A Save and A Question, what next for Waldo and Ingraham?

On July 22, 2009 the Seattle Times published an article regarding WALDO WOODS: "Deal will save Waldo Woods in Seattle's Maple Leaf neighborhood". (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009512856_webwaldo21m.html)

Why do I care about this article?
Because it shows a community and a school working together to save trees.

The Maple Leaf Community has been struggling with a developer and the City of Seattle to keep Trees. To keep the Waldo Woods. A struggle that has cost the community thousands of dollars and three long years of work.

But, as the drama was drawing to an end at the King County Superior Court...the developer dropped out of sight..

Making room for a NEW player, a NEW developer and another chance for the Waldo Woods.
Into the picture comes the Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder, a private Jewish school...

"We fell in love with the property at first sight," said Rabbi Yossi Charytan, head of the school. "The nature and the surroundings were very conducive to a school environment. We're going to let (the trees) be."

Read that last line again..."We're going to let (the trees) be."

A school that has taken the communities values: saving trees,
and made those values a part of its plans.

I applaud the Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder,
for being an example of a true leader for future generations.
By working with the community.
Communicating with the public.
Sharing the communities values and ideals.
And walking the walk of Environmental Stewardship.

May Gods Blessings be upon the School and the Leaders.

And from this great news for Waldo Woods, comes again the reminder of the bitter sting, and the roller coaster ride of the Ingraham High School Northwest Grove.

If only the Seattle School District could see the light at Ingraham High School, that same conducive environment to learning and share the values and ideals of the Ingraham High School's neighbors.....imagine how many trees would be saved, and how much respect could be gained....

But that is not the case...the Seattle School District has once more filed building permits to build in the Northwest Grove of trees...empty space abounds on the 28 acres, but the School District deems vacant land environmentally more important than the 100 foot mature trees.

Save The Trees-Seattle awaits the Department of Planning and Developments decision regarding the "new west compressed version" of the Seattle School Districts plans for Ingraham, if only the Trees could be bought from the School...if only someone could come forward and offer the School District an outrageous sum of money to save the trees, if dreams and wishes could make it come true....

Ingraham High Schools Northwest Grove is destined for King County Superior Court, because the Seattle School District does not see trees as being conducive to education, learning or the environment....

Once more private and public education show their colors---tremendous difference in leadership values....Trees are environmentally important vs. trees have no business on a campus.

Wow, I pick the private school, my hat is off to the Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder for being an Environmental Steward for the future! Keep up the GREAT WORK!