
But Cort accused Hollister, 77, of not attending a city council meeting in years and questioned the former veterinarian’s motivation for seeking the job.
“We have serious problems facing this city, and if you haven’t been at a city council meeting in four or five years, then really you have no business inserting yourself into something as important as serving on the council,” Cort said.
Our passive and kind mayor is getting a bit testy. He seems surprised that anyone would want question him or take a stab at leading the town,