By Dan Jansenson Santa Monica
(Bill) Bauer is factually wrong (“If traffic doesn’t get you, ficus trees will,” Nov. 12) when he says that the Treesavers are attempting to save trees that are a hazard to the public. The group has stated often, and repeatedly, that any trees proven to be a hazard should, in fact, be removed. It is the remaining 31 (and possibly more) perfectly healthy, beneficial, money-saving trees that are the object of the rescue efforts.
Mr. Bauer is factually wrong again when he suggests that the Treesavers folks are attempting to obtain Landmark status for the trees just because they’re being removed. Treesavers are engaged in this effort because they believe this specific group of trees — as a group — are of great significance in the history and makeup of downtown Santa Monica, and have importance and meaning to many people who have lived here for many years. The Landmark application goes into detail on this matter.
It is, frankly, a mystery why Mr. Bauer — a person who normally decries city waste and anti-business bias — insists on defending a city plan that is utterly wasteful of hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars, and is directly inimical to the interests of retailers and business owners in the area.
Mr. Bauer, come and join us in convincing the city to save over $600,000 in taxpayer dollars. Keep the healthy trees in place; help create a wonderful retail experience that will help shopkeepers; keep the area — and the buildings — cool and pleasant.
That’s all we ask.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 14, 2007. Read the original PDF.