A “DOUBTFUL” tree and six “golden balls” demonstrates Wodonga is not celebrating Christmas, the city’s ratepayers’ association boss has told the council’s chief executive.
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Ian Deegan has slammed the council for failing to have more decorations festooned around the city’s High Street shopping strip and Junction Place.
In an email to council chief executive Patience Harrington, Mr Deegan asked: “Can you please explain why we are not having Christmas in Wodonga again this year we have a doubtful Xmas tree and six golden balls in Woodland Grove?”
In a return email Ms Harrington suggested Mr Deegan was in a minority.
“Your response is the only negative one I have received to date and I have had positive and excited comments about the tree,” she wrote.
“With the Christmas flags and new decorations in both Woodland Grove and Cube courtyard – it’s going to be a great Christmas in Wodonga.”
Mr Deegan said nobody he had spoken to was excited.
“I’ve spoken to people this morning and I haven’t found one that’s wet themselves,” he said.
“I think there should be traditional decorations.
“The Christmas tree is standing in a spot on its own, you could have decorations hanging from the gantry.”
Ms Harrington told The Border Mail she believed the Christmas ornaments were “fantastic”.
“To see some new decorations in Woodland Grove, the flags that proclaim ‘Christmas’ – there’s a lot of Christmas cheer in Wodonga,” she said.
In 2014, Wodonga Council spent $50,000 on a 12½-metre Christmas tree which was initially erected in The Cube courtyard before being at Junction Place in recent years.
Asked how his call for more yuletide pizzaz squared with the ratepayers’ association often calling for less council spending, Mr Deegan said: “We have always celebrated it and we should go on and celebrate it.”
Wodonga Retailers president Greg Haysom conceded there was room for improvement.
“There are other towns that have their towns looking much more presentable at Christmas,” he said.
“I think we can do better, but it becomes hard for the council because if they spend a whole lot of money on tinsel they’re criticised.
“They’re going to be stoned either way.
“Is it just council’s responsibility, some of it is, but it’s up to retailers as well to make their shops nice.
“It’s up to all of us to get our town looking good and I think next year we can work to get the town looking good.”
Mr Haysom said his group, launched last month, wanted to work with those with ideas to brighten the city’s Christmas look.