Alderperson Denise Fenton's (District 6) Invocation At 04/19/2023 Common Council Meeting

During the 04/19/2023 Common Council organizational meeting, the Council voted to change how invocations will be given. Going forward, instead of having individual alderpersons choosing their own statements to make, the invocation will consist of the following set phrase:

"We gather together to listen and share, learn and educate, and to be granted wisdom and grace as we move Appleton forward, in the best interest of our community." A moment of silence or reflection may also be used for the Invocation. Additional messages may be added to the rotation of the Invocation with Common Council approval.

Although the new rule took effect immediately, the Council opted to allow Alderperson Denise Fenton (District 6) to give the invocation that she had prepared prior to the rules change.

Mayor Jake Woodford: Good evening. I now call to order the Wednesday April 19 2023 meeting of the Appleton Common Council. And given that the invocation rule was just changed in the in the organizational meeting, but also given that alder Fenton had prepared an invocation, I'd asked if there's no objections for one last invocation as prepared before we get underway with the new rule. Are there any objections? Hearing none, please rise for Alder Fenton's invocation.

Alderperson Denise Fenton (District 6): Thank you, colleagues, and good evening. As the mayor noted in last night's swearing in ceremony, the new year begins for the Common Council today. While I've often said that Wisconsin tests the mettle of its local elected officials by having them campaign in the middle of Midwest winter, it's fitting that our Council members take their seats in spring, the season of reawakening. It's coming I know it is.

Spring is also when we celebrate Earth Day, which is this Saturday. Earth Day has a deep Wisconsin connection as the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson, who envisioned it as a day to bring awareness to environmental causes. On this 53rd Earth Day, we can celebrate a great deal of progress since the first one which occurred while American cities were choked with smog and the year after the Cuyahoga River actually caught fire when sparks from a passing train ignited oil floating on the river's surface. People spoke up and their elected officials listened creating laws and policies that resulted in clearer skies and cleaner water.

We can be proud of what we have accomplished in the city of Appleton. While watching the screening of Hometown Wisconsin Appleton last week, I was struck by the thought that the first electricity in our city was green energy created by hydroelectric power. We've continued that legacy of environmental stewardship in Appleton, becoming a charter Green Tier Legacy community in 2010, harnessing biogas to minimize fossil fuel use at the wastewater treatment plant, and making the commitment to solar power across our city.

As we embark on a new year for the Common Council and observe Earth Day, let's be mindful of the words of the mayor's Earth Day proclamation that there is a constant need for environmental stewardship, ag—advocacy, and sustainability efforts. We all com—recommitted earlier this evening to serve the best interest of our community, and that includes helping make sure that our stewardship of the environment contributes to, in the words of our mission statement, a high quality of life and a safe place to live work and play.