To the editor:

We all know the saying “bad news travels fast.” Well, it seems that controversial news travels even faster.

Several weeks ago as Chair of the Marion Tree/Parks Committee I wrote an email to Paul Dawson asking to meet with the Selectmen to discuss options for the planting beds in front of the Town House.  The email was read at their last meeting (apparently this is the policy) and I had no idea about this, nor was I asked to attend.  Last I heard from Paul, he would get back to me about a meeting.

We have planted those beds several times and I personally have weeded and watered them to no avail.  I asked about the possibility of taking down two rather poor Norway maples and reconstituting the beds.  By the way, it is required that a public hearing be held when street trees are to be removed.  Also, we have been paying Bartlett Tree for some years to feed and fertilize the maples along Spring Street. Just this year their arborist told us this is no longer worth it as they are too stressed.

A local newspaper picked up the story and printed it in their last issue (as is their right with public record) but didn’t see fit to ask us what or why we were proposing this.  Then Annie Rockwell picked up her torch and sent out an email blast “with outrage and disgust” to her extensive list with our phone numbers to call.  Again, no call to friends on the committee to ask about the issue.

So a point of discussion became a “call to arms” and the Tree/Parks Committee became an uncaring group of villains who chop down trees on a whim.  Please understand that this is far from who we are and what we care about.  We have planted hundreds of trees, cared for our parks, replanted our cemeteries and school and tried to improve and beautify our town.  Our members are landscapers, arborists, Garden Club members and lovers of trees. Marion has been a Tree City for 16 years and has won numerous awards including one, “Recognizing the Town of Marion for its exemplary commitment to Community Forestry”.

We have dropped the idea of improving those beds and will leave them as is.

So goes news in a small town.

Margie Baldwin,

Chair Marion Tree/Parks Committee