MISSION VIEJO : City to Hang Holiday Shopping Banners

City officials Friday will unveil the first of about 70 banners that will hang throughout the city, beseeching holiday gift buyers to “Shop Mission.”

It is part of an effort to harness the explosion of spending that goes on during the Christmas holidays. The city gets a portion of every dollar spent on goods in Mission Viejo, which helps pay for services such as fire and police protection, city officials said.

“More than $1 million was cut from the city (budget) last year, which left us with less money to sustain city services,” said Gardner Hussey, chairman of the city Economic Development Commission. “If people remember their ‘mission’ when shopping this holiday season, sales tax revenue will stay in the city, helping replace those lost dollars.”