The author of the following Facebook Post, initially posted it on one of the smaller, more civil, and relatively unknown but rapidly growing facebook Groups, Big Canoe Saloon High Life. Already there has been some more info added if you want to read more perspective on the Plant List issue. It is a closed group, so you will have to join. Here is a direct link to his discussion thread if you would like to offer feedback. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1147172382016709/permalink/2123593247707946/
BEGIN FACEBOOK EXCERPT:
“For the past few weeks I have thinking about and chatting with a number of folks trying to understand the issues surrounding the proposed plant list and thought I would add a few more comments to the ongoing discussion.
In my past life I worked for an insurance company and we spent a great deal money researching our buying public. One of the statistics tracked were lifestyles/life cycles of retirees. I recall the top 10 activities for retirees mentioned in the information we received listed “gardening” in the top 5!
With that as a back drop, I can’t for the life of me understand why the POA leadership would continue to limit this healthy pastime by shrinking the current plant list to natives only?
From daffodils to 100’s of rhododendrons, so many of the plants we all take for granted are to be eliminated because they are not native to Big Canoe.
Looking back to Dr Platt’s input, his concern was heavily focused on protecting the forest canopy for we were a fledging community of Tree Toppers and Plumbers Cabins back in the early 70’s.
Today we see larger and larger homes being built and vista pruning taking place regularly.
We also spread 10’s of thousands of pine straw bales each spring, which in fact, are not native to our area and are racked from the forest floors of S. Georgia and Alabama.
We paint the non-native grass golf course in the winter, which for sure, is not native to our area.
Add to that, the mega tons of Tennessee field stone that is used for retaining walls and other outdoor areas.
Lastly, we have several man made lakes that are stocked with fish and one we regularly stock with rainbow trout.
I can go on and on but it seems to me that a few folks are attempting to dictate their desires for native purity on all of us!
If they have their way who is going to be responsible for resources needed for the enforcement and removal of non-native plants on public grounds?
Lastly, don’t we have more pressing issues in front of us as community then to create so much consternation over what I think is really a non-issue in the end?
Thanks for reading my rambling and I look forward to your feedback.”
– big canoe resident on facebook <<permalink to the group discussion
EDITOR’S NOTE: I liked the way this was presented. It’s just a low key, calm approach that is based in simple wisdom. We need more of that bubbling to the surface in this community. I do want to add that I have been told that the consultant that is pushing this issue supposedly has a profit motive in his contract, in that he stands to gain in excess of $50,000 for the removal of all the new “invasive” plants he adds to the list. If true, then I think that is an important part of the story that the POA has failed to openly and properly disclose. We really do need to get to the bottom of what we are paying all these consultants. I am concerned that this increasing reliance on outside consultants has created an unhealthy process for decision making within the community.
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