Letter To Editor - Halloween Spook House

For five years now I have been hosting a "spook house" on the designated night of Halloween trick-or-treat at the buildings that I care take across from City Hall in Cedar Key. City Council moved the night to Saturday last year at my request on a trial basis. They made me advertise throughout the County that the night of celebration was on a Saturday so that no one would attempt to trick-or treat on Monday, Oct. 31. My volunteers and I handed out donated candy to about 1200 kids, up about 300 from the year before. Most of the kids were accompanied by both of their parents and it was a real family outing.

I petitioned City Council in February to move Halloween (trick-or-treat) to Saturday permanently so that there would be no conflict with a school night and I would have more access to volunteers. I presented near 100 signatures of support. A proposed ordinance was drafted, but City Council refused to vote on it at the next meeting. I even had the full backing of the Chamber of Commerce.

This year Halloween falls on Wednesday, which is prohibited by City ordinance; so it will be celebrated on Tuesday, Oct.30. The Dollar General store will not allow a donation box this year as they are under new management. My volunteers and I have decided that since we have no "City" support and limited capabilities to secure candy donations, we will not participate in Halloween this year. Thank you to all who have donated in past years through Drummond Bank and Dollar General. Most of all, I apologize to the kids as you were the reason why we went to so much effort, adults don`t always make the best decisions.