Page 8 University Daily Kansan, December 7, 1982
City lights defydrab winter weather
Staff Reporter
By DOUG CUNNINGHAM Staff Reporter
George Williams knew winter was coming.
It always does, but Williams, director of public works, is one of the city officials most responsible for seeing that Lawrence's facilities, equipment and streets are ready for the snow, freezing drizzle and gray days of November.
THE NATIONAL Weather Service advised that day that people drive only when necessary because of icy roads and drove drizzle in the eastern half of the state.
On Nov. 23, for example, city crews started spreading sand and salt on city streets, many of which were coated with ice, at 6:45 a.m.
But not everything in Lawrence is gray, cold and colorless during November and
Christmas lights — from clear lights to blue, green and amber lights — decorate the homes and businesses of many Lawrence people.
The lights in the downtown area start at Co. Hali and go to South Park, in the 1100 block of East High Street.
ORDINARY CLEAR lights ring the circular roof of the gazebo in South Park. Strings of the lights also weave through the narrow many trees in the downtown district.
Many form spiral patterns as the strings of lights, plugged into an outlet near the sidewalk and held to each tree trunk with a special tape, wind toward the top of each tree.
Bob Schumm, president of the Downtown Lawrence Association, said the lights, which were purchased by the
association and bung by city employees were first used about ten years ago.
"The first year the lights were rather filmy and small," he said.
The strings of lights remained until after New Year's Day, Schumm said, but when the strings were taken down, the insulation on the strings cracked, making many unusable.
THE LIGHTS HAVE been replaced since then, he said, and the association has bought a number of other decorations, which hang from traffic and light poles during November and December of each year.
An imitation Christmas tree, flattened into a profile shape, hangs from a traffic pole on the western side of the 1000 block of Massachusetts St.
Red, amber and green lights and decorative red balls reflect light from passing cars, while a star and tinsel base is supposed to make the tree more realistic.
Williams said that when cold winds started carrying snow down Massachusetts, he said the snow was melting.
"We've had our equipment ready for six to eight weeks now. All of the equipment checked out, and we had a supply of salt in, and we have any problem there," Williams said.
IN LATE September and October, city crews examine the department's snow removal equipment, he said. Any equipment does not function properly is repaired.
See LIGHTS page 10
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