Hi, everyone. Just wanted to give a heads up on a few items:
1. As of 10:27 AM on Tuesday, July 22nd - we are at 1,496 signatures. When it reaches 1,500 I will be "declaring victory" which basically means the petition will close down. It's already a success in sheer terms of numbers, but given I'm in NY state and did this from afar, the rest of the journey needs to be run by YOU in order to truly be successful.
2. Next Wednesday, July 30th at 6:30 PM there will be a rally held at the Old Courthouse in support of the main ancient live oak tree that is at risk (by the bandstand.) I encourage you to attend this en masse to show this is not just a DIGITAL campaign of support, but in person, too. Though I can't be there, I promise you I'm there in spirit and do hope something will come out of this.
3. I heard back from the office of Seth Weightman, who says they have requested additional "study" take place on the subject - but I did reply stating that the vast majority feel that any additional studies (this will now be at least from what I'm aware of the THIRD study done) is a waste of taxpayer dollars and the right step is to reverse course of action.
4. Weightman's rep says the historic bandstand repairs would cost up to ONE MILLION DOLLARS. It is a bandstand. It is literally an open air GAZEBO that's maybe 175 square feet. A HOUSE that's 2,000 square feet (and fairly nice) down there costs around $350-475K. I don't know what on earth government and elected officials (of all parties - federal, state and local) these days are smoking, but if it costs a million dollars to repair a GAZEBO I think it's time we all just up and call it a day on society at large.
Anyway, as you can tell , this is my humor, but also this is a serious subject. Respecting our natural world - and our natural history of a historic town and county - with trees that have been there LOOOONG before us should transcend party politics, and be unanimous in support.
I wish you all the best, and thank you again for supporting this petition.
Be well, and here's to hoping the right decision is made.
All my best,
Olympia Lambert