The Whittier City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 28, suspended the city’s tree manual, a move many residents denounced as a way for the city to immediately cut down healthy trees in Uptown Whittier.

The action came in the form of two proposals — one an emergency ordinance, effective immediately, that would suspend the manual for eight months — and another a first reading on a proposed permanent ordinance.

Both passed 4-1, with Councilmember Mary Ann Pacheco voting no, against yes votes from Mayor Joe Vinatieri, and councilmembers Fernando Dutra, Octavio Martinez, and Cathy Warner.

Councilmembers who voted for the ordinances said they based their vote on discussions held with legal counsel during closed session, details of which have not been released. Councilmember Cathy Warner noted two case

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