This Christmas, Grand Army Plaza Went Tree-Less

Since the Federal Government tells us that today, December 26th, is the day we "observe" Christmas, I'm going to assume that a holiday post is still apropos.

SO --

Merry Christmas to you Slopers who accept Jesus Christ as your savior (or just love all the crazy shit about Christmas). Happy Hannukah to all you who do not (in both instances). We here at FiPS are an equal opportunity blog, and I hope you have enjoyed or are still enjoying your holiday. 

In case you cared/were livid/didn't notice/did notice: Grand Army Plaza was Christmas Tree-less during this year's festive holiday. According to the city -- the same city who couldn't plow us out last year for weeks, or pick up our garbage for months or pick up the trash on 7th Avenue forever -- they didn't have the 3,000 smackers for the tree. Why? All of the Christmas Tree money was put toward Hurricane Irene clean-up. Apparently the cost to clean up over 300 downed trees equal the cost of putting up just one tree for a month.

Rumor is that if "Oh Tannenbaum" is to ever come back to GAP, it's going to have to come from a private benefactor. My pal, Borough Prez Marty Markowitz (whose Christmas card we LOVE), says he's “confident that a benefactor can be found to sponsor a privately-funded Christmas tree at Grand Army Plaza next year.” Right off the bat we know that this money won't come from the Old First Reform Church on 7th Avenue. They spent their Christmas services in Sunday School hall because plaster is falling from the ceiling. Wahnnn waaaahnnn. 

Jews need not worry: the 3-story high Menorah ain't going nowhere because it's privately sponsored by the Chabad of Prospect Heights.

Come on, Christians! Let's get our shit together here.

[via Park Slope Patch & The Daily News]