LAKESIDE
The county confirmed Monday that two dozen jacaranda trees will be removed by Friday in Lakeside, dashing hopes of the community that they could be saved.
San Diego County spokeswoman Donna Durckel said that the trees that line a vacant lot on Woodside Avenue are still scheduled for removal by a private contractor this week to make way for a new San Diego County library.
Grading started Monday for the 16,400-square-foot library, which will be three times larger than the nearly 60-year-old branch two blocks away. The new $19 million facility will have a community room for events, a bookstore and large spaces for children and teenagers.
Supervisors Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond cast the dissenting votes.
Anderson said he wasn t against Fletcher s proposal, but wasn t comfortable voting and then later learning that all the clinics are going to be located in my district. He said he wanted to see a plan first, adding, Is there some middle ground? I hate to vote against this.
Desmond said that giving out needles still has the appearance of promoting drug abuse. I would like to see an emphasis on prevention, he added. I see that needle exchange (would) promote health among those who are using, but I think we re kind of treating the symptom instead of the cause.