Comments on: (Updated) Atlanta arborist fired, claims department is shirking duties

By: Harold

Harold — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:23:34 +0000

I own a private residence in Atlanta. I had the unfortunate opportunity to be a victim of Tom Coffins abuse of his position. A few days after spreading a truckload of composted dirt over my yard to establish a lawn, I was in my yard when Tom Coffin drove up my driveway. He got out of his truck and without introducing himself screamed “get out of my way I’m here on official business!” After several attempts to get his name and him dodging around my yard refusing to speak to me; I called the police. After they arrived and spoke with him he nastily told me his name, position, and that I had to remove the thin layer of dirt or he was going to fine me $27,500 for disturbing my trees root zone! He wrote me a ticket ordering me to remove the dirt and left. No conversation, no explanation.
I made an official complaint to the city of Atlanta as I’m sure many who have had contact with him have had to do. He’s painting a picture of himself as the Joan Arc for the trees of Atlanta, but he was more like the Hitler of the same. I have 13 huge oak trees in my yard which I could have cut down, but I choose to keep. His manner and actions where volatile and unstable and I’m sure his superiors had just reason to terminate him.
When he returned to my house in 2 weeks to ensure that I had complied with his order(I had), he stated that the city arborists had full police power and did not have to speak or even state there name if they did not wish too.
Even if his intentions are wonderful he had the worst people skills I’ve encountered and was ill suited for his position.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:39:35 +0000

Just so no one gets all misty. This is the arborist who on 2 occasions denied permits to remove trees in my neighborhood. Both trees eventually fell causing considerable damage. After further inspection both trees were suffering from severe internal rot and other foundational problems making them un-safe. I am all about saving the canopy but not at this cost. So I say “GoodBye” to Mr. Coffin. I have also heard that none of the arborists even carry the proper liscense or education to conduct their jobs.

By: Stan

Stan — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:02:54 +0000

Good riddance to this guy. They need to terminate the lot of them. I’ve never encountered so much crap. I shouldn’t have to beg to take care of my property. If any more damage is done to my house from falling branches, I’m going to sue the arborist, his boss and the city for all damage repairs.

By: knoxvol

knoxvol — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:34:02 +0000

Mr. Coffin was a little over-zealous in his job. Even if a tree was dangerous he would not approve its removal. I think he was more concerned about trees than people. I’m not sure it was fare that he wrote the tree ordinance and then he was in charge of enforcing them. The laws are a little draconian. If I don’t want a huge oak leaning over my house I should be able to remove it. Still, I don’t think he should have been fired. He did work a lot harder at his job than most of the lazy city workers.

By: Thomas Wheatley

Thomas Wheatley — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:56:11 +0000

I’m on it, you muckrakers.

By: Mr. T

Mr. T — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:37:39 +0000

@ Joe: No. But any email conversations or memos about Coffin’s dismissal are.

By: Joeventures

Joeventures — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:35:37 +0000

Are personnel files subject to open records requests?

By: Decaturguy

Decaturguy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:28:36 +0000

If you want to bust this story wide open the CL should start today doing some Open Records Requests to the city and find out why he was really fired.

By: cityzen

cityzen — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:33:22 +0000

Are we going to accept the absurdly counterfactual assurance of Mr Maslamani that the other arborists “will protect the city’s tree canopy as required by our codes”?

Anyone who has had to appeal an approved tree removal or attended a tree conservation commission meeting knows that Tom Coffin was the only arborists trying to do his job.

The mayor has never supported the tree ordinance by any action. She fired all the arborists early in her first term and only reinstated them in face of widespread protest. She has rebuffed every effort to make ordinance enforcement effective. Tree conservation commission leaders and members have quit in disgust during her adminstration. Her building bureau directors naturally look after their clients’ interest and have made the arborists’ office a very difficult environment.

If we want tree protection, we need to make a lot of noise to overcome all this.

By: Forest Fairy

Forest Fairy — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 02:11:06 +0000

Tennee was doing her job — here’s the e-mail…

—— Forwarded Message
From: “Maslamani, Ibrahim”
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:15:46 -0400
To: Sarah Mock , “Franklin, Shirley”
Cc:
Subject: RE: Tom Coffin

Please note that Mr. Coffin’s termination is a personnel matter and not related to budget reduction. I assure you we have other arborists who are trained and knowledgeable in the tree ordinance who will handle and protect the City’s tree canopy as required by our codes. The Sr. Arborist position will be opened soon and we will hire the most qualified person for the job. If you ever have any concerns on our level of inspection or enforcement of the tree ordinance, please let me know and will take immediate action.

Ibrahim K. Maslamani
Director, Bureau of Buildings

City of Atlanta
55 Trinity Avenue, SW
Suite 3900
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Office 404-330-6152
Fax 404-494-1979