Story Behind Tree Protest

In the many stories written lately about Joseph Cicero selling Christmas trees on Pierce College farmland, two outstanding individuals who contributed to Cicero’s salvation have been left out.

Alex Machi, owner of Slingshot Productions, a small video production company, and Michael Carson, former Pierce student senate speaker, deserve to be hailed for their efforts. It was only last year that Machi and Carson stood daily at the corner of DeSoto and Victory and protested Miller trees. They held up signs that read, “Honk 4 Miller to Get Out of Town,” and “Stu Sues School!” I remember passing that corner and hearing 40 or 50 cars honking.

Alex and Mike’s efforts, although they appeared extreme to some, were right on target and hit a bull’s-eye in Stu Miller’s pocketbook. They knew that the best way to chase a wealthy tyrant is to put a dent in his profits. Mike and Alex continued after the Christmas season and gave constant reminders to Stu Miller’s company that there would be no profit in suing Cicero or Pierce College. One must never forget that Mike and Alex did all this at their own expense, on their own leisure time, for no other reason than preserving the quality of life in their community.

BRIAN GOLDENFELD

Woodland Hills