Is it The Fault of Others or Just Miscommunication?

A recent comment left by a citizen. There seems to be a pattern of behavior coming from elected officials.

Hello All, I live in the older neighborhood (behind Kelly's) that is slated to be torn down in phase two. I have had to deal with Dallas on a continuous basis. One story I would like to share. My property along with my neighbors is now the home for the additional power lines for the new downtown development. We were given a notice on our doors that all of our trees would have to be trimmed or come down completely (I would have had the most trees lost completely) in our backyard. These trees give us some privacy from the Chauncey Barett Gardens. I ask Xcel energy what easement do you have to take down 6 of my trees? Some of my neighbors had already given the ok but I held out as I knew that I would lose more property value. Xcel told me this, and I quote, "The city told us they [City] already owned all these properties." I told him that I own this house and until I see an easement bought by the city or Xcel, they are not going to get my signature to take my trees. Xcel immediately said they were not touching anything until the city deals with the home owners. I sent an email to Mayor Capra and she forwarded it on to Dallas (I also copied all the news stations and newspapers). Dallas called me ASAP and left a message that this was a miss-communication and it was Xcel that was in a hurry. This was curious because Xcel had no stake in the increase power needed at this time. Unfortunately, Xcel had already taken down trees in an elderly couples yard. Then, Xcel couldn't drive the truck over her neighbors yards (neighbors said no) and so they left the mess for the couple to clean up. The increase power lines now reside in our front yards. Xcel did some trimming but nothing like what it would have been had they run it in the back yard.My elderly neighbor lost the most in the entire ordeal. My question to Mayor Capra is, who is the advocate for the citizens? She never responded to any my questions.
Thanks for the outlet to speak our minds!
Margaret Lee
August 20, 2008 9:06 PM

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What Regrading Has Already Accomplished for Some on Mill Road

Resident's Driveway Status Left Up In The Air
By Louise Edwards with The Citizen 7/9/2008

It's a puzzler: What do you do when the city reconstructs your road, and your driveway ends up four-and-a-half feet too high? In Centerville resident Cathy Fruth's case, she decided to bring the matter before the city council. At its regular June 25 meeting, the Centerville City Council heard that re-grading work done on Fruth's driveway leading to her property on Old Mill Road as part of a city project had left her with a seven percent grade, which she was finding too steep to navigate. "Twice I have almost hit other cars, not being able to stop because of [the steepness of the drive now]," she told council members. Fruth said that through the snow and ice of the winter, she had been unable to access her drive in her vehicle without crossing the street and "taking three runs at it." Council members resolved to send the city engineer out to inspect the property and report back at a future meeting as to what needed to be done.