How one collapse raised big questions about care, transparency, and where our tax dollars go:
A tree fell in Oak Park not long ago, old enough to have witnessed generations come and go. Its roots ran deep into our shared past, but its fall, quiet and unspectacular, marked a moment of reckoning. It collapsed onto my roof and my car, not from a storm, but from neglect.
And with it came the question: in a town known for high taxes and thoughtful values, are we using our resources as wisely as we could?
That tree stood on public land, part of the village’s extensive inventory. We have a forestry department, a beautifully designed digital map of our urban canopy, and a stated commitment to sustainability. Yet this tree was rotting silently, unmarked, untreated, unmonitored. What good is a digital inventory if it isn’t paired with meaningful data, predictive insight, or timely intervention?
This isn’t about blame. It’s about opportunity. What if Oak Park used its resources not just to maintain systems, but to improve them? What if our public services included interactive dashboards where residents could view the health status of trees, track inspections, or request evaluations? What if the value of our taxes could be felt not just in the abstract, but seen clearly in smart, responsive systems that keep us safe and informed?
We already have the talent, the technology, and the intent. What we need now is alignment: between data and action, between departments and residents, between the money we pay and the value we experience.
Let the fall of this tree be a gentle warning, and a generous prompt. With better tools, transparency, and collaboration, we can turn maintenance into stewardship, and public service into public trust. I believe Oak Park can lead the way.
Franco Zaro
Oak Park
