Editor:

Some developers may think its a good thing ($$!), but tree-lovers and other conservationists know better and ought to band together to protect our remaining heritage trees from the corporate/political machine’s axe.

The few remaining giant oaks and magnolias downtown are particularly vulnerable to being hacked and dismembered (rather than just designing around them) someday soon. Those having the courage to speak up now against tree abuse — without being subjected to the usual government retribution, hopefully — will be applauded by future generations of Fairhopers. Some may even need to volunteer as “tree-sitters” at least until the new city government takes over next August! After all, these are living things our city founders stood under over 100 years ago and ought to be treated with more dignity and respect. Environmental (quality of life) protection and sustainable economic growth need not be mutually exclusive.

It’s a mistake to continue letting the big corporations, realtors and developers push us around and tell us what’s good for our town!