By Dan Jansenson Santa Monica
According to last week’s cover story, (“’Other’ trees causing controversy,” page 1, April 23) Community Forester Walt Warriner said many other cities, such as Glendale and Bellflower “do not even include the public in tree removal and replacement projects.”
Mr. Warriner seems to be laboring under the illusion that Santa Monica is somehow different.
I hate to pop Mr. Warriner’s bubble, but if the Second and Fourth streets streetscape project is any indication, the only real inclusion of the public in tree removal and replacement projects is confined to the reception of glossy mailers — printed and distributed by City Hall at a cost of tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars — containing deceptive and misleading information in defense of a project that will destroy much of the tree canopy downtown. Is there any wonder that many citizens are outraged at this latest project to destroy hundreds of carob trees throughout our city? Even if Mr. Warriner’s assessment of the trees’ condition is correct, it is clear from the public outcry that City Hall’s credibility, where it comes to trees, has evaporated like dew in the morning sun.
Instead of telling Santa Monica’s taxpayers to be happy they’re not living in Bellflower, this highly-paid city employee should get cracking on preserving and enhancing our city’s tree canopy. The time for teaching the public lessons is past.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 30, 2008. Read the original PDF.