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THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: August 2, 2008

Things are tight for city and county governments these days, what with a slow economy and falling tax revenue, so reducing spending is the order of the day. That was the case this week in Tarpon Springs. The financial times there are financially straitened enough that commissioners entertained the idea of cutting from the city's budget for fiscal 2009 money for Christmas decorations. In the end, they decided not to go that far, with Mayor Beverley Billiris stating, "Somehow you just don't mess with Christmas or the holidays."

The City Commission ruffled some feathers earlier this year by canceling the city's Fourth of July fireworks display during a previous round of budget cutting and substituting a lower-cost "patriotic party." Restaurateurs and Tarpon Springs residents Dave and Lisa Ulgenalp saved the day by giving the city $18,000 to buy fireworks.

So it's no surprise the commission decided this time to only reduce the money it spends on Christmas decorations by 50 percent. If more holiday spirit is needed, maybe city staff could think of cheaper ways of generating it, commissioners said.

Here's an idea: Tarpon Springs should consider following Dunedin's lead and turning holiday decorating into a contest for downtown merchants.

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