The man behind the development of Galway is at odds with the City of St. John’s once again. At the heart of the issue is a Christmas tree in the centre of a roundabout.
DewCor CEO Danny Williams says last week the company applied to the city to hook up power to the lights on a Christmas tree in the roundabout that connects Beaumont Hamel Way and Danny Drive.
Last year, the tree was erected and lit without issue. However, Williams explains that this year the city initially turned down their application due to traffic concerns, and then required the company to apply for a building permit.
DewCor complied, but were then thrown an additional curveball: they have to take out a $2-million insurance policy to have the tree there, and even then they wouldn’t be allowed to light it.
Williams says the situation doesn’t make any sense. He calls it “ridiculous” and questions why anyone would want to do business in St. John’s.
Williams says it’s interesting that the city won’t let the lights be turned on in Galway, yet they are planning a holiday lights celebration later this week.
As for the future of the tree, Williams was blunt. There will be no insurance policy and they will be taking the tree out of the area, which Williams says will deprive residents of having a little light and warmth in their Christmas.
Meanwhile, the City says they are following standard protocols in regards to the tree and that when it was erected last year, the company did so without a permit.
In a statement to VOCM News, the city explains that a permit is required to erect items on city land, and that insurance is required in case of accidents or damages.
In this situation, they say there is no issue with the tree itself, but they are concerned with the lights causing a distraction to drivers and it was the recommendation of the city’s Engineering Division to allow the tree without the lights lit.
Statement from City Manager Kevin Breen: