For the past couple of weeks, Assemblyman Paul Tittl of Manitowoc and Governor Tony Evers have had a public back and forth regarding a Christmas Tree.
Tittl wished to put up an artificial tree in the rotunda of the Capital, however, Governor Evers had it taken down, and fines were threatened. Tittl said previously that he simply wanted to bring Christmas cheer to the Capitol, while the Governor said he didn’t want the public coming in and gathering around it, potentially spreading COVID-19.
The issue split the public, as some called on Tittl to drop it and get back to work, and others called Evers a Grinch.
The saga came to an end yesterday as Tittl put the tree up one more time, and invited other representatives to join him to sing carols around it.
We spoke with Tittl prior to the event, and he said he planned on offering an olive branch of sorts to the Governor. “I have a box of chocolates that I am going to deliver over to the Governor’s Office, along with a Christmas card, and even invite him to join me,” Tittl explained.
He also said, “This whole Christmas Tree thing is weird. Even Governor Evers called it weird.”
Tittl is not trying to cause any problems with this latest tree celebration, as he and Representative Shae Sortwell took the tree down themselves.
As for the decorations, Tittl explained, “We are going to take the decorations off of it and deliver them to area nursing homes. These are all handmade decorations we got everywhere from Sacramento to West Virginia. We had kids making handmade ornaments, and they sent them to us. It has been tree-mendous the outpouring of love and support that we have.”
Tittl also shared a box of handmade Christmas Tree cookies given to him by the owner of Risen Bake Shoppe in Brillion with everyone who joined him in the rotunda to celebrate the Christmas Season.
