With songs and snacks, Carroll County Christmas tree ceremony makes a festive return New commissioners tap donations to revive tree lighting ceremony By Jim Joyner, jjoyner@patuxent.com Posted 12/10/10 http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4993/with-songs-snacks-carroll-county-christmas-tree-ceremony-makes-festive-return/

(Enlarge) Dee Roush and her grandchildren Sonia, 8, and Zachary Wraase, 15, attended Thursday's tree lighting in Westminster. Here they sing along with the carols. The annual Carroll County tree lighting ceremony at the County Office Building was made possible by donations after the event was initially canceled due to budget constraints. (photo by Brendan Cavanaugh) Fortified by baked treats, hot drinks and a dose of holiday spirit, a crowd nearing 100 people gathered outside the County Office Building in Westminster on Thursday to revive a holiday tradition with songs, readings and the lighting of the county Christmas tree. "Cold weather, short notice — I think to get this

number of people out is great," said Doug Howard, 5th District commissioner and the newly elected president of the Board of County Commissioners. Earlier this year the county's annual tree light ceremony has been canceled due to budget constraints, but last weekend the Board of County Commissioners announced the Christmas tree lighting ceremony would be held after all, with donated services and items from local merchants and families. On Thursday evening, hot chocolate and cookies were served, and music was provided by Ronald Douglas and the Voices Choir, which led the crowd in singing several Christmas carols. All five commissioners — Howard, Robin Frazier, Haven Shoemaker, Dave Roush and Richard Rothschild — attended the event, and noted the

importance of continuing county and community traditions even in face of tough economic times. (Enlarge) All five of the newly-elected members of the Board of County Commissioners attended Thursday's tree lighting in Westminster. The tree

lighting ceremony at the County Office Building was made possible by donations after the event was initially canceled due to budget constraints. (Photo by Brendan Cavanaugh) “Reduced funding simply means we need to use more creativity, ingenuity and a can-do attitude to get the job done,” 3rd District Commissioner Roush noted in an earlier press release announcing the tree ceremony revival. The commissioners noted that several businesses were instrumental in securing

and installing a tree and providing refreshments, including: Arbor Valley Landscaping, Birdie’s Café, DeMario Design Consultants, Kountry Kafe & Katering, Ben’s Rentals, Walmart, JCK Christmas Tree Farm, Christina’s Desserts and Coffee, [20101210 ExpCar New CCBOC tap donations to revive tree lighting] Carroll County government will have Christmas tree, and ceremony, after all Published December 6, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle Yes, Carroll County, there will be Christmas. Tree, that is. The incoming Board of County Commissioners has announced that a Christmas tree and lighting ceremony will be restored to Carroll County government, and will be held this Thursday, Dec. 9.The ... ... http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4989/carroll-county-government-will-have-christmas-tree-after-all/

Carroll County government will have Christmas tree, and ceremony, after all Incoming Board of County Commissioners say Christmas tree ceremony will be restored despite budget woes By Kevin Dayhoff Posted 12/06/10

http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4989/carroll-county-government-will-have-christmas-tree-after-all/

(Enlarge) The Carroll County Christmas tree is officially back, a bit delayed by fiscal concerns, but now standing tall and ready to be lit in a festive ceremony Thursday evening. (Carroll County Government, Baltimore Sun) Yes, Carroll County, there will be Christmas. Tree, that is. The incoming Board of County Commissioners has announced that a Christmas tree and lighting

ceremony will be restored to Carroll County government, and will be held this Thursday, Dec. 9. The commissioners-elect announced their decision in a press release to the media. Having a Christmas tree adorn the front of the county office building on North Center Street was begun with much fanfare in 2004 by then-commissioners Perry Jones Jr., Julia Walsh Gouge and Dean Minnich. In 2004 schoolchildren sang “seasonal songs on the steps outside the building,” and a 22-foot-tall Douglas fir was donated “to stand inside the fountain circle” and decorated with lights donated by London House Inc. of Sykesville. This year, the county had decided to cancel the Christmas ceremony and forgo decorations and the lights – as well as cookies and hot chocolate. Citing lack of money and staff, the decision by the outgoing board of commissioners - Gouge, Minnich and Michael Zimmer - to not have a Christmas tree was announced just before Thanksgiving. County officials said it would cost about $2,500 to have a tree lighting ceremony this year. That cost would have included cutting down the tree, replacing damaged lights, and buying hot chocolate, and cookies. The decision not to have the Christmas tree did not sit well with the incoming board of commissioners who will be sworn into office at 2 p.m. on Monday.

The commissioners-elect are Robin Frazier (Dist. 1-Manchester/Taneytown), Dave Roush (Dist. 3-Westminster), Richard Rothschild (Dist. 4-Mount Airy/New Windsor,) and Doug Howard (Dist. 5-Sykesville/Eldersburg). “It shouldn’t cost $2,500 to put up a Christmas tree. We appreciate the symbolic austerity exhibited by the tree lighting committee,” said Rothschild, “…but there is a more important message we want to convey. We call it a do-more-with-less attitude.” The hue and cry from the incoming board was re-visited last Wednesday when the outgoing board announced that it was spending a combined $257,319.24 in severance and pay for unused leave time to terminate four appointed officials. Incoming Commissioner Haven Shoemaker, who will represent the 2nd District in Hampstead and Finksburg, said Wednesday “We don’t have money for a Christmas tree in the front of the (county) office building, but we have plenty of money for golden parachutes for these county employees.” Outgoing commissioner Zimmer said, “There was a decision made to not have a Christmas tree in order to save $2,500… Yet, less than two-weeks later they (Minnich and Gouge) burn through $189,000.00 (in severance pay alone) for no purpose.” District 3 Commissioner-elect Roush said in the press release, “Reduced funding simply means we need to use more creativity, ingenuity, and a can-do attitude to get the job done. By working with our local businesses, we can put in a slightly smaller tree and decorations for a fraction of the usual costs.” In a phone interview, Roush said plans are already under way to have the tree installed in the days after the new commissioners are sworn-in. Commissioner-elect Howard stated, “We believe in servant leadership, and we’ll be there helping with the festivities and serving hot-chocolate and cookies. During tough times, we need to celebrate our heritage, holidays, and faith in God." He also cited several businesses for helping with the effort — Arbor Valley Landscaping, Birdie’s Café, DeMario Design Consultants, Kountry Kafe & Katering, Ben’s Rentals, Walmart and JCK Christmas Tree Farm.” The commissioners will host a ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m., at the County Office Building, 225 N. Center St., Westminster, for the tree lighting; hot chocolate and cookies. Music will be provided by Ronald Douglas and the Voices Choir.