Editor:
Once upon a time, Sweet Home was declared a “Tree City.”
That was something to be proud of.
Then, as our beautiful trees along Main Street became even more beautiful, some “all knowing” experts told us that we had to take out the trees. That they would uproot the road, etc. But, not to worry, we will replace them with other trees more suited to our situation. That was some time ago, in years.
Who is in charge of trees? Who can we address as to just when can we get some more trees?
I used to be so happy to come home, up the “narrows” to enter beautiful Sweet Home with the pretty trees. I was proud of the fact that we were voted a “Tree City.”
Now, there are little flowers, which just don’t do justice to our town like the trees. There is nothing majestic about flowers. They don’t hide the mostly homely exteriors of our little town. The trees complimented our old buildings. Made them seem more substantial and welcoming.
I’m aware that not everyone loves trees like I do, but, public areas like a downtown certainly benefit from trees.
Where are our trees that were promised for downtown?
On a similar note: About 10 years or so, a designer brought to the then-“Making over Sweet Home” group, an idea to do over Long St. from Hwy. 228 to about where the feed store is.
Main Street is not very fixable, as everyone who had tried knows. Main Street is too narrow and fast to change. Trees in the center were a good idea, but that’s about it.
But Long Street has parking and space to improve.
This designer suggested an old logging town approach, showing the feasibility and relatively low costs to implement this concept. Parking was abundant, places to add boutiques and seating were already there.
The Main Street businesses on the south side already open their doors to the Long Street side.
Most expensive part would be to change the signals at Main and 228 to add an entrance to Old Town Sweet Home.
But, the designer was taken to the upper level of Key Bank and told that the town really liked it just the way it was and, to put it one way, to butt out.
This city manager and previous ones like to spend your money on their idea of “experts,” even though there are experts here in the city wondering why they can’t pick from the talent they have on hand.
I saw no requests to submit drawings to the City Council for ideas to improve the city.
Marilyn Schlim
Sweet Home