Editor:
Re: Stumped: city halts building, March 6.
I would like to applaud the City of White Rock for doing what many municipalities and cities should be doing and what many people would like to see being done: putting a stop-work order on homes that cut down one or multiple trees to build their larger-than-normal-lot-sized homes.
I live in the Newton area and for years have heard chainsaws going late into the evening and when I drive by in the morning the trees are gone. The city is called, the homeowners are slapped with a fine and the house continues to be built and the owners win.
I think if more districts started doing what White Rock is doing, maybe just maybe, we will have neighbourhoods that look established and attached to nature.
I am not saying do not cut trees down, as some do pose a risk to drain tiles, roadways etc, but to do it when you have been told three times ‘no’ – sorry, I have no pity.
L. Walter, Surrey
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As a resident of White Rock and the owner of a new construction who complied with the building rules governed by the City of White Rock, I am pleased to see that the city is holding the homeowners of the home being built in the 14100-block of Wheatley Avenue accountable for their actions.
The Deol family was denied tree removal by the city and had signed a written agreement to preserve the dogwood. Then they cut the tree down after the agreement was made. The point here is not that a dogwood was cut down or whether the tree was an endangered species; the point is cutting the tree down violated municipal bylaws.
As they have offered compensation, it is clear that the Deols do have the monetary means to “buy” their way out of their situation. Worse still, they now have a family picture on the front page of the March 6, 2012, edition of the paper to garner sympathy for their “cause.”
The Deol family is in the current predicament because of their own actions. People need to realize that honesty is the best policy. Honesty and open negotiation usually yield the desired results.
Daphne Jorgensen, White Rock
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I seemed to be “stumped” by this article. They went to city hall with signs that said “victims”? Disgusting!
I’m glad that the picture you included showed just how large the tree stump is. How can anyone really claim that they never knew? Really, they were halfway through the building when they discovered that a massive tree was standing in the way of the front door? Shouldn’t that have been discovered while building the forms or perhaps when the foundation was poured?
I’m sorry that a stop-work order was slapped on their house, but what were they expecting?
Stop claiming ignorance and wait for the process to go through the proper channel before threatening your lawsuit at the taxpayers’ expense.
Sarah Bower, Surrey
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Since moving back to White Rock five years ago, we have enjoyed the Peace Arch News, though sometimes I feel you’ve been “used” for a person’s cause.
Tuesday’s paper is just that.
I strongly support the city’s position. Maybe it’s about time the fine should make this type of action expensive – like $100,000. This may get the message out that unauthorized cutting of trees will be very expensive and stop the games these people play.
David Keene, Surrey
