TreeWatch meeting wrap-up

In case you missed Liliana Dones' response to the Tree Meeting last night, here it is below. As I suspected, the District 2 Commission camp felt the need to show up to intimidate people by their mere presence. You cannot even have a neighborhood meeting without them infiltrating. It's sickening. Really sickening.

From Liliana Dones:

Actually Grape, Tree Watch supporters got together as planned, even though I did get emails from some that having read on the Grapevine that someone from the Commissioner's office was coming, they thought it was going to turn into some sort of formal debate and like you, were weary of that.

Some others turned around and left when they got there and saw District 2 Chief of staff, the BID Director, the BID Capital Improvements coordinator, The BID Capital Improvements Chair, the Consulting Arborist, The Capital City Improvements Program Director, and a handful of the tree removal project supporters, assuming they were not there to drink and mingle.

Indeed at first if felt like this was right out of the school dance scene in West Side Story. But you know what? we sat ourselves right down with our clipboard, and greeted people as they walked in. And they flowed in all night-- we were there 'til 10:30. Lots of earnest, caring people. Many were young. Many were new to the Grove. Many were residents from the street itself that had not gotten any kind of warning until they saw the signs.

Most of the people who came to sign the petition did just that, had a drink and left (it was a good night for Peacock Garden too!). Some had gotten some sort of email, like the lady from Abitare and were wondering about when the debate was going to start. Happy to report that the majority of these people signed the petition as well, except for one lady who said she felt uncomfortable because someone from "the other side" had asked her to come.

In the end we made it close to our goal of signatures and plan to keep going. Oh, and please pass this on to Al [Crespo]: Everyone I spoke to is a voter. Some, alas, could not vote as they are not citizens, but as legal residents and in most cases, property owners, and green-card holders and tax payers, they too, have a right to have a say about the neighborhood they love.

And on the subject of those who can't vote, you would be surprised how many high school students support TreeWatch. Apparently its their Grove too.

Liliana Dones
TreeWatch