Part of My Childhood Memory

Dear Mayor and Councillors:

I grew up in Oak Bay, living at 2133 Oak Bay Ave. from 1947 to 1970. I am utterly opposed to the removal of the large, healthy Garry Oak called for by the proposal for the condominium "The Quest".

I am 70 years old, but that tree is older, and forms a part of my childhood memory. To say that it could be "replaced" is ridiculous - and impossible. If removed, it will be lost forever, and all of us [and our children] will be dead and gone before another Garry Oak tree can fill it's current profile. It is amazingly short-sighted thinking that would allow this to happen.

As to the argument that this particular condo complex will serve the people of Oak Bay who are wishing to downsize and remain in their community - only the very naive among us could believe that it will not ALSO house a number of the uber-wealthy of the world who are looking for a well located investment. Personally, I would rather keep the tree and see a more modest and environmentally friendly proposal that seeks to understand the nature and character of this beautiful part of southern Vancouver Island... because I do believe that there are many things more important than maximizing a developer's returns on an investment, or increasing the worth of one's holdings - and I am hoping the Mayor of Oak Bay and the Oak Bay Council hold these values as well.

Sincerely, Erica C. Fowles