Hello Rita,

I really think you are doing the right thing, continue calling every
newspaper, You can bring attention to it. There was a lady here in Dallas
that did something like that and she got the news local and world news
involved and they backed down. I would call a lawyer, and check your land
restriction, there could be a legal loophole concerning agriculture.  What
state do you live in? I would even contact CNN ( on the net they have a
section for Allergies) and 20/20 if push comes to shove. Make sure you get
that ladies name that told you to cut it down, you and a lawyer could
threaten them with a law suit and name her in the suit. If the tree was
unstable, state that as you have a  show how it not only could have
effected your child but others in the area as well. I wish you all the luck
and I think in the end you will prevail. If for some reason you have to pay
a fine, I will gladly put you and your son on my site and help raise money
for you.


Good Luck and God Bless,

Lucy Shriver
The Gluten Free Kitchen
http://home1.gte/lbshri

----------
> From: Rita Doppenberg <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Get This!! Allergies/Lawsuits
> Date: Wednesday, April 15, 1998 10:34 PM
>
> Hi everyone,
>
>   Well I just had to tell you a quick story. Saturday afternoon we spent
>
> the day cutting down an 80ft black walnut tree in our neighbours yard.
> This old tree was unsafe and unstable. It was also the cause of 3 very
> severe anaphylactic reactions my 3yr old has had(some of you may
> remember Zack having one last fall and I wrote to the list for ideas and
>
> prayers). You see finally the allergist confirmed what I thought all
> along, he is severely allergic to walnuts and he has anaphylactic
> reactions to them but also has severe asthma attacks when playing
> anywhere around the tree. I called the Municipality to find out if there
>
> was any red tape involved in cutting down a tree (I never said
> specifically what the tree was) and was told that it was OK. The lady I
> had spoken to didnt sound that knowledgable so I just took what she said
>
> and ran with it so to speak because the bottom line is the tree had to
> come down and fast. Zack wants to play outside now that the weather is
> good and he cant because his astma acts up as soon as he is anywhere
> near the tree. Now after the tree is down I find out that I was right,
> it was definately not OK that we took the tree down and that we needed
> to go through alot of beaurocratic red tape and it probably would have
> taken at least 3 years to get permission......if it was granted at
> all!!!! We probably would have gotten turned down and would have had to
> move......Can you believe this so far!!! I am stunned.
>     I am now possibly facing a lawsuit/hefty fine (the figure they threw
>
> around was $100,000.00) because it seems that the particular walnut tree
>
> was very old and was protected by the historical society. The one lady
> came down today and was hysterical and screaming that I killed it. I
> love trees as much as the next person but this is ridiculous. They are
> furious with us for "killing" it. At this time I would like to point out
>
> that we planted 2 brand new trees in the yard to replace the old walnut
> tree. Nobody seems to care that this old walnut tree was "killing" a 3
> year old child!!!! What the heck kind of world do we live in that cares
> more about a "historic" tree than a beautiful innocent child!!!!! I am
> so frustrated and angry that I could just scream.
>       Well now I am writing letters to every newspaper and publication
> in my area. I have contacted my church and since I live in a very small
> town it seems as though the community is rallying around us. Zack was in
>
> the local newspaper just last month in an article about my allergy
> support group and local hospital closures so he is a VERY well know and
> loved child in my area.  Well Im sorry for ranting like this but I just
> had to talk to someone and I know that you all are supportive when stuff
>
> like this happens. Thanks for listening!!
>
> Rita
> A.S.K. Inc. (Allergic Specific Kids Inc.)
> [log in to unmask]