Editor:

The large, beautiful oak tree that for years adorned the parking lot in front of Ella’s Barber Shop now resides on the SLPC grounds next to the clubhouse.

My opinion is that this tree was politicized because the people who donated money to pay the bills for re-locating this tree are not in the favor of certain Helotes elected officials. For that reason, numerous figurative road blocks were constructed to prevent re-planting this tree on Helotes park land. (Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face!) Likewise, similar roadblocks would surely have been erected if the donors had offered the tree to some other municipality in order to thwart any one-upmanship as another city appeared more tree friendly than Helotes. Fortunately, the SLPC exists as a private, community association that promotes the conservation of this sort of resource and the club was chosen to receive the donation of this beautiful tree.

Lou Hoffman President, Scenic Loop Playground Club

Grey Forest

Editor:

I read with great interest today John Folk’s rant about skyrocketing fuels costs for the NISD.

On Nov. 15, 2007, the Northwest Weekly published my letter, “City Can Do Better on Moving People.”

Unfortunately there has been no progress or serious discussion for a collaborative effort between the city of San Antonio and the NISD to connect the new Brandeis High School, Stinson Middle School, the new natatorium and the Dub Farris Stadium to neighborhoods via a network of sidewalks and bicycle paths.

The sad reality is that an already highly congested Hausman Road will this fall now be clogged with school buses and cars going to and from Brandeis High School.

Meanwhile, Folks and others will give lip service to the fact that kids grow fatter, and that there are no choices other than buses and cars to get people to and from school and to other activities in the Hausman Road area.

A unique opportunity to set a positive example and lead the way for a transportation alternative, will once again be ignored in San Antonio under the guise of there’s not any money.

Richard Gray

San Antonio