SAVE THE SILK COTTON TREE!

[Brian Taylor]

some of you might have heard already that the Tobago House of Assembly is seriously considering to destroy the Runnemede Silk Cotton Tree to make the road better... what a horrible idea is that? so I ask everyone who loved the sight of the tree passing it using the North Side Road and who did not mind to have just one out of 1000 places more where only one car can pass at the time to sign the petition at http://www.change.org. try to put the link here and hope to get assistance from steve if I fail!
http://www.change.org/petitions#search/ ... e%20tobago
STEPH

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Steph

I've had a bit of correspondence on the issue with a few people and had wondered whether or not to post a link to that petition. However, on Wednesday afternoon 95.5FM announced….

“The Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities is today denying reports that it plans to cut down the historical Silk Cotton tree at Runnymede, Tobago.

There have been reports in recent times that the tree will be cut down as it has been blamed for undermining the structural integrity of the road in the area. The unevenness of the road has been making life difficult for motorists who use the road. The tree is located a stone’s throw from the Des Vignes Road Government Primary School.

In a release the Division of Infrastructure says it is aware of the tree’s long cultural history and its connection to the community, and therefore its preservation must be considered.

The division is in the process of addressing major depressions along the Northside Road and has been consulting with Senior engineers to determine how best to marry the infrastructural needs of the community with the preservation of the Silk Cotton tree for future generations.

The DIPU is also dealing with 2 other major parts of the Northside Road the first in Runnymede in the Vicinity of the farm and the other is located just outside Castara.”

I guess it would do no harm for people to sign the petition, just in case....

[Brian Taylor]

yes, especially since here people still read things in the papers that indicate that it not off the table...
so signing will just show the interest of the local public as well as the tourists and especially the return guests that tobago needs so much for its tourism.
I think a country that spends billions and billions on things that nobody wants and needs should have enough left to find a solution in this case that suits the safety of the road as well as the community of runnemede as well as preserving nature/heritage/tourism!
by the way, apology for messing up the headline of this post. always check the text and did not see the header...
STEPH