Happenings

February 6, 2010

Today, as I walked through the open gate. I realized that spring had brought new plants, young plants to the NW Grove. I also realized that once more Madrone had been destroyed….my heart was saddened at this discovery. I took pictures, carefully stepped through the grass and recorded the plants that are alive and well. My picture album of this long journey will not be published until after the final hearing and decision regarding the Northwest Grove. As it has been developing…It has told and interesting tale.
As time has passed my anger comes and goes. It is always sparked anew when I realize that the tactics of the School District to win an argument is to cheat. Destroying any form of evidence, removing any of the markings for protecting rare and uncommon plant growth is cheating. And if those who are in high places who have the power to protect do not protect the NW Grove until a hearing can happen, how can it be judged fairly? It should not take going to court on a regular basis or calling an attorney to ask that the grove be protected. Even walking through a gate and recording the conditions of the grove should not need to be a regular process. But without that process, plants are not shown to be alive or even present before mowing occurs or a truck backs in or some other permanent damage is done. It is also a costly drag on our courts, our school budget and our personal budget to deal with protection on a day to day basis.
It brings about a question in my mind, for whom is the Temporary Restraining Order pertaining to? …thinking for a moment I realized the School District is who is to stay out of the Grove. I can go in and not violate the order, but the School District violates the order every time it enters the Northwest Grove. But truly the real answer is the gate should not be left open. Recording by pictures should be permitted, but not trucks, mowers, and destructive actions…tennis balls were found meaning others had been in there also, the general public. Some of the neighbors have spoken freely about the area being used as a park, it had places to walk areas to rest and things to learn. It also was connected to a large area where people and their dogs could go without disturbing others. But there were defined trails for that activity. So I must again ask myself: with a 6 foot high cyclone fence, opened to the most traveled side of the school, and especially open to students…why is it there? Who is it protecting the Northwest Grove from…the District or the Neighbors who want to save the Northwest Grove and the rare plant habitat? Since the fence is open to the Field, Track and Parking lot and the doors to the school I can only determine, it is not the School District that the NW Grove is being protected from. The School District has full access at anytime.
Has the School District the “right” to say no one can enter school grounds? The Board believes it can declare this. Thus all schools can be closed to the public. What about the area surrounding the school? The area where there is grass and trees, football fields and track are these also “NO TRESPASSING” areas? Or is this a reserved status when the District wants to have their own way and make it difficult for others to present truth?
Oh, so many questions came to mind today as I was taking pictures and the Fire Truck drove by and honked. I don’t know what that means…but I am sure I will find out.