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| May 05, 2024 |
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General News: Christmas Tree to be Lit Despite Costs
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| The bandstand will be the scene of the tree lighting ceremony again this year. |
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| The village decided to light the towering spruce tree again. |
November 17, 2009
The Cornwall-on-Hudson Christmas tree will light up again this year, following a decision on Monday by the board of trustees to favor tradition over the financial burden of stringing new lights from the tree this year.
To soften the blow to the cash-strapped village, trustee Mark Edsall and police chief Paul Weber pledged to contribute $100 each to the purchase of new lights, which are estimated to cost as much as $500. Edsall suggested that members of the public are welcome to contribute as well.
After a discussion of the pros and cons, the village trustees agreed to purchase the best-quality, most energy-efficient lights available. Many of the electrical cords left on the tree all year in an effort to reduce the work of re-stringing them annually have rotted and need to be replaced, according to Dave Halvorsen, head of the department of public works.
Last week, the village trustees discussed lighting a small, live tree in the center of the bandstand instead of the 60-foot tall spruce tree that involves many hours of labor to decorate with lights. Many people reading this website commented in favor of the traditional tree, although one resident noted that another tree had been planted several years ago in anticipation of moving on from the big spruce. (See full story here.)
Trustee Rick Gioia, who proposed the tree in the bandstand, told his fellow board members that he respects the public consensus. “People have a sentimental attachment to the tree,” he said. “I realize this is not a purely practical decision. It is an extravagance. You don’t see a lot of trees decorated like that because it is expensive.”
The annual tree lighting in the village is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, the same time as the tree lighting in Cornwall’s Chadeayne’s Circle, an event sponsored by the Greater Cornwall Chamber of Commerce. In addition Menorah’s will also be placed in the village square and in the town near the gazebo at Ring’s pond. The first night of Hannukah this year is December 12th.
Comments:
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It should all be done with contributions. I'm sure if all the people who want them contributed there would be more than enough. Alot of people are having a hard time and we have to learn to do without certain things.
There should also be a timer on the light so they go off at midnight and come back on at 430 or so.
posted by john olley on 11/18/09 at 11:55 AM
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Thanks for WASTING my money on a Christmas tree lighting. Maybe if the towns cut back on all the crap we wouldn't have 10% tax hikes.
posted by B Holiday on 11/18/09 at 12:23 PM
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Ewww...Ebenezer Scrooge? My check is in the mail!
posted by louise carnright on 11/18/09 at 1:06 PM
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How about that. Ebeneezer Scrooge in the name of brad HOLIDAY. Chuckle. The timer's a good idea. My mom always paid for the December electricity for the C-o-H Presbyterian steeple, which my grandparents contributed in memory of my uncle, who died of leukemia at age 12. I wish my siblings had contnued the donation but there were some scrooges there too. Oh well. It's not just about Christmas - it's the season of lights for everyone.
posted by james bell on 11/18/09 at 4:33 PM
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The tree represents much more than tradition or even Christmas for that matter. It represents HOPE.
posted by George Kane on 11/18/09 at 6:36 PM
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Of cource, when making any suggestion of a cut back there will always be those that will beat you over the head.
My grandparents on my fathers side were immigrants who went through the depression in the 30's. Many of those people learned valuable lessons. My Grandmother used to cut coupons out of the paper and put cardboard in her shoes when there was a hole. As kids we couldn't grasp why when we knew that financially they were in good shape. They lived frugally their entire lives yet lacked for nothing. When they passed they left a quite considerable sum. We have become a society that associates debt with wealth. Pay cash for your car and see if you buy that $1700 VCR. I didn't. But I didn't pay exorbitant fees to any bank either. I agree with Stephan. As my Grandmother used to say watch your pennies and the dollars will mind themselves. The village budget is much bigger then anyone can imagine. It has more items in it then even I thought till our current mayor showed me. One thing I believe most can agree on is Mayor Gross is no spendthrift and in good times as well as bad that is not a bad thing in my book.
posted by P W on 11/19/09 at 7:42 AM
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