The Story of a Tree

Once upon a time there was a tree. This tree looked average at first glance. Rather young compared to most in the area, it had quite a few branches missing, and no birds ever nested upon its limbs due to exposure. It would seem that if it were standing among other trees it would be easily overlooked. However, this tree was special. This tree was planted in the neighborhood belonging to the Dillon Town Mayor and a Dillon Town Councilwoman.

One day, the Dillon Town Council voted to put in a recreation path. The tree was terrified, “what is going to happen to me,” cried the tree.
“Its ok little tree,’ exclaimed the Dillon Town Manager. “You are a privileged tree,” he said, as he glared across the street at the trees in the yard belonging to Dillon Yacht Club. “Are you sure I’ll be ok,” said the tree, “I mean, your rec path is going run right over me.”
“Relax,” said the town manager. “You are way more important than the 100+ people that live there,” pointing at Dillon Yacht Club. Just then the town manager’s phone rang. It was the mayor. “What’s going on?” said the mayor. “I am consoling one of the trees in your neighborhood,” responded the manager. “Is it a privileged tree?” asked the mayor. “Of course,” said the manager. “We’ll be right there!” shouted the mayor, with an air of urgency.

The mayor bolted into the council chambers and announced, “We have a privileged tree that is very upset.” The Dillon Town Council members quickly loaded into a couple of awaiting squad cars for the 1/2-mile ride down the hill. When they arrived, they observed the manager embracing the tree. All of the council members surrounded the tree and held hands, while reassuring it that they would always look out for its best interest.

The trees across the street at Dillon Yacht Club observed the goings on in the yard of the newly constructed mansion. “I have been here for over 45 years and that is the strangest thing I have ever seen,” commented a large, lodgepole pine. “And to think, these are the people that are running this town!” laughed the aspen.

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******Okay, so I embellished this story quite a bit. As far as I know there are no talking trees, nor did the mayor, town council or town manager take time out of their day to console “privileged” trees. The tree pictured agreed to have its photo taken but in no way made claim that it is the tree in question.

So, you ask, “What is the point of this crazy story?”
Read on:

At the Dillon Town Council meeting on April 7, the council members and mayor were more concerned about a resident’s tree, than the 100+ residents of the Dillon Yacht Club. They spent an inordinate amount of time discussing the care of a resident’s tree and how construction was going to affect it. Not once did they bring up the issue of the impact to residents for seizing potentially half the parking spaces from the tax-paying residents of Dillon Yacht Club. Don’t get me wrong. I love trees. The more the merrier, but this was a cold-hearted slap in the face.

On the evening of April 7 the Dillon Town Council voted to approve a phase of their Urban Renewal Project. Coincidently, the plans have the rec path running parallel with Gold Run Circle; thus instantly increasing the value of Mayor Barbara Davis and Councilwoman Mary Forsythe’s homes, which are located on Gold Run Circle. This same rec path will also severely diminish the property value for the residents of Dillon Yacht Club by limiting reasonable access to their property. If you feel I am exaggerating, I encourage you to contact the Town of Dillon and request their minutes from the April 7 meeting.


We proposed numerous options that would have been a win-win for everyone, but the Dillon Town Council refused to consider any of them. We now enter litigation with the Town of Dillon. Much of our reserve funds, which were to be spent on an exterior remodel this summer, will now be spent on attorney’s fees.

Sometimes I wish I were a tree.


-Steve Delaney