You’ve likely heard the expression, “Your vote is important.” Now you get to hear it again, “Your vote is important.” It’s important because Fountain Park is in desperate need of new replacement trees.

In the past few years, Fountain Park has lost 15 large olive trees. Another 15 are showing signs of distress. With the potential loss of these old trees in a few years, I worry that our signature park that is the pride of our town will begin to look like a barren, mostly treeless landscape.

Certainly, the Greening of Downtown group has done a fantastic job planting trees in a few areas of the park such as near the amphitheater and along a few sections of sidewalk. Now, with your help, we have the opportunity to kick it up a notch by replacing the big trees we’re losing and providing much-needed shade.

What you need to do is very simple and I hope you do it right after you finish reading this great newspaper, or even sooner. Just go to the town website, www.fh.az.gov and halfway down on the right side, click on “My Republic Rewards.” This will take you to a page where you can log in, or register if you are not already signed up.

After you’re signed in, click “Community Grants.” Now you can vote your Republic Rewards points to the Greening of Downtown.

Please do this. We all benefit from having our signature park remain an attractive town centerpiece. Reminder: Finish newspaper, vote.