Think of other non-native species
Re: 鈥淣ative tree plan could spell end of cherry trees, councillor says,鈥� Feb. 22.
So, Mayor Lisa Helps, councillors and others think it a good idea to rid Victoria of non-native species, among which are the glorious cherry trees. I wonder if these people have stopped to consider the fact they (and most of us who live here) are non-native species, too.
Let us hope Vancouver will not follow this lunacy.
Ann Hadaway
Mayne Island
We are annihilating our heritage
Re: 鈥淣ative tree plan could spell end of cherry trees, councillor says,鈥� Feb. 22.
I weep for Victoria as she has been overtaken by barbarians, with Mayor Lisa Helps at the helm. We have lost many architectural gems to the axe and San Juan Island, a historical bronze and healthy trees. We face the threat of losing our flower baskets, our Christmas lights, more statues, our connection to the monarchy, much-needed police protection and now our gorgeous cherry trees. Soon the blossom count, the envy of sa国际传媒, will be no more.
Former councillor Pamela Madoff fought for years to save Victoria鈥檚 heritage from destruction, and since she has gone, the losses have escalated.
As stated by Emilie Worthington from Quebec, who just purchased an Oak Bay heritage home for $5,000, Europe protects its heritage, unlike us, who have become the annihilators of our precious heritage.
We are following in Vancouver鈥檚 footsteps, which has lost more than 50 per cent of its tree canopy, its neon signs, hundreds of architectural gems and entire villages (Arbutus/Dunbar). Imagine losing Oak Bay Village forever.
Helps and her supporters are a very bad fit for our beloved Victoria.
Farewell, Victoria.
Elizabeth Everett
Victoria
Cherry trees were a gift from Japan
Re: 鈥淣ative tree plan could spell end of cherry trees, councillor says,鈥� Feb. 22.
Of all the misguided notions Mayor Lisa Helps has trotted out, the plan to get rid of Victoria鈥檚 cherished Japanese cherry trees takes the cake. One wonders how folks in our Japanese sister city of Morioka would feel about the plan.
The cherry trees were gifts from the people of Japan and were carefully planned by species to bloom in intervals to extend the season of 鈥減ink snow.鈥� What exactly does Victoria city council hope to achieve by removing one of Victoria鈥檚 most iconic features (next to the flowers she plans to annihilate)? What alt-left political agenda is being served here?
Never mind the devastation to tourist appeal, what about local residents鈥� opinion on the matter?
Helps has become reckless in her pursuit of her ideological agenda. She has made the claim that her re-election was a 鈥渞eferendum鈥� and approval of her platform, which presumably includes the destruction of Victoria鈥檚 charm. News for her: An election is not a referendum and in a referendum, a 43 per cent showing is not a win but a convincing loss.
The only reason she won is that so many folks were eager to oust her that they split the vote.
I listened to the discussion at city council surrounding this appallingly poor decision and it can be best characterized by the word 鈥渕oo.鈥� I give credit to Coun. Geoff Young for having a considered opinion, but as for the rest of Helps鈥檚 cattle, shame on you.
A.F. Carlson
Saanich
New native trees might not survive
Re: 鈥淣ative tree plan could spell end of cherry trees, councillor says,鈥� Feb. 22.
In regard to replacing the cherry trees with native species, it would be good to point out the inconsistency of the city management鈥檚 argument. Red cedars, arbutus and Garry oak are all native to this area, and all are suffering over the past decades.
If climate change is to give us drier, hotter summers (a proposition that does not find agreement amongst climate scientists, anyway), then why not bring in trees from the Mediterranean? Some models predict more precipitation for the Pacific Northwest, some less, some more intense cold snaps, others the end of winter. Which tree is going to come out on top is anybody鈥檚 guess.
I fear the root of this plan (no pun intended) is as much about the 鈥渄e-colonization鈥� of Fairfield as it is about a coherent plan based on climate. Replant the iconic cherry trees. Maybe they will be the perfect fit for another hundred years.
Robert Creese
Victoria
