Holiday Star Not Shining at Southeastern Med

Written by:
Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org

There will be something missing from Southeastern Med’s holiday lights display this year – the rooftop star. “Due to damage caused during the wind storms, the star typically shining on the roof during the holiday season will not be in operation this year,” said James Dykes, director of Maintenance.

When preparing the star’s annual lighting prior to Thanksgiving, the Maintenance Department at the medical center discovered the light streamers to the star were damaged. The only way to repair the star would be to climb the tower and lower it to the roof.

Before allowing anyone to climb the tower, Southeastern Med contacted a tower service contractor to perform an inspection. “The contractor recommended the guy wires be replaced and any unnecessary equipment be removed before anyone climbs the tower to replace the streamers,” Dykes said. “Unfortunately, we will not be able to replace the wires until the spring. There is no immediate danger or failure as long as there are no additional unnatural stresses placed on the tower.”

Southeastern Med will contract a tower service provider in the spring to replace the necessary wires. When it is deemed safe to climb, the Maintenance Department at the medical center will repair the streamers and install the star for the next holiday season.