Dear Editor:
Last Monday (Sept. 19), as I was walking to the bus stop I had occasion to walk on Eastern Avenue past the row of beautiful and somewhat rare purple maples. What brought me to a full stop was the yellow plastic ribbon tag on the trunk of each tree. A tag that was explained by a placard, stating that these trees are due to be chopped down. Horrified, I took note of the number for the city's arborist and, when home, called and left a message for him to call me.
I received a call back from the arborist. During the call he told me that all but three of the trees that line two sides of the Extra Foods parking lot are due to be destroyed by the developer - a developer who, apparently, is going to turn the entire site into a huge open-pit type hole, starting with the trees.
When asked, he told me that the way to prevent the loss of these fabulous adult trees was to petition city hall. Ergo, this letter is to ask for all of your readers who feel that this destruction of trees is senseless and unnecessary to contact city hall or to join me in signing a petition. Apparently city hall does listen.
For more information on getting involved, visit the Facebook page: saveourpurplemaples.
Jennifer Leigh Neufeld North Vancouver
