Taxpayers on hook for Shawver Park light show bill

The Christmas lights display at Shawver Park this past December drew local and even national ridicule. Some said it was a disappointment, others said it was a humble display. ABC 7 has learned that new numbers from the city show taxpayers will have to cover more than half the cost.

City Rep. Eddie Holguin, who pushed for the project, donated $1,000. Mayor Oscar Lesser donated $2,000. Along with about a dozen other donators, the total donations come out to $12,050. That’s around a $1,000 less than previously expected, with the total cost of the display coming in at $25,000.

The city’s finance office shows that all bills related to the light show have been paid, which means over half of the cost was covered by tax dollars.

Lower Valley resident David Rodriguez said the show was under-whelming, and wasn’t worth the cost.

“I mean, I understand if it would have been a big light show,” Rodriguez said, “if there would have been something else – maybe. But there was no Christmas tree, there was no nothing. It just seemed – it seemed very sad.”

City Representative Lily Limon expects that City Council members will cover the remainder of the cost out of their special project funds, and not out of the general city budget. Rep. Limon worked jointly with Rep. Holguin on the project, which was actually in her district, District 7. Rep. Limon also plans to begin meeting soon to prepare for this year’s improved and expanded light show.

Holguin and Leeser could not be reached for comment.