Whitewater’s Common Council considered four budget items at length during her 11.13.12 session, of which the Emerald Ash Borer was the third.
I’ll address that discussion in this post. I’m not an arborist. I did once own a bonsai tree, but my use of the past tense tells that tale.
This is, however, a common problem to all the community because a pernicious insect now spreads across Wisconsin, and it’s certain to infest Whitewater. Our city should be prepared for expenses like this, where hundreds of trees will be at risk across the city, destroying many, degrading the greater environment of which those trees are a part, and reducing the natural beauty of the city if we’re not prepared.
Enthusiasm. Many people are excited about what they do, and it’s a pleasure to hear them speak. There’s something uplifting about hearing from someone who so obviously enjoys his work. Prof. Chris Williamson of UW-Madison is obviously among that happy group. That he was enthusiastic about his work does not settle the question of what to do, but it is admirable.
Options. There were three options from which the council had to choose, and they chose a mixed plan in which some trees would be removed, others treated. These three options before the council would not have been possible without significant help from private citizens. Given the choice between a government-only designed solution and one with significant participation from residents and private experts, options like the ones presented are the better course.
Contingencies, Reserves, Rainy Day Funds. One hopes we’ll not have other problems like this, other natural risks, but we’ve no way of being certain. It’s for that reason that the city should prudently budget, as she always has, for the unforeseeable. It’s also a reason, needless to say, that saving for contingencies matters more than subsidizing big, thriving corporations’ particular projects.
I’m sure we all hope this plan proves effective, and so preserves a significant part of our environment and of our city’s natural beauty.
Next: Funding Downtown Whitewater, Inc.