Eats & treats becoming top city biz?

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First, PT heard that the Mayor's catering tab for the month of September ran in excess of $3,000.

Then, at the League of Municipalities convention in Atlantic City, the Mayor's confidential aide, Barbara James, was seen going from person to person in the darkened room and offering something in a small plastic shopping bag.

Later on, PT got a chance to ask a county committeewoman from another county what was in the bag. PT had thought perhaps it was takealongs like a pen or a pin. But no, PT was told, it was ASSORTED CANDIES.

"I mean, what was that about?" the committeewoman puzzled, "Here we were trying to focus on important issues for advancing women in political leadership and the moderator's aide is passing out -- candy? How inappropriate."

Fast forward.

On Friday morning, when PT got word that the Holiday Treelighting would be postponed to this Thursday, he was happy to pass the news along.

Later, PT learned of the plans to serve a MEAL at the event, under tents in the City Hall parking lot.

PT doesn't know where the whole custom of a community treelighting got started, but it certainly is of great age. As is the custom that the kiddies get a visit with Santa -- plus a photo -- and then some hot cocoa and cookies to wrap up a nice holiday kickoff.

The Recreation Division and a troupe of volunteers have had it worked out to a science for years. Everyone knows their role and the evening has always unfolded smoothly, from decorating the Library as a winter wonderland, to donning elf costumes as helpers, to organizing the food lines, to recruiting talent for the (sometimes not brief enough) program on City Hall steps before Santa arrives on a fire truck, to the delight of all.

While serving a meal instead of light refreshments raises questions, a more serious matter comes to the fore.

Thursday is the scheduled meeting date for the Planning Board. And not just ANY meeting, mind you, but one where the proposed Senior Center will be a main concern.

So, who is giving way? Will the Planning Board get the Library, on which they have had dibs all year (after all, they pass a resolution with an annual meeting schedule every year).

Or will Santa win out?

Is the Administration so obsessed with 'eats and treats' that PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED City business is forced to take a back seat?

Or maybe the Planning Board can meet in a tent in the parking lot?

-- Dan Damon

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