a eS gone, and homes on the north side of Halliwell had their first ever - view of the scenic Skeena Valley. That late April report must have been devastating. It was obvious that a clearcut operation was underway. But the story that emerged that week of the rotted and diseased condition of the trees only told a part of the story. In the first place, the report wasn't the city’s. City officials admitted Monday night that they haven’t asked anyone to look at the trees. The only report the city has is a copy of the study commis- sioned — and paid for — by the Museum Society. ‘The Museum Society took on the cost of a professional study for one reason. The future success of Heri- tage Park, now a nationally recog- nized museum according to Mamie Kerby, depends heavily on a buffer between their display and the residential area that surrounds it. The society knew the trees were diseased and might be removed and they wanted to look at all options. Even though they had their report, however, unexpected things began happening before their options could even be weighed. According to Norma Kerby, it was the morning of Wednesday, May 1. A group of 31 Yellowknife exchange students and teachers were visiting the park and their was a strange sound. A Yellow- knife teacher asked what it was. Park staff investigated. "It’s a chain saw," they told the teacher. "Public Works crews are cutting we Al4 Terrace Review — Wednesday, May 8, 1991 Sen ES ‘Heritage Park t - April 29 half of the trees were down our fence. And the say that tomorrow, they’re cutting down the trees." . Now, Mamie Kerby asks, "When did we lose control?" She explains that through a 1983 motion made by aldermen Bob Cooper and Dave Gellately the Museum Society was given the mandate to operate and manage Heritage Park. On May 1, Kerby turned to a dictionary for the definition of the word "man- age". It read something like this: "1. To direct or control the affairs or interests of: to manage a hotel... etc." But even with this "mandate", the trees had been condemned. A chain saw was being used to cut their fence down. The Sitka spruce were going to be fallen into their park. And some kind of heavy equipment was going to be used to drag the fallen trees out of their park. And the Museum Society had not been told of any of it. There had been no discussion; no talk. Now, in a letter Mamie Kerby offers this plea: "To date our line of communication and cooperation from the City of Terrace has been excellent. I would like to see this continue." She then asked for a halt to the logging and a meeting. Both wishes have been granted and after today’s discussion the Planning and Public Works Com- mittee will be offering a recom- mendation for some form of action... or non-action. Next Mon- day night, presumably, city council will deal with that recommendation and all the ins and outs of cutting trees beside Halliwell and North Sparks will, for the first time, CLASSIFIED Scope of Work CITY OF TERRACE witditaa CALL FOR PROPOSALS To supply and install windows complete with frames. To remove old windows, supply and install new win- dows at the Terrace Swimming Pool. Legal ris an i % oO ue ene Roe ree st Sug ‘ ee ee Beas - . n ht ee ree a , ek Soa, a ee eer y whet i ig Pai gs . Vo ue af 1 . Continued from page Al become public knowledge. . - There is a lot for the committee to decide, however. In the first place, the study commissioned by the Museum Society has two rec- ommendations, not one. And Doug Davies of KDM Forestry, who prepared the report, said yesterday the validity of both recommenda- tions are of equal value. What you do with the trees depends on what you want to do at the site. The second recommendation, the one obviously borrowed by the city, says -all the trees should be cut. ‘The. reason: The city has budgeted $10,000 to build a side- walk on west side of North Sparks and the necessary excavation for the construction of that sidewalk would damage the tree roots and accelerate the progress of the dis- ease. According to Mamie Kerby, because sidewalk construction had already been slated, Davies said he favoured this option. But also according to Kerby, "Mr. Davies offered two options . for management of the trees. As a. forester, not involved in the econ- omic return from tourism that our a . Park offers and not cognizant with our operating season, he recom- ‘ mended Option #2, which is total removal of the trees. The Board of the Terrace Regional Museum Society has passed by resolution support of Option #1..." The first recommendation states that nine of the 38 spruce trees between Kerby Road and Halliwell should be removed this year, and a cedar hedge should be planted inside the fence. The balance of ‘the spruce should be examined annually and any hazardous trees ‘removed. This would give the cedar hedge time to grow, and Heritage Park would never be left entirely without their much needed sight and sound barrier. Mamie Kerby says she asked the Ministry of Forests in Victoria to confirm that this is a viable choice. She says she was told that it is. By following this recommenda- tion, of course, the city couldn't build their sidewalk. At least not right away. Mamie Kerby says if the cedar grew as rapidly as those planted on the north edge of Heri- tage Park, it would probably be : three to five years before the cedar were large enough to allow ‘removal of all the spruce. And Mamie Kerby questions the real need for a cement sidewalk ~ where a rustic gravel walkway already exists. "Who wants it?” she would like to know. And even if it is really needed, why locate it in a way that you know will destroy the trees when there is plenty of room for both? According to Norma Kerby, there is nine feet between property line and pavement on the west side of Sparks and a full 25 feet on the east side of the road. All these things, though — cut, don’t cut, sidewalk, no sidewalk — are issues to be resolved. And the> Museum Society has been fortunate in blocking further cut- ting until they are. Not so ‘for Halliwell residents, though. They apparently weren't con- sulted either, and when asked the — potential effect of removing those trees, Norma Kerby told us that Halliwell residents may have an unusual heating problems due to exposure to the sun in the summer, and they will be open to the full force of our famous subzero out- flow winds in the winter. For these residents, only time will teil. SAVEALO Any alterations to the layout (because of cost saving, change in design or materlals, or to ease installation), must have the prior approval of the Facilities Manager. Windows and frames must meet all code requirements and must be described by brand name and model when submitting bid. All necessary permits, licences and inspection, and any damage or clean up resulting from work performed are the responsibility of the contractor. Any inquiries should be addressed to Dale McFadden, Parks and Facilities Manager, at 638-4750. Proposals and prices are to be submitted in writing to the attention of: Steve Scott, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, City of Terrace, 3215 Eby Street, Ter- race, B.C. V8G 2X8. Proposals to be In sealed envelopeand entitled “Swim- ming Pool Windows” and submitted no later than 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 1991. Lowest or any price may not necessarily be accepted. Proposals may be sent via Fax (638-4777) with the original copy to follow via mail upon awarding of con- tract. Steve Scott Superintendent of Parks and Recreation IDYNAMARRK! al .@ at re fn 2 ae Pad ; . f Vi: 44) fe We're out to make a difference in lawn and garden care and saving you a lot of money in the process is only part of the good news. 12 Hp. of Synchro-Balanced Briggs @ Stratton power and a contour following 39” cut, the all new Powerline LT 1239 has more features than we have space to explain. See us soon to experience the per- formance value of Powerline first hand. This sale is for a limited time only. LT 1239 Independent Industrial Supplies 2903 Kenney St, Terrace _ phone 638-0248 — T OF BUCKS. aaa LEASE TO OWN Lease before May 15th. _ No payments until August 15 O.A.C.