PIEDMONT — Monday’s City Council meeting was marked with cheering, applause and standing ovations for beloved school crossing guard Arthur Ward but also with serious discussions about a paving project that could result in 47 to 50 trees on Magnolia Avenue being removed.
Piedmonters love and cherish the urban forest that distinguishes the city. The trees in question were surveyed by two arborists on staff and an independent horticulturist and rated for their health and stability. Several residents spoke up to defend the trees and object to their removal.
“Remove a limited number of trees. Don’t rush to judgment. Why are we on a fast track?” asked Carol Parker.
Though Mary Wells agreed that the trees can be troublesome because they lift up sidewalks and curbs, she said, “This (removal) is too dramatic and rushed.”
Another speaker observed that tree branches can fall on cars or people, creating a hazard. The project calls for paving, sidewalk and bicycle route improvements at a total cost of $2,012,408. The project went out to nine prospective bidders, but only one company — Gallagher & Burk — submitted a bid. About $905,000 would come from the city’s general fund, with the remainder coming from Measures B and BB, gas tax and other outside funds. Council members were conflicted.
“Some of the trees are in poor health, while many are OK,” Mayor Bob McBain said. “But our curbs and sidewalks need attention. Rushing this was not our intent.”
Magnolia is a much-used route to school and the city center. The sidewalks are raised or lumpy in many areas, creating hazards for users.
“I’m really torn. I wish I felt better than I do (about tree removal),” Councilman Tim Rood said.
Councilwoman Betsy Andersen added that “This discussion came up late. We are taking away something majestic. Let’s keep more trees on Magnolia.”
The council voted 5-0 to move forward with the paving project but to consider engineering changes that would preserve some of the trees. Public Works Director Chester Nakahara said that whatever trees were removed would be replaced at a later date with a different species to be determined.
On the lighter side, a packed chamber at the start of the meeting showed up with cardboard stick signs bearing crossing guard Ward’s likeness to celebrate the naming of the corner of Linda and Lake avenues as “Arthur Ward corner” for one year. The longtime beloved crossing guard, a grandfather and great-grandfather, former U.S. Marine and musician, has cheered on and protected Beach Elementary School students during his tenure.
Said his wife of 54 years, Norma, “This is the best thing that ever happened to us. The babies he crossed are no longer babies. He had nicknames for the children like Cinderella, Sunshine and Big Girl.”
A tearful Ward surrounded by his family addressed the crowd saying, “God is good. Wow. I’ve loved my job, the kids and the parents. When I retire next year you will always be in my heart. This is a big surprise.”
Said Ward’s son, Arthur Ward Jr. “I knew he would be good at this. He respects all people as they are. He is a very kind, wonderful father.”
“It’s a privilege to give you this honor” McBain told Ward. “This is so uplifting, earnest and heartwarming.”
