Photos by Tom Rivers: This Christmas wreath is coated in ice on Dec. 1 at County House Christmas Trees in Albion.

It will be a warn Christmas in Orleans County and Western New York. The National Weather Service in Buffalo is forecasting a partly sunny day with a high of 47 degrees on Dec. 25 in Orleans County.

Christmas Eve on Tuesday will also be partly sunny with a high near 35.

After Wednesday’s high of 47, Thursday will reach 40 followed by a high of 46 on Friday, according to the Weather Service.

Snow blankets the ground at this orchard in Lyndonville on Dec. 7.

ALBION – An Albion man was sentenced to a year in the Orleans County Jail last week for intentionally damaging another person’s car on April 19 and causing $2,000 in damage.

Patrick Allen, 37, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in the third degree on Oct. 17. He needs to pay $2,000 in restitution. He was sentenced by County Court Judge Sanford Church.

In other cases:

• Coty Read, 28, of Albion pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He was discovered with a loaded .22-caliber handgun in October. He was stopped by law enforcement after he failed to stop at a traffic light.

Read admitted in court last Thursday to having the gun. He faces up to a year in jail when he is sentenced on March 12. He is currently free on $25,000 bail.

• Kristen DeMay, 31, of Rochester pleaded guilty to petit larceny for stealing makeup, clothing and other items from the Albion Walmart in June 2018. She allegedly took the items despite there being an order for her to stay away from Walmart stores.

She could be sentenced up to 364 days in jail when she is sentenced on March 12.

• Deon Jackson, 20, of Medina was arraigned on two counts of burglary in the first degree, one count of robbery in the first degree, one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree, and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

He allegedly entered a Medina residence without permission on July 3 with a BB pistol, and took $1,700 in cash.

Jackson is in the county jail on $50,000 cash bail.

• Brooke Maynard, 19, of Albion was arraigned for criminal possession of marijuana in the second degree. She and a codefendant – Jacob Twardowski, 19, of Albion – allegedly had 19 ounces of marijuana. No bail was set for Maynard.

• Kelly Rados, 43, of Medina was arraigned on two counts each of forgery in the second degree, criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, and offering a false instrument in the first degree.

Rados allegedly forged a bill of sale for a vehicle and a Department of Motor Vehicles form. She has been released own her own recognizance.

• Jared Brannan, 35, of Albion was arraigned on one count of grand larceny for allegedly stealing $1,400 worth of merchandise from the Albion Walmart.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature approved $3,000 for the Cobblestone Museum from contingency funds during a meeting last Wednesday.

The museum isn’t included as a line item in the county’s budget, but in 2016 and ’17, the Legislature approved $3,000 for the museum. Last year, the Legislature didn’t approve the funding at the year-end meeting.

The museum used to be part of the regular budget and has tried to be included as a line item. That hasn’t happened, but legislators have approved some funding from contingency.

The museum is coming off a busy year, completing capital projects at several buildings and welcoming 4,026 visitors. That is up from 3,320 in 2018.

The museum also has new signs and a promotional video, “Celebrating Our Cobblestone Heritage.” Click here to see the video.

The county budget in 2020 includes the following funding for agencies and organizations that provide services in the community: Cornell Cooperative Extension, $240,000; Orleans Economic Development Agency, $190,000; Soil & Water Conservation District, $92,500; four public libraries, $10,000 combined; Sportsmen’s Federation, $4,000; and Geneses-Orleans Regional Arts Council, $3,000.

Requires use of American-made steel and iron for State road and bridge projects over $1 million

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled the 12th proposal of his 2020 State of the State agenda – making the “New York Buy American” Act permanent.

The “Buy American” Act requires all structural steel and structural iron used in all state road and bridge construction projects with contracts worth more than $1 million to be made in the United States. The current law is set to expire April 2020, and making this law permanent will continue to require state agencies to use high-quality American-made structural iron and steel, creating union jobs and helping ensure our infrastructure projects last long into the future.

“No state in the country is building like New York,” Cuomo said. “Our nation-leading, $150 billion infrastructure program is literally changing the face of the Empire State—and we have no intention of slowing down. Making the Buy American Act permanent will not only help ensure the safest, best quality steel and iron are being used in our infrastructure projects, it will also create even more jobs for New Yorkers and support our growing 21st century economy.”

In December 2017, Cuomo signed the “New York Buy American” Act. The Act requires the Department of Transportation, Thruway Authority, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Office of General Services, SUNY Construction Fund and Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to include a contract provision requiring the use of American-made structural iron and structural steel for all surface road and bridge projects with contracts worth more than $1 million.

Since its enactment, several of the state’s largest infrastructure projects have used American made structural iron and steel, including 110,000 tons of steel for the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, 6,850 tons of steel for the first two phases of the Kosciuszko Bridge and 11,500 tons of steel for the Kew Gardens Interchange. Building these projects with high-quality, safer steel made by American workers has also helped in creating thousands of union jobs and will help ensure these structures last long into the future.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Kohl Morgan, a member of the Holley Interact Club, is among 35 students spending today with a day of caring. He is unloading food for animals at the PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion.

The food was donated by Dr. Krista Wiley of Wiley’s Animal Ark in Holley. Wiley is a member of the Holley Rotary Club which sponsors the Interact Club at the school.

Craig Lane, a member of the Holley Rotary Club, delivered the dog and cat food. He also provided doughnuts for the students this morning.

Besides doing projects at PAWS this morning, the students will be visiting the Elderwood of Lakeside nursing home at Brockport and then volunteering at the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley.

Ally Lyndacker, left, and Rachael Howard walk one of the dogs at PAWS.

Shawn McAllister, left, Mackenzie Fiorito and Chloe Crossett play with one of the dogs.

Madelyn St. John cleans out one of the dog pens. “I love helping,” she said.

Holley Interact members asked to do a day of caring. They worked with advisor Samantha Zelent to set up the locations for the service projects.

Legislators say changes, effective Jan. 1, endanger public safety

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is asking Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the State Legislature to delay bail reform and new discovery laws because legislators say the changes, effective Jan. 1, put public safety at risk.

“The Orleans County Legislature does hereby implore the State of New York to immediately amend or otherwise delay implementation of these laws by convening an emergency session of the State Legislature, or by emergency executive authority, or by any other means deemed possible by the State, and to do so before Dec. 31, 2019,” the County Legislature said in a resolution passed last Wednesday.

The new state legislation for bail and discovery was approved as part of the state budget for 2019-20. County legislators said the State Legislature and governor approved the changes without public or law enforcement input, and the bail reform has stripped judges of their discretion to set bail in many specific crimes.

The state determined there shouldn’t be cash bail for crimes such as third degree assault, aggravated vehicular assault, burglary and many charges where judges typically have set some bail, including subcategories of homicide and manslaughter.

The state law allows people being held in jail for non-qualifying crimes under the new statue to be released from custody on Jan. 1.

The discovery bill overhauls the discovery process and requires an expedited timeline to provide materials such as police reports, radio transmissions, body-worn and dash-cam video, laboratory test results and volumes of other materials and data related to prosecution.

The mandate to turn over voluminous trial-related material within 15 days “will inevitably not be achieved in some cases and may result in the inability of the People to properly prosecute cases against criminal defendants,” the County Legislature stated in its resolution.

The discovery bill also requires the disclosure of victim and witness names and identifying information to the accused without adequate mechanisms to protect against witness intimidation and tampering. Additionally, the law creates a statutory right for the accused to visit a crime scene even if it is a private home, according to a news release last month from the District Attorneys Association of the State of NY, NYS Association of Chiefs of Police, and NYS Sheriffs’ Association.

The state legislation also will require law enforcement agencies or the courts to send multiple notifications to defendants for their court appearances.

County officials are asking state legislators and the governor to:

• Give judges the discretion to set bail “when appropriate” for crimes.

• Increase the discovery timeline from 15 days to a minimum of 45.

• Phase in discovery reform by applying the new reforms to only misdemeanors, effective Jan. 1, 2020, and then for felonies on Jan. 1, 2021. The discovery provisions for violations  to vehicle and traffic law should be repealed.

• Court appearance reminders should also be sent to victims of crimes, not just the defendants.

• “Extend appropriate dignity, fairness and respect to crime victims by soliciting input from victim advocate organizations and considering their suggestions for improving these laws.”

Photos courtesy of Marsha Rivers

MEDINA – This photo is taken from the choir loft at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Medina on Saturday during the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Aaron Grabowski, music director of Holy Trinity Parish (St. Mary’s Church), led the choir.

He also pushed to start the event a decade ago to focus on the joyful and spiritual season of Christmas, instead of the commercialism of the holiday.

The service alternating from Christmas music and scripture readings. The nine scriptural readings telling the story of the birth of the Messiah.

A free will offering was taken to benefit the community food pantry at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The Greycliffe String Quartet, a Buffalo-based string ensemble under the direction of Paul-Joseph Struckmann, was featured during the prelude. The group played two selections, “Riu Riu Chiu,” arranged by Marshall Fine, and movements “Sarabanda and Giga” from the “Violin Sonata in D Minor, Op. 5 No. 7 for Violin and Harpsichord” by Arcangelo Corelli.

The local ecumenical event has been hosted by Holy Trinity Parish for the last 10 years at Medina’s historic St. Mary’s Church.

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KENDALL – The Town of Kendall had a party on Thursday for Warren Kruger in recognition for his 30 years with the town’s highway department.

Kruger is the second from right. He is pictured with Kendall Town Board members, from left: Margaret Lynn Szozda, Bruce Newell, Barb Flow and Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata.

Previous town supervisors also attended the celebration for Kruger.

The town supervisors shown with Kruger include, from left: Jack Gillman, John Becker and Tony Cammarata.

Some of the current and previous town highway employees as well as Kruger’s family joined the party.

A cake with an image of a plow truck was served at the party.

Proposal would make it a crime for convicted sex offenders to misrepresent themselves online

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled the 11th proposal of his 2020 State of the State agenda – legislation to prevent convicted sex offenders from using social media accounts, dating apps and video game chat functions to exploit children.

The proposal builds on New York’s nation-leading e-STOP law, which passed in 2008 and requires sex offenders to register certain online activities with the state.

“Protecting New York’s children is our top priority and we cannot let technological advances become entryways that allow dangerous online predators to identify and prey on new victims,” Governor Cuomo said. “Our laws must keep pace with the world around us and with this measure we will help safeguard those using these web sites and apps, and stop those who seek to harm and exploit our children once and for all.”

As Attorney General, Governor Cuomo authored the Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act or e-STOP. The law requires sex offenders to register and keep up to date all current email accounts, screen names and any other Internet identifiers with the state Division of Criminal Justice Services; the list is then given to certain social networking companies that purge their sites of offenders.

But with the proliferation of online dating apps and social media, online predators are using different tools to exploit children, and the current law does not account for these new technologies.

To address this problem, Governor Cuomo is proposing legislation to require all sex offenders to affirmatively disclose their screen name for each social media account or dating/gaming app they are on to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, as opposed to just giving the email address they use for those accounts. DCJS will send this list to any provider that the offender discloses, and the provider will be required to review this data, develop policies on how to use it, and release this policy publicly to their users.

The new legislation would also make it a crime for convicted sex offenders to misrepresent themselves online. DJCS will provide the information to online companies so that the companies can better protect their users from predators. Companies must further delineate any actions they take with respect to these accounts. Any offender that has been misrepresenting themselves online will be subject to further criminal penalties.

The scourge of sexual abuse online remains a statewide threat, and as the Internet and operation of sexual predators online rapidly evolves, so too must the law. A recent Court of Appeals case held the e-STOP law did not specify that sex offenders had to disclose that they had a Facebook account if they were using their real name.

However, the true intent of the law provides law enforcement tools to remove accounts and monitor accounts to ensure that individuals conversing with someone online can be assured that person is not a predator. In 2019, e-STOP resulted in the account information of 22,000 registered sex offenders being removed from social media sites.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Santa visited residents at the Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center on Saturday as part of an event organized by the Albion Betterment Committee and the nursing home staff. Santa is joined by “Elfredo” – Liam McKenna, 8, of Lyndonville.

Diana Dudley played songs on the piano. A choir from the Mennonite community also was there to sing several songs.

These sisters, Bailee (left) and Ericka Christ of Holley, were able to meet Santa and share a request for Christmas. The two sisters have a relative at the nursing home and they spent time with him.

Other children stopped by to see Santa and some of the residents. Some of those kids stayed to color and play games with the residents. The kids also received a stocking with holiday items.

Gary Kent, a director with the Albion Betterment Committee, greeted residents at the Villages of Orleans. He is a frequent visitor to the site and knows many of the residents.

Melodie Baker has withdrawn from the 27^th Congressional race. She was challenging Nate McMurray for the Democratic Party endorsement.

Melodie Baker

McMurray has secured the support of the eight county chairs in the 27^thCongressional District, including from Jeanne Crane, chairwoman of the Orleans County Democratic Party.

“I am beyond grateful for all of the support and encouragement I have received from residents throughout New York’s 27th Congressional District and beyond,” Baker said in a statement. “It has been an honor and a privilege to have met so many wonderful people through the process of exploring a run for Congress and I’m excited for the friendships that have been formed with Democratic leaders, community activists, and members of the Labor movement.”

Baker, an education and health care policy expert, works as director of Education for the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. She is also chairwoman of the Erie-Niagara Birth to 8 Coalition and co-chairwoman of RaisingNY.

McMurray lost a close race for the 27^thin November 2018 to Chris Collins. The seat has been vacant since Collins resigned on Sept. 30. He has pleaded guilty to insider trading and lying to federal law enforcement agents.

The date for a special election to fill the vacancy hasn’t been set by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The governor has said he favors having the special election on April 28, when there is a presidential primary. The State Republican Party has sued to have the election moved up before the primary.

If you know me, then you know I love a good piece of jewelry. Anything that wraps around a finger is perfect!

So imagine my excitement a few years back when a little box appeared under the Christmas Tree for me. Very exciting!! I ripped it open, cracked open the box and what was inside? Yep, you guessed it. A necklace of COAL. What in the world, how could this happen? I tried to be so good that year.

Legend tells us that coal has been given for centuries to children as a sign that they were not good that year. I read an Italian tradition that gave garlic or onion if you were bad.

I love onion and garlic, so why coal? I tried to rationalize this gift of coal. Some people believe coal used to be given to help provide heat for those who needed it, maybe that was why. Or maybe as Marilyn Monroe said so correctly: “Diamond are a girls best friend.” I love Marilyn and I heard that coal will turn into a diamond, so that had to be it, right?

I dug deeper and discovered rarely does coal become a diamond. It is a myth, dang. This was not looking good for me.

But then I found the meaning behind this coal necklace. It was handcrafted by someone close to my heart. He knows me better than anyone. Knows that some days I deserve a piece of coal, and not for the good reasons either :). Now I am sure we have all been there, so don’t judge this Positive Missus. He found the perfect silver chain, a beautiful piece of coal and created a masterpiece I treasure. When I put it on I feel the warmth from the love that created it and as special as Marilyn Monroe when she wore her diamonds.

If you have not guessed already this special little box was given to me from My Best Bud and Husband, Brian. He knows me well and knew I would love this little bauble, not only because it made me laugh but because he made it special for me. It is not the monetary that makes a perfect gift, it is the thought behind it and the spirit in which it is given. While we are all around the tree this week eagerly opening gifts, remember it is not so important what is in the boxes, but the love inside each package, the people around the tree and the laughter created for years to come.

Happy Holidays to Everyone. Enjoy the gifts of joy this season that are felt in your hearts! I wish everyone the magic of the season that can be created by a beautiful piece of coal.

Happy Perks to Everyone! To view My Blog live online and share any of your holiday gifts that have brought you joy just go to https://www.positiveperksposts.com were you can also Join in, Like and Share Your Comments.

Truly,

Debbie Burgoon London
Your Sassy Small Town Missus from Albion

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Jay Gsell (right), county manager in Genesee County, attended a party on Friday for Chuck Nesbitt, left, who is leaving his position as chief administrative officer in Orleans County, after 14 ½ years.

Gsell praised Nesbitt for bringing a “progressive” approach to county government. Genesee and Orleans were the first counties to share a public health director, which then led to a shared staff and a board of directors.

They are standing in a new legislative conference room, which was part of a $11 million addition to the County Administration Building as well as upgrades to the Mental Health building.

Nesbitt helped lead that project that included about $3 million in state funding. Gsell said Nesbitt built partnerships with elected officials locally and around the state, and those relationships paid off for Orleans County.

“It’s about being smart, being committed and putting a team together,” Gsell said. “Collaborations are what it is all about. It’s teamwork and a commitment to the public sector.”

Nesbitt is leaving for a job with Wendel, an architectural and engineering firm. He will help Wendel expand its customer base in the Rochester and Syracuse area. Nesbitt will be a resource for local and state governments tackling building projects and infrastructure upgrades.

Nesbitt is well regarded in county government circles. He just finished his tenure as president of the New York State Association of Counties. He served as president of the NYS Association of County Administrators and Managers from 2008 to 2018.

“That is a testimony of the trust and care and respect for how he leads us,” Gsell said.

Chuck Nesbitt is congratulated by Mark O’Brien, director of Mental Health (left), and Paul Pettit, public health director in Orleans and Genesee counties. Many department heads, county employees and elected officials in the area attended a party in his honor on Friday. The Mental Health Department recently expanded to offer mental health services in all five school districts in Orleans County.

Nesbitt played on the offensive and defensive line for an Albion team that won the state title. He then played on the offensive line at the University of Maryland and then for a year at the University of Buffalo.

Joe Cardone, the Orleans County district attorney, said Nesbitt has served as a blocker for the county department heads and employees.

“He always has your back, your blind side,” Cardone said. “He has been amazing at handling many difficult problems.”

John Papponetti, an Albion native and engineer, left the private sector to join the county government as the highway superintendent.

Nesbitt recruited Papponetti for the position with the retirement of Jerry Gray. Papponetti’s hiring is an example of Nesbitt working to build a strong team of department heads.

Papponetti left Labella and Associates to work for the county on March 27. Papponetti said Nesbitt’s vision was a selling point for the job.

“It’s about being innovative and getting more out of the taxpayers’ money,” Papponetti said. “We’ve been able to make the dollars go farther.”

Papponetti can do engineering in-house, rather than contracting that to outside firms. The county highway also is pouring concrete slabs and constructing culverts. It did that for the first time on Culvert Road in Ridgeway last year. Doing the project by itself reduced the construction costs by an estimated $180,000. Papponetti was a consultant on the project.

Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson presents Nesbitt with gifts for his many years of service.

She said Nesbitt has left the county in a strong financial position, while also finishing the $11 capital project at the County Administration Building and moving past the bid phase for a $5.9 million upgrade to the emergency communications system.

“He’s left us in a far better place,” Johnson said.

County officials are pleased with the applicants for the CAO. The deadline for applications closed on Dec. 16.

Lynne Johnson gives Nesbitt a hug during the party, which was attended by many local and state officials.

The chief administrative officer of the county government manages a $71 million operation with 415 employees in 24 departments.

The job is advertised for a salary of $100,000 to $125,000. The key responsibilities for chief administrative officer include preparation of the county budget, developing long-range capital improvement budgets, purchasing oversight, labor relations management, property control and risk management, intergovernmental relations and legislative advocacy, public information officer duties, and general oversight of departments and the coordination and administration of county government functions and activities.

Nesbitt’s last day on the job is Dec. 31, but his last day in the office was Friday. Johnson said department heads will likely assume some of the CAO duties in the transition to a new CAO. Johnson also will have to fill some of the duties. She is hopeful a new CAO will be in place in February.

Nesbitt thanked the county legislators, department heads and county employees for embracing many of the changes in recent years.

“It’s been my honor to serve in this position the past 14 ½ years,” he told the group at his sendoff party.

After he received the gifts from Lynne Johnson, there was a video showing Nesbitt in a cameo performance with the Who Days last month at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. Nesbitt is singing, “867-5309/Jenny.” Nesbitt’s co-workers say he has a great sense of humor and cares for the staff in county government.

LYNDONVILLE – The school district was awarded $540,392 state grant this week to expand prekindergarten.

Lyndonville a decade ago started a half-day PreK program. The state funding will allow the district to expand the hours for 4-year-olds and also will allow Lyndonville to start a new program for 3-year-olds.

“It is such exciting news for us, and a phenomenal opportunity to support our community!” said Dr. Elissa Smith, the elementary school principal.

Lyndonville will be partnering with the Orleans County YMCA for the new program for 3-year-olds.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the funding for Lyndonville on Wednesday, as part of $15 million to 26 school districts.

“New York is making an unprecedented commitment to universal pre-kindergarten for children living in high-need and underserved school districts,” Cuomo said. “This funding will help ensure more children than ever before are able to attend pre-k and enjoy the proven benefits of early childhood education into adulthood.”

80,000 people visited the Albion attraction in 1960

“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 5, No. 47

ALBION – Starting in the mid-1950s, Charles Howard started the process of converting his farm and barns to a Christmas-themed amusement park. On Saturday, September 22, 1956, this “entertainment, education, gift, and amusement center,” opened for a short, 13-week season.

Mrs. Henry Greene of Medina provided “Christmas Village,” a collection of 20 small houses, schools, churches, and other structures, fully furnished and lighted – an endeavor that required 25 years of collecting to complete. Also included was “Toy Lane,” a collection of 23 window scenes aimed at simulating store fronts. Children had opportunities to visit with Santa Claus, see reindeer in the stables, and visit Mrs. Santa’s Kitchen for a bite to eat.

Charlie Howard, left, was hands on in running Christmas Park in Albion.

In the files of the Department of History is a five-page Director’s Report prepared by Charles Howard for Christmas Park’s Board of Directors in February of 1960. Howard noted that extensive efforts were underway to rebuild the south end of the big barn, as the timbers were rotting away – they gutted the section and a steel beam was installed.

To prepare the miniature train for visitors, the cars were touched up and the engine sent to Buffalo where it would be examined, putting it “up in first class condition.” The business was in full swing and seeing considerable success after four years of operation. Howard noted that he sold the most merchandise in the history of the business during the current season, shipping out nearly 150 wigs and beards for cleaning and selling a large quantity of new merchandise.

The question of opening day was directed to the board members, noting that previous suggestions included opening the Saturday before Decoration Day (Memorial Day) all the way through the end of June. Howard mentioned the importance of shortening hours after Labor Day, but proposed extended hours over the summer, despite the need for added labor to do so. The biggest issue brought forth was the question of admission rates. He writes that 1959 was the first year since the Park opened in 1956 that complaints about the ticket prices were minimal; $.75 for adults and $.10 for children.

The surprising success of the Park was attributed to word-of-mouth advertising, but Howard recognized the importance of advertising outside of Orleans County to attract visitors. In a detailed breakdown of marketing ideas, he suggested that 24 sheet billboards be leased at $40 per month in Rochester and $50 per month in Buffalo. Should they want to light those billboards up at night, each would cost an additional $10 per month; he placed considerable emphasis on the point that this effort “must be done now.”

Road signs were also proposed for a more local approach. In 1960, the business had approximately 10 signs along Rt. 98 through to Batavia and Howard suggested adding a minimum of 40 more at $40 per sign. The previous year, Christmas Park handed out 41,600 brochures, a little more than half of the total visitors to the park, and a minimum of 70,000 was the proposed number for 1960. That year the Park attracted over 80,000 visitors.

After several years of operating Christmas Park as Executive Director, the operation grew to a point where he could no longer oversee it alone and resigned his position to a corporation of businessmen. On June 25, 1964, Howard wrote a letter asking for his name to be removed from all printed material and the sign at the entrance to the park.

The Buffalo Courier Express published a short article about the impending financial troubles of Santa Claus School, Inc., quoting Howard as saying, “They put in merry-go-rounds and ferris wheels. I have nothing against these things, but in Christmas Park a ferris wheel should be in the form of a Christmas wreath, and a merry-go-round should have reindeer to ride on.” He also claimed that the directors “lost the spirit of Christmas,” which resulted in financial losses.

In 1965, the operation filed for bankruptcy with debts totaling $95,324.00 ($748,836.81 today). Two months later the operation, consisting of Christmas Park and Santa School Inc., was sold at public auction and purchased by Vincent Cardone for the sum of $31,000. Elizabeth Babcock, who was acting as caretaker for the park and school after closing, acquired the Santa suit and equipment portion of the operation for $2,000. Newspapers reported an attendance of over 100 bidders at the auction, some coming from as far as Florida.

Unfortunately, the world lost one of its most beloved men the following year on May 1, 1966. Howard suffered a fatal heart attack, and as Bill Lattin so eloquently wrote, “guided his sleigh into the limitless great beyond.”