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Chamber plays killjoy to Kilroy tree
by Brian Simon
City staff strategically positioned eight cars in front of El Segundo’s City Hall Plaza over the weekend to deter Kilroy Realty Corporation from delivering a Christmas tree there. Kilroy has donated a tree to the city annually for nearly 30 years, but was asked not to do so this year by the El Segundo Chamber of Commerce. The city manager authorized the vehicle blockade after Kilroy officials indicated they still intended to drop off the tree.
Eight cars--six surplus and two active--were parked along the 300 block of Main Street between the bus shelter and mail box from Friday afternoon to Monday morning. This made it virtually impossible to tote a 20-30 foot tree into the plaza since parking and access were not available.
"It was effective," said public works director Andy Santamaria, whose department handles city fleet services. "We now have the approved Chamber tree in place."
The Chamber, which hosts the community’s annual tree lighting ceremony, authorized its 15 President’s Circle members to spring for a stately Douglas fir that was safely delivered Monday morning. The group purchased the tree from the local Boys Scout House. Meanwhile Kilroy will park its tree elsewhere.
The controversy extends back to last year when the Chamber informed Kilroy that it wished to allow other interested companies an opportunity to donate the tree. But Kilroy had already purchased one, so the Chamber relented. "We had committed the $4,000 by that point so they reneged," said Kilroy spokesperson Bill Wenger. In October 2000, the Chamber sent Kilroy a letter thanking them for their years of generosity, but again reiterated its desire to find a new donor.
"We wrote them back saying the Chamber had nothing to do with giving the tree to the city," Wenger stated. "The Chamber administers the tree lighting, but apparently the mayor and city manager have acquiesced that the Chamber can also determine who can donate the tree."
Despite being aware of the letter, Kilroy again spent thousands on a tree this year. Former Chamber president and current board member Bill Mason suggested to Kilroy officials that they redirect their monies to another local charity, but was rebuffed. "I thought they would get greater recognition by giving to C.A.S.E., but they said it was not acceptable and they would bring the tree anyway," Mason said. "This has been an issue the last two years, which is why we notified them in writing about our intention to open it up to other corporations in the future. They ignored the letter."
The Chamber and Kilroy have also been on opposite ends of the fence regarding the proposed Fed Ex site development. The Chamber recently endorsed the project, while Kilroy has formed a citizens group attempting to block the plan in its present form. Mason said that despite disagreements on these two issues, there is no rift between the Chamber and Kilroy. "Kilroy is a valued member as far as the Chamber is concerned," he said.
The tree lighting ceremony takes place this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ER