Residents Blame City Inaction For Fallen Tree
Posted June 20, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Tuesday’s torrential downpour left one very unlucky family without a home, and their devastation has them considering taking legal action against the City.
It all began when the pounding rains and severe winds caused a huge 80-year-old tree to topple through the roof of the Dogantzis home at Coxwell and Danforth. And it was that very tree that’s been causing them headaches for several years.
“We’ve been complaining to the City, issuing e-mails to our councilor, to the mayor, to the urban forestry department telling them that this tree is sick,” said frustrated resident of the demolished home Rose Dogantzis.
But one City official begs to differ and chalks the inaction up to being inundated with requests and not having enough time to deal with all of them. “The forestry department did [respond], they did investigate and did conclude that the tree ought to be replaced, unfortunately it fell before that occurred,” said Councillor Janet Davis. She also added that they’ve received over 4,000 requests and they just haven’t been able to keep up with them.
The homeowners said this disaster caps off a list of problems they’ve had with the tree. It seems that during every major storm branches fall off, which they have to clean themselves, and despite seven years of e-mails, the City hasn’t responded.
Although the expense of having the tree removed is being taken care of, the Dogantzis’ said the damage has been done, “I will never forgive the City for this, never.” As the cleanup continues, the family is staying with relatives next door and are planning to speak with a lawyer about a possible lawsuit.
Getting a tree removed from your property
Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my front lawn?
