Today a key day on the Budget, destroying hundreds of excellent trees on the Charles River?

I am getting word that today is a key day in budget discussions.

I do not understand the process, but we have an outrageously destructive bond bill proposed by the Governor with the key details kept secret by the con artists who have been running around lying that they are defending the environment.

The governor’s bond proposal falsely described as “underpasses” will destroy hundred of excellent trees between the BU Bridge and the Longfellow Bridge on the north side of the Charles River.

Contact folks, object like mad.

And the governor’s contact is http://www.mass.gov/governor/constituentservices/contact/.

And if you get this too late, try later anyway, just in case.

Thank you.

WHY WE LOVE THE CHARLES RIVER WHITE GEESE, rerun by popular demand

I have received the following email from Archie Mazmanian, which I am reproducing almost intact:

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RE: Why We Love the Charles River White Geese - Feb. 6, 2012

Bob,

I'm getting longer of tooth and problems have been limiting for me for the past six months. But I follow your Blog and your recent post on the Memorial Drive closing's impact on the CRWG got me thinking of one of my last contributions to your Blog. Perhaps it might be appropriate to republish my contribution of Feb. 6, 2012, noted in the "Subject."

Archie Mazmanian

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RE: WHY WE LOVE THE CHARLES RIVER WHITE GEESE

Archie Mazmanian comments:

Yesterday's (2/5/12) NYTimes Sunday Review section features "Why We Love Zoos" by Diane Ackerman. Here's the closing paragraph:

"What a lonely species we are, searching for signals of life from other galaxies, adopting companion animals, visiting parks and zoos to commune with other beasts. In the process we discover our shared identity. We flock to zoos for many reasons, not least to shed some of the burden of being human."

Zoos are indeed great places to go to. But so is our jewel of the Charles River where for many years we - and especially our children - could enjoy the Charles River White Geese in what ha d developed into a seemingly natural habitat. There were no bars or cages. We did not interfere with the Goose Ghetto, respecting their privacy. But we shared the Charles River with them in mutual respect. Will the Goose Ghetto be restored? Will the destructive vegetation along the banks interfering with the CRWG use of the Charles River be eliminated? Will we once again reside in harmony with the CRWG?

Imagine 50 or a 100 years from now yet another misguided governmental effort to eliminate some other Charles River fauna. Perhaps these government officials might think: "Who remembers the CRWG?"

Let's not forget.