To: The Honorable Mayor Caroline S. Sparks, Union, WV, the Union City 
Council Members (John Metzer, Jody Gullette, Randall Mills, Barbara Weikle, and Shirley Weikle), and the Management of Union Place Apartments - WV Housing Development Fund

We, the undersigned residents and property owners in the vicinity of Union Place Apartments in Union, West Virginia, are writing to express our urgent concern and request immediate action regarding the newly installed outdoor lighting at the aforementioned apartment complex.
The recently implemented outdoor lighting at Union Place Apartments is excessively bright, resembling the intensity of stadium lighting. This intense illumination directly shines into the windows of neighboring properties, causing significant light trespass and the severe disruption of sleep for residents. This persistent sleep deprivation is leading to adverse mental and physical health issues for the undersigned petitioners.
Furthermore, these overly bright lights are negatively impacting our ability to enjoy our own properties during the evening hours. The harsh glare creates an unpleasant and disruptive environment. Additionally, this excessive lighting constitutes significant light pollution, diminishing the visibility of the night sky and hindering the enjoyment of astronomical observation for all including amateur astronomers in our community.
We have also observed that the current fixtures project light horizontally and outward, directly towards neighboring residences and the public street. This misdirection exacerbates the light trespass issue and has also created hazardous conditions for motorists, with instances of near-miss collisions due to the blinding glare.
Therefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully request at least one the following actions be completed: 

1. Installation of Light Hoods/Shields: We request the installation of appropriate light hoods or shields on all outdoor light fixtures to direct the light downwards and prevent it from projecting horizontally towards neighboring properties and the surrounding community thus reducing light pollution and trespass.
2. Downward Orientation of Lighting fixtures: All outdoor light fixtures must be adjusted to direct light downwards, illuminating only the Union Place Apartments property, specifically the parking lot and walkways. 
3. Significant Reduction in Brightness: The intensity of the outdoor lighting at Union Place Apartments must be substantially reduced to a level that is appropriate for a residential setting and does not cause excessive light trespass onto neighboring properties and light pollution. 

This is an urgent matter affecting the health, well-being, safety, and quality of life of numerous residents in our community. The continuous sleep disruption caused by the intrusive lighting is having severe consequences on our mental and physical health. Moreover, the excessive light pollution detracts from the aesthetic quality of our neighborhood and poses a potential safety hazard.
We urge Mayor Sparks, the Union City Council members, and the management of Union Place Apartments to take our concerns seriously and implement the requested changes without delay. We believe that a collaborative effort can lead to a lighting solution that ensures the safety and security of the apartment complex without negatively impacting the surrounding community.
We, the undersigned, call for immediate action to rectify this lighting issue and restore peace, health, and safety to our neighborhood.

Next Steps:
 * Collect Signatures: Print out this petition and gather signatures from affected neighbors and community members. Be sure to include a space for each person to print their name, sign, and provide their address for verification purposes.
 * Submit the Petition: Once you have gathered a significant number of signatures, present the petition to Mayor Caroline S. Sparks at the Mayor's Office, the Union City Council (you may need to find out the best way to submit to the council, perhaps during a meeting or via the City Clerk), and to the management of Union Place Apartments. You may want to send a copy via certified mail to ensure receipt.
 * Follow Up: After submitting the petition, follow up with the Mayor's Office, City Council, and apartment management to inquire about their plans to address the issue. You may need to attend city council meetings or contact their offices directly.
Good luck with your petition! I hope this helps bring about a resolution to the lighting issue.