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TREE AMENDMENT: Protect what is leftFlorida Times-Union Letter From Readers We just can't let the greed-driven developers get away with portraying the Tree Amendment ballot as a "well-meaning, but emotional mistake." It is nothing of the kind. Thousands and thousands of citizens from every part of the city woke up to realize that the elected politicians had caved in to the builders who put them in office. They saw acres of trees at the mercy of any contractor with a license and a bulldozer. These ordinary citizens came together to protect the little that is left when their government shamefully failed to protect even the smallest of trees. Don't believe the builders' exaggerations and whining. Right next door, builders in St. Johns County (as well as many others in Florida) are building and expanding at a breakneck speed with very tough tree regulations -- and reaping great profits as well! L.R. PARKINSON, TREE AMENDMENT: No sympathy for buildersFlorida Times-Union Letter From Readers I read with interest both sides of the tree amendment issue featured in the T-U commentary page on Wednesday. Bill Brinton and Mitch Montgomery presented solid rationale for their positions. I would like to beleive that there is merit to both positions, however, it seems that the builders group has not crafted their stance in a way that would gain sympathy with the community. A lawsuit that is builder-based without other community support to stop a voter-based initiative comes across at the very least heavy handed. It would seem that the builders interested in stopping this initiative would be better served by engaging with those on the other side to work toward what should be a common goal. That is a sensible tree ordinance that will serve builders and the community in a fair and equitable manner. WARREN GRYMES, TREES: Vote for amendmentFlorida Times-Union Letter From Readers The Nov. 7 ballot offers our voters a genuine opportunity to improve our environment by a vote for the tree protection amendment. Greenscape of Jacksonville volunteers have been planting trees throughout our city for the past 25 years. Unfortunately, many more trees have been destroyed over that same period of time by the commonplace practice of clear-cutting. I urge voters to consider the years required for a tree to reach significant size. Larger trees produce a substantial impact on our health and general well-being. It is imperative that, in addition to new plantings, we provide a safeguard for existing trees. In 1872, the first Arbor Day was celebrated by its founder, J. Sterling Morton. He said, "There is a true triumph in the unswerving integrity and genuine democracy of trees. ... Trees grow just as fast for the poor as they do for the rich, rain and sunshine form partnerships with no regard to the influence of money or power. Best of all, the planted tree graces the humblest cabin with the same beauty and fruitfulness as it does the king's palace." This concept should be more apparent today than ever. The urban forest that sequesters carbon dioxide and gives off oxygen cleans the air for everyone to breathe. Its shade cools pedestrians and homes. Trees increase property value by as much as 20 percent and provide habitat for birds and animals. Trees play a major role in soil erosion and stormwater runoff. We need trees, especially mature trees. Vote for a better future. Vote for the tree amendment. ANNA M. DOOLEY, TREE AMENDMENT: City's appearance sends a messageFlorida Times-Union Letter From Readers Of all the numerous persons discussing the proposed tree amendment to our city charter, how many have researched other ordinances throughout the state and the nation? I have and can assure you that Jacksonville's current requirements of residential builders are very lenient compared to those in cities of South Florida, the Gulf Coast, Central Florida, Tallahassee and beyond. I have discussed this issue at great length with numerous authorities from other Florida cities: foresters, commercial tree companies, landscape architects, other cities' planning officials and parks and beautification departments, tree farmers and more. When we talked about Jacksonville's tree protection policies, these people were amazed at our town's lax measures. Jacksonville is blessed with natural beauty, but it isn't going to remain beautiful if greed is given special privileges. Starkly barren subdivisions, clear-cut for convenience, give the city a black eye, damage its well-being and economy -- and advertise its vulnerability to special interest group pressure. It is our natural features that make Jacksonville a wonderful home and attract tourist and corporate interest. Those natural features depend on trees. The river and waterways, our distinquishing characteristics, need trees to prevent erosion of their banks and contamination of their waters. Yet, homebuilders want to destroy those natural drainage and pollution filtration systems at will -- and expect taxpayers to pay for the infrastructure to replace them. Concerned with their own profit, they demand that the rest of society pay for their lack of stewardship. Any other city in the world would envy the works of nature that give us pleasure, health, economic prosperity and a unique identity. Ordinary towns can have thousands of acres of clear-cut land and endless subdivisions but only Jacksonville can have this special place of beauty. How we care for it reveals our intelligence and values to the world. The nation's eye is focused on us, anxious to determine our worth. We must remember that a city is judged by its most telling characteristic -- the way in which it governs itself. LANE TAYLOR WELCH TREE ORDINANCE: Let the voters decideFlorida Times-Union Letter From Readers Let the people speak. This is in response to the president of the Northeast Florida Builders Association's letter regarding the tree ordinance. He is correct: "The City Council members are elected to make laws." However, some of those laws are flawed and must be amended, rescinded or revoked. Council members are elected by and must serve all the people of Jacksonville, not special interest groups. Let the people speak. If the people vote to amend the ordinance, council members must change the current ordinance to reflect the people's wishes. What are the builders afraid of? The voters on Nov. 7 should decide if the current tree ordinance should be retained or if stricter tree protection measures are necessary. ROBERT L. THOMPSON, TREE ORDINANCE: Make your vote countFlorida Times-Union Letter From Readers We believe that trees are our greatest asset for air, shade and beauty of our environment. We cannot grow them overnight. The citizens of Jacksonville agree, too. On Sept. 5, 31,000 signatures were collected and validated by the supervisor of elections to ensure that the new and strengthened tree ordinance would appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. This truly demonstrates the democratic process at work. We ask all of you to make your vote count and support this important amendment. Our children, our grandchildren and all future generations will thank you. ANN BAKER, SUSAN FISHER, TREE AMENDMENT: Group bulldozes democracyFlorida Times-Union Letter From Readers I was appalled that the Northeast Florida Builders Association has filed a lawsuit against the supervisor of elections to throw out the referendum that would place the tree amendment on the November ballot. How can the members of this group dare to try to deny the people of Jacksonville the right to vote on this issue? They have bulldozed all our trees and now they want to bulldoze our democracy. DAVID ADLER, TREES: Preserve city for the futureFlorida Times-Union Letter From Readers As a community member for over three decades, I have supported every effort for the improvement of our city. Since the beginning, I have been in constant contact with the turnings of our laws regarding tree removal and the formation of a law that made sense. Uprooting a law like the one that passed to protect trees would be a shame, the politicos of development cry. (We have invested so much lobby money on these chain saws and we would like to put them to use). But anyone can realize that a weed in the garden like this one must be eradicated before the bloom of development chokes out the trees whose roots were laid years before these developers sought to invade our community. If people are expected to ignore this issue at the polls, then the developers backing this court ruling would not have sought to censure it from the ballot. Clearly, this is a message that drives home the point that developers fear the voters will overturn their right to clear-cut any tree under 24 inches in caliper. The people of Jacksonville are not held to the whim of developers' greed. We are ultimately responsible for our actions. Repeal the new tree law. Support the tree amendment on Nov. 7. Give voice to our cry for a rich, green tree canopy our future generations deserve. GARY CRUMLEY, TREES: Wallets can be powerfulFlorida Times-Union Letter From Readers I am one of the citizens who wants to get the tree amendment on the ballot. My motivation is the many neighborhoods and subdivisions I pass that are walls and rooftops with little to block that view. As you drive down the street, you see one tiny tree in the yard, a few hedges, and little else. Simply put, no matter what ordinance is in place, no matter what criteria is mandated, if people say they want trees, they will get trees. Potential home purchasers should try this method when looking at neighborhoods that have been cleared excessively by builders. Look the seller right in the eye and say, "No, thank you, I want to live in a place with trees." After a few thousand times of hearing that, and with bank loans coming due on unsold houses, we will see neighborhoods with more trees. It comes down to consumer satisfaction for economic survival. Builders clear land because it is cheaper and easier to build without having to maneuver around the natural landscape. But, if people won't buy houses in the cleared neighborhoods, loan defaults become much more costly and builders will have to change their methods or go out of business. Take personal responsibility. Don't expect government or builders to do it for you. Demand trees with your wallet, which is the most powerful lobbyist you can use. GARY S. SALISBURY, TREE ORDINANCE: Democracy in the openFlorida Times-Union Letter From Readers A Northeast Florida Builders Association representative stated that Jacksonville voters should not be able to "usurp the elected officials' legislative process." Apparently, a handful of greedy builders and developers believe that the right to usurp the process is a right that belongs exclusively to them. For too long, the special interests have been usurping the public interest in Jacksonville. It is time to say enough is enough. Thirty-one thousand voters in Duval County have signed petitions to give all of us a choice in November for a countywide tree preservation law. This is democracy in the open. Shame on those who believe otherwise. JOHN W. GRABAR, |
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