Chronicle covers YMCA logging meeting

The Chronicle ran a good story on the YMCA logging controversy Monday.  Everyone who was at the meeting describes the unfriendliness of the audience.

"I realize there is a lot of hostility here. I can feel it," said the YMCA’s vice president of property development Bill Worthington, whose Power Point presentation was repeatedly interrupted by shouting and snickering from the crowd during the community meeting voluntarily organized by the YMCA. "We genuinely want to open dialogue with the public."

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"But I’d rather live in a dilapidated building than tear down trees in a forest," interjected one YMCA teacher to applause.

Another camp leader then asked how she was supposed to teach conservation to children while a chainsaw cuts down a tree behind them.

YMCA officials insisted that the logging was intended to improve the health of the forest as well as the safety of children, and that they are complying with regulations set by the California Department of Forestry and the Department of Fish and Game.

Worthington said that the YMCA has already changed some of its plans based on feedback from the public and experts. "We’re not trying to take advantage of the situation. We just want the property to be more beautiful, valuable and safe."