The City of Plantation advertises itself as a place “where the grass is greener!”

I live right next door to Plantation, and I don’t notice that the grass is any greener there than in Davie, but whatever.

What I did notice tonight is that the Plantation Mayor and Council are doing their best to ruin Christmas for one family, not to mention the hundreds of people who are touched by this family’s generosity.

For years, Mark and Kathy Hyatt have decorated their home with Christmas decorations, thousands of lights and other displays, including “a nativity scene, Santas and festive Spongebob,” according to WSVN Channel 7.

Mr. Hyatt explained that he is simply carrying on the family tradition that his father started.  He named this amazing holiday display the “Hyatt Extreme Christmas.”

The Channel 7 article noted, “The display isn’t only about the lights. The Hyatts ask for donations to a local food bank and for the Humane Society. There’s also a spot for kids to make greeting cards for soldiers.”

Mark and Kathy Hyatt family obviously love Christmas.  They also enjoy helping others and spreading the joy of the season.

That joy is apparently lost on the Mayor and Council of Plantation, who are trying to put a stop to they Hyatt family’s plans.

BAH, HUMBUG!

City officials seem to have no problem disappointing all the folks who look forward to vising the Hyatt home during Christmas, not to mention those who benefit from the donations the visitors leave behind.  The family told Channel 7 that “each year they raise somewhere between several hundred to several thousand dollars for charity.”

I’ve been incensed ever since I saw this story earlier this evening.  As you probably already guessed, I sent an email to the Mayor and Council expressing my displeasure at their uncharitable, and seriously Scrooge-like behavior.  I wrote:

Dear Mayor and Council of the City of Plantation,

I am a resident of the Town of Davie, your neighbor to the south.

I am truly disappointed that you would tell the Hyatt family to take down their Christmas display.

It’s difficult to believe that you would destroy what has become a family tradition, not to mention the many people who actually enjoy this festive time of year.

In addition, the family collects canned goods for the needy, donations for the Humane Society and provides an opportunity for children to send greeting cards to our troops stationed away from their homes and families.

Please reconsider your decision to ruin Christmas for the Hyatt family, as well as the many people who enjoy this holiday and benefit from their generosity.
Sincerely,

Stephanie Kienzle
www.VotersOpinion.com

Incredulously, a short while later I received a response from Mayor Diane Veltri Bendekovic, which stated:

Ms. Kienzle,

I am in receipt of your e mail. Presently, the city is in litigation so there will be no comments.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving,

Diane Veltri Bendekovic, Mayor
City of Plantation
400 NW 73rd Avenue
Plantation, FL 33317
P 954-797-2221
F 954-797-2223
Mayor@Plantation.org

One of America’s Promise “100 Best Communities for Young People”

FGBC Gold Certified Green Local Government
Please consider the environment when printing this email.

WAIT, WHAT?

Litigation?  The City of Plantation is SUING THEM?

ARE THEY FREAKING KIDDING??

Ironically, the tagline on the Mayor’s email states: One of America’s Promise “100 Best Communities for Young People”

Try telling that to the countless “Young People” of Plantation whose holiday they’re about to ruin by shutting down the Hyatt Extreme Christmas.

UNBELIEVABLE!

As you can tell, this story really ticked me off to no end.  The Mayor and Council of Plantation should be ashamed of themselves!

With all the problems that Americans are dealing with right now, is there anyone who couldn’t use some joy right now?  Seriously?

If you want to write to the Grinches Who Want to Steal Christmas and tell them how you feel, you can write to them here:

mayor@plantation.org,
rjacobs@plantation.org,
rlevy@plantation.org,
lstoner@plantation.org,
ptingom@plantation.org,
czimmerman@plantation.org

Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”