A decision by Lehighton Parks and Recreation has left a Lehighton Santa out in the cold.

Jason Roeder, also known as Santa of Lehighton, attended last month’s borough meeting after he was dropped for its tree lighting in the park event in favor of a Santa who will appear at no cost.

Borough Mayor Ryan Saunders, who also serves as president of LDI, explained the situation.

“Jason has only been cut from the tree-lighting event for Parks and Recreation,” Saunders said. “He is still committed to the LDI Hometown Vintage Christmas event the following week. Jason is also serving as Santa for our Shop With A Cop program through the police department.”

Roeder said he’s been Santa in the borough since 2018 and he was disappointed. “Every December, when I step into that suit, it’s not about a beard or a costume,” Roeder said. “It’s about the faces of children who run up with wonder in their eyes, the families who gather every year for a picture that becomes a memory, and the smiles that light up our little corner of the world.”

He had mixed reports from the committee. One said it was about clearances, which he quickly supplied. Another said it was about money. “That’s what really left me puzzled — because in all the years I’ve done this, I’ve never once set a price or made this about money.”

Roeder said he accepted whatever was offered.

Saunders said he understands Roeder’s situation, but, “We don’t interfere with LDI’s directions and decisions, as a borough council, we appreciate everything that LDI does as a community; in the same token, Parks and Recreation, we are thankful for that board and the things that they bring to the community as well.”

Saunders added, “We don’t make it a habit of interfering with their process; as a borough we’re very thankful to have groups like LDI, like Parks and Recreation, that have volunteers and board members that are passionate about doing great things for the borough.

“I sympathize with Jason, but if the Parks and Recreation Board is going in another direction, they’re well within their rights, and if it turns out to be a great success in that new direction, we should be thankful to them for what they are presenting to us.”

Dave Zimmerman, a voting member who sits on the borough’s Parks and Recreation Board, said, “When I first took the position on the subcommittee, we thought it would be better to help run a show kind of event; one of the first things we talked about was we’re looking to cut corners on cost,” said Zimmerman, who noted it cost $300 to have Santa Claus. “I reached out to a friend in Jim Thorpe, it doesn’t cost anything.”

Zimmerman added that it merely a matter of looking to save money.

Parks and Recreation is a committee of the borough. The committee does not get money through the budget (or taxpayers). Saunders said they can do fundraising for event planning, and can apply for grants when permitted by council.