Tradition rekindled

Published 10:45 pm Sunday, December 16, 2007

The ax didn’t fall on an Everett tradition after all.

The city of Everett brought back the Christmas tree at the intersection of Colby and Hewitt avenues, along with new garlands and wreaths.

In 2005, the city decided not to hoist the tree in the heart of downtown, saying the old wind-whipped artificial tree couldn’t withstand another year outdoors.

The decision had nothing to do with the city’s legal wrangling with Americans United for Separation of Church and State over a Ten Commandments monument on city property, officials said.

It was just getting old.

Some merchants and others grumbled, saying the city was buckling to pressure to be more politically correct.

Now the tree is back.

City spokeswoman Kate Reardon said the city and the Downtown Everett Association last year invested in a new artificial Rocky Mountain Pine tree and other holiday decorations.

“It’s just a way for people to feel a little more festive,” she said.

Here are some facts the city’s decorations:

18: height of tree, in feet

96: number of 4-foot garlands with gold and red bows on downtown lamp posts

$23,965: cost for the decorations, not including city employee time

10 to 15: years the display items are expected to last

—David Chircop