[ACT] Open Letter / Destruction of Trees / Vroman's Employees / Photos / Discussion / Chainsaw Massacre / LATimes / Star News / RE: CO Blvd Trees Cut Down @ 2:00am Last Night! (Photos + Mtgat Vroman's Stump Tomorrow 11am)

Sun Feb 22 14:56:32 PST 2009

What is really ironic is the Star News quote, "... Vroman's management 
put out a statement saying they were "very sad" about the city's 
decision to remove the trees." They directed all further concerns to 
city officials. You just gotta love that kind of brass. RR

Paul Ayers wrote:
>
> Correct me if I am wrong, wasn’t it the City of Pasadena crews or 
> crews that were retained by the City that removed the trees?
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:* Robert Chave [mailto:robertchave at earthlink.net]
> *Sent:* Saturday, February 21, 2009 12:55 PM
> *To:* 'Paul Ayers'; steve_lamb57 at sbcglobal.net; 
> chaneytrail at yahoogroups.com; act at fourpalms.org; 'Gaboon'; 'Bev 
> Huntsberger'; 'Greg McPhee'
> *Cc:* letters at latimes.com; 'James McPherson'; 
> pbrown at vromansbookstore.com; steve.lambert at inlandnewspapers.com
> *Subject:* Open Letter / Destruction of Trees / Vroman's Employees / 
> Photos / Discussion / Chainsaw Massacre / LATimes / Star News / RE: 
> [ACT] CO Blvd Trees Cut Down @ 2:00am Last Night! (Photos + Mtgat 
> Vroman's Stump Tomorrow 11am)
>
> Response to Paul Ayers Esq., and Steve Lamb Altadena Town Council 
> (retired)
>
> Hi Paul and Steve,
>
> The issue here that is decidedly not spilt milk is the matter of Joel 
> Vroman Sheldon’s contempt for Mayor, Council, and community as 
> manifested in his behavior (recorded on video tape) at the Pasadena 
> Council Meeting on Monday February 3^rd . Mr. Sheldon is determined to 
> use his considerable resources and influence to destroy healthy trees 
> along Colorado Boulevard and in the Playhouse district generally. The 
> two trees we lost last night are simply the first on his list. He does 
> not care about the consequences to his business, and in the present 
> economic crisis, he needs to reconsider, tone down his arrogance, and 
> reflect on the larger public good.
>
> I personally think that a very public apology is in order from Mr. 
> Sheldon, delivered in person to the Council. Other actions that might 
> induce me to return to Vroman’s where I used to be a customer for 28 
> years, are a gift from Mr. Sheldon to the City for the purpose of 
> planting and maintaining trees of equivalent value to what has been 
> destroyed: $100,000 per tree or $200,000 total. I have no doubt that 
> Mr. Sheldon is taking considerable personal satisfaction in his 
> ‘victory’ over the community. My guess is that he is celebrating. He 
> needs a strong message from the community, and that message is most 
> effectively delivered through Vroman’s book store, because Mr. Sheldon 
> is not listening.
>
> In my conversation with a Vroman’s clerk this morning, who was also 
> upset about the loss of the trees, that employee suggested that I take 
> my business to Skylight Books in Los Feliz. I could not agree more. 
> Independent book stores are to be cherished. They are fragile 
> institutions. The larger LA literary community lost Dutton’s a while 
> ago. There are few such stores left. In this market Vroman’s is at 
> risk. I will take my business to Skylight, to Book Soup, to Small 
> World Books, and to the remaining independents that need our support.
>
> I will not be back to Vroman’s any time soon, until Mr. Sheldon stops 
> his activism for the destruction of this valuable botanical heritage, 
> and apologizes to the community.
>
> Yours truly,
>
> Robert Chave
>
> P O Box 266
>
> Altadena, CA 91003-0266
>
> 626 622 8562 cell
>
> 626 345 1450 fax
>
> *From:* act-bounces at fourpalms.org [mailto:act-bounces at fourpalms.org] 
> *On Behalf Of *Paul Ayers
> *Sent:* Saturday, February 21, 2009 11:05 AM
> *To:* steve_lamb57 at sbcglobal.net; chaneytrail at yahoogroups.com; 
> act at fourpalms.org; 'Gaboon'; 'Bev Huntsberger'; 'Greg McPhee'
> *Cc:* 'James McPherson'
> *Subject:* Re: [ACT] CO Blvd Trees Cut Down @ 2:00am Last Night! 
> (Photos + Mtgat Vroman's Stump Tomorrow 11am)
>
> I agree with Steve
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:* act-bounces at fourpalms.org [mailto:act-bounces at fourpalms.org] 
> *On Behalf Of *SSL
> *Sent:* Saturday, February 21, 2009 8:17 AM
> *To:* chaneytrail at yahoogroups.com; act at fourpalms.org; Gaboon; Bev 
> Huntsberger; Greg McPhee
> *Cc:* James McPherson
> *Subject:* Re: [ACT] CO Blvd Trees Cut Down @ 2:00am Last Night! 
> (Photos + Mtgat Vroman's Stump Tomorrow 11am)
>
> Is any Pasadena based activist organizing over the replacement of 
> these trees, that proper trees be selected and that they be planted 
> correctly? Wouldn't that be a better use of time than crying over 
> spilled milk? This is a battle that could be won if fought properly.....
>
>
> --- On *Fri, 2/20/09, Gaboon /<gaboon at sbcglobal.net>/* wrote:
>
> From: Gaboon <gaboon at sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: [ACT] CO Blvd Trees Cut Down @ 2:00am Last Night! (Photos + 
> Mtg at Vroman's Stump Tomorrow 11am)
> To: chaneytrail at yahoogroups.com, act at fourpalms.org
> Date: Friday, February 20, 2009, 9:35 PM
>
> FYI. Please cross-post to neighborhood listserves and share with others...
>
> *Colorado** Trees Cut Down 2:00am Last Night*
>
> *Remaining Trees Need Your Help!*
>
> *Rally tomorrow at 11:00am in front of Vroman's next to the stump of 
> the old tree*
>
> I hope you can forward this message to your associates as some trees on
>
> Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena could use our help and support.
>
> There will be a gathering this Saturday (Feb. 21, 2009) at 11 AM in 
> front of
>
> Vroman's bookstore (695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101) to 
> peacefully
>
> protest the City Council's controversial decision to cut down a bunch of
>
> healthy, beautiful ficus and other trees along historic Colorado Blvd.
>
> between Los Robles Av. and Lake Av. and replace them with palm and gingko
>
> trees.
>
> We feel there can be a win-win situation to preserve the trees and address
>
> the concerns of the business owners. To that effect we would like to make
>
> some signs and banners and hang them from those trees and maybe have a 
> tree
>
> sit-in with live acoustic guitar, a passionate and peaceful demonstration.
>
> We will take whatever people can offer (song, moral support, advice, 
> petitions,
>
> other ideas, etc.).
>
> They can contact me if interested in helping (kecman at srl.caltech.edu 
> <mailto:kecman at srl.caltech.edu>
>
> 626-354-2534), but mainly show up on Saturday and spread the word as 
> far as
>
> you can since time is short!
>
> Thank you!
>
> Branislav Kecman
>
> - - -
>
> Dear Tree Huggers,
>
> Last night, around 2:00am, the old trees on Colorado (in front of 
> Kinko's and Vroman's) were cut down. I was told those trees would not 
> come down until April. It's nesting season, too. Any eggs and 
> nestlings that were in those trees are now dead. The trees are dead. 
> Below are before and after photos by Mr. Kecman and his wife. He and 
> others are devastated. Passersby are shocked and angry that the trees 
> are gone. The street is now lined with large stumps. That block of 
> Colorado looks like a cheap strip mall in some economically depressed 
> Central Valley town. The majestic, healthy trees lining the Blvd. have 
> been destroyed in one night of chainsaws and ropes.
>
> I've left messages with the Mayor's office and City Council members 
> (see list below) expressing my outrage and demanding a temporary 
> moratorium on further tree destruction until the public can respond. 
> Once a tree is gone, it is gone forever. What's their rush? Perhaps 
> increasing momentum to save the trees was building to fast, putting 
> the Mayor, Council and the Pasadena Playhouse District on the hot seat?
>
> Please call and/or e-mail the Mayor's office and as many City Council 
> members as you can. Express your own frustration and outrage. Tell 
> them to halt cutting down the remaining trees until after nesting 
> season and after further public discussion of this matter.
>
> I suggest you also call Vroman's at:
>
> 626-449-5320
>
> Tell the staff how you feel about the "stealth destruction" of the 
> trees in the wee hours of the morning. Let Mr. Joel Sheldon, Vroman's 
> owner and major shareholder, know that you will take your business to 
> other independent bookstores if he doesn't support an immediate 
> moratorium on removing the remaining mature trees.
>
> I will not shop or eat at restaurants on Colorado Blvd from now on and 
> may avoid Pasadena altogether. I will take my money where trees are 
> respected, and hope others will do the same. I will tell the 
> businesses and restaurants on Colorado why I am going elsewhere with 
> my money in these difficult economic times. There must be tangible 
> consequences for Pasadena's environmentally destructive, irresponsible 
> actions; otherwise, the loss of mature, urban tree canopy and bird 
> habitat will continue. I intend to send a clear message by taking my 
> own business elsewhere, for what little that is worth. Then again, if 
> all of you and others do the same, we can make a difference. Pasadena 
> is going in the wrong direction. If the City won't listen to its own 
> Urban Forestry Advisory Committee (UFAC), to a JPL Atmospheric 
> scientist, to the public or to common sense and environmental facts... 
> then maybe they'll listen to the silence of customers going elsewhere?
>
> I don't yet know how many of the Indian Laurel Fig and Carrotwood 
> Trees remain, but I will find out.
>
> This is so tragic. Stand by for more photos. "Trees are the Answer," 
> as the bumper sticker says. Please contact the Mayor and City Council 
> to request a moratorium on removing the remaining trees on Colorado.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Lori
>
> The trees in the photo below were chopped down last night:
>
> I took the following photos in the wee hours earlier today (Friday 
> 2/20/09), during the slaughter of ficus trees on Colorado Blvd. in 
> front of Vroman's Bookstore.
>
> -- Branislav Kecman
>
> - - -
>
> Contact Info:
>
> *Bill Bogaard*
>
> *Mayor of Pasadena & Pasadena City Council*
>
> 626-744-4311
>
> Fax: 626-744-3727
>
> bbogaard at ci.pasadena.ca.us <mailto:bbogaard at ci.pasadena.ca.us>
>
> P.O. Box 7115
>
> Pasadena, CA 91109-7215
>
> District 1:
>
> *Councilmember Jacque Robinson*
>
> Field Representative: Tina Williams* *
>
> district1 at ci.pasadena.ca.us <mailto:district1 at ci.pasadena.ca.us>
>
> 626 744-4444
>
> Fax: 626 396-7300
>
> District 2:
>
> *Councilmember Margaret McAustin*
>
> Field Representative: Margo Morales-Fuller
>
> mfuller at cityofpasadena.net <mailto:mfuller at cityofpasadena.net>
>
> 626 744-4742
>
> District 3:
>
> *Councilmember Chris Holden*
>
> Field Representative: Jacqueline McIntyre
>
> jmcintyre at cityofpasadena.net <mailto:jmcintyre at cityofpasadena.net>
>
> 626 744-4738
>
> Fax: 626 744-4774
>
> District 4:
>
> *Vice Mayor Steve Haderlein*
>
> Field Representative: Rhonda L. Stone
>
> rstone at cityofpasadena.net <mailto:rstone at cityofpasadena.net>
>
> 626 744-4740
>
> District 5:
>
> *Councilmember Victor Gordo *
>
> Field Representative: Vannia DeLaCuba
>
> vdelacuba at ci.pasadena.ca.us <mailto:vdelacuba at ci.pasadena.ca.us>
>
> 626 744-4741 or 626 831-8609
>
> Fax: 626 398-1836
>
> District 6:
>
> *Councilmember Steve Madison*
>
> Field Representative: Takako Suzuki
>
> NO e-mail listed! Use online form under "Contact" tab at:
>
> http://cityofpasadena.net/district6/
>
> 626 744-4739
>
> District 7:
>
> *Councilmember Sid Tyler*
>
> Field Representative: Pam Thyret
>
> NO e-mail listed! Use online form under "Contact" tab at:
>
> http://cityofpasadena.net/district7/
>
> 626 441-4802
>
> Fax: 626 441-4806
>
> - - -
>
> *Pasadena** Star News*
>
> *Steve Lambert, Editor*
>
> (626) 962-8811 x2410
>
> steve.lambert at inlandnewspapers.com 
> <mailto:steve.lambert at inlandnewspapers.com>
>
> *Larry Wilson, Public Editor*
>
> larry.wilson at sgvn.com <mailto:larry.wilson at sgvn.com>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
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