Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOUNTAIN HILL NAMED TREE CITY USA

Fountain Hill Borough has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to its community shade trees and forest. It is the 12th year Fountain Hill has received this National recognition.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.

Fountain Hill has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA: a tree board or Department, a tree care Ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry Program, and an Arbor Day observance.

“The trees we plant and care for today will cool and beautify our communities, increase property values, help clean the air and water, and conserve energy for years to come, “ said John Rosenow, President of the National Arbor Day Foundation.

“An effective community forestry program is an ongoing process of renewal and improvement-a program of tree planting and care that continues through the years,” Rosenow, added “The Tree City USA award is an excellent indication that there is a solid foundation for that process of improvement.”

Mr. Randy Soriano, Executive Secretary of the Borough said “the Borough over the years has been fortunate to have a very involved Shade Tree Commission comprised of dedicated volunteers, Posie Gibb and Richard Reppert, who under the helm of its retiring Chairman, Bob Hercik, Sr., helped plant and manage trees throughout the Borough”. Council President Lawrence Rapp noted, “This distinguished award is an indication of the Borough’s commitment to our most treasured resource, trees.” The Borough is planning to accept the Tree City award at its Arbor Day observance on April 29, 2005. The event will take place at 1:00 p.m. at the Fountain Hill Playground. Mayor Stephen Repasch is expected to celebrate Arbor Day along with other officials.. Mayor Repasch urges all residents to come and “ support the Borough forestry program and efforts to protect our trees and woodlands and to plant a tree to honor Robert Hercik, Sr.”

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