TULSA ARMY RECRUITING COMMANDER DISAPPOINTED IN LOCAL BUSINESS

[paulclark1]

My name is Major Paul Clark of the United States Army Tulsa Recruiting Company. I have been overly impressed by the way the community has come together during the trying times this recent snow storm has brought to the citizens of the Greater Tulsa Area. I have seen neighbor helping neighbor; stranger coming to the rescue of others on the road as hundreds found themselves stuck on roadways and highways; folks shoveling snow for elderly that could not otherwise do so for themselves and the best part? It has all been paid for out the generosity found within the hearts of caring people in the area wanting to show random acts of kindness and love for their fellow man.
That was all shattered today when I was involved in an incident with a local business, Asplundh Tree Expert Company, based out of Tulsa. I live in Broken Arrow and learned of an elderly couple in Coweta that had no means of getting around in the weather torn roads and was in desperate need of food and medications they had ran out of but were available for pick up at the Coweta Wal Mart. I drove to Coweta to assist this couple. I turned onto a neighborhood street that had a single path cleared out. As I was driving down the road, I was met head on by a 5-10 ton truck owned by Asplundh. I moved slightly to the right to allow the truck to pass by, believing the driver of the Asplundh truck would have done the same, understanding the critical nature of the roadway. As I moved to the right, the Asplundh truck moved over taking the entire roadway forcing me off the road completely.
I first thought, (I believed) the Asplundh truck would have stopped to pull me out of the ditch they had forced me into in order to prevent a head on accident. I was sorely disappointed when the Asplundh truck continued driving away. There were dozens of Asplundh truck driving up and down the side streets of Coweta, but none of them would come down the road where I was stranded. I finally, out of desperation, walked up half a block to flag down another Asplundh truck by standing directly in front of it. I expressed to the driver of truck #07, Arthur, what had taken place and would appreciate their helping since it was my courtesy toward Asplundh that had but me this situation. Arthur explained to me that all Asplundh employees had been instructed to help, "NO ONE". In a time where stranger was helping stranger, tow trucks were pulling folks out of bad situations at no cost, Coweta Police Officers and Fire Fighters were running to the aid of stranded motorist, and Asplunhd with dozens of 5-10 ton trucks in this small community were instructed to help "NO ONE". I asked Arthur for the phone number to his field supervisor, Ron, for which never answered his phone. I then queried the office number to Asplundh and spoke with Michelle from the main office. She indicated to me that for liability purposes, Asplundh employees were instructed not to assist others. I shared with her the reason I found myself in the situation I was in. She asked me to stand by while she attempted to contact a manager. About ten minutes later, she called me back stating that the truck could not assist, but if Arthur's crew so desired to help manually by pushing my vehicle out, they could do so. Arthur agreed that his crew would assist and it took all of 20 seconds to free me from the situation Asplundh but me in, "thank you Arthur and your crew"!  Too bad it took 45 minutes to get the commitment from the main office.
As for Asplundh, I am again sorely disappointed that in what our Governor deemed a state of emergency was more concerned about liability than assisting the community. I ask Asplund this; Are your liabilities and profits so more profound than the citizens of the Greater Tulsa Area? The same people you rely upon for continued success? Shame on you and the selfish nature for which you conduct yourselves. As a leader in the community and in local communal organizations, you can be assured you would be the last company I would call upon, and the last company I would ever recommend to anyone. I think most of the community would share in my belief that you need to rethink your priorities.
Respectfully
Paul A. Clark Jr.
Major, United States Army
Tulsa Recruiting Company Commander

[guido911]

Have you communicated this incident to the higher ups at this company? Oh, and welcome aboard Major. I appreciate your service to this country.

[RecycleMichael]

This is my Asplundh story...

http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/index.php?topic=12968.0

[waterboy]

Asplundh sucks. They marked trees in my yard for removal because of proximity to power lines. Then, they only trimmed one of them back. It will quickly grow back into the lines. The supervisor offered me his personal business card to remove the rest of the trees at my own expense.

They use PSO as their very own business development partner.

[cannon_fodder]

Asplundh is a corporate beast with 26,000 employees specializing in working for utilities and governments butchering trees like mowing a lawn.  They are based in Pennsylvania, they are NOT a Tulsa company.  Again, they are NOT a LOCAL BUSINESS.

While I can sympathize with the "don't stop to help" order (otherwise no work would be done and very likely your equipment would get stuck/broken and/or you would break someones car pulling them out), I would hink that edict passes by the wayside when YOU cause the person to get stuck.   I've dug out, push out, and towed out many people this last week (broke my tow strap eventually, someone hooked it up rubbing on a bolt!) - so hearing and seeing people that hinder rather than help is upsetting.  But I believe I am in the majority and they are the few jerks that ruin it for everyone.

Welcome to Tulsa Now.