A small all-American city is standing its ground behind a central figure that has become deeply rooted in its history and traditions.
Since the founding of La Vista, Neb., a small Midwestern city in the state where Arbor Day sprouted to life in 1872, residents found their holiday spirit around an old Colorado blue spruce as they sang Christmas carols and stood in awe as the majestic branches were illuminated by thousands of lights, the Wall Street Journal reports.
However, the tradition was thrust into jeopardy when a 20-year-old man, who has since left the state, allegedly sawed through the 55-foot tree’s base in an attempt to cut it down.
In a fitting twist, the accused man’s fate relies upon the life he has been charged with trying to take, the newspaper reports. If the tree, which appears to be barely hanging on, fails to survive the winter, Johnathan P. Roy could face five-years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The Wall Street Journal reports that people in town are angry and are monitoring the tree’s progress very closely. It is refreshing to see a community rally behind what is most valuable and not just turn its back on its history and just ring in the holidays with a young sapling.
For 40 years, the tree stood proudly as a representative of both Christmas and the city itself. Now, when the tree finds itself most vulnerable, it is inspiring to see the people rally behind it rather than simply move on as our society too often does.
The “heartbeat” of New Haven’s Union Station will soon stop — and with it yet another fiber of the state’s colorful history will be stripped away unnecessarily and ignorantly.
The state Department of Transportation will remove the Solari board (seen in action above) from the train station within the next year and replace it with LED screens, according to the New Haven Independent.
This is just ridiculous. It’s always easier to replace something than to preserve it. And once again, the state is opting to take the easy way out.
The reason for removing the historic and rare board? Kevin Nursick, a DOT spokesman, told the Independent that it is difficult to find parts and expertise to fix that style board anymore. Hmmm. Well, Mr. Nursick, what are the other cities with the boards doing? You know, like Philadelphia? They are finding a way to preserve their past.
And further, Mr. Nursick, I suggest that you LOOK HARDER — or maybe talk with Philadelphia officials. I hear they’re friendly in the city of brotherly love. Make an investment of time. Do it for your kids. Do it for your kids’ kids.
In the long-run I would think the state will get a bigger bang for its buck if it invests in performing regular maintenance on the sign than on purchasing LED screens. After all, LED screens don’t last long — certainly not as long as the Solari board did. Think about all the technology the Solari board has outlasted.
If you are Connecticut citizen, I implore you to take a stand. If you care about our state, and what made it so great — or even if you think your children or grandchildren might give a damn — I suggest voicing your opposition to this plan. Don’t forget, Mr. Nursick works for you — not the other way around.
While I am certainly a proponent of adapting to new technology, I strongly believe the state also has a responsibility to preserve our history. Considering that the board is the last one on the entire New Haven Line says something right there.
And beyond the historical reasons, it is easier to see such a board than a LED monitor. Have you ever tried reading such a monitor from the side or from an angle? It’s not easy. And the noise that the sign creates with each update is sure to capture your attention, something a stagnant, and eye-straining LED sign won’t accomplish.
Much too often the state’s most prized and beloved relics meet the wrecking ball unnecessarily and prematurely and thus stripping future generations of the opportunity to see what made our past tick — or, in this case, clicker-clack.
New Haven Urban Design League President Anstress Farwell described the Solari sign’s sound as the heartbeat of the grand waiting room in an e-mail to the Independent, and I agree.
We mustn’t let it flat line. Because once we do, it will be too late to come to our senses.
A Facebook group and a petition have already been established in hopes of saving this historic item — and I hope you will consider checking them out.