Thanks for your explanation. I can believe that you are sincerely conveying
what you believe about this tree killing. Before I speak about the
credibility of the FOCP and UCD, let me remind you of a few issues.
UCD has had that tree on its hit list since the unpopular Clark Park
revitalization was first pushed in 2001. This unpopular plan was put on hold
until last year when it was championed by FOCP while secrecy about details
was demanded. Now, UCD is preparing for the orchestra.
UCD is widely known as an unethical entity that fronts for Penn's real
estate interests. It is not interested or accountable to the people of this
community. It has been known to wait out an unpopular agenda and strike
later while pretending that the action was always popular and approved by
its partners like the FOCP.
It's much more likely given these facts and UCD's established tactics that
UCD was involved with this "removal" and is lying about it. Let's be real,
would anything be done by the city in Clark Park without UCD's involvement?
There are two possibilities. Perhaps, Penn/UCD has recently decided to push
ahead on its own while escalating contempt for little people in the civic
associations. Perhaps, it believes the UCD culture is so addicted to its
rule that it will beg Penn to continue towards plutocracy even now after
fentonization has helped expose the thing that UCD is.
I believe that the outing of the "3 choice" model for approving the
"community representatives" has become widely known. It may indeed mark the
turning point in the inevitable dumping of the associations. Several of us
who have understood the UCD have understood that civic associations were
being used to turn power over to UCD but would eventually be fentonized too.
There are lots of indicators that Penn has "pulled off the gloves" and has
thick brass knuckles waiting.
It's perfectly believable that UCD did not include any one from the
leadership of the Board of FOCP in this tree killing operation. I believe
that Penn/UCD will begin using the same arguments against orgs like FOCP and
SHCA as I have. These are "just little clubs" and "not representative of the
community." Haven't these orgs been cited for years when UCD/Penn is
spinning that the community unanimously supports corporate rule? Is it time
for UCD to ditch the spent civic gangs especially if they resist?
However, there is another possibility. I have always stressed the difference
in my FOCP literature between the membership, the board, and the leaders of
the board of FOCP. In my opinion, it's broadly recognized in the community
at large that civic association boards do not represent their members or the
community as claimed.
What I don't think is so widely known is that much of the civic association
policy enacted during this UCD era is not understood by even the members of
the civic association's own board. That is part of the reason it is
difficult to level appropriate criticism of these association boards without
confusing or angering the reasonable but passive ones among them. It also
explains why I could believe that your account of the tree killing is
hopeful and sincere but yet not true.
I can believe that some of you believe this story about the city operating
alone. No one would be more accepting of the city's "judgment" than I would
if the city unequivocally stated that it would no longer work with the FOCP
or UCD because these entities act against the public interest. I don't
believe that is the case yet.
I believe a few from your FOCP could have been involved with approving the
tree killing yet have spun this tale to the rest of you about the city
acting unilaterally. I've seen this before. It comes with the defects with
the real purposes that direct the civic associations. Years ago, you didn't
know what your leaders were attempting against park users until I told you.
To your credit, you did speak up against these continued occurrences once I
made them known.
At times like this tree killing is when the overall credibility of the FOCP
comes into play. I feel bad for all of you who might try to build up the
FOCP while others burn its credibility.
Civic associations could be service organizations for those whom would like
to organize things for the general benefit of the community. These also can
evolve into lobbying organizations pushing agendas on behalf of the few.
When this happens, the boards give spin to their members, and the leaders of
the boards give spin to the boards. That is the accepted process and series
of spins.
When the FOCP refused to correct or retract West's false information about
the number of public meetings designed for the community to participate in
the future of Clark Park, the credibility of FOCP suffered. When the FOCP
leadership relies on character attacks and fallacious arguments when
blocking discussion and participation with the FOCP, the credibility of the
FOCP suffered.
I wish you luck with FOCP. I continue to hold both the UCD and the FOCP
directly responsible for this tree killing tragedy.
Lew, please reconsider my request to the FOCP and remove Mr. West as your
leader. There are many people in this community like myself that would help
FOCP if it would function as a responsible entity. But it can't keep going
on its current path and hold any credibility with the people. Reform is
completely possible but it requires action from board members with courage.
Please consider this.
Sincerely,
Glenn
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lewis Mellman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 2:17 PM
Subject: [UC] Tree removals in Clark Park
A number of people have asked me about the recent tree removals in Clark
Park, particularly the decision to remove the tulip poplar at the NW corner
of the bowl that had a hollow at the base.
My understanding is that the Department of Recreation no longer has
arborists or tree removal crews on staff, and that Rec has turned
responsibiltiy for trees over to the Fairmount Park Commission who
subcontacts out their removal work.
The Friends of Clark Park had been advocating for the removal of the 4
dead London Plane trees for some time. These trees had no leaves and had
been dropping large branches. Their time was up, they had to go.
The Friends of Clark Park, the Department of Recreation and the UCD had
been assured by FPC that these 4 trees were on the removal list, along
with a number of others that were in declining condition and would be
removed as a group. We believed that the Tulip Poplar had been removed
from the removal list based on Morris Arboretum's assessment and pruning
recommendations, which we followed. However, I've been told that FPC
operates differently than Rec and does not work closely with Rec Park
Friends groups, like Rec does. In this instance, it meant that we would
simply have to wait, and the trees that FPC evaluated as hazardous would
be removed on their timetable.
Councilwoman Blackwell's office was instrumental in getting FPC to
recongize that these trees needed to be removed sooner and was able to
convince FPC to take care of them last week.
It is unfortunate that the Tulip Poplar that seemed so vibrant and healthy
was removed, but I know for a fact that this decision was made by FPC,
based on its own criteria and was not a UCD or Friends of Clark Park
decision.
The bad thing is that an apparently healthy tree was removed by FPC. The
good thing is that 4 very dangerous trees were removed and the FoCP Tree
Committee continues to do great work planting new trees and caring for
existing trees. We planted 4 TPs near the site of the old, gone one that
are thriving. They should be blooming soon.
If people would like to support the work of the CP Tree Committee, we have
a Memorial Tree program where you can donate to the Tree Endowment and
dedicate a tree to a human, living or dead, of your choice. We also
encourage people to take the Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society/Philadelphia Green Tree Tender Training course as a friend of
Clark Park and join the ranks of the Clark Park Tree Tenders. With all
the beautiful new trees that we've planted, we need help watering and
pruning. Let me know, and I'll keep you informed about our activities.
It's a great way to spend some time in the park, meet some fun people and
contribute to the park.
-Lew
Dear UCD cheerleaders,
As I was watching UCD slaughter healthy trees in Clark Park in honor of
the rich folks coming to our ghetto with upscale wine, I started feeling
the funky vibe pulsating through my spine. I'd like to do a project in
partnership with UCD and I was hoping you UCD cronies could help me. Lewis
thinks I'm a bad bad man like John Fenton so he won't lie to me directly.
His only communication with me has been to see that I receive my quota of
trash tickets.
I searched to find out what the world record was for the largest, "FUCK
UCD" sign. I was thrilled to find out that this is a wide open area for us
to show the world our funky vibe because there is no standing world record
for largest, FUCK UCD sign!
When the orchestra shows up, there will certainly be news helicopters
tracking the brave rich folks and their close encounter with the ghetto.
Before they arrive, we can take the lime in Tony's FOCP private soccer
shed and using funky calligraphy construct a FUCK UCD across the entire
stretch of Tony's FOCP private soccer field.
Fox news may even cover this event and the whole country might get to see
our funky vibe here in the district. Let's have those highly paid
flackettes get busy promoting our upcoming FUCK UCD world record and stop
writing those news stories about Mr. Fenton. We'll show that Blackwell who
rules over this district! Who does that obstructionist woman think she is
anyway? How dare she interfere with our utopian plutocracy.
Thanks in advance for any help you cronies can offer for this effort.
There may even be some precious glittering fool's gold for you. Of
course, Tony won't share the precious ring of power with you because it
and UCD park belong to the trolls.
Just make sure to wear your sunscreen for the big event because there
probably won't be living trees remaining to offer shade in the UCD Park.
I'm so excited!
Feelin' funked up,
Glenn
PS: Does anyone know the total number of healthy trees slaughtered to
date? Like with poor people, rich folks shouldn't have to look at ghetto
trees when they get here.
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