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Here's a better link and story to this legal snafu;

Saturday, June 28, 2003

Couple's effort to enhance view from home proves costly Bellevue pair will apologize, pay city for cutting trees on trail

By TRACY JOHNSON SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

A Bellevue couple has agreed to pay that city $150,000 and publicly apologize for cutting 26 trees along a public trail, hoping to enhance the view from their hillside home.

Kendall and Janice Kunz must also put in 32 hours to "personally assist in restoration efforts" and admit to "unlawful cutting on city property" under the agreement, which the Bellevue City Council will be asked to approve Monday.

Yesterday, King County prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against the couple, saying civil penalties were adequate and would require the couple to pay a stiffer fine for what they did.

Last June, the couple hired landscapers to top and severely prune 26 trees along a trail in the 5900 block of 153rd Avenue Southeast, park property the city owns.

An arborist valued the lost evergreen and deciduous trees at $50,000 to $70,000.

Bellevue city officials said they hope yesterday's tentative settlement will send a clear message that "the consequences for cutting and damaging trees are serious and far beyond the value of any enhanced views," said Patrick Foran, director of parks and community services.

The Kunzes also agreed to help "in any enforcement action against others" who were involved in the tree cutting. City spokesman Ron Langley said he could not discuss whether the landscapers the Kunzes hired could face penalties.

The Kunzes' attorney wasn't available to comment yesterday.

Harold Wilson, who caught the chain saw-wielding workers in the act exactly one year ago today, has been hoping the Kunzes would face punishment so that other wealthy homeowners wouldn't think they could do the same thing.

He thought they deserved a six-figure fine and some community service. "I guess the city of Bellevue was thinking the same way I did," Wilson said. "I think it's a very fair settlement, and I think the Kunzes will be making amends for what they've done."

Wilson said he didn't expect to see King County prosecutors file criminal charges -- particularly because they didn't after federal appeals court Judge Jerome Farris was accused of having his gardener chop down 120 trees in Seattle's Colman Park.

Seattle fined Farris $500,000. He has paid $157,000 so far and owes the full amount by next February.

ping

They could not see their scenic view of the surrounding forests through all the trees. City people! Hatem!

And, do they owe $150,000 and an apology or $500,000?

***Wilson said he didn't expect to see King County prosecutors file criminal charges -- particularly because they didn't after federal appeals court Judge Jerome Farris was accused of having his gardener chop down 120 trees in Seattle's Colman Park.***

I thought that seattle was home of the greenies? But I guess there as well as most commie areas, some greenies are just more greenie than others?

Is there some relationship between these idiots and the federal judge (9th circus court too, I bet!)

It seems a bit odd...