|
|||||||||||||
Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Tysons reconsiders Santa sacking
Yes, Northern Virginia, there will be a Santa Claus at Tysons this year.Tysons Corner Center and Michael Graham, 51, who has played Santa at the mall for 18 years, have smoothed over a disagreement that threatened to potentially undermine the spirit of the season.
“Tysons Corner management failed to communicate with Santa that they were not going to honor the terms of his contract for 2008,” said Pamela Deese, an attorney who represented Graham. “Santa only learned of the impending termination after he wrote the mall on Sept. 23 to confirm his arrival date in November and other logistics. In response, he received a notice of termination.”
“Given his personality, Santa is something of a trusting soul,” Deese said. “He never understood that a 10-year agreement, which all agree he has performed successfully, could be terminated by the Mall without cause on short notice.”
Allison Fischer, Senior Marketing Manager for Tysons Corner Center, said that the mall was within its rights to cancel Graham's contract to work with another Santa but later decided to renegotiate with Graham. “I’m both honored and humbled by all the calls and e-mails I’ve received over the last 24 hours. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that in some small way, I’ve touched the lives of so many people, especially the children,” Graham said on Oct. 23, after a successful campaign to inform the public of his situation.
On Oct. 25, both Graham and the mall's management announced that Graham would in fact continue to be a part of the Tysons Corner Center holidays. “It’s with great joy that I look ahead to a holiday season where I know I will see my favorite children once again at Tysons Corner Center,” Graham said. “We all worked very hard over the last few days to make this right for everyone. I know I speak on behalf of Tysons Corner Center when I ask us all to focus on the holiday season ahead – we are committed to make it extra special.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.