SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Last November residents complained that holiday jingles in stores were being played too early. Now, according to one city councillor, residents are upset city Christmas lights have remained on well into February.
Christmas lights remain up in the city even though the holiday season ended weeks ago. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo
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“The Christmas city lights are beautiful and wonderful and everybody likes them and last week they were still on,” said city councillor Niels Konge, who brought the issue forward at Monday's municipal services committee.
“I have received a lot of phone calls and e-mails why we have our Christmas lights on.”
Typically, the city turns the lights on every year and leaves them on 24 hours a day, seven days a week, around the beginning of November as part of the Capital City Light Program that Canadian municipalities follow. According to Grant White, director of community services, because the program doesn't have an actual end date, the lights are taken down anywhere between the Chinese New Year – last weekend – and mid-March. Also, some lights are turned off earlier than others, both at street medians and at the park at city hall.
Konge said Mayor Mark Heyck, who was absent this week, had told him the costs of keeping the lights on 24/7 well past Christmas were “negligible” but he disagrees. He said the very least the city can is invest in a timer so the lights can be turned off on an on based on the amount of daylight the city receives as winter progresses. He said the city could save $400 to $700 with the timer.
“When I get e-mails that costs are negligible from our mayor, I believe that the people from Yellowknife have a case to stand on and $400 to $700 isn't negligible,” said Konge of the potential costs savings per season.
“I think if you went around to almost every household in the city and asked individually if $400 to $700 is negligible, they would all say 'no' and would do something for that savings.”
White could not confirm the $400 to $700 cost savings per season figure when asked. Other councillors acknowledge the savings would be small in the great scheme of things but said every bit of savings counts and sends an message to administration that savings should be found wherever possible, no matter how small. Council approved a $74.2 million budget for 2013 in December.
“We still need more information, but as far as I am concerned if we can even save a little bit of money, it sends the message that we are interested in being cost-effective,” said Coun. Adrian Bell.
Still, others felt the lights were worth leaving on as long as possible because they “lift spirits” over a long winter.
“In the case of Yellowknife, not only does (the lighting) create a theme for certain areas, but it lifts people's spirits in the times where darkness can often depress a lot of people,” said Coun. Bob Brooks, who said other cities like Edmonton put up light displays all year round in certain neighbourhoods. “What I like about (the lights) is the quality of life aspect to it. It brightens people's spirits to see these lights lit up.”
Both Brooks and Coun. Cory Vanthuyne said there at least as many complainers as avid supporters for the lights at this time of year. They said it would be good for the city, however, to have a policy in place that would show people when the lights are turned on or shut off for the season and what the savings would be if timers were installed.
