Uproar Over Lincoln Park Tree Removal
There's a groundswell of opposition to the proposed removal of trees from Lincoln Park. The City Council has approved the removal of up to 45 trees. These trees won't be removed until three years from now, when the Lincoln Park Master Plan has been completed.
The Port of Port Angeles wants the trees removed because they're in the way of the landing approach to William F. Fairchild International Airport.
The Port of Port Angeles wants the trees removed because they're in the way of the landing approach to William F. Fairchild International Airport.
posted by Tom Harper at 6:45 PM
11 Comments:
I hope that the people who want to save the trees demand that the City Council and Port Commissioners find solutions other than chopping down part of Port Angeles's heritage. The council decided in secret to close the Wm. Shore Pool, and the public never had a chance to save it. Now, people at least know about what could be in store for Lincoln Park, and there may be time and a fighting chance to influence the outcome. Give 'em hell!!!
Will be interesting to see what comes of all this. It is an election year, so, we can assume anything really definitive by the City Council will be put off until after the elections. They'll all say nice things to appease all concerned. They have three years.
Yawn.
I predict that in the end they will get what they want, it's not like the money mongers care what others want.
The City has stated that there will be no formal statement regarding Lincoln Park until the Lincoln Park Master Plan is finished. The plan will be three years until it is completed making a decision doubtful until 2013-14. There is a city council election this year and in 2013. It is conceivable that both sided of the debate are talking to council members that will not be on the city council when it becomes time to vote on the proposed Lincoln Park Master Plan. Would it be more effective to go to the public Port of Port Angeles meetings (second and fourth Monday mornings) and voice opinions during the planning process, and then voice opinions to the City (and whoever is elected at that time) in 2013-14 when the master plan is released? I ask to verify the current facts.
Drew Schwab:
People should definitely go to the Port Commission meetings and raise hell about what they want. That is good advice. Historically the Port Commissioners simply endure public comments and do what their cronies want them to do. However, at least people could make it a little awkward for McIntire who is running to be a county commissioner. He might pay some lip service to saving the trees, but his fellow commissioners will see to it that those trees are cut down, pronto. The plans for which ones to cut have been prepared for years and circulated to the PAA, etc.
As for the Park master plan awaiting 2013: HAH! Di Guilio and Perry don't have a clue as to promises and deals being made behind the scenes by city staff as to the tree cutting. The Parks Department should be leading the charge in defending Lincoln Park trees, and demanding other alternatives than clear cutting. But that department is under the influence of the good ole boys network of overpaid bureaucrats who could care less about citizens' quality of life, and more about lining the pockets of their friends --- such as Grant Munro or other cronies who will stand to benefit from "harvesting" the trees.
Drew, you appear to be well intentioned, but still pretty naive about how things work in Port Angeles. Many of us started out like you: trusting that those in power would listen to citizen input and are in office because they want to serve the public interest. Maybe there are towns out there that operate that way. Port Angeles, unfortunately, is not one of them. There are a few good folks on the city council now, but they are outnumbered by the lazy, self-serving, or greedy.
"Cynical for a reason",you're absolutely right.
I remember seeing the plans for the cutting down of the trees at Lincoln Park at least 4 years ago.
Yes, Port Angeles has been around for 150 years or so. Plenty of time to "get it right". But, as so many note, and as history shows us, the town stays the same.
Question, on-topic: Why do you suppose the Port has their regular meetings at 9:30AM? Could it be because that's a time that prevents a lot of (working) people from attending and seeing what they're up to, or at least giving public comment? Hmmm...Ya think?
Question, off-topic (but somewhat related): Remember when the Karen Rogers report came out, and Dick Goodman at KONP did his smear piece "investigation" into the three City Council members who dared to ask questions related to Karen Rogers? And remember how KONP tried to defend themselves from accusations that it was a smear piece by saying that they were "investigating" all the Council members, and more "disclosures" were coming? Well, Dick, it's been weeks now...when are the "results" on the other four Council members being released? After all, I'm sure you want to be "Fair and Balanced," right?
Right?
As for the trees, go to meetings, write letters, and vote for people who will state their position on this, and promise to keep to their position. Grill them, make them squirm, and get them to commit to a position.
"Question, on-topic: Why do you suppose the Port has their regular meetings at 9:30AM? Could it be because that's a time that prevents a lot of (working) people from attending and seeing what they're up to, or at least giving public comment? Hmmm...Ya think?"
Of course, I guess someone could propose the Port hold it's public input times after 6 pm, to at least give the impression they care what the public thinks.
Few really think they do.
Cut the damn things down. For crissakes, ya have almost a million frickin acres of wilderness at our backdoor. That couple that are leading the loonies are pretty damn smelly and dress like crap.
Cut the damn things down. For crissakes, ya have almost a million frickin acres of wilderness at our backdoor. That couple that are leading the loonies are pretty damn smelly and dress like crap.
12:14 AM, July 01, 2011"
No kidding! I'll bet they patronize "Willies Smoke Shop", too!
Who cares about having a nice looking community? Port Angeles is an industrial town, all about JOBS! People don't care about anything else except JOBS.
The louder, dustier, smokier, and more polluting the industries, the better. After all, this is Port Angeles.
Oh, joy. The PDN today published a letter from a former city council member who now lives in Omak, but who cannot seem to separate himself from his past. According to the pontificating Omakian, Lincoln Park is a scary place because of all the trees, and people who want to preserve them are worthy of nothing more than scorn and derision.
He of course prefers that the park be clear cut, probably so that some of his cronies can get the logging contract and the worhtless-to-the-public trees. Watch for the logged-off Lincoln Park trees to end up in Pen Ply's yard, awaiting transport to Asia.
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