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# Proposed commission barking up wrong tree
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/proposed-commission-barking-up-wrong-tree/
- Published: 2008-07-07T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T20:05:34.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

CATCHING UP ON RECENT NEWS includes one of the dumbest ideas that I’ve heard recently: The call for a tree commission by some Santa Monica Treesavers and at least one neighborhood group. Just what this city needs: Another city-supported citizens group that doesn’t accomplish much.

Do we need a commission of self-proclaimed tree experts — attorneys, housewives, retirees and peace activists telling the real tree experts in Open Space Management how to do their jobs?

What’s next? A pothole commission to advise the street maintenance folks how, when and where to fill potholes. Or, a traffic task force to advise the Transportation Management Division on configuring roadways so we can move traffic instead of jamming it?

A bicycling commission could advise the city on getting bicyclists to obey traffic laws. A pollution commission could advise about local stinkiness — and, I’m not talking about political hanky-panky. Speaking of chicanery, we need an ethics commission to watchdog City Hall.Yeah. That’s the ticket.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 7, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/070708.pdf?ref=smdp.com)