The city has been plaugued in recent years by christmas trees that fell victim to hurricanes, drought, over-watering, poor soil, canker, rotting and the city hall expansion, WPBF News 25 reported. City Manager Don Cooper told employees to cancel the contract but Budget Director Dave Pollard said the deadline to take such action has already passed. City Councilman Chris Cooper told WPBF that he believes the money is not being well spent.
“My mom always said that if you’re going to spend money on something, have something to show for it afterwards, and renting a tree for $11,500 for four weeks — there’s nothing to show for it when it’s over,” Cooper told WPBF News 25. The tree will be displayed on front lawn of Port St. Lucie’s city hall. A lighting ceremony is scheduled for December 6th. All the holiday decorations in the treasure coast city nearly got axed earlier this year because of state-mandated budget cuts.
City officials, however, found $70,000 in its budget for holiday cheer, WPBF reported. Copyright 2007 by WPBF.com .