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Residents, Kiwanis and city officials spar over tree removals and Zozobra planning at Fort Marcy Park
Summary
A wave of public comment at the Aug. 13 meeting focused on recent removal of trees at Fort Marcy Park for Zozobra-related improvements, with residents and neighborhood leaders seeking transparency and records, while Kiwanis supporters and event backers defended safety and fundraising decisions.
Multiple residents, neighborhood leaders and community groups used the public‑comment portion of the Aug. 13 governing‑body meeting to press the city and Kiwanis Club for detailed records and a transparent process after crews removed 12 Siberian elm trees at Fort Marcy Park in early August for Zozobra preparations.
Critics described the removal as unannounced and urged a full public accounting of communications among Kiwanis, city officials and the insurer that Kiwanis cited as a reason for the removal. Marty Esquivel, a resident and neighborhood commenter, said the city had ‘‘abdicated accountability…
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