Tree man staying put for Christmas
SARAH QUINTON, The West AustralianDecember 25, 2009, 12:42 pm
WA News / Ben Crabtree ©
Neighbours gathered around and passers-by honked their car horns as the so called Thornlie Tree Man spends Christmas day up a 30-year-old gumtree, despite the City of Gosnells guaranteeing they will not remove the tree for at least three months.
A letter was hand delivered to Richard Pennicuik on Christmas Eve, who has now spent his 19th day up the tree, stating that the City acted in a spirit of goodwill so Mr Pennicuik could spend Christmas Day with his family.
But Mr Pennicuik said the letter has only further stirred his anger, vowing to remain in the tree until he has a written guarantee that the tree will 'never be cut down'.
"I don't believe anything they (the city) say," he said as the mercury level soared toward 35C today.
"They said they would extend an olive branch to me, but I'm not coming down. If I come down, the tree will be cut down. If I stay, the tree will be saved."
Supporters of Mr Pennicuik have sent Christmas well wishes via a Facebook page, 'Thornlie Tree Man', which boasts nearly 5000 fans.
Mr Pennicuik said the community in the street have lifted his spirits with 35 people expected to share a Christmas lunch which would be passed up to him via a rope.
"I'm glad I'm up the tree doing something truthful," he said.
"I feel a real bond to the tree now and it's drawn all the neighbours together. It's like the old days when everyone looked after each other."
The City of Gosnells extended their offer after receiving a letter from Mr Pennicuik to enter into negotiations via an independent mediator.
"The City has said since day one of the protest that it would be willing to discuss the issues with the protestor when he comes down, but would not conduct negotiations from the base of a tree in a public street," the letter said.
"We believe our offers made in writing and in good faith, provide an opportunity for the resident to spend Christmas with his family."
The City also said it would not forcibly remove Mr Pennicuik from the tree and would be review the issue in March after the three month deadline expires.
Mr Pennicuik said he would also spend New Years Eve in the tree as a symbol of strength to his supporters around the world.
A letter was hand delivered to Richard Pennicuik on Christmas Eve, who has now spent his 19th day up the tree, stating that the City acted in a spirit of goodwill so Mr Pennicuik could spend Christmas Day with his family.
But Mr Pennicuik said the letter has only further stirred his anger, vowing to remain in the tree until he has a written guarantee that the tree will 'never be cut down'.
"I don't believe anything they (the city) say," he said as the mercury level soared toward 35C today.
"They said they would extend an olive branch to me, but I'm not coming down. If I come down, the tree will be cut down. If I stay, the tree will be saved."
Supporters of Mr Pennicuik have sent Christmas well wishes via a Facebook page, 'Thornlie Tree Man', which boasts nearly 5000 fans.
Mr Pennicuik said the community in the street have lifted his spirits with 35 people expected to share a Christmas lunch which would be passed up to him via a rope.
"I'm glad I'm up the tree doing something truthful," he said.
"I feel a real bond to the tree now and it's drawn all the neighbours together. It's like the old days when everyone looked after each other."
The City of Gosnells extended their offer after receiving a letter from Mr Pennicuik to enter into negotiations via an independent mediator.
"The City has said since day one of the protest that it would be willing to discuss the issues with the protestor when he comes down, but would not conduct negotiations from the base of a tree in a public street," the letter said.
"We believe our offers made in writing and in good faith, provide an opportunity for the resident to spend Christmas with his family."
The City also said it would not forcibly remove Mr Pennicuik from the tree and would be review the issue in March after the three month deadline expires.
Mr Pennicuik said he would also spend New Years Eve in the tree as a symbol of strength to his supporters around the world.
as posted here
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