Allegheny County officials have canceled holiday tours at Hartwood Acres Mansion this year to save money because of Pennsylvania’s state budget not yet being passed.A visitor named Karalee expressed disappointment Friday, saying, “This could be traditions for many families, and they shut it off?”She and her husband traveled from Florida to visit family in Pittsburgh, and their son got married at the mansion.”It was magical. I bet it could be very magical at Christmas time,” she said.”While we’re waiting for state funds to reimburse us for expenses we are still incurring, we have asked our directors to look for places where they can cut,” Abigail Gardner, Allegheny County communications director Abigail Gardner said.Gardner noted that some departments, like emergency services and the courts, are essential and cannot scale back.”We are spending well over $100 million now from the county while we’re waiting for the state to reimburse us for a lot of human services kinds of expenses,” she said.Social media posts have called the county “the Grinch” for canceling Christmas at Hartwood.”I’m really sorry that people enjoyed this experience so much, and we’re not going to be able to provide it this year,” Gardner said. “But I would encourage them to shift that energy and call their state senators and encourage them to pass a budget, because it really does affect all of us.”Gardner assured that the mansion tours for the holidays will return next year.
PITTSBURGH —
Allegheny County officials have canceled holiday tours at Hartwood Acres Mansion this year to save money because of Pennsylvania’s state budget not yet being passed.
A visitor named Karalee expressed disappointment Friday, saying, “This could be traditions for many families, and they shut it off?”
She and her husband traveled from Florida to visit family in Pittsburgh, and their son got married at the mansion.
“It was magical. I bet it could be very magical at Christmas time,” she said.
“While we’re waiting for state funds to reimburse us for expenses we are still incurring, we have asked our directors to look for places where they can cut,” Abigail Gardner, Allegheny County communications director Abigail Gardner said.
Gardner noted that some departments, like emergency services and the courts, are essential and cannot scale back.
“We are spending well over $100 million now from the county while we’re waiting for the state to reimburse us for a lot of human services kinds of expenses,” she said.
Social media posts have called the county “the Grinch” for canceling Christmas at Hartwood.
“I’m really sorry that people enjoyed this experience so much, and we’re not going to be able to provide it this year,” Gardner said. “But I would encourage them to shift that energy and call their state senators and encourage them to pass a budget, because it really does affect all of us.”
Gardner assured that the mansion tours for the holidays will return next year.