Questions for Mayor Belle Isle

Two members of Council have asked me to contact them privately to discuss the scheduled execution of the trees at the proposed City Center property and I have heard through the local grapevine that some members this Council are displeased with me for not coming to them privately to discuss the tree fiasco, rather than publishing my views here on Patch.  

I have to tell you, in most of my dealings in life that prescription would be advisable and appropriate – deal with “situations” privately.  But this $29 million bond referendum/CityCenter#2/taking out almost 65 trees "situation" is kind of public. And these men (there are no women on Council) are public servants. They are in the public arena.  The entire conversation is in the public square, so to speak.  And so, I continue on. 

One of the men that asked me to contact him privately via his cell phone and/or email is Mayor Belle Isle. And I appreciate him reaching out like that, but in accordance with everything I just stated, what if we just have that conversation right here on the Patch? I offer this in a spirit of cooperation but also of really seeking answers….

*Mr. Mayor - this subject of the large number of trees scheduled to be cut down for the proposed City Center seems to have flown under the radar of this Council up until now. Mr. Kennedy could not even remember the date of the meeting in which the decision to cut down 65+/- trees was discussed. And Mr. Owens admitted to members of the ANRC who toured the property with him last Tuesday night that he had never even looked at the existing trees on the property. What would you like to say about this apparent non-notice of existing trees? 

*Mr. Mayor, for the benefit of the reading public, could you please explain the purpose of the Alpharetta Natural Resources Commission?  I personally would be interested in knowing whether or not this Council wants to hear their opinion with regard to tree removal at projects as impacting and significant as the proposed City Center. 

*Mr. Mayor, have you had any trees taken out at your personal residence and if so, how many? Can you say a bit about your experience with this process?  

Thank you for your consideration and time with regard to these questions, Mr. Mayor, and thank you for providing time at the upcoming August 6th Council Meeting for citizen comments regarding the significant number of trees to be taken down at the proposed City Center.