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1/21/99 Dear Friend, In regard to the 1200 Willamette native tree proposal: It ain't gonna happen. At first when I got my information about the proposal from a visit from Dennis Lueck without seeing any plot plan, I scratched out the first draft of criticism. After Louis gave me a copy of the plan and other background data I drafted the second criticism and tried to penetrate the Public Works infrastructure for some dialogue. When I couldn't get any response from the Director I turned to Jim Johnson. He stirred up Director Andersen and suggested that I contact Johnny Medlin, who directly supervises the park and street tree staffs. I had a one -hour meeting with Johnny at which we examined the whole operation of the the Urban Forestry program, and I learned specifically that: he had admonished the Forestry crew that they should avoid political discussion of the native tree proposal; that he met Lueck with his nativity cultism 12 years ago, but Lueck had rapidly compromised in the face of realities; that the 1996 tree list was still in force; he agreed that the large part of the native trees could not fit within the severe constraints of most of the street habitats; that the proposed capital improvement budget proposed an allotment of $24,000 for the construction of the 1200 Willamette median planting, and that this item would appear to have a very low priority in view of the recent cut -backs on CI funds; that the hearing before the City Council was set for February 8 at 7:30,and that it would take a large hysterical representation of supporters of this item to save it; under any circumstances the choice of trees for any such plantings would be made by the Public Works staff. In view of the foregoing I see little need for more hysteria to control the nativity problem. Yours ‘-e PAUL R. BEISTEL, 2805 UNIVERSITY STREET, EUGENE, OREGON 97403, PHONE (503) 344 -9625