Atlanta city arborist fired for working too hard gets a new supporter
August 7, 2008 at 3:45 pm by Thomas Wheatley in NewsThe firing of City of Atlanta Senior Arborist Tom Coffin that was first reported here and quickly became national news has not slowed down. The Fulton Couty Taxpayers Foundation is calling for an e-mail campaign urging Mayor Shirley Franklin to investigate Coffin’s recent dismissal.
Here’s what the group sent out to members via e-mail:
Dear Members and Supporters,
Last week, Senior Arborist Tom Coffin was fired without explanation.
The story was so poignant, that the New York Times picked it up, as well as the Associated Press, Discover Magazine (Blog), Huffington Post, Fort Mill (SC) Times, Columbus (Ga) Ledger-Enquirer and The Examiner.com. See the link to the left for the NYTimes article.
According to sources, the battle has developers and builders on one side and Atlanta’s trees on the other. Coffin cited over 70 violations of illegal tree removal from developers during his tenure. As of today, Coffin has not been told the specific reason for his firing.
Couple this with developers wanting to use TAD funds for projects (on the ballot this November) and the blatant mismanagement of the City, we must wonder what is really happening and why a loyal, City worker was fired with no explanation.
We urge you to email Mayor Franklin, calling for a full investigation into Coffin’s dismissal. The FCTF will pass on more information as we receive it.
Sincerely,
Barbara Payne
Executive Director
Payne forgot to include Franklin’s e-mail address. If you’re so inclined, contact the mayor at sfranklin(at)atlantaga(dot)gov.
August 8th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Great job to CL in helping publicize this issue. Tree cover is critical to the future of Atlanta. Just as important is how the City treats its employees, especially ones–such as Tom Coffin–who are hard working, highly professional, and follwoing the rules. The City’s decision to fire him sounds very fishy. I hope there will be thorough follow-up.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I’m not on the Mayor’s side, and am fortunate not to reside in that disfunctional city. But, the fact is that this is not a “Right -To-Work state, and a reason for termination isn’t required. The mayor could simply say Coffin’s services were no longer needed.
August 15th, 2008 at 8:47 am
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.