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WV homeowners look for answers

Catherine Barr Contributing Writer

LIFE on Ottaburn Road will never be the same for Marilyn and Bill Sinclair.

Tr was just supposed to be another peacetal dav inthe garden for retiree 1 Sinclair.

But as he walked into his backyard around noon on April 1, Suachir found a Capilano Highway Services crew standing on his fot cutting dowa alot his

vear-old spruc .

nelair ran up te the supervisor fo ask what was going on, The crew had hopped down 15 of the 19 trees. Nineteen trees were eventually removed,

Capilano Highy Services regional manager Glenn Drummond, who was on site atthe time, told Sinclair that if there was a problem, he would have to contact a Ministry of Transportation and Highways representative.

“E damn near cried,” said Sinclair, “T didn’t know what to da.”

The Ietiaver mess of broken branches and chopped limbs was almost too much to bear for Sinclair and his wife. To this day they say they feel extreme ly violated by the incident.

} Marilyn said she still feels sick when she thinks about it,

: wshe said. “Ee don't even know if we

ir appeared before West) Vancouver council on Monday to ask for help, bur council made no commitment.

The 19 trees used to fine the back of Sinclair's property. They stood along the outside of a large fence that borders the Upper Levels: Highway, just before the [Sth Street westbound exit.

The ten s built in 1975 by the ministry of highways and jutted in and around the trees on Sinclair's land in an effort to maintain and preserve the

© grove, A recent survey proves that the trees were clearly within the property line.

The Sinclairs said that they maintained the trees by topping them to feet and by clearing our the underbrush every season. They have cared tor themr since 1978 when they moved into the hot

The trees offered a solid barrier against the noise and dust pollution com ing offofthe busy highway. Phew also helped prevent the family trom having, to look at the traffic roaring by their backyard. Vhe Sinclairs said they felt very protected when the trees were around.

But now all that has changed. And as the Sinchiirs watch the trattic speed by they wonder if their house will ever be the same. “All we want is our trees back,” they said

Initiatly, Sinclar was told the trees were removed io prevent injury to

the highy ay. Rut Sinclair says this is ridiculous and points to the retaining wall lining both his and che neigh

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NEWS photo Terry Peters

BILL and Marilyn Sinclair survey the stump remains of trees that once stood on their property near the 15th Street exit on the Upper Levels Highway in West Vancouver.

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