HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-03-2015 Item 11, Tartaglia02 November 2015
To: Mayor Jan Marx and SLO City Council
From: Dominic Tartaglia
RE: Mission Plaza Cedar
Madam Mayor and members of Council,
COUNCIL MEETING :__\
ITEM NO.: _1
RECEIVED
Nov 022015
Sly C FRK
I would like to express my support for the efforts of Ron Combs and his tree crew to place
the new Holiday Tree in Mission Plaza. It is such a tremendous addition to the green space
in the heart of our iconic plaza. Just the other day we had the privilege of gathering there to
honor Ken Schwartz for the lasting legacy he has left for this community. As Ken spoke I
noticed how wonderful the new tree looked standing there in the background, in its current
location.
I have seen a couple of complaints about the tree and requests to have it removed or
relocated. While I understand that a few individuals have taken issue with the current
location, I think it is important to note that its placement was determined by a team of
professionals. Individuals that the city hired because they consistently do incredible work in
this community. The judgment of that team is what l would divert to and support from a
professional standpoint.
On a personal level, I believe that the current location of the tree will compliment the many
holiday events that the San Luis Obispo Downtown Association produces each year in the
plaza. In fact 1 think it will be a better location than where the cut -tree used to stand.
Furthermore, the fact that we are placing a living, breathing and beautiful tree in our plaza
year round as opposed to cutting a tree down in another state, trucking it across this state
and then placing it in the plaza where it will only be a decoration for a month before being
chipped. The fact that this tree is now serving multiple purposes as a part of the urban
forest as well as decoration for the holidays is a major success story for our community. if
the tree were relocated, yet again, it faces a dramatic chance of not surviving and would be
an absolute loss.
Please respect the decision of Mr. Combs to locate the tree where it is and help keep this
community green,
Sincerely
Dominic Tartaglia