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To all property owners statewide,to all elected officials statewide, and to all neighborhood associations, to all interested parties.

From Charles H.Goodman, co-founder Indiana Tree Association

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) has issued its revised final decision
on a lengthy Tree Trimming  investigation and will be holding a public hearing 
on August 11,2011 at the Offices of the IURC at 101 West Washington St. Indianapolis
 46204 ( PNC BLDG) in room 222 which is directly above the security desk in the lobby from 2-4pm

Public attendance and input is critical as this will be one of the final times we will have
to influence the rules on tree trimming and your property rights. A wrap up meeting 
several months from now will be held as the IURC presents what they feel should be
 the rules to implement the commission's order of 11-30-2010 and the revisions of 7-7-2011

Their are two major areas which deserve very close attention  by all...........
First: On 7-7-2011 The  IURC in it's revision to it's previous  order of 11-30-2010 added the
 ability of utilities to cut in excess of 25% in an emergency....which is reasonable, however
they added   " or for public safety" this could open Pandora's box to continued  tree
trimming abuses unless well clarified by these rules.......I am hoping this will occur but if
left standing all a utility needs to say is we did this for public safety and we are almost 
back to square one.

The second area of greater concern is section 5 of the proposed rules dealing with upgrades
the only notice requirement is a sixty day notice to property owners of the utility's plans
no notice to neighborhood groups,local elected officials or anyone else .....no notice of public
hearings, no need for input from local officials, neighborhood groups,  nor the need for prior
 approval. The utility decides where and when such upgrades or high voltage  lines will be
 installed despite the fact that such lines can have a substantial negative impact on local
 neighborhoods.

If you can not attend this public Hearing , please write to the IURC to say to them local input
and prior approval by local officials  need to be a part of these rules or a separate order addressing
this issue is necessary. Feedback from our elected officials on this issue is critically needed now
if local communities are to have any input into such an important issue.Folks statewide need to
write or call their elected State Representatives both in the House and Senate.Recently, at a local
community meeting I asked the question of approx. 15 candidates for our local offices should the
 IURC be required to  give notice to local officials so their input and that of local neighborhoods
is considered before any action is taken. All  agreed local input is necessary...those sentiments need
to be conveyed to the IURC.

Please help to spread this message around the state ...forward this message to as many people as
possible so all Hoosiers are aware of this meeting. Later we must complete this utility reform in
the State legislature where we will be facing a very well heeled lobbying group using our own 
money so the utilities  can regain the upper hand once again. We must all work together to win.
Will each elected official help to let other elected officials around the state know what is going on.
This is an issue that affects all Hoosiers statewide.Your input does matter.Please let your voice be heard.

The address for the IURC is above. Their phone number is 317-232-2701 ask for Judge DeAnna Poon
Her e-mail address is DeAnna Poon <DPoon@urc.IN.gov>Some times laws are left vague allowing
for some flexibility, but in this case it will create major problems.

Questions?    Call me 317-356-2499 or e-mail me at c-goodman@att.net....Many thanks to all
see www.indianatreealliance.com..............again thanks Charlie Goodman