Oh Christmas Tree!

Mayor Alan Autry threw the switch to light up a Christmas Tree in front of Fresno City Hall last Friday night. Autry claimed that the tree cost about $100,000, but went on to say that “every single bit of it is donated.” Skeptics have asked how everything could be donated when city crews worked to dig out the sidewalk in front of City Hall and reconstructed the surface to accommodate the tree. City workers were interviewed by the local media who said they were asked to do the work while they were working for the city. The trucks and other equipment used are owned by the city. Perhaps Autry means that the Christmas tree was “donated” by local taxpayers to bring a symbol of the commercial nature of this Christian Holiday to local government. It was a nearly perfect photo opportunity for a mayor that believes in putting image before substance.

Some critics suggested the money could have been better spent helping the homeless in this community, rather than providing a backdrop for the mayor to build an illusion of abundance and wealth that exist only for a few.