Cairo Mayor Booker Gainor suggested Monday night that the city council consider making the annual Christmas luncheon for city employees an evening affair and make it more formal.
He said it would give the spouses of city employees an opportunity to attend and everyone could dress up for the gala.
Traditionally, the city hosts an employee luncheon prior to Christmas at the Grady Cultural Center and the employees take their lunch break to attend the function. City offices are closed citywide for the party.
“I certainly don’t have a problem with it, but I would want to get feedback from the employees first. I’m also not sure if the Cultural Center would have an evening vacancy this close to the holidays,” City Manager Chris Addleton said.
Customer Service Director Carolyn Robinson, who was formerly the city’s human resource director and has been involved in the planning for the annual holiday party, said that the Cultural Center is typically booked solid up to a year in advance.
“This close, it may be booked,” Robinson told the mayor.
Councilman Jerry Cox said he had been involved with other organizations where holiday events were held during the day and at night and it had been his experience that there was less employee participation at night events.
Councilman James H. (Jimmy) Douglas echoed Councilman Cox’s concern about participation.
Addleton agreed to check on the availability of the event space and to poll the employees concerning the proposed change.
