Parks commission vote is hardly conservative

The vote of the Parks Commission to remove 34 trees instead of the

original 42 trees hardly rates a headline proclaiming “spared trees.”

The “compromise” alluded to is hard for myself and others to

identify. The original plan of removing 42 trees -- 37 trees on the

northeast field and five on the northwest field -- was reduced to 32

trees after the neighborhood meeting, with 29 trees and 3 trees, from

the respective fields.

A real compromise would have left the northeast field at present

dimensions, which would save $242,000, all 37 trees, a picnic shelter

and a concrete walkway.

The city would then have four softball fields; three at TeWinkle

and one in Lion’s park. Two would be high-quality men’s league fields

and two would be for Bobby Sox, high school, and coed leagues.

The article mentioned that I said another option would have taken

out only 32 trees. Let me be clear that I did not support that

option. I mentioned that option to your reporter answering her

question as to why I voted against the “compromise.”

My position is that the northeast field is by far the most

expensive in terms of dollars and tree loss and this field should be

left at present dimensions with a raised fence.

JAMES FISLER

Costa Mesa

* Fisler is a member of the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission