Tree supporters plan recall of Oroville councilmember

OROVILLE, Calif. -

At least one Oroville city councilmember may face a recall because of the trees that were cut down near a cemetery earlier this month.

Bill Bynum of Save the Trees said that his group intends to notify Councilmember Dave Pittman that he is the subject of a recall because Pittman voiced publicly his support for cutting down the trees along Feather River Boulevard.

All seven of the councilmembers ultimately voted for their removal, because PG&E said the roots of the trees were too close to a main gas line and posed a threat to public safety. Many also said that if they had voted to block their removal, Oroville would be liable in the event of a gas break.

"In my heart of hearts when I make decisions, sometimes on a personal level, I have to look at the overall picture and what is best for the community," said Thil Wilcox, one of the councilmembers.

While she personally wished the trees could have been saved she said, "It was a public safety issue, and based on the information that we had that was the decision that was made."

The group must collect 25 percent of registered voters in Oroville to qualify the recall for the ballot.

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Tree supporters plan recall of Oroville councilmember