Carry the Dear Editor: Lam responding to Ms, Josee Van Stekelenburg’s letter (Dec. 17) regarding West Vancouver's bewu- tiftl Christmas tree that was in the dark this year. The tree does have 4 consider- able history: at one time Don Fleming of . the Ambleside Merchants’ ‘Association decorated the... tree Ambleside street decorations. ~.In 1987, when I was Tourism Chairman with the West Vancouver . Chamber, I began the tree-decorat-. ‘To light the ‘tree | -ing “project. . required 99 75-foot strings contain- ing 3,000 Christmas bulbs. It. was a cooperative effort; the Chamber bought the lights, the . the tourism c in’ addition to the’ torch in ’94 Mayor & Council of the day arranged for jhe wiring of the tree, class at West Van High replaced the bulbs annually and Dave China's Tree Experts installed the lights. T must agree with your reader who felt it was a wonderful wel- come to Ambleside. | was saddened that the brief tradition was discon- tinued, Perhaps its absence will make : people realize. thal its presence should not be taken for granted. Possibly; another. organization will be prepared -ta’carry the