Snow has fallen,
Winds have blown,
News is slow in coming.
Soon it will be time.
And decisions will be made.
Will the Ingraham Forest Stand?
What will DPD* decide?
What will the School District do?
We at Save the Trees, know what we will do.
We wait for the decision, we wait for our move.
Snow has gone,
Winds have blown,
A New Year awaits;
Resolutions made.
*City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development
InvestigateWest --Dateline
Ingraham Trees
Snow
Urban Forest Under Seige
Clear cutting along 123rd in Seattle
Loss Looms In Seattle's Urban Forest
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Plausible deniability?
mary.bass@seattleschools.org; sherry.carr@seattleschools.org; cheryl.chow@seattleschools.org; michael.debell@seattleschools.org; peter.maier@seattleschools.org; harium.martin-morris@seattleschools.org; steve.sundquist@seattleschools.org; superintendant@seattleschools.org
Howdy,
Thanks for listening to our concerns about needlessly cutting down ninety-some trees at Ingraham High School.
I attended the SEPA hearing where I recall school district officials denying under oath the existence of any supporting information about a long range campus master plan. A few days ago our Public Disclosure request has revealed several such documents.
I believe the transcript of the SEPA Appeal Hearing will support this statement. Perhaps the transcript should be read by the school board so you can see for yourself what we appellants heard your staff & contractors say during those four days. They repeatedly said the one page drawing showing 4 options for potential construction sites was the ONLY written documentation, but this is not borne out by the facts.
Arboreally yours,
Michael Oxman
saveseattlestrees.com
Howdy,
Thanks for listening to our concerns about needlessly cutting down ninety-some trees at Ingraham High School.
I attended the SEPA hearing where I recall school district officials denying under oath the existence of any supporting information about a long range campus master plan. A few days ago our Public Disclosure request has revealed several such documents.
I believe the transcript of the SEPA Appeal Hearing will support this statement. Perhaps the transcript should be read by the school board so you can see for yourself what we appellants heard your staff & contractors say during those four days. They repeatedly said the one page drawing showing 4 options for potential construction sites was the ONLY written documentation, but this is not borne out by the facts.
Arboreally yours,
Michael Oxman
saveseattlestrees.com
Friday, November 21, 2008
Last night at Ingraham High School, the DPD held a public meeting on the Ingraham construction project. As you know Save the Trees – Seattle and others in the community are opposed to the Seattle School District cutting down 68 trees on the west side of the High School when other locations exist on the campus where the addition can be built without cutting down any large trees.
Many neighbors and others turned out to support the trees and to urge that the project be moved. There was also a very large contingent of vocal students and parents and teachers frustrated by their long standing grievance of classes being held in rundown mold infested portables for too many years. The Principal at Ingraham stated that he made a concerted effort to turn out students and parents and teachers to support the project. With his encouragement the students basically staged a pep rally for the project. This was not unexpected considering what they have had to put up with in a substandard learning environment. The meeting comments basically turned out to be a rehash of both sides positions with little new emerging.
Those of us opposed to needlessly cutting down the trees on a campus that at 28 acres is the largest in the Seattle School District, sympathized with the frustration of the students and parents and teachers that for many years have been forced to take classes in substandard portables that are in terrible shape and have mold. Teachers and students complained of getting sick. Some of the portables house special needs students but do not have running water or bathrooms.
The Seattle School District has let the situation get out of control and is now trying to make the neighbors the villains for their negligence. The Seattle School District’s approach has been to deny they have any responsibility for delaying the project and blame neighbors who love trees more than students as what is preventing the project from going forward
But Save the Trees – Seattle and the neighbors support the long overdue upgrading of the classrooms. We are not, however, the villains just because we also don’t want to needlessly destroy a unique urban forest when viable alternatives exist on the campus for building elsewhere. One location we suggested was the North lawn area which Ingraham actually picked as the site if a future addition was to be built after the current project. It is rather ironic that the Ingraham Master Plan produced as part of this project can propose building on this North lawn location in the future but it is somehow not possible to build there now and spare the grove of trees. They are serious enough about retaining the North lawn area for a future addition that in the current proposal it is the only area on campus where they do not propose planting trees.
Two wrongs do not make a right. Not upgrading or maintaining the school in a responsible way for students and teachers in the past and proposing to cut down 68 Douglas fir, Western red cedar and Pacific madrone trees to now do the upgrade is only compounding the past mistakes by avoiding responsible stewardship of both our schools and our natural urban habitat.
The Principal testified that he went around to different student groups to recruit them to come to the public meeting to support the project as is. It is very hard for any students to take on the Principal publicly and say they opposed cutting down the trees. I have spoken with both students and teachers who opposed cutting down the trees. At least one teacher was told to stop any efforts to get students to oppose cutting down the trees because that was political and not education. The teacher felt threatened and that her job was at stake.
The Principal is the authority figure at the school. Student recommendations for college frequently come from the Principal. Is it any wonder that teachers and students who oppose cutting down the trees might feel intimidated or threatened if they spoke out. I remember when I contacted Martin Floe about our arborist looking at the trees he personally told me to not talk to the students. I guess he was afraid of them hearing anything contrary to his position. So much for an open dialogue at Ingraham.
What Floe has forgotten is that he is acting in a capacity of public trustee for the school. He has tried to make us NIMBY’s which means he doesn’t even understand the term. We are not opposed to renovating the school and in fact believe it is long overdue. I am aware of no one in our group or neighbors and other tree advocates that are opposed to the renovation. We voted for the BEX bond issue. Our tax dollars are paying for the project and we have the right to express our views as much as anyone else.
Unfortunately the process set up by Martin Floe excluded the community and neighbors from the initial selection of the site and design of the project. Meetings of the School Design Team were held in secret with a few parents and teachers personally selected by Martin Floe. The public’s only chance to comment on the proposed project was earlier this year after the building site had been chosen and the design done. And we were then told we could not comment on the site anymore since that decision was already made.
At last night’s meeting as I publicly stated, I do not think anyone there opposed the decaying portables being torn down and replaced with modern classrooms. Unfortunately it was obvious that the only option given to students and others to get new classrooms is to build in the tree grove. And blame the neighbors, rather than the School District for its inadequate review and closed review process, for preventing them from getting new classrooms.
The issue at this point is a legal one, whether or not the project is in compliance with city and state SEPA laws. We are pursing the legal process afforded the public to review the project.
The meeting was part of the public process for approval of land use permits for building in the City of Seattle and is proceeding on the normal timetable, except for the delay caused by the School District withdrawing their permit application in August in an attempt to just cut the trees down. The King County Superior Court issued an injunction to stop the trees from being cut down without any review by the City of Seattle.. The City of Seattle is expected to make a decision in the next few weeks. The City does have the authority under the city’s SEPA laws to move the project to save the trees. We will let you know when that happens.
Many neighbors and others turned out to support the trees and to urge that the project be moved. There was also a very large contingent of vocal students and parents and teachers frustrated by their long standing grievance of classes being held in rundown mold infested portables for too many years. The Principal at Ingraham stated that he made a concerted effort to turn out students and parents and teachers to support the project. With his encouragement the students basically staged a pep rally for the project. This was not unexpected considering what they have had to put up with in a substandard learning environment. The meeting comments basically turned out to be a rehash of both sides positions with little new emerging.
Those of us opposed to needlessly cutting down the trees on a campus that at 28 acres is the largest in the Seattle School District, sympathized with the frustration of the students and parents and teachers that for many years have been forced to take classes in substandard portables that are in terrible shape and have mold. Teachers and students complained of getting sick. Some of the portables house special needs students but do not have running water or bathrooms.
The Seattle School District has let the situation get out of control and is now trying to make the neighbors the villains for their negligence. The Seattle School District’s approach has been to deny they have any responsibility for delaying the project and blame neighbors who love trees more than students as what is preventing the project from going forward
But Save the Trees – Seattle and the neighbors support the long overdue upgrading of the classrooms. We are not, however, the villains just because we also don’t want to needlessly destroy a unique urban forest when viable alternatives exist on the campus for building elsewhere. One location we suggested was the North lawn area which Ingraham actually picked as the site if a future addition was to be built after the current project. It is rather ironic that the Ingraham Master Plan produced as part of this project can propose building on this North lawn location in the future but it is somehow not possible to build there now and spare the grove of trees. They are serious enough about retaining the North lawn area for a future addition that in the current proposal it is the only area on campus where they do not propose planting trees.
Two wrongs do not make a right. Not upgrading or maintaining the school in a responsible way for students and teachers in the past and proposing to cut down 68 Douglas fir, Western red cedar and Pacific madrone trees to now do the upgrade is only compounding the past mistakes by avoiding responsible stewardship of both our schools and our natural urban habitat.
The Principal testified that he went around to different student groups to recruit them to come to the public meeting to support the project as is. It is very hard for any students to take on the Principal publicly and say they opposed cutting down the trees. I have spoken with both students and teachers who opposed cutting down the trees. At least one teacher was told to stop any efforts to get students to oppose cutting down the trees because that was political and not education. The teacher felt threatened and that her job was at stake.
The Principal is the authority figure at the school. Student recommendations for college frequently come from the Principal. Is it any wonder that teachers and students who oppose cutting down the trees might feel intimidated or threatened if they spoke out. I remember when I contacted Martin Floe about our arborist looking at the trees he personally told me to not talk to the students. I guess he was afraid of them hearing anything contrary to his position. So much for an open dialogue at Ingraham.
What Floe has forgotten is that he is acting in a capacity of public trustee for the school. He has tried to make us NIMBY’s which means he doesn’t even understand the term. We are not opposed to renovating the school and in fact believe it is long overdue. I am aware of no one in our group or neighbors and other tree advocates that are opposed to the renovation. We voted for the BEX bond issue. Our tax dollars are paying for the project and we have the right to express our views as much as anyone else.
Unfortunately the process set up by Martin Floe excluded the community and neighbors from the initial selection of the site and design of the project. Meetings of the School Design Team were held in secret with a few parents and teachers personally selected by Martin Floe. The public’s only chance to comment on the proposed project was earlier this year after the building site had been chosen and the design done. And we were then told we could not comment on the site anymore since that decision was already made.
At last night’s meeting as I publicly stated, I do not think anyone there opposed the decaying portables being torn down and replaced with modern classrooms. Unfortunately it was obvious that the only option given to students and others to get new classrooms is to build in the tree grove. And blame the neighbors, rather than the School District for its inadequate review and closed review process, for preventing them from getting new classrooms.
The issue at this point is a legal one, whether or not the project is in compliance with city and state SEPA laws. We are pursing the legal process afforded the public to review the project.
The meeting was part of the public process for approval of land use permits for building in the City of Seattle and is proceeding on the normal timetable, except for the delay caused by the School District withdrawing their permit application in August in an attempt to just cut the trees down. The King County Superior Court issued an injunction to stop the trees from being cut down without any review by the City of Seattle.. The City of Seattle is expected to make a decision in the next few weeks. The City does have the authority under the city’s SEPA laws to move the project to save the trees. We will let you know when that happens.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
News for the Few
The DPD Public Meeting Survivors.
A Big Warm Thank You to ALL who attended
the Department of Planning and Developments public meeting regarding the renovation and addition project at Ingraham High School.
This was to be the night to publicly discuss the Ingraham plans, to try to get answers as to why the 60-90 mature trees had to be killed to make room for an addition to Ingraham High School. A public meeting to create an open space to discuss issues. It never happened.
It was a night where the School District played the card of cards: "it is for the students". Not an unexpected move for the District to take, since it is the fall back, and often only explanation for any of the decisions it makes.
The meeting was to discuss Environmental issues that pertained to the renovation, demolition and addition at Ingraham High School. These issues could include: Tree removal, landscaping, drainage, parking, traffic, air quality, and other pertinent topics.
It became a meeting of the staff, teachers parents and students at Ingraham High School complaining about how cold the portables are, how moldy the math modular building is and how the neighbors are wasting taxpayer dollars. The battle cry of this project was : move on before we all die from the poison of mold and cold. All topics that I believe are the responsibility of the School District regarding the maintenance procedures, and the pulling of the Department of Planning and Developments permits. None of which the neighbors have or had control over.
Of course facts land on deaf ears when the propaganda ends with "it's for the students" "it is for student education". Who can resist the cries of innocent children for education, comfort and health? Who is going to figure out who the responsible party is that put the education, comfort and health in danger?
Due to the dominance of students it often sounded as a Pep Rally. "YES, YES WE NEED MATH. STUDENTS BEFORE TREES. And there was nothing the Department of Planning and Development representatives could do but allow the Rally to run its course. I applaud the DPD's patience and wise decision.
I question the way the School District has "passed the Buck " of maintenance, and bad decision's (pulling building permits) onto the Neighbors Shoulders.
I await the Department of Planning and Developments decision in regards to the placing of the Addition on the Ingraham High School Campus. Will the Trees Stay or will they Die?
The DPD Public Meeting Survivors.
A Big Warm Thank You to ALL who attended
the Department of Planning and Developments public meeting regarding the renovation and addition project at Ingraham High School.
This was to be the night to publicly discuss the Ingraham plans, to try to get answers as to why the 60-90 mature trees had to be killed to make room for an addition to Ingraham High School. A public meeting to create an open space to discuss issues. It never happened.
It was a night where the School District played the card of cards: "it is for the students". Not an unexpected move for the District to take, since it is the fall back, and often only explanation for any of the decisions it makes.
The meeting was to discuss Environmental issues that pertained to the renovation, demolition and addition at Ingraham High School. These issues could include: Tree removal, landscaping, drainage, parking, traffic, air quality, and other pertinent topics.
It became a meeting of the staff, teachers parents and students at Ingraham High School complaining about how cold the portables are, how moldy the math modular building is and how the neighbors are wasting taxpayer dollars. The battle cry of this project was : move on before we all die from the poison of mold and cold. All topics that I believe are the responsibility of the School District regarding the maintenance procedures, and the pulling of the Department of Planning and Developments permits. None of which the neighbors have or had control over.
Of course facts land on deaf ears when the propaganda ends with "it's for the students" "it is for student education". Who can resist the cries of innocent children for education, comfort and health? Who is going to figure out who the responsible party is that put the education, comfort and health in danger?
Due to the dominance of students it often sounded as a Pep Rally. "YES, YES WE NEED MATH. STUDENTS BEFORE TREES. And there was nothing the Department of Planning and Development representatives could do but allow the Rally to run its course. I applaud the DPD's patience and wise decision.
I question the way the School District has "passed the Buck " of maintenance, and bad decision's (pulling building permits) onto the Neighbors Shoulders.
I await the Department of Planning and Developments decision in regards to the placing of the Addition on the Ingraham High School Campus. Will the Trees Stay or will they Die?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
WRITE TO THE DPD!
Seattle School District has been halted for the time being from killing an Urban Forest.
To continue to hold the Chain-saws at bay, Save The Trees-Seattle needs help.
What to do?
Write to the:
Department of Planning and Development.
700 5th Avenue, Suite 2000, P.O. Box 34019, Seattle WA 98124-4019
Attention: Tamara Garrett, Permit #3009549 Ingraham High School Renovation.
What to say:
With passion write of the importance of trees to the City of Seattle, to Education and to the Citizens of Seattle.
Things that are important to include:
FACTS:
Air pollution and Smog in Seattle, and that trees are a natural filter. (IF YOU KNOW PERCENTAGES PLEASE INCLUDE THEM)
Drains overflowing and landslides in areas where trees have been removed; PLEASE NAME SPECIFIC AREAS.
Current trend to remove trees leaves less green space, again give examples and if possible before and after pictures.
Note the aesthetic quality of mature trees instead of small saplings that die out.
The following are places to find facts and figures to write what you are most passionate about. We do not want every letter to sound the same, a form letter will not do here. Each letter must point out specific's about the Ingraham project that are important in regards to Why the TREES SHOULD BE SAVED AND THE PROJECT MOVED ELSEWHERE ON SITE. There are other issues you may also note, (piece meal projects, parking problems etc.) but our PRIMARY CONCERN is to keep the TREES.
To find out more about the project itself go here:
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/facilities/BEXIII/Ingraham/2nd_revision_IngrahamSEPAChecklist.pdf
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/bex/ingraham/IHS_SEPA_Decision_080723.pdf
To find out what the Mayor's Urban Forestry Management Plan says go here:
http://www.seattle.gov/environment/documents/Final_UFMP.pdf
To find other info:
Benefits of Trees:
http://www.seattle.gov/environment/documents/UrbanTreeBenefits.pdf
http://www.scenic.org/tree
Tree Regulations in Seattle:
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=2010840
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/codes/Tree_Landscaping_Regulations/Overview/default.asp
Check things out, write a knowledgable letter and help SAVE THE TREES.
Thanks.
To continue to hold the Chain-saws at bay, Save The Trees-Seattle needs help.
What to do?
Write to the:
Department of Planning and Development.
700 5th Avenue, Suite 2000, P.O. Box 34019, Seattle WA 98124-4019
Attention: Tamara Garrett, Permit #3009549 Ingraham High School Renovation.
What to say:
With passion write of the importance of trees to the City of Seattle, to Education and to the Citizens of Seattle.
Things that are important to include:
FACTS:
Air pollution and Smog in Seattle, and that trees are a natural filter. (IF YOU KNOW PERCENTAGES PLEASE INCLUDE THEM)
Drains overflowing and landslides in areas where trees have been removed; PLEASE NAME SPECIFIC AREAS.
Current trend to remove trees leaves less green space, again give examples and if possible before and after pictures.
Note the aesthetic quality of mature trees instead of small saplings that die out.
The following are places to find facts and figures to write what you are most passionate about. We do not want every letter to sound the same, a form letter will not do here. Each letter must point out specific's about the Ingraham project that are important in regards to Why the TREES SHOULD BE SAVED AND THE PROJECT MOVED ELSEWHERE ON SITE. There are other issues you may also note, (piece meal projects, parking problems etc.) but our PRIMARY CONCERN is to keep the TREES.
To find out more about the project itself go here:
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/facilities/BEXIII/Ingraham/2nd_revision_IngrahamSEPAChecklist.pdf
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/bex/ingraham/IHS_SEPA_Decision_080723.pdf
To find out what the Mayor's Urban Forestry Management Plan says go here:
http://www.seattle.gov/environment/documents/Final_UFMP.pdf
To find other info:
Benefits of Trees:
http://www.seattle.gov/environment/documents/UrbanTreeBenefits.pdf
http://www.scenic.org/tree
Tree Regulations in Seattle:
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=2010840
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/codes/Tree_Landscaping_Regulations/Overview/default.asp
Check things out, write a knowledgable letter and help SAVE THE TREES.
Thanks.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
THE MUP OF MUP's
It is up, the new MUP Board.
What is a MUP you ask?
A MUP is a Master Use Permit from the Department of Planning and Development (DPD). They appear anytime a project is going to be huge and effect the Environment. Developer's hate them.
Why you ask?
Because they tell the public to pay attention, something is about to happen. And the MUP Board tells the public they can comment on what is happening. There is only a short time to comment, but the PUBLIC can REGISTER a COMMENT.
That is where you, the reader of this blog can help.
Look around your neighborhood.
Watch for the BIG WHITE PLYWOOD SIZE SIGNS.
These signs will give a brief description of what is to happen, the Permit # and the address of where to send comments.
Remember your comments do count. Write them, send them and do it today. Make sure the Permit # is on the Comment.
This is how trees are to be saved. By caring Citizens, willing to take time and write and express concerns regarding the environment and the effects the Developer will have to that environment.
That is what the neighbors at WALDO WOODS are doing. That is what the neighbors of INGRAHAM TREES are doing.
Are there MUP boards in your neighborhood? Have you commented?
INGRAHAM has a new MUP Board and a NEW PERMIT #3009549, It is time to comment again. Want to help?
Write: DPD, 700 5th Avenue, Suite 2000, P.O. Box 34019, Seattle WA 98124-4910 Permit #3009549.
What is a MUP you ask?
A MUP is a Master Use Permit from the Department of Planning and Development (DPD). They appear anytime a project is going to be huge and effect the Environment. Developer's hate them.
Why you ask?
Because they tell the public to pay attention, something is about to happen. And the MUP Board tells the public they can comment on what is happening. There is only a short time to comment, but the PUBLIC can REGISTER a COMMENT.
That is where you, the reader of this blog can help.
Look around your neighborhood.
Watch for the BIG WHITE PLYWOOD SIZE SIGNS.
These signs will give a brief description of what is to happen, the Permit # and the address of where to send comments.
Remember your comments do count. Write them, send them and do it today. Make sure the Permit # is on the Comment.
This is how trees are to be saved. By caring Citizens, willing to take time and write and express concerns regarding the environment and the effects the Developer will have to that environment.
That is what the neighbors at WALDO WOODS are doing. That is what the neighbors of INGRAHAM TREES are doing.
Are there MUP boards in your neighborhood? Have you commented?
INGRAHAM has a new MUP Board and a NEW PERMIT #3009549, It is time to comment again. Want to help?
Write: DPD, 700 5th Avenue, Suite 2000, P.O. Box 34019, Seattle WA 98124-4910 Permit #3009549.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
School District is on the Move
Once more the Seattle School District has set its sights on the West Forest at Ingraham High School, now commonly called the Ingraham trees.
The NEW SIGN for the Master Use Permit went up today. I must ask all who care to stop by and read it. If you can find it!
Yes, I said if you can find it, they have done a good job at trying to hide it at the corner of 135th and Ashworth. But if you know what you are looking for, and you now have the corner to look on...you will find it.
A lot has happened since my last post. Save The Trees-Seattle has been officially recognized as a non-profit group by the State of Washington. Which means they can finally take donations to defray some of the legal costs. If you can help please contact Steve Zemke at 206-366-0811.
An injunction was given to Save The Trees-Seattle to keep the Ingraham trees intact until the School District finishes the Department of Planning and Development phase.
And the Biggest move of all: The CITY COUNCIL finally sent an Interim Emergency Tree Ordinance to the Department of Planning and Development.
Will this ordinance help Ingraham? We don't know. Is it in time to help? We don't know.
What we do know is that the pressure on the City Council and the Mayor's office must continue!
Letters, emails, phone calls to the City Council to make the Interim Ordinance have real teeth, Is what we are asking for people to do. Express yourself!
So here is the challenge:
Take time to read the New Sign about the addition and then make comments to DPD.
Take time to write City Council, continue to urge a new TREE LAW.
Addresses can be found on the http://saveingrahamstrees.info or http://saveseattlestrees.com
Thanks for your support and help to keep us focused on the Ingraham trees, and to help pay for the legal fund.
We have exceptionally great supporters.
The NEW SIGN for the Master Use Permit went up today. I must ask all who care to stop by and read it. If you can find it!
Yes, I said if you can find it, they have done a good job at trying to hide it at the corner of 135th and Ashworth. But if you know what you are looking for, and you now have the corner to look on...you will find it.
A lot has happened since my last post. Save The Trees-Seattle has been officially recognized as a non-profit group by the State of Washington. Which means they can finally take donations to defray some of the legal costs. If you can help please contact Steve Zemke at 206-366-0811.
An injunction was given to Save The Trees-Seattle to keep the Ingraham trees intact until the School District finishes the Department of Planning and Development phase.
And the Biggest move of all: The CITY COUNCIL finally sent an Interim Emergency Tree Ordinance to the Department of Planning and Development.
Will this ordinance help Ingraham? We don't know. Is it in time to help? We don't know.
What we do know is that the pressure on the City Council and the Mayor's office must continue!
Letters, emails, phone calls to the City Council to make the Interim Ordinance have real teeth, Is what we are asking for people to do. Express yourself!
So here is the challenge:
Take time to read the New Sign about the addition and then make comments to DPD.
Take time to write City Council, continue to urge a new TREE LAW.
Addresses can be found on the http://saveingrahamstrees.info or http://saveseattlestrees.com
Thanks for your support and help to keep us focused on the Ingraham trees, and to help pay for the legal fund.
We have exceptionally great supporters.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Ingarham In the News
It has been a long week for the Ingraham Trees Crew.
Press has flowed from ground to sky, print to air waves.
Trees are important!
The pictures speak louder than words,
When a T.V. camera
catches the lace of a Cedar,
The majesty of a Fir,
and the glisten of the Forest trail,
words are no longer necessary to
Express the importance of the Ingraham Trees.
The true test of the Ingraham Crew,
The Seattle City Council,
The Department of Planning and Development,
The Mayor and
The Seattle School District has yet to come.
Who will stand for the beauty of the Fir and the
Grace of the Cedar?
The Ingraham Crew will.
The Tree Advocate groups of Seattle Will
But who else will stand?
As the time for hearings draws near,
We wait...hope...
Press has flowed from ground to sky, print to air waves.
Trees are important!
The pictures speak louder than words,
When a T.V. camera
catches the lace of a Cedar,
The majesty of a Fir,
and the glisten of the Forest trail,
words are no longer necessary to
Express the importance of the Ingraham Trees.
The true test of the Ingraham Crew,
The Seattle Tree advocate groups
The Citizens of SeattleThe Seattle City Council,
The Department of Planning and Development,
The Mayor and
The Seattle School District has yet to come.
Who will stand for the beauty of the Fir and the
Grace of the Cedar?
The Ingraham Crew will.
The Tree Advocate groups of Seattle Will
But who else will stand?
As the time for hearings draws near,
We wait...hope...
Monday, July 28, 2008
Appeal Decision for Ingraham Trees
The Appeal to the School District Hearing Examiner for the Seattle School District regarding the Designation of Non-Significance for the Ingraham trees has been decided. True to all expectations the decision was in favor of the School District. The Designation of Non-Significance was upheld. This decision was then sent as a recommendation to the Superintendent of Schools. She upheld it too.
The reason this was not a surprise is that the School District has an advantage called a "weighted advantage", their experts and professionals are automatically assumed to be correct. The Appellants are automatically assumed to be wrong.
The reality is, the School District can call any piece of land that it desires to "develop" Environmentally Non Significant. By doing this, the School District then has the advantage in an appeal of being right. It is automatically assumed that the School District is RIGHT. The Ingraham appeal decision stated a more than Moderate Significant Environmental Impact to the neighborhood around Ingraham. 75+% Significant Environmental Impact. In the real world, that means the School District only had a Designation of 25% Non-Significance (an F). In the fair, Democratic world the Appellants won. In the SCHOOL DISTRICT world the Appellants lost.
Anyone, brave enough or brash enough to appeal a Decision of Hon-Significance must prove beyond a doubt twice that the School District is wrong.
The numbers look like this: Opening : School District 100% correct---The appealants 0 correct. The decision: School District 125%, Appealants 75%.
The scales of Justice began as unbalanced then ended as though they were in a kangaroo court.
We wait to see what the Department of Planning and Development will say.
The reason this was not a surprise is that the School District has an advantage called a "weighted advantage", their experts and professionals are automatically assumed to be correct. The Appellants are automatically assumed to be wrong.
The reality is, the School District can call any piece of land that it desires to "develop" Environmentally Non Significant. By doing this, the School District then has the advantage in an appeal of being right. It is automatically assumed that the School District is RIGHT. The Ingraham appeal decision stated a more than Moderate Significant Environmental Impact to the neighborhood around Ingraham. 75+% Significant Environmental Impact. In the real world, that means the School District only had a Designation of 25% Non-Significance (an F). In the fair, Democratic world the Appellants won. In the SCHOOL DISTRICT world the Appellants lost.
Anyone, brave enough or brash enough to appeal a Decision of Hon-Significance must prove beyond a doubt twice that the School District is wrong.
The numbers look like this: Opening : School District 100% correct---The appealants 0 correct. The decision: School District 125%, Appealants 75%.
The scales of Justice began as unbalanced then ended as though they were in a kangaroo court.
We wait to see what the Department of Planning and Development will say.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Birder's Beware
Recently spotted in the Ingraham Trees was a baby Hawk. Mom is watching over the fledgling. Be quiet and careful, and you may get a glimpse of this little one eating or resting in the trees.
Also recently the Flickers were seen with two new family members in flight. This little group seems to be doing well in spite of all the predatory Ravens.
The Ingraham Trees are alive with Wild Life so stop in and take a look and a listen. Surprises abound.
Also recently the Flickers were seen with two new family members in flight. This little group seems to be doing well in spite of all the predatory Ravens.
The Ingraham Trees are alive with Wild Life so stop in and take a look and a listen. Surprises abound.
Labels:
Bird watcher,
birder's,
Flickers,
Hawks,
wildlife
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Douglas Fir
Douglas Fir
Majestically Beautiful
Warm and comforting
in a cement filled land
Towering in green
above industry crawl
Resilent against urban sprawl
the developers saw
Tall and Majestic
Let us help them stand
On June 17th the City council began work on a Resolution to help the Douglas Fir Stand.
We applaud their efforts, and ask them to quickly move on this desperately needed, revamping of the Seattle Tree Ordinance. It is time for Urban Forest to be included, not just single trees.
Majestically Beautiful
Warm and comforting
in a cement filled land
Towering in green
above industry crawl
Resilent against urban sprawl
the developers saw
Tall and Majestic
Let us help them stand
On June 17th the City council began work on a Resolution to help the Douglas Fir Stand.
We applaud their efforts, and ask them to quickly move on this desperately needed, revamping of the Seattle Tree Ordinance. It is time for Urban Forest to be included, not just single trees.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Trees vs District
Don't mess with the TREES!!!
Ingraham trees, strong and tall
Majestic as the day approaches.
Seattle School District Dark and Menacing
trampling as the day appears
Who will remember this BATTLE FOR THE TREES?
We will, WE WILL!!
CRY THE NEIGHBORS strong and loud!
The battle has only just begun, the District has began its long and dulling battles, first appeal with the SEPA to begin on June 19th and 20th.
How odd that the School District has CHOSEN to call Majestic, 100 foot Douglas Fir, Cedar and Madrone trees non-significant. In this day and age of Global warming, environmental awareness, and overall ecological benefits that the environment brings to society the School District is revealing its own ignorance and blindness, by calling TREES insignificant. Let alone the fact that the School District is condemning an entire Urban Forest to a clear cut. It must be politically correct to call the Seattle School District anti-environmentalist, Right?
One must question the type of classes that are being taught within Seattle Schools. If TREES are insignificant to an Environment, are people insignificant to the human race? When the School is named after a known Mountaineer, and Conservationist, what is the School District thinking about when it comes to clear cutting the Urban Forest? How can the District be so blind? Are they going to change the name of the School too? It would only be appropriate, since there will be nothing left to claim environmental value.
Recently there was a letter sent to the School Board from the City Council, stating that the City Council members would offer support and other means to move the addition at Ingraham to another site on campus and spare the Trees.
May 21st the Seattle School Board answered the City Council letter with a "forget you" attitude. Not only did the School Board tell the City Council to get lost, but it also said the neighbors weren't worth listening to.
The School Board may not think the neighbors are worth listening to now, but wait until the BTA levy and the BEX IV levy come around for a vote, then the School Board will want the neighbors to listen...But the neighbors will say NO!
Yep, the neighbors will JUST SAY NO! And maybe add: REMEMBER THE TREES?
Ingraham trees, strong and tall
Majestic as the day approaches.
Seattle School District Dark and Menacing
trampling as the day appears
Who will remember this BATTLE FOR THE TREES?
We will, WE WILL!!
CRY THE NEIGHBORS strong and loud!
The battle has only just begun, the District has began its long and dulling battles, first appeal with the SEPA to begin on June 19th and 20th.
How odd that the School District has CHOSEN to call Majestic, 100 foot Douglas Fir, Cedar and Madrone trees non-significant. In this day and age of Global warming, environmental awareness, and overall ecological benefits that the environment brings to society the School District is revealing its own ignorance and blindness, by calling TREES insignificant. Let alone the fact that the School District is condemning an entire Urban Forest to a clear cut. It must be politically correct to call the Seattle School District anti-environmentalist, Right?
One must question the type of classes that are being taught within Seattle Schools. If TREES are insignificant to an Environment, are people insignificant to the human race? When the School is named after a known Mountaineer, and Conservationist, what is the School District thinking about when it comes to clear cutting the Urban Forest? How can the District be so blind? Are they going to change the name of the School too? It would only be appropriate, since there will be nothing left to claim environmental value.
Recently there was a letter sent to the School Board from the City Council, stating that the City Council members would offer support and other means to move the addition at Ingraham to another site on campus and spare the Trees.
May 21st the Seattle School Board answered the City Council letter with a "forget you" attitude. Not only did the School Board tell the City Council to get lost, but it also said the neighbors weren't worth listening to.
The School Board may not think the neighbors are worth listening to now, but wait until the BTA levy and the BEX IV levy come around for a vote, then the School Board will want the neighbors to listen...But the neighbors will say NO!
Yep, the neighbors will JUST SAY NO! And maybe add: REMEMBER THE TREES?
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