Street trees are vital to our city environment, without them the city is a sterile landscape of concrete, bricks and asphalt. Think of Raymond without any trees and you see a pretty grim picture. A town that people passing by won't stop in because it looks like there is nothing to see. Simply having street trees and human scale lighting give it character and charm that is inviting to the eye and soul.
Trees add beauty and create an environment beneficial to our mental health. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other dangerous gases which in turn replenish the atmosphere with oxygen for us to breathe. Trees have other benefits that most of us take for granted. They help to cool the streets with shade and lessen the glare of buildings and sidewalks. They absorb noise and bring beauty and charm to our community.
Our city is planning to fix the street on Duryea and remove all the trees to make it look like Commercial Street. I'm asking people to go downtown and see for yourself how bad this will look. The trees are currently slated for removal without any public notice or a vote by the city council. This is our town and at the very least we should be able to vote on this matter. We need trees, we need lighting that is charming to enhance our town and not make it look like a freeway. PEOPLE PLEASE SPEAK UP, YOUR VOICES COUNT. What kind of town do you want to leave for your kids and grandkids!!!!