Even Santa Is Finding It Tough To Keep His Job In Today’s Economy

Government officials in New York’s Suffolk County sacked its long-running Santa Claus Christmas performer last Friday, claiming that it was a necessary step to trim the county’s budget of US$2.7 billion, particularly in today’s economy.

Government officials in New York’s Suffolk County sacked its long-running Santa Claus Christmas performer last Friday, claiming that it was a necessary step to trim the county’s budget of US$2.7 billion, particularly in today’s economy.

David McKell, 83, a World War II veteran and former homicide detective, had, for the last nine years, been playing the role of the jolly Christmas character at the county-owned St. James General Store; But, last Friday he was told by government officials that they could no longer afford to pay him the $660 needed to don his red suit as budget shortfalls meant that some 650 county employees had to be laid off.

“How do you justify that expenditure when a health centre is losing money?” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy in an interview with Reuters.

[quote]”Let either the private sector come forward with a donation, or, better yet, let’s tap the volunteers in the community,” he said.[/quote]

Angry members of the community, though, have questioned the decision, particularly as the $660 only represented a miniscule portion of the budget.

“Do we really have to hold Santa Claus hostage to balance the budget?” said Bill Lindsay, a Democrat and the presiding officer of the county legislature.

[quote]”I mean, $600? Give me a break,” said Joseph Sawicki, a Republican and the county’s comptroller. “There comes a point where you go overboard in terms of penny-pinching.”[/quote]

McKell, on his part, has volunteered to play the role for free for a shift or two, though he also expressed disappointment at the county’s decision to discontinue his role.

[quote]”I think for public relations it’s bad,” said McKell, in an interview with Newsaday. “But also because Christmas time is a certain time for children and I think it’s a big error.”[/quote]

While numerous other members of the community have already stepped up in volunteering to play the role, McKell appears set to be back in his red suit after a a town supervisor from nearby Babylon volunteered to donate the $660 required to cover McKell’s gas and other sack-related expenses.

Steve Bellone, who is running to take over Levy’s job, announced that he would be cutting a personal cheque in order for McKell to stay in his role.

“There’s always a place for Santa in Suffolk County,” said Bellone in a statement quoted by Politico. “The budget requires tough decisions, but we should not be nickel-and-diming our children.”

Levy though, who had already announced that he would not be running for re-election, have accused Bellone of “political grandstanding”, adding that he may sue Bellone for making an “illegal” gift to a county agency.

When quizzed about Bellone’s donation and Levy’s subsequent reaction, McKell expressed his appreciation for Bellone’s action while reserving his opinions on the current Suffolk County Executive.

“I wish him (Levy) a very merry Christmas and a happy new year,” said McKell.