"We can take down all the trees if we want to."

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[Editor’s note: Shortly after AEP representative McCray stated he was the person with whom the village should discuss potential tree cutting and that "We can take down all the trees if we want to. We don’t want to do that," Mr. McCray noticed a video camera. McCray then clarified that he could not speak on such issues, that handling such issues was not part of his job, and that he would not continue with the meeting if video was being taken.]

This man is a bully.

Mr. McCray exhibits classic bullying behavior. He interrupts, postures, makes threats, and then backs off quickly when he notices the video and realizes he could be held accountable for what he’s said. Kudos to Constance Barsky who keeps her cool while holding her ground throughout his rude behavior, and kudos to the cameraman, who asserted his rights as a citizen in a public meeting.

turkey10

I know his behavior well.  When I lived on Loudon Street, Granville, my farm was back a long lane.  They came in when I was at work and no one was at home and butchered my trees. They didn’t even touch the trees around the transformer on the pole at the back of the lane where the lines came in to the house……there vines and limbs growing all around it, but they butchered the trees in the lane. I still have the letters I wrote to the AEP (Ohio Power back then) complaining that what they did would cause severe damage and weaken the trees. I not only had to have a discussion with this man, but it did cause damage to my trees. I lost 2 of them after that (not at the same time)…..they both caused damage to my white board fence which had to be repaired and they came down across the driveway blocking the entrance. Granville should be very careful about allowing the AEP to cut trees without a licensed arborist (sp?) overseeing the job.  Not all tree cutters have that license…..I don’t think McCray does…..he just likes to be BOSS.  Yes…he’s a bully and congratulations to the cameraman….hope he sends it to the head of the AEP.

bravo sbrigham bravo !

bravo sbrigham bravo !

All this whining about

All this whining about pruning trees from the power lines for the saftey and continued service of electric. No one cares about 100 year old trees being cleared at the Owens Corning site? Be logical here. Keep your service going and let them do their job. Relax.

the crew cut look

the facts of the matter are that putting lines underground
create nothing but postitive
maintenance
reliability
but it it just plain looks better
this process doesnt have to happen today or tomorrow
but there should be a plan in effect  to bury the lines as we remodel  the streets in the downtown area
ie  : river road are the lines going away down there ?
it get discussed then the price tag chases the issue away
its a visual thing as well
we want gville to look good and the business to thrive
well into the future
lets do this future planning now

Unprofessional conduct

Well, that is just it. The cutting AEP does is frequently poorly done in terms of maintaining service. For example, flat top cutting of trees encourages rapid growth of vertical branches. This decreases service level and increases the need to cut the trees. The fact that AEP uses a third party to do most of their cutting may be one reason why we see so many flat topped trees — it increases the work that third party gets to do.
Another problem with AEP is they seem to be relatively unwilling to consider alternatives that would reduce the need for cutting. Using different wires, having taller poles, running wires underground - all these techniques can reduce the need to cut trees, lower maintenance cost, and significantly increase the service reliability level and safety. 
But for me just a quick look at the video tells me volumes about the approach AEP uses locally.
(By the way, the use of terms like "whining" and "bickering" is typically an attempt to marginalize the other speaker and divert focus from the real issues. While the use of such language is tacky, it can be taken as a solid sign that the other speaker is making really good points.)