From her vantage point in the Humidor cigar shop, Tammi Karam has a front-seat view on the village’s seasonal centerpiece, the Christmas tree rising above Main Street Station.
And she doesn’t like what she’s seen: Lights that remain on all day and all night. Given the village’s budget situation, isn’t that a huge waste of money? Karam asked the village council Tuesday night.
Actually, the village doesn’t pay the electricity bill for street lamps and other outdoor lights, said Public Works Director Naneil Newlon. Concerns about sky-high electrical bills aside, “it’s not a cost issue, it’s a perception issue,” she said.
But it’s also a “green” issue. While the Christmas lights aren’t on a circuit that can be easily accessed by village workers, and therefore isn’t a good candidate for a timer system, some on the council wanted to see a little more environmental sensitivity.
“Someone is paying for that electricity,” groused Commissioner Sean P. Durkin.
“We want to be an environmental leader, so if there’s a cheap way to do it, do it,” said Mayor Ron Sandack. “If not, maybe next year.”
“Someone is paying for that electricity..”
Its not us. Move on. Its Christmas for cripes sake.
It is you and I Meat that is paying for the Villages wasteful electric spending. Just like you are paying for the garbage pick up from Village Hall, PD and, FD and Public Works. All the costs are worked into our personal bills.
Be green Meat just not red!
As Kermit would say, its good to be green. I agree. But as Naneil Newlon points out, its a perception issue, and I hate changes made for the sake of perception.
Rest assured no baby seals will be sacrificed this year so that our Christmas tree lights stay on.
Downers Grove’s Christmas lights are draining the budget AND scorching the Earth? I feel like I’m reading Al Gore’s Christmas letter or the Onion.
Of course we are all collectively paying for the power but given the dismal economy and even darker, dreary winter days the twinkling lights cheer me up at all hours and are worth the few shekles.
I agree the lights are nice and they bring the Holiday spirit to light………but to have the Director of Public Works say in front of Council we do not pay for the electric so there is no need to turn them off is just wrong.
That is the attitude that has gotten this Village into the budget mess that we are in. They just spend money…….why should they care it is not comming out of their pockets.
I think this is borderline ridiculous.
Should residents also be more green and reduce the amount of time their lights are lit?
I understand the need and concern to save some money, but at Christmas time (for 1 month out of 12), I think to concentrate on the tree is silly.
I thought I would drive my Hummer H1 up next to the Christmas lights and just sit there with the engine running and all my accessories on for a while! My carbon footprint would still be like a nat compared to Al Gore! Ba HumGreenbug!
I think the point that Council was not happy with is the comment made by Nan that the electric is free so lets abuse it because we are not paying for it.
I have to mention it is not just the tree that is lit up 24/7 . I was in town today and the lights on every small tree up and down Main Street and all the wreaths adorning the light posts are also lit up continuously. It is like when you see the watering system going full blast at an office complex and its pouring rain outside.
Last year I asked the same question about the overnight outdoor lighting of Fire Station No. 2, and got the same answer: The Village doesn’t pay the electric bill.
Long before I started the blog, a friend complained about the library lights being on all night. I suspect the answer is the same: The village isn’t footing the bill.
Just think of all of the other utilities that the Village uses……I wonder if they pay for them and how much waste there is……..Does the Village pay for water, sewer, garbage removal and gas?? We just found out that they do not pay for electric.
Hey Thoman find out for us……….
It is a bit flipant to declare it okay since one is not paying. It would be interesting to firgure out how much electricity is actually being used on the daytime lit Christmas lights on trees and the offical tree, but we are talking what 35 days and nights tops?
This has been a rough year for all. I think this is a good time to say that I hope you all have a good Chistmas season, and hope that we all have a safe, happy and prosperous new year.
I like Christmas lights. I like sitting next to the tree with my kids…me with my Caribou coffee and the kids with their hot chocolat. Do we need to attack a Christmas tree??
Dilbert you are missing the message it is the attitude of we do not pay for it so what. That is the issue. Not the tree. Not the wreaths. Not the Lights
IT IS THE FREE ELECTRICITY THAT NAN SAID TO COUNCIL……….