Weekly Roundup: Preserving Holiday Cheer and Legal Controversy

This weekly roundup explores the Fairfield Chamber's fundraising efforts for holiday ornaments and the Crown's appeal of a former MLA's acquittal in Calgary.

Weekly Roundup: Funding for Central Park and a Legal Appeal

Fairfield Chamber’s Ornaments Battle

One of the highlights of the holiday season is witnessing the vibrant decorations in Fairfield’s Central Park, filled with life-sized and colorful lawn ornaments. However, their upkeep is no small feat. The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce is currently fundraising to maintain these beloved pieces, with this year’s Tree of Lights campaign raising $6,500.

Surprisingly, repairing these festive ornaments costs between $1,000 and $5,000 annually, with increasing repair bills. As Chamber Director Mendy McAdams noted, they spent $1,000 on just one reindeer leg that dates back to the 1950s or 1960s, crafted by shop class students at Fairfield High School.

The brutal Iowa winters take a toll on these decorations, and many ornaments were not designed for the outdoor elements. McAdams shares that the tall candles lining the pathways have faded over the years and even developed issues like being detached from their bases. Additionally, last winter, a mouse’s nest was discovered inside a lady caroler, underscoring the wear these items endure.

“The house with the three little elves used to be inside MidWestOne Bank, and they donated it to us. It was meant to be inside, and the elves are actually mechanical and used to move. But the roof and walls of the house are not sealed…,” said McAdams.

To honor the sentimental value of these ornaments, when they need retiring, the chamber auctions them off to fund replacements. Their recycling efforts include updating lamppost wreaths with new lights and big red bows.

Apart from managing the ornaments, volunteers are heavily involved with the Santa house and workshop, entertaining nearly 1,000 kids each holiday season. McAdams remarked on the dedication needed to keep these venues operational, emphasizing how they prepared for an unprecedented attendance of over 300 kids on their last open day.

Life-sized ornaments like the caroler seen here turn Fairfield’s Central Park into a festive winter wonderland, but maintaining them is not cheap.

Crown Appeals Derek Fildebrandt’s Acquittal

In legal news from Calgary, Crown prosecutors have initiated an appeal regarding the acquittal of former MLA Derek Fildebrandt. He was found not guilty of threatening teenage boys who were lingering outside his home, following an incident where he reportedly used a cane to chase them off his property.

Crown prosecutor Stephanie Morton filed documents in the Calgary Court of King’s Bench arguing that the justice’s decision was flawed, claiming the verdict was unreasonable. The initial ruling held that Fildebrandt’s comments were expressions of frustration concerning prior vandalism of his lawn signs rather than genuine threats.

Justice Allan Fradsham highlighted that Fildebrandt’s statement about protecting his property with a gun was merely a declaration of his protective measures rather than a criminal threat.

The appeal is set to be heard on April 10, wherein Morton plans to elaborate on further grounds, marking a significant moment in this ongoing saga.

In summary, both aspects of community preservation in Fairfield and accountability in Calgary highlight the intricate balance between safety, sentimentality, and legal standards, resonating deeply with residents in their respective locales.

For more information on the ongoing efforts in Fairfield, feel free to contact Chamber director Andy Hallman or read more about Derek Fildebrandt’s case in the Calgary Herald.