Letter: Waste of precious energy

EDITOR,
I do not want to come across as a grinch, but I am having a hard time with the fact that on Saturday, Dec. 12, any residence or business can pay just $5 and enter the “Light Up the Valley” decorating contest.
I love the holidays and decorations as much as the next person, but at a time when energy is precious and costly and we are all encouraged to conserve and go green, it seems inappropriate to waste it in that manner.
I’m sure that it is costing a lot more than $5 to burn all of those lights for that evening and then through the holidays. I am actually shocked that the chamber would sponsor this and that the city would allow it. Anyone know what this will cost in wasted energy?
There must be a more energy-efficient, green way for Valley Churches United Missions to have a fundraiser.