George,

At this Christmas season, Democrats and Republicans can put aside their differences and rejoice that Dale McGlothlin has this unexpected opportunity to deliver on his offer of a Christmas tree for the city.

The $20,000 plastic one was vandalized and destroyed. The real tree Dale offered us last week for free will be an improvement in every way.

That a local Republican can finally make a meaningful contribution at city hall should thrill us all.

Rey Barry (electronic mail, December 18, 2000).

Editor's Note: "Former city Republican Party chairman Dale McGlothlin said he would donate a tree from his farm in Southwest Virginia's Tazewell County if a member of the all-Democrat City Council would make the four-hour drive there with him to select and cut it.

'I am 100 percent serious,' McGlothlin said. 'In fact, I called ahead yesterday and had somebody scout out one of the better trees so we know where to take them on the 360 acres.'

'I don't have any official comment on that at all,' [City spokesman Maurice] Jones said.

Whatever the likelihood the city would have accepted the politically charged offer, the question appeared moot by late Monday as Jones made plans to look into offers closer to home", including one from Stonehearth Tree Farm in northern Madison County (Jake Mooney, The Daily Progress, December 19, 2000).