Man Plans to Go Out on a Limb, Again

YPSILANTI TWP., Mich. (myFOXDetroit.com) - He spent part of the summer living in one of his trees. Now, as we approach winter, an Ypsilanti Township man is again about to go out on a limb.

Bill Riney is planning is one man protest and starting to build a fort so he can eventually sleep in his trees and hopefully stop the power company from cutting them down.  He isn't giving up without a fight, even after a judge ruled against him and gave ITC, a utility company that owns the high voltage lines above his property, the green light to cut down his five white pines.

"The reason we bought the property is because these beautiful trees, you know. We can't really afford to live out in the country, but we could live back here and have some wonderful trees," Riney said.

With a ladder, some plywood and a tent, Riney plans to build a fort in his trees behind his home on Edison in Ypsilanti Township. He says he plans to stay up there to stop the power company from taking down his trees.

It worked back in June. Riney hopes it will work again.

"I'm a pretty stubborn person. I'm going to be up there for quite a while, I'm afraid," Riney said.

ITC claims trimming the trees that interfere with its power lines is no longer an option. Riney says ITC plans to give him $11,000 for his sacrifice, but he's not interested in the money.

Riney is fighting for his rights, he says, an important lesson he's also teaching his son.

"I've read many books on Gandhi and Dr. King, and I respect what I've learned from them, but I come with a Detroit attitude, and I'm not going to let this go easily," said Riney.

Riney's not quite ready to go up yet. He says he will as soon as the power company comes, and that he plans to stay up there for as long as it takes.

He also says he's not only doing it for himself and his own property, but for all the other property owners who have had their trees cut down and didn't want it to happen.