Holiday banners being installed along Business 190 in Copperas Cove

By LYNETTE SOWELL 
Cove Leader-Press 

Approximately 18 banners in three different designs have been hung along Business 190 as part of the City of Copperas Cove’s brand-new holiday banner sponsorship program. 
The City’s Streets Department staff began Tuesday afternoon to install the first banner on a pole in front of Uptown Liquors and headed east on the eastbound side of the highway to install the remainder. 
Although the banners don’t have lights, the 18 banners are the first step in the city’s decoration program. The last time the city hung any type of lights was more than a decade ago, with the old lights having burned out and deteriorated to the point they were no longer usable. 
In January 2023, the city council gave its okay for the city to go out and solicit sponsorships at $700 apiece for the banners, which includes a mounting bracket plus installation. 
Businesses and organizations had their names printed on 2 by 2-1/2-foot banners that hang below the main banner with the greeting. 
Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful Executive Director Roxanne Flores, who spearheaded the program with volunteers, said if there are other businesses or individuals who would like to purchase a banner, they can still do so. They simply need to call or email her at rflores@copperascovetx.gov or (254) 547-4221 x6704 for more information.
Any leftover funds from the banner cost will be committed to purchasing decorations to include lighting and wreaths that can be displayed on city buildings, as per a past city council presentation. 
Residents have called for Christmas lights to be installed around the city for several years, and one initiative “Light Up Cove” which originated with local business owners, died off after the organizer moved several years ago. 
For now, the city street poles and facilities will remain in the dark, and the timetable for purchasing lights for city facilities isn’t known at this time. According to a presentation by Flores at a past city meeting, purchasing lights and wreaths for city facilities would cost an estimated $37,500. Flores also told the council that the city had looked into renting lights and decorations for a number of city facilities, and that number was even higher. 
The city’s Technology Building, Library, Central Fire Station, Utility Administration, City Hall, Solid Waste Office Buidling, Fire Station #3, Police Station, Civic Center, Public Works, Animal Control facility, Fire Station No. 2, Hills of Cove Golf Course facility, and City Park are all possible locations for lights. 
It was also said during the Oct. 15 workshop meeting that there was some discussion by a couple of council members about establishing some type of holiday décor committee. 
Councilman John Hale asked if the city council could consider allocating money from the general fund toward the purchase of lights. At that time, City Manager Ryan Haverlah said no decisions could be made about that during the workshop, but it was something that could be brought back in the future, if the council directed him to, as an amendment to the city’s 2023-2024 budget.