By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Each year, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Great Bend Mayor helps usher in the Christmas season with the lighting of the mayor’s tree in the downtown square.
City crews usually begin a two and a half week project in
early January of taking down all the Christmas light displays, including the
mayor’s tree. Great Bend Public Lands Director Scott Keeler said when staff was
dismantling the tree, just south of the Barton County Courthouse, a squirrel
raced out.
"Upon closer examination, we ended up having 17 branches that the majority of the insulation was chewed off," said Keeler. "When we would get snow or rain, part of the tree would be out because it was throwing the GFI switch when it gets wet."
The original tree was purchased in 2011. To go with brand new lights on a new tree, the expense comes to $19,000. Keeler said the city staff will fix just what is damaged for a price tag of $6,500.
The .15% quality of life sales tax master plan has allocated $32,000 for
Christmas lights from now until 2025, including $10,000 this year to make
repairs and enhance the displays.