After township officials voted down a proposal last fall to pursue a Tree City USA designation, citing concerns about enforcement and limited staffing, Glen Arbor has now earned the recognition — this time through a coalition of local businesses operating independently of township government.
The Arbor Day Foundation awarded Glen Arbor Tree City USA status this week. The designation recognizes communities that meet four standards: maintaining a tree board or department, adopting a public tree care ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on tree related efforts, and holding an annual Arbor Day celebration.
When the idea was first presented to the Glen Arbor Board in October by Great Lakes Tea & Spice owner Chris Sack on behalf of the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce (GLCC), it was met with hesitation. Supervisor Tom Laureto questioned delegating such authority to a committee, while Clerk Pam Laureto raised concerns about enforcement and staffing. Treasurer Don Lewis described the proposal “awfully idealistic.”
