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Oh Christmas Tree!

by Mike Rhodes (mikerhodes [at] comcast.net)
This is a photo of the Christmas Tree that went up at Fresno City Hall last week. Mayor Alan Autry says it cost $100,000 to put the tree up.
600christmastree1.jpg
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.
§The Base of the Tree at Fresno City Hall
by Mike Rhodes
600christmastree2.jpg
This is the base of the Christmas Tree in front of Fresno City Hall. Notice the nice tiles and beautiful flowers around the base of the tree? Fresno mayor Alan Autry says all of this was donated - although some people are starting to question this assertion. Some critics are saying it was paid for by the taxpayers to symbolically bring Christianity to city hall.
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Conquest of Pagan Tribes by Christians
Tue, Dec 12, 2006 12:50PM
Jerry Duncan
Tue, Dec 12, 2006 7:56AM
Ann G
Mon, Dec 11, 2006 7:41PM
An Upset Fresno Resident
Mon, Dec 11, 2006 2:28PM
cp
Mon, Dec 11, 2006 7:14AM
cp
Mon, Dec 11, 2006 7:10AM
Dan
Mon, Dec 11, 2006 5:00AM
lefty
Mon, Dec 11, 2006 3:29AM
cp
Sun, Dec 10, 2006 9:55PM
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