It's ghostly to imagine a town without trees. So it came as something of a surprise when Luzerne County Engineer Jim Brozena signed the death warrant that wiped out 14 live mature trees that had grown for many years along one of the city's most pleasant tree-lined streets. One dead tree felt the government ax as well. The sacrifice is intended to serve the greater good. The tree destruction is tied to the Susquehanna River levee-raising project as well as several pump station upgrades.
Contractors plan to run electrical wires beneath sidewalks along Ross and West River streets.
To do that, the trees had to go. The sidewalks will be replaced at a later date. New trees will be planted. Still, the destruction has had a stirring impact along a once shady stretch of town that is now too bare. Equally stirring is the feeling of powerlessness that comes in the wake of progress.