Editor:
As a newcomer to this process and without a consultant to point out what I did not see, I have
mistakenly used a group photo of the Edmonds Citizens’ Tree Board in campaign advertising to
represent my involvement in our local environmental issues. Some have interpreted this as
politicizing the Board or the members of it.
That was never my intention and I apologize.
The opposite is not only true but a source of pride, our members having views as diverse as the
Edmonds citizens we represent. That diversity of thought, and the respect we have for each
others’ perspectives, is at the core of our Tree Board’s great achievements.
Vivian Olson
Edmonds
Candidate, City Council Position 5
great achievements?
As a Council Liaison to the Tree Board for the past four years – the Tree Board has been a wonderful educational resource for the City and has received three “growth” awards over the last three years. This growth award means that the Board achieved extra points over and above their Arbor Day celebrations and yearly tree identification project due to: their partnerships with groups like Edmonds in Bloom, City of Edmonds, Boy Scouts, Earth Corp, and/or the Students Saving Salmon and the Youth Commission to further help in education about trees or planting native plants and/or removing evasive like the City’s annual “ivy pull” (now in its 3rd year); or all Board Members graduating from Tree City USA; or their educational outreach and programs via Saturday Market, Edmonds Floretum Garden Club or through the Craze magazine; or their two wonderful educational tri-folds of “Before you Grab the Chainsaw” and “Small Trees” for view properties which are located on the development services floor; or their assistance with the Mayors’ Climate Protection Committee with the 2018 “Taming Bigfoot Friendly Competition; or assisting in the completion of the Urban Forest Management Program.
I am quite proud of the hard work of all the individuals of the Tree Board and all volunteers that have help complete the Tree Board’s Mission. Volunteering is a wonderful gift to give the City and the Tree Board Members have done a wonderful job educating us and helping us make the City a better place.
From what I can see happening, the Tree Board is pretty much about trying to protect the last tree. If you try to plant or save anything taller than three feet in Edmonds, you risk a visit from the “View Board.” ( I made that up). As per the negative actions and statements by the political factions in this election, rest assured Ms. Olson, you have done absolutely nothing wrong in comparison. I’m glad we have you in this race for Council. All of you running are a credit to our fair City in my opinion.
Thank you Clinton.
Ken, another Tree Board member is working on a list of Tree Board achievements for you. There have been many, and we appreciate the opportunity to raise awareness of them.