By Cosmo Bua Santa Monica
“Hell is truth seen too late — duty neglected in its season.”
Tyron Edwards, American Theologion. As regards the ficus and palm trees on Second and Fourth Streets, what we want is for the City Council to realize that (the trees) are living things. Council members must understand that they themselves are doing violence to helpless living beings in their charge. They must stop thinking of them as mere “design elements.” We expect the highest priority to be given to what’s best for the trees. We don’t want any of them harmed for an unnecessary, unscientific, and anti-environmental design notion. (As a matter of fact, the design team originally recommended keeping these trees for environmental reasons). We expect the city to work hard to try to heal any of the trees that may be damaged in any way. We demand that the city try the specific recommendations of the independent arborist, Alden Kelley — a scientist with 50 years of experience in this field — who has stated that almost all of the trees can be saved. We expect city employees to work around these trees, understanding that the trees are permanent residents. We expect council members to realize that these trees do not belong to them.
These trees, which are all under 50 years old and could well live another 100 years, were here long before these temporary office holders and should be here long after they are gone.
These trees easily meet more than the one required landmark qualification for designation, and must be saved regardless. Thousands of individuals, scores of organizations and businesses, and all of the Santa Monica neighborhood associations demand that they be saved. If the council persists in attacking these trees, they will continue to do harm to the spirit of Santa Monica. These events are being watched internationally. They will define and affect us in numerous obvious and unforeseen ways for many years. For City Council members, recall efforts may be the least of their problems. I would ask them to consider this advise from the following sages: “No man’s error becomes his own law; nor obliges him to persist in it (Thomas Hobbes).” And, “For the American people are a very generous people and will forgive almost any weakness, with the possible exception of stupidity (Will Rogers).”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 15, 2008. Read the original PDF.