Some Charlottetown councillors say certain wards in the city are looking like Santa’s village, while others appear to have been visited by the Grinch.
The issue of whether Christmas decorations should be split equally between the city’s wards led to an exchange between three councillors during the December council meeting.
Coun. Bob Doiron brought up the issue following Coun. Terry Bernard’s public works report.
“I must say that certain wards look very, very nice and Christmas-y, certain wards almost look like Santa’s village out there … the issue I have is these decorations don’t seem to be divided equally to every ward,” said Doiron. “Why can’t every ward in the city be treated equally with a few Christmas decorations? It seems pretty minor… All I want is a fair share for my ward.”
He also said the public works committee does not decide where decorations are placed, with city staffers installing them in areas with lots of traffic and available power outlets.
“We respect our management to do that, we don’t tell them where anything has to go up,” said Bernard.
Doiron disputed that.
“All I’m asking for is to share,” said Doiron. “Direct staff from your committee to be equal and fair with everybody, that’s all I’m asking.”
Coun. Mitch Tweel said he was also disappointed in the placing of decorations and that there was a disparity between wards.
Bernard said if the issue had been raised a month ago, before decorations went up, it might have been looked at.
Tweel said he brought up the issue last year and thought it would be resolved since the city budgeted $42,000 for new decorations this year.
“But I’ve got to tell you, I’m disappointed,” said Tweel, adding that he felt St. Peters Road, University Avenue, Longworth Avenue and Queen Street should be decorated. “(There is a) tremendous amount of traffic and it would be really nice to have some of the decorations coming into those entrance ways and creating that festive atmosphere.”
Tweel suggested getting other city committees and departments involved in Christmas decorations.
Bernard said the committee would look at any suggestions but also praised the public works staff, noting he’s heard many good comments about this year’s decorations in the downtown area.
“Staff basically look at the high traffic areas, they’re trying to make the city look beautiful,” Bernard said following the meeting. “They’re not looking at wards, I mean the City of Charlottetown is one city so we shouldn’t be looking and saying ‘my ward has this, your ward doesn’t have that’. It’s about what’s best for the city.”
