Having grown up in Appleton, I have always cherished the charm and beauty our city offers, especially the stunning shade trees that line our streets. While Appleton has always been a standout in terms of its natural beauty, a recent rule that prohibits planting shade trees under power lines presents a severe threat to our city's aesthetic appeal and environmental health. Power lines stretching above our heads not only clutter our view but also limit our ability to plant lush, shade-giving trees. This will lead to Appleton gradually becoming less shaded and vibrant.

The solution lies in a sensible, strategic approach to urban planning: burying power lines underground during street reconstruction projects. This not only preserves our city's visual appeal but enhances safety and reliability by reducing outages caused by storms and falling branches. Several cities worldwide have embraced this practice, leading to reduced maintenance costs and improved aesthetics, and there is no reason Appleton couldn't do the same.

Investing in the burial of power lines is an investment in our future. It acknowledges the importance of our environment, combats urban heat, and allows children and families to enjoy lush, shaded streets for generations to come. The benefits far outweigh the costs, especially when these projects are aligned with road reconstruction, minimizing disruption and maximizing efficiency.

Appleton deserves to remain a beautiful, shaded, and welcoming city. We urge you to support this initiative for the future of our community. Your signature can make a difference in preserving our green spaces and ensuring Appleton remains a city we can all be proud of. Please sign this petition to require the City of Appleton to bury power lines during street reconstruction projects. Together, we can keep our streets beautiful and shady.