November 28, 2009 11:26 PM
Ken Reid on Leesburg Courthouse Holiday ban
Statement from Leesburg Town Councilmember Ken Reid
Dear Media Members:On Friday night while attending services at my synagogue, I learned that a committee appointed by the Loudoun County, Va., Board of Supervisors decided at two meetings this month to not allow a nativity scene or other religious symbols of the holidays -- such as a Chanukah menorah -- on the Courthouse lawn.
In addition, the Rotary Club of Leesburg was denied Nov. 24 the ability to put up a Christmas tree, which the organization has apparently done every year without criticism.
Although the Town of Leesburg and our Council was NOT involved in this decision, I have agreed to help the Rotary and other citizens to restore their rights to display these symbols on the courthouse lawn. I am helping circulate the online petition started by Loudoun resident Barbara Curtis and offered my assistance to Phil Rusciolelli of Rotary. Visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/leesburgnativity/index.html Their emails are above.
This ban has nothing to do with state law, as some have said, because our Town Council is holding a tree lighting Friday Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. on the Town Green on West Market Street. Plus, I am lighting a menorah for Chanukah.
This ban was instigated by the Board of Supervisors because in May, Loudoun Awakening was stopped from doing their Bible-reading marathon on the courthouse steps. www.loudounawakening.org
I am urging residents to ask the Supervisors to reverse this bad policy and allow all symbols of the holiday season on our courthouse grounds. The Board is holding its regular monthly comment session this Monday 6:30 p.m. at the County Government Center, where I expect many residents to turn out.
To my knowledge, this Courthouse Grounds and Facilities Task Force does not keep minutes, nor does it adequately notice its meetings. Our Council was never consulted on this issue, although we have a representative on the panel.
Furthermore, a 2005 Landscaping Master Plan of the Board tacitly supports the display of Christmas decorations, reading: "Seasonal displays such as a Christmas nativity scene are located near the fence adjacent to the intersection of King and Market..."
The United States was founded by people seeking refuge from religious persecution, including Jews, like my great grandparents, who emigrated from Czarist Russia in 1904. I resent this modern-day persecution of religious and civic groups, who merely wish to maintain tradition by showing Christmas trees, the creche, or menorahs on the lawn of our beloved Old Courthouse, where once soldiers fought and died for our rights.
Thanks!
Ken Reid
Member,
Leesburg Town Council
www.KenReid.org
Posted in Loudoun County | Permalink
