Workers remembered

The city of Superior and the Federation of Labor observed the third annual Workers Memorial Day in Superior Wednesday with the planting of Northwoods Maple at Kelly Park.

The tree is a living memorial to those who have been killed or gravely injured on the job.

“It’s a reminder that although there have been no deaths or significant injuries to report this year, this goes on daily, monthly, weekly,” said Dan Olson, business manager for Union Local 1091 and first district city councilor. “People lose their lives in the workplace.”

The councilor’s goal is to plant a workers memorial tree in each of the city’s 10 council districts. The plantings began with a tree in Bear Park on the outskirts of Superior’s Itasca neighborhood in 2010. The tree was cut down by vandals a few days later, but a new one was planted in its place. Last year, a tree was rooted in Webster Park in Superior’s South End.

There have been no other incidents with the trees since the 2010 vandalism, Olson said.

“We’re hoping it was just a fluke,” he said.

The city paid for the first workers memorial tree, but the other two were purchased by people from the community, Olson said. Tree donations are also accepted in honor of loved ones through the city’s Tribute Tree program. Anyone wishing to plant a tree for workers, friends or family can contact the city’s Parks and Recreation Department or get information online through the city’s website, www.ci.superior.wi.us/. The trees are planted between May 1 and June 15.

Wednesday’s tree planting ceremony was sandwiched between Earth Day, which took place Sunday, and National Arbor Day, which is celebrated today.

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