Ex-lawmaker Steven Brooks was behind free Christmas trees

Sun Staff and Wire reports

Published Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014 | 11:55 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014 | 6 p.m.

The vendor who made hundreds of Christmas trees available free for the taking today at Sunset Park has been identified as ousted Nevada Assemblyman Steven Brooks.

Brooks said today he was selling trees to raise money for a nonprofit group he leads that designs math and science programs for at-risk students.

He says he didn't sell as many trees as he hoped and didn't break even but he wanted to make someone else's Christmas by offering the free trees.

Brooks dropped off the unsold inventory, about 350 trees, most of which were gone by 5:30 p.m., county officials said.

He says dropping them off was just the right thing to do and he didn't do so for any credit or recognition.

The tree-seller's identity was unknown until Brooks confirmed his role when reached by phone.

Brooks got attention in 2013 after he became the first state lawmaker to be expelled by his elected colleagues in the Assembly and who, on the same day, led authorities on a high-speed chase to California. Earlier this year he received a two-year, eight month prison sentence for resisting arrest and evading an officer, but a judge said he fulfilled his sentence for time served and good behavior.

Sunset Park is one of the locations people may drop off their trees for recycling after the holidays.

People are supposed to wait until Friday to begin dropping off trees, county spokesman Erik Pappa said.

“So if anyone still needs a Christmas tree, perhaps someone who cannot afford one this year, we have hundreds available for the taking — free and first come, first served,” Pappa said earlier today. “We only ask that people who pick up trees recycle them when they’re done.”

The Christmas tree recycling program operates Friday through Jan. 15, with drop-off sites at some Clark County parks, the Las Vegas Springs Preserve and most area Lowe’s stores.

The trees are recycled into mulch, which is used at public parks and gardens to conserve water and keep plants healthy.

Any items that could damage the chipper or contaminate the mulch, such as tinsel, wire and ornaments, should be removed. Last year, more than 15,300 trees were recycled.

Drop-off sites are:

• Sunset Park, 2601 E. Sunset Blvd. at Eastern Avenue.

• Desert Breeze Park, 8275 Spring Mountain Road at Durango Drive, behind the community center.

• Lone Mountain Park, 4445 N. Jensen St., near Jensen and Helena Avenue.

• The Las Vegas Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd.

• The UNLV Rebel Recycling Program at the southeast corner of Flamingo Road and Swenson Street, behind UNLV’s solar site.

• Lowe’s stores at 5050 Fort Apache Road, 6050 W. Craig Road, 7751 El Captain Way, 7550 W. Washington Ave., 2570 E. Craig Road, 2465 N. Nellis Blvd., 440 Marks St., 4625 W. Charleston Blvd., 5825 E. Eastern Ave. and 2875 E. Charleston Blvd.