I am saddened by the lack of Christmas decorations in downtown Tracy this year. I have not seen one light, wreath, garland, red bow or sign displayed by the city for the holiday season. Without the merchants’ decorations, there would be no decorations at all.
The economy is struggling this year, but some Christmas decoration would lift spirits and encourage shoppers and diners to spend more time downtown. It doesn’t cost much to wrap the lampposts in garland and top them with a red bow, or to add colorful flowers to the existing flowerpots at each corner. Several strands of lights on each tree would be wonderful — but that would cost a little bit of electricity.
The holiday season comes every year — decorations could be purchased at a great reduction after Christmas to be put away for the following year, so the expense would be reduced, if that is the reason for the lack of decoration.
Each year, the downtown decorations and festivity seem to decrease. I hope the city will take a new direction next year and brighten the spirits of its residents by getting into the holiday spirit.
Best wishes to all for a very merry Christmas, happy holidays and a happy New Year!
The merchants provided lights for the trees last year. They were told prior putting them up in Dec. 2008 they had to remove the lights by 1/2009. The lights were not removed by the merchants and the city crews had to remove them in March. They would have strangled the trees if left up and the lights are listed to be up for no longer then 90 days.
The merchants were notified prior to installing them of this requirement. With the current deficit of almost 9 million dollars the city can not afford this and this includes any type of decorative expenditures as well as including flags. If the merchants feel this would bring in more revenue, they could take over the the task. I would be skeptical of the city allowing them to put up lights this year because of the lack of follow through of the merchants not taking the lights down as they promised for Christmas 2008. I will take a guess it cost the city over a thousand dollars to take them down and find a place to store them. The merchants could put lights in their windows where as they would be responsible for their own shops in taking them down.
Two years years prior a "professional" was hired to do this and failed inspection three times by not following the installation directions on the light sets and using extension cords not listed for outdoor use. Merchants and city employees purchased the proper cords and installed them to make sure the lights worked. The cost for this professional was in the neighborhood of $4,500.
You quote, "The holiday season comes every year - decorations could be purchased at a great reduction after Christmas to be put away for the following year, so the expense would be reduced, if that is the reason for the lack of decoration." This is not the reason Joan.