Brunswick gets an early holiday gift

BRUNSWICK, Ohio - Brunswick city council canceled this year's holiday light display, but a local businessman has stepped in to light up Center Road.

Faced with lower tax revenues because of the weak economy, the city has cut back on non-essential expenditures and pulled the plug on the display.

“One of the things that I presented to the city council was not to do holiday decorations because of the tough financial constraints as a city,” Brunswick Parks and Recreation Director John Piepsny said.

The owner of Excalibur Auto Body donated $10,000 to cover the cost of display repairs, installation and operation of the city's annual holiday lights display.

“We were surprised that someone would donate that kind of money and we are thankful for that,” Piepsny said.

The displays will now light up the night sky and will include ground displays on public properties and the popular lighted snowflakes along State Route 303.