At its regular meeting Thursday, April 20, the Mackinaw City Village Council took time to renew its commitment to remain an official "tree city," which means area residents can expect the village to continue its efforts to maintain and plant trees and provide landscaping on city property.

Mackinaw City has been a tree city since 1993, and to retain the title, the National Arbor Day Foundation requires the village to have a "tree board." The board has both Village Council members and civic-minded residents knowledgeable about trees and landscaping, said Village Manager Jeff Lawson. They report to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which in turn works with the United States Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

"Trees are important to the village," said Community Development Director Steve Schnell, and as part of its duties as a tree city, the village will host an Arbor Day celebration Friday, May 12. On that day, members of the Village Council with meet with area third grade students and plant pine trees at the Mackinaw Historic Village.

Mr. Lawson or President Pro Tempore Sandra Planisek will give the students a presentation concerning trees and environmental issues, and offer them a tour of the Historic Village. The event is open to the public, Mr. Lawson added.

As part of its tree city status, the DNR offers the village technical assistance with what Mr. Lawson called "urban forestry techniques." When necessary, the village treats its trees for leaf diseases, sprays them for insects, trims them, and provides a number of other services related to keep the trees green and healthy.

"Urban forestry is important aesthetically and economically," said Mr. Lawson. Without trees, the area would resemble an urban desert, he said, but when trees are planted it can transform a district into a pleasant environment. It is well documented that people appreciate towns that keep their trees healthy and provide other landscaping features, Mr. Lawson said.

Continuing the village's beautification efforts also helps keep the area attractive to tourists, and not only does their shade help keep shoppers comfortable during the summer, it also reduces cooling bills in homes and businesses. Further, during cooler seasons, trees help reduce heating bills by providing wind blocks, he added.

The Mackinaw City Tree Board includes Village President Pro Tempore Sandra Planisek, trustees James Alford and Lana Jaggi, and residents Nancy Campbell and Betty Teysen.

In other business, the Village Council commended Ken Ford of Mackinaw City for providing assistance to a local man last winter. The man had passed out in a whirlpool in a local hotel and could have drowned had it not been for Mr. Ford's assistance, Mr. Schnell said. Mr. Ford received a framed declaration thanking him for his actions.

The village will conduct a village wide yard sale Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To take

part, residents and business owners can register with the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce by Thursday, May 18, and be placed on a map detailing where all participants can be found.

The village approved a one-year contract with a three percent wage increase for all non-union employees, Mr. Schnell added.

This includes all department heads, receptionists, the waste water plant superintendent, and the head of public works.