When we moved to Victoria several years ago, someone commented that: 鈥淵ou鈥檒l get into more trouble here for cutting down a Garry oak than for molesting a child.鈥� At the time, I thought this must be a gross exaggeration.
Given the recent hoopla about the birch tree at the intersection of Government, Wharf and Humboldt streets, I am beginning to wonder. I also wonder how many people who have protested the tree鈥檚 demise actually live in the neighbourhood and use that intersection.
I live within walking distance and cross that intersection several times a week, sometimes in a car, more often by foot. (For what it鈥檚 worth, neither my husband nor I ride a bike.) It鈥檚 a tricky intersection and I鈥檝e often thought that all it would take is a moment鈥檚 inattention for a serious accident to occur.
Not surprisingly, therefore, I agree with council鈥檚 decision. For those who don鈥檛 reside in Victoria proper, and who are upset about bike lanes, cut trees, the increasing number of condos and other changes to the downtown area, there is a way for them to have their voices heard and to influence the downtown鈥檚 evolution. It鈥檚 called amalgamation.
Gisele Law
Victoria
