Pheonix Arizona Mayor Falls from tree

Eric Frei · 7th September 2008, 09:44 PM

Interesting, the mayor is a hack! No wonder there's little chance for the profession when this fool has little respect for the job too.

Also, thought you'd like the red piece, who uses cables instead of ropes?

Experts say mayor's fall shows dangers of working in trees

Quote:

by Casey Newton - Sept. 4, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

The fall from a tree that left Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon in the hospital could have been avoided had the mayor taken proper safety precautions - or hired a professional, Valley arborists said Wednesday.

Gordon remained in the hospital Wednesday as he recovered from a 13-foot fall that fractured his third vertebra. The mayor entered the hospital Tuesday, two days after falling from a tree while clearing storm debris, and he was expected to remain there at least through this morning.

"If you don't have the proper equipment and experience, it's not hard to fall," said Jim Zimmerman, owner of Jim's Tree Service in Phoenix. "You can either ruin a tree or fall out of a tree. Either way, you're going to do damage."

Professional arborists use a series of cables to bind them to trees and prevent falls. They recommend wearing safety goggles and hard hats, and they typically have a man on the ground to assist them in case of emergency.

"It's a dangerous job even for people who are trained and know what they're doing," said Jason Nunemacher, an arborist and general manager of Tree Pros in north Phoenix. "I would definitely recommend leaving it to professionals."

Told of the arborist's recommendations, a spokesman said Gordon replied, "Tell him I agree with him."

Gordon was one of thousands of homeowners who woke up Friday with a front yard covered in debris after a powerful storm brought hurricane-force winds to the Valley.

Gordon prides himself on his yard work.

"It's a great thing for him, because it helps him relax," his wife, Christa Severns, said. "It's really good down time for him. He enjoys it."

Still, yard work has gotten the mayor into trouble before. This spring, Gordon got a staph infection after cutting his hand while trimming bougainvilleas.

"I'm telling him no more gardening," said Jay Thorne, a Gordon adviser.

Gordon himself wasn't speaking to reporters Wednesday, although not by choice. Aides drove to the hospital to confiscate his cellphone after a 6:30 a.m. phone interview on Channel 10 (KSAZ).

Speaking with anchor Ron Hoon, a heavily medicated Gordon slurred his speech while describing the accident. When aides later asked Gordon why he had agreed to an interview, the mayor said he could not remember speaking with the Fox anchors.

Despite being disoriented, the mayor did manage to crack one joke during the interview.

"I won't be jogging for a few weeks," he said.

Severns said an extra night in the hospital would be good for the mayor, a notorious workaholic who often rises before dawn to begin his day.

"This is the first time in three years he's getting sleep," Severns said. "The man needs to heal, and he needs to rest. And we've finally found a place where he's forced to do that."

newguy18 · 8th September 2008, 01:50 PM

Another dumbass,lets have a beer and hope hes learned his lesson.Did he make a youtube video?

heyguy · 10th September 2008, 02:28 PM

I agree... what a dumbass. And he's the #$%^ mayor... That can't be good.

Speaking of hard hats, I just bought a new one online. The company I work for always cheaps out so I decided to get my own. Bunch of steel work friends told me to get a skullgard.. 75 bucks, but it's pretty damn nice.

8th September 2008, 01:50 PM	#2
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,948	Re: Pheonix Arizona Mayor Falls from tree Another dumbass,lets have a beer and hope hes learned his lesson.Did he make a youtube video? __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

10th September 2008, 02:28 PM	#3
heyguy I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: MKE Posts: 1	Re: Pheonix Arizona Mayor Falls from tree I agree... what a dumbass. And he's the #$%^ mayor... That can't be good. Speaking of hard hats, I just bought a new one online. The company I work for always cheaps out so I decided to get my own. Bunch of steel work friends told me to get a skullgard.. 75 bucks, but it's pretty damn nice. Last edited by Eric Frei; 10th September 2008 at 05:41 PM. Reason: Tiny'd the links, potential spam post

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode