The Tree
Question 1 : What is the most common and dangerous hazard to tennis players on open air tennis courts?
Answer : Easy-
Question 2 : Why has the City Council planted a deciduous tree about four metres from the fence around the Summerway tennis courts?
Answer : Not quite so easy! We can only speculate on the reasons. What do you think? Maybe you can add to the following suggestions.
Possibility 1 : Some bright spark in the Parks Department thought a tree might be pretty, and put as much thought into the consequences of planting one in that location as seems typical for Exeter City Council.
Possibility 2 : The Parks Department had too many trees, and felt it had to plant them somewhere, whatever the consequences. This reason puts it on a par with Devon County Council which had too much money from Europe for cycle tracks, and so opened up the vandal route across the new Summerway Park in collusion with the City. It would be illuminating to discover who pushed this folly, County or City.
Possibility 3 : The City’s Leisure Department is so upset at the total failure of its plans for the courts, and its inability to maintain them for the public, it is adopting a ‘Dog in the Manger’ attitude. If the Council cannot claim the glory, no one else is going to benefit.
Possibility 4 : A group or a person within the Council wishes to be vindictive, and is so determined to screw the children and the Club that they are willing to engineer the impracticality of the courts. Remember, the City Council, contrary to our expressed wishes, unilaterally withdrew from negotiations stating, “... we will be moving forward with plans which do not involve the Summerway club.”
Possibility 5 : Exeter City Council is so full of a sense of its own power over the lives of citizens that it gets a ‘high’ or ‘buzz’ out of bullying to show its dominance. This being yet another direct violation of the Club’s firm request for a moratorium, ignored by the Council as it trampled the Club underfoot with no compassion for the children.
Possibility 6 : The action is a further example of the officers running the City, and not the elected Councillors, of a similar nature to the Well Oak Park ‘desecration’ in Wonford. Our local ward Councillors need to be asked whether planting trees so near the tennis courts was done with their cognizance and approval.
Possibility 7 : This is a precursor to the destruction of the tennis courts. We have seen these tactics before in a variety of guises. Our destructive City Council doesn’t fix things as far as we can see. Anything that doesn’t fit neatly into its ‘system’ is first undermined verbally or by actions, giving seemingly plausible justification for its eradication. Time will show if this is the motive on this occasion.
Possibility 8 : No one gave it any thought whatsoever. Just did it!
Upon consideration of the above ...
Looking at this incomplete list of possibilities, each of which seems to have precedents, what a sad reflection on the health of local government! That we have to speculate at all reflects badly on the nebulous origin of Council decisions. If ECC wishes to win the trust of the electorate, it needs to start practising open government and showing democracy exists by listening to its citizens.
Three other trees were planted just the other side of the path, but were destroyed by vandals almost immediately. If you feel the real reason for planting the trees in this location isn’t covered by any of the possibilities above, please Email Jim with your understanding of the situation. Feedback welcome.
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