Ask TBC: When will this storm damage be cleaned up?
| Sunday, Feb 07 2010 12:00 PM
Last Updated Sunday, Feb 07 2010 12:00 PM
Q: I am an avid cyclist. I use the bike path four to five times a week. However, I don't use the path itself, but the "off-road trails" adjacent to the bike path.
Recently, because of the storms we have been having, many trees have fallen and are now obstructing many of the dirt paths. The worst section is between Beach Park and Coffee Road. These trails are used by many mountain bikers, equestrians and hikers. However, because of the fallen trees, many of these trees are now making those trails impassible and causing potential hazards as people have to climb over the trees.
Usually, in the past, it seems these trees are removed or cleared by someone, but they have now been there for months.
My question is are these trails maintained by city parks? Can I take my chainsaw and cut those trees into smaller sections to move them out of the way so they are no longer obstructing the trails? (However I am concerned I might be cited for violating some city ordinance!) Or is there someone at city parks I can contact to clear these trails?
-- Kevin Schmidt
A: It looks like your question will prompt action. Recreation and Parks Director Dianne Hoover said city staffers are now aware of the concerns and they will put it on their schedule. With limited time and staff, she said, it will take a couple of weeks to get to.
She also mentioned there is a city ordinance preventing citizens from removing plant material -- dead or alive -- from a public area or park.
Q: I was wondering what, if anything, is going to be done to clean up the fallen trees along the Truxtun Extension? I know we had a problem with a beaver in the past, but it looks like many trees have broken or fallen down that just needs to be cleared away as well. This area looks like it could use some serious TLC.
-- Stewart M. Cockrell
A: Hoover answered this one, too:
The area north of the paved path has always been considered a natural area by the Kern River Parkway Foundation. City crews only clear the natural area trees that create a safety hazard. Rich O'Neil, from the Kern River Parkway, requested that we wait until things start blooming again before removing anything to be sure that what we remove is actually dead and not just dormant. This time of year, when there are no leaves or vegetation, the area in question appears more stark than usual. So, in about four to six weeks, the city's tree crew will work with the Kern River Parkway in removing the deadwood from that area.
Q: I'm a fan of Trader Joe's, as are many other Bakersfieldians. However, in size, it doesn't compare to some other Joes in California...one could get lost just in the frozen foods aisle at the San Jose location.
With the older Action Sports building being vacant for a year or so, is there any thought or plan to expand our one and only TJ's? Am I the only one that has thought of this brilliant idea? How about another location in the future? I plan on living on 2 buck-chuck wine and decadent cheeses for quite some time, so any response would be helpful...
-- Jolie Brouttier
A: Sorry to disappoint but an official in Trader Joe's corporate office said it's not in the company's 2010-2011 plan to open another store in Bakersfield and there are no plans now to move out of its existing space.
Q: Every Sunday The Bakersfield Voice is thrown onto our lawn and last week when it was raining, I had to watch my gardener clean up a soggy mess. Because this "literary work of art" is unsolicited, is it tantamount to littering since there is no "opt-out" clause?
Is there any way to report violations and have the company cited, or petition for an ordinance to prevent this?
-- Erik Bartley
A: John Wells, The Californian's vice president of advertising, circulation, marketing and operations, responded:
There definitely is an opt-out clause.
The Bakersfield Voice is delivered to non-subscribers of The Californian. It's a vehicle that our major advertisers have requested to reach the majority of the Bakersfield consumers.
If any household that receives The Voice does not want to continue to receive it, all they have to do is call our circulation department at 392-5777. It works both ways; if you are not receiving The Voice and would like to receive it, call the same number and we'll get you started.
Of course you could always become a subscriber of The Californian and The Voice deliveries will end!
Ask The Californian appears on Mondays and Thursdays. Submit questions to asktbc@bakersfield.com or to The Bakersfield Californian, c/o Christine Bedell, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302.
