Fairhope, Alabama
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The city council voted 3-1 to purchase a 22' pre-lit LED panel Christmas tree from Temple Display LLC. for $13,197 ... for the 2020 Lighting of Trees ceremony on November 19th.
Councilman Burrell voted no, preferring a real tree instead (Boone was absent).
Community affairs Director Walker said the artificial tree is low maintenance ... and savings from this year's scaled-back tree lighting (due to covid-19 restrictions) would cover most of its cost; it may be used again for many years to come.
It could be converted into a Mardi Gras tree for that season's events as well, she said.
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Comments
My suggestion would be to just let all lights come on when the sun goes down with no 'ceremony'.
In the past, many elderly people line up in chairs blocking the streets, forcing gridlock in the attempt to walk around. I can't even imagine the likelihood of those people becoming ill. Perhaps the 'at risk' population will stay home, but it would be less congested if the city didn't try to make an 'event' of lighting the switch.
The slope gets rather slippery, does it not?
Civic life is vital, and it actually fuels charitable impulses by fostering community and widespread accountability thereto.
Civic responsibility also extends to protecting and respecting the vulnerable part of our population.
This is a serious game we find ourselves playing.
It can no longer just be about a handful of people in Fairhope.
Quit being jerks.
Really? Did they buy a super-spreader tree?
Only "a handful of people" enjoy the holidays in Fairhope, while the majority wait outside food banks until the shelves are replenished? Really?
If anyone sees civic life differently, he is a "jerk"?
Let me instruct you: November and December are--by far--the two months with the highest charitable giving every year. Holiday cheer, fueled by Christian faith and/or tradition, is the primary driver of that giving--not the self-righteous scolding of those who believe that life and economics as a zero-sum game.
Not only can holiday spending in the public square and private charity coexist, they are symbiotic.
Elliptical insults are not, perforce, clever and are fine refuges for scoundrels and empty suits.
Anything substantial and substantiated to add?
No, obviously.