By Gary Lee Stuber
The first summer meeting of the Clay County Commission was short and sweet. It was also the first time that only one member of the commission was present in person. Commissioner President Joyce Johnson was the only one physically present. Commissioners Connie Kinder and David Schoolcraft attended via phone. The commission went down a small list of routine business of bills, purchase orders, and last wills and testaments, and finished in 30 minutes so they could adjourn for an executive hearing for an estate hearing on Correna Ann Schoonover. Commissioner Johnson also read a note from Terry Martin that relayed he had applied for $975,000 for the Nebo Water project that had been greenlit. But in the middle of the routine business there was a small gem.
Cassie Boggs came before the commission for a $5,000 request for a 16-foot commercial Christmas Tree for the Courthouse outside property for the Christmas season. Christmases for some years now have been without the Christmas Trees that used to stand on the water fountain base. Cassie and her local Girl Scout troop imagined a yearly Christmas Tree lighting of this attractive 16-foot commercial tree that could be stored locally between the holidays. It comes with a wide sandbag stand that keeps it upright. She imagines a tree-lighting ceremony that would give local children cookies and hot chocolate.
“I have always loved Christmas,” she says, “but the Christmas Tree here at the Courthouse has been somewhat disappointing the last few years. The local Girl Scouts have tried to help over the last few years without success.” Her name has been on the agenda several times this year for this proposal. “I was determined to get something done this year for the Girl Scouts.”The event would even invite carolers and choruses to sing Christmas music. It would add a sorely needed event to the holiday season. It would also provide an inspiring seasonal attraction to the town of Clay.”
The town of Clay often has its own children’s Christmas event somewhere around the second week of December. This would only add an attraction.
After some discussion about where the off-season tree would be stored, the Commission gave her troop the money to purchase the tree for the county. Funding would come from the ARP Funds and stored by the county, either at Two-Run or at the Maysel County Park. It would be able to be disassembled and reassembled upon demand. This also gives the local scouts a sorely needed seasonal project. The local Boy Scout troops always do the Veterans Day Dinner and now the Girl Scouts have a seasonal event as well.
Cassie was hoping that she could get local businesses and vendors to help purchase the decorations to cover such a massive tree. Cassie is hoping to have the tree lighting ceremony the last Saturday in November, giving a full month of joy for Clay County children to enjoy the sight.
“The town always waits until halfway through the month for their Christmas event. I think it only robs the town of a half-month of Christmas celebration.”
