Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

For Immediate Release: March 14, 2007

Mayor Fiorentini and Haverhill Featured in Documentary
Elm Trees Movie to Premiere at D.C. Environmental Film Festival

Mayor James Fiorentini and the City of Haverhill are starring in a documentary premiering at the D.C. Environmental Film Festival next Tuesday, March 20, at 7:30 pm, at U.S. Naval Memorial & Heritage Center Auditorium in Washington, DC. The documentary, entitled The Majestic Elm, Majestic, Imperiled, Renewed, will feature Haverhill, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Washington, DC as cities that are taking a proactive role in bringing back the American Elm. Mayor Fiorentini said:

“It is an honor to be included in the film, and to be featured as one of the cities that are helping to renew the legacy of the American elm. We are proud that the film includes footage of elms being planted on Elm Street in Haverhill.”

The Mayor is in the process of procuring a copy of the documentary so he can arrange for a screening in Haverhill.

Over the past three years, Mayor Fiorentini and the City of Haverhill have made a concerted effort to plant new elm trees in the city. During that time, the city has planted nearly 500 trees, of which approximately 150 are disease-resistant elm trees.

“Keeping Haverhill safe and beautiful is a major part of sparking a renaissance in the city. Our program to plant trees and reintroduce the elm is part of our effort to preserve our past and keep the beauty of Haverhill as we move forward.”

According to Fiorentini, he was inspired to bring elm trees back to Haverhill after reading about the work of Dr. Danny Townsend at the National Arboretum. Dr. Townsend discovered the new disease-resistant elm known as the Valley Forge Elm.

The Majestic Elm, Majestic, Imperiled, Renewed chronicles the rich legacy of America’s most popular and loved urban tree, its decimation from Dutch elm disease, and the discovery of disease-tolerant elms at a time when cities are most in need of tough, fast-growing, large-canopy trees.

For more information, contact the Mayor’s Office at 978-374-2300 or Catherine Smith, president of Community-Based Communications, at 301-386-0889.