Santa Claus Lane heirloom

Dear Editor,

If there is such a thing as a community heirloom, Santa Claus Lane qualifies,

It was a big deal when I was a child, it was a big deal to my children and my grandchildren as well as thousands of youngsters from all over the region.

Sadly, it has been allowed to deteriorate to a point that approaches embarrassment. Many pieces are dirty and dingy. Many have been splattered by missiles of unknown slop. It appears several are broken and about half look like they were set up by flinging them from the bed of a pick-up at 40 m.p.h., Maybe MCC should offer a course in the use of a level.

If those in charge of maintaining this asset think it looks good, they must have the vision of Mr. Magoo. Based on its condition, I think it's time for an audit of the funds Mrs. Strunk left to preserve this asset.

Every effort must be taken to return the attraction to the sparkle it had when built. If a gentle washing along with needed repairs won't bring back the original dazzle, then each piece should be repainted using the original technique.

If we need to raise funds above the Strunk bequest, so be it. Had we been charged a dime for every youngster's smile Santa Claus Lane has generated over the years, most of us need to write a check.

Unfortunately its present condition kinda goes along with the light pole decorations downtown which are bent, broken and missing light bulbs.

Mr. Fred Boeger's letter on Santa Claus Lane suggested the City Council look into letting "private parties" use city property. Does his line of thought come from eating too much mistletoe? "Private" firms sponsor local baseball teams who use city property for practice and games, during Crazy Days "private" merchants use city property for sidewalk sales, during Heritage days dozens of "private" vendors use city park to ply their wares, the park is also used for "privately" sponsored concerts, and city streets are closed for vehicle sales by "private" dealers, etc. Such uses should be expanded, not "looked in to!"

Over the years, McCook has benefited from "gifts" from those who lived here and retained a love for our city. To name a few: Volentines' gifts to McCook are over $1,000,000.

The Hormel family made sizable "gifts" to the college. The YMCA was the result of a "gift" from Ed Thomas, Mr. Kiplinger's gift gave us an arena enjoyed by folks from all over, I could go on and on, the point being. I don't consider a small sign acknowledging Norma Strunk's generosity is a "string" attached to anything.

Finally, Mr. Boeger, what will your legacy be?

'Nuff said

Bill Frasier

McCook