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Green committee honours a man who ‘walked the talk’
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Christopher Sun News staff
Oak Bay’s Garry oak tree protection bylaw may not exist if it wasn’t for the late Trevor Williams. Williams, who died in January from cancer, helped launch the Oak Bay Green Committee (OBGC) in 2005 after a copper beech tree on Bartlett Avenue, next to his home was taken down by developers. He and his wife Valerie Williams then learned Oak Bay had no tree protection bylaw, even for the beloved Garry Oak. In 2006, the Garry Oak tree “Trevor was protection bylaw was passed after much public debate. calm, a voice “It was a hard and dreadful of reason and a fight,” said Terri Hunter, who very, very nice now runs the Oak Bay Green Committee with her partner, man.” David Godfrey. “Some - Stephanie Mann people did not want a tree protection bylaw.” Williams, and the grassroots group he formed, faced opposition from many on council at the time, including developers and homeowners who felt having such a bylaw infringed on their property rights, said Hunter. Harassment and heated arguments followed, but after more than a year and some concessions made on both sides, Oak Bay’s first tree protection bylaw passed. Hunter said, while the bylaw is not perfect – it doesn’t include protection for trees on municipal property – Williams saw beyond that. The bylaw and people’s views on tree protection have evolved since. “He had a steady eye on the goal,” said Stephanie Mann, a former member of the OBGC. “Trevor was calm, a voice of reason and a very, very nice man.” Williams travelled frequently for work, but was still heavily involved with community green projects, said Rene de Vos, also a former member of the OBGC.
Stephanie Mann, right, helps plant a Garry Oak in memory of Trevor Williams in a green space between Oliver and St Patrick Streets while Hilary Knight and David Godfrey look on.
PLEASE SEE: Green legacy left, Page A7
Sharon Tiffin/News staff
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