My congratulations on a fine “Viewpoint” in the July 17 issue “Kudos for tree huggers,” by Frank Bucholtz.
As a director/treasurer of the Green Timbers Heritage Society (GTHS) and a 28-year volunteer for Surrey heritage, I have seen Surrey go from a rural to a paved community.
Thank you so much for a well-thought-out and clear criticism, pros and cons, of the pitiful lip service the current Surrey council has done for tree preservation.
The greatest weakness in its tree bylaw is that Surrey-owned land is exempt.
The long effort by GTHS to protect/promote the preservation of the “urban forest” is again in jeopardy as once again parcels are cut off for pavement and facilities.
We hope that your Viewpoint will be a catalyst to reawaken the Surrey public to these threats and loopholes, especially in the threats against already set-aside green space.
Jim Foulkes
