The Plan Is Sound .... in 2013

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "One Potato Two Potato":

At times, during the debate of this issue, you seemed to be arguing against yourself, Councillor Buck

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I apologize for the erratic display of my blog these  days. This new window is a puzzlement for me. 

My position on the program for dealing with the inevitable  decimation of ash trees in  next decade and  a half is  supportive  of  the  initial staff recommendation adopted during the budget discussion. 

Let the die-off happen and replace the trees with a different species. 

Over the time it will take,which no-one knows for sure how fast or slow it might be , the cost is expected to be as much as two or three million dollars. give or take a buck. It could be over fifteen years.

 The borer hasn't taken a hold yet. Advice during budget discussion was  to program for 2013.

We have  had a tree nursery forever. We sold the land.  For several years even before the emerald ash bore appeared, we have had a capital budget item for $10,000 to replace the tree nursery. 

 It makes sense to grow our own trees to replace dead trees. But that takes time and in this situation, planning.

The town's inventory of ash trees are 2,300. We  expect to replace all of them .

That takes physical  space,  planning,  sourcing different species of seedlings and time to grow the trees to the size necessary. None of it can be done without manpower. 

Option 1. took all factors into consideration. Council opted for Option 1. The  2012 budget was struck accordingly.

Then Councillor Abel and Humphryes decided  there had  to be 
 something more we could do. We had to fight the beetle. We needed another Option. Staff were so directed. 

It came in with a price tag of  $136,000.  

Nothing of  substance was changed. We are still not going to fight the beetle. We will  establish a  nursery and plant  different  tree species to replace dead trees but instead of 2013, we will move it up to  Fall of 2012. 

The logistics are not there. We don't have the land. the trees sourced  or the man-power  planned.  The budget has to be increased by  $136,000. 

But  silliest of all, is the plan to respond to any resident  upset about a town tree on the boulevard outside their home,dying, We will offer to let them pay us  to save it, without providing a guarantee the tree will survive.

That kind of logic  always gets a bad reaction from me. 

I can listen to a lot of foolishness without giving a sign, but every now and again ,my cup runneth over.

The town's plan is solid. Our initial decision was right. I am not in favour of doing stuff  for no better  reason than to create an illusion something worthwhile is happening.

Saving a million dollars with this non-decision  is a ridiculous assertion.. It's an insult to the intelligence .and I refuse to be a party to  such  a farcical  contention..