Recent letters to the editor and a provocative editorial has provoked this response from outspoken Manapouri man Jack Murrell, who attacks those who love trees and blames them for the 'problems' the town is experiencing as a result of the despicable actions of the cowardly tree poisoner. Murrell attacks Ruth Dalley and attempts to villify her for her efforts to protect the native trees near the town and seems to incite the people of Manapouri to take direct action against her. Most astonishingly, Murrell describes people that he claims planted native trees along the lake front in the past as 'very mean-spirited and malicious people'.
Sparks will fly!
Minority wrong about trees
The editorials in the past 10 years have been the best I've seen in Southland in my clear memory. Your editorial "Chasing the Snake" reveals that you have been grossly misled by a very small, noisy, and totally wrong minority.
Below the junction of the two main roads, Frasers Beach Rd leads to the lake where there is a public toilet in a very small copse of ancient Black Beech. The copse is probably 5000 years old. The trees are probably 100 or more years old.
From there to the Kepler Farm, say 3km along the waterfront, there are absolutely no trees anywhere near 100 years old, and absolutely nothing of any ecological importance.
Seventy-two years ago, in my clear memory, there was very short bracken all the way, with a splendid view from the road. Photos from the 1800s also bear this out.
Many of the tall species between the houses and the lake have been planted in the name of good works by very mean-spirited and malicious people. I know very well what occurs here naturally, and they do not.
The council was doing authorised planned work clearing a little below the shop. Ruth Dalley threatened legal action so the council brought in an independent commissioner to reauthorise the work in the plan.
Ms Dalley cost the ratepayers an additional $25,000 and when the ratepayers realise this I look forward to about 250 angry people frog-marching her out of town.
Her Worship is mistaken in thinking the community is being ripped apart. Almost everyone remains calm. The council would be most unwise to replant anything at the moment.
JACK MURRELL, MANAPOURI
4 comments:
Just had a look on google earth, where exactly is the poisoning happening? is the beach road lower down than the main road parallel to it?
Some stunning scenery from the beach there.
I have heard this attitude all to often around here too Robert. Some old grizzle guts who's been ignorant of certain issues their entire life demands we listen to them because: "I've wiped ma backside a few more times than you young fulla"
Probably not so much because they're older and wiser though, more that they're full of sh!t!!.
Ha!
Some of the trees poisoned in the last round of attacks have been 'in close association' with the homes of environmentalists who live in the town. Those who have spoken out about the poisonings. Nice.
That's exactly what I am worried about here if I get too "vocal".
Once these people get a target they don't tend to let up.
I actually got labelled a radical because I wrote a letter to the paper opposing an old well connected town dinosaur.
Her "solution" to a few leaves on the ground on the main drag was to fell the entire avenue of Pohutukawa and tar seal all the grass verges! And a councillor argued to me that she had a point!!
I had to get vocal.
Don't ever be afraid of that Shunda.
Sit coiled like a snake and strike if anyone comes to mess with your shrubbery!
Better still, present Mrs barunda with a sack of stones...
Post a Comment