This is, again, inspired by CO's original blog on [Secular Fundamentalism].

I will update this entry soon, but judges are starting to make me sick. 

CO raises the issue of "Secular Fundamentalism," I think it a good idea to delve a little deeper into this topic, simply because it is one of the great fundamentalisms and dangers of our age.

But first, some definitions:
 

fun-da-ment-tal-ism: A movement or point of view characterized by rigid adherence to fundamental or basic principles.

sec-u-lar-ism: 1) Religious skepticism or indifference. 2) The view that religious considerations should be excluded from civil affairs or public education

The above definitions come from the American Heritage Dictionary: third edition, no friend of conservatism, but a good source for words.

Let us parse these definitions, just a little. 

Well, I am officially off the hook with the city. I received the letter stating that I am in compliance with city ordinances. Also, wonder of wonders, I was not fined by the city for the multiple inspections that were made.

Lastly, for those who care and live in Glendale, there is a person named Steve Hedrick, running for City Council on the platform of the "draconian" fence law. I do not know anything else about his platform.

However, when I win the best landscaping award in the city, I will be sure to post again regarding this issue. ;)

Woohoo, the city finally answered my request. Take a look below:

I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. Per your Indigenous Tree Permit under the conditions you are required to replace a coast live oak in your front yard by November 1, 2004. Any inspections regarding the landscaping of the front yard area will be done after that date, I will schedule the follow up inspection for November 8, 2004. Again I apologize for the delay in responding. Thank you for your cooperation regarding this matter.

Now, the two departments are on the same time line! Yeah!!!

WARNING: This is more of a rant than a blog

I live in Glendale. On my property I had a Live Oak that was the showcase of my house. It had been ailing for a couple of years. Last year I spent $1k trying to save the tree, giving is phosporous baths (the same treatment they are using to battle sudden oak death.) After the final treatment, the consensus was to wait for spring and hope for the best. Spring came, new growth did not. I called the city to find out what was needed to remove the tree, as it's a protected species in Glendale. After being transferred around multiple departments, I finally was connected to the one person who had authority over oak trees. In April, he came out and declared it dead. He also issued me a permit to remove the tree. However, it was a conditional permit that allowed me to remove the tree only if I planted another Live Oak (at least a 24" box). He initially only gave me 30 days to get this accomplished. I reminded him that he had said that oaks were best transplanted in the fall, so he revised the permit and gave me 6 months until the end of October. Fast forward 2 months. I came home and found a violation notice from the city regarding weeds and a dying oak stating that I had 30 days to rectify the situation. I called the department, which was different from the tree guy's, and explained the situation to them. I faxed them my permit from the tree guy and thought all was taken care of. I pulled out the weeds and was waiting for summer to end. The next week I received another notice in the mail and another and another. By then, I'd decided to just go ahead and pull out the oak, just to get the city off my back. They must have inspected again right before the oak was scheduled to be removed ($1400 worth or removal) becuase I came home to another violation notice, followed by antoher barrage of mailed notices. The tree was removed. I pulled some more weeds and covered the entire front yard with bark, hoping the bark would keep the weeds and the city at bay while I waited for the fall and planting. Fast forward to yesterday. I came home and found a third notice, this one stating that I had to have a landscaped yard within 30 days. Called the city, completely frustrated. After much discussion, reminders of the past history, I was told that I can apply in writing for a 30 day extension, which in all fairness, puts me back in the timeline for originally planting the oak. I kept reminding the official that I had shown due diligence through this entire process, by approaching the city months ago, getting my ducks in a row, only to have it thwarted by another department, who by their own admission has no authority over oaks. Yet, I am obligated to appease both departments operating on different timelines.