December 1, 2009 3:38 PM
Leesburg Courthouse Christmas ban overturned!
I had a feeling there would be a happy ending to this story!!
The vote was 7-1-1 to overturn the ban on holiday displays. Supervisor Kelly Burk said:
"That property is public property owned by the people. The people have the right to use that property for religious displays. We may not agree with every display. We may not like every display that goes up...but the right to have those religious displays is a fundamental right that we should not walk away from."
I've been busy meeting a couple deadlines this morning and didn't have a car to get to the Board of Supervisors meeting where the final decision was made around 1:30. Tripp was there and called to let me know the good news.
We were both there last night and were among about 30 speakers who addressed the Board with our concerns about the sudden surprise ban on a half-century old tradition of a Christmas tree on the Courthouse lawn - as well as the traditional Creche and Menorah.
Here's my dear husband:
Citizens objected not only to the ban, but to the illegal and underhanded manner in which it was delivered to the community. The decision was by an invisible committee of unelected officials with no public record, minutes or transcripts.
It was delivered just a day before Thanksgiving to the private citizens who'd been sponsoring the displays (what makes it legal is that they are privately sponsored displays).
I must say that the whole set-up at the Board of Supervisors is designed to make citizens feel like lowly peons groveling before the high-and-mighty. A lot of groveling seems to be expected. If I were the king of the forest, the first thing I'd do is make it a more equal atmosphere. After all, these are just our fellow citizens who ran for office and won.
Speaking of which, the only supervisor voting against lifting the ban - I guess we can call him the Loudoun Grinch - was Jim Burton, who represents Blue Ridge.
As one of Grinch Burton's constituents, I can tell you that I will not forget this when the next election rolls around. And I hope you will remember, too.
Leesburg Town Council Member Ken Reid, who brought a Menorah with him last night, wrote:
Dear Friends and members of the Media:The Board of Supervisors today voted 7-1, with Blue Ridge District Supervisor Jim Burton voting "no," to allow nativity scenes, menorahs, Christmas trees and other decorations of the holiday season on the Old Courthouse lawn.
Many congratulations to Supervisors Delgaudio and Burk for leading the charge; Phil Rusciolelli, Stan Caulkins and other Rotarians, who were turned down Nov. 24 by the Board's committee, but got their forces out to the input meeting Monday; local attorney Debbie Welsh, who has erected the creche without complaint for 20 years until the decision last month; and special thanks to MommyLife.net's Barbara Curtis, whose petition to overturn the ban was signed by more than 1,000 people, mostly Loudouners.
Thanks to the churches for spreading the word, too.
It was a pleasure to help out, though I am not Christian, but feel strongly that all religious displays and prayer should be allowed at the Courthouse, which is like our Town Square.
I guess I am the Jew Who Helped Save Christmas! Oy!
Hope to see you all at the Town of Leesburg's annual tree lighting Friday, Dec. 4, 6 p.m. on the Town Green. And yes, I will have a menorah and tell a brief story of Chanukah, a holiday commemorating a rebellion by average people under Greco-Syrian rule in the 2nd century BCE against secularization of their religion.
Posted in Activism, Christmas | Permalink
Comments
Did Burton have a comment? I can't imagine why he would vote no.
Posted by: sandra | December 1, 2009 8:08 PM
I'm happy to hear about this positive outcome Momma C. And I love the comment by the council member Ken Reid "the Jew Who Helped Save Christmas"....fantastic!!!
Posted by: LadyLovas | December 1, 2009 8:26 PM
"I guess I am the Jew Who Helped Save Christmas! Oy!"
I like his attitude!
Posted by: Marie | December 1, 2009 9:02 PM
I just ran into your blog thanks to Google. I am glad I have found you and look forward to reading more.
Ken Reid's letter is so funny and so perfect. I am so happy with the way the supervisors voted. And if anybody happens to have inside knowledge about why Burton voted no, I would love to hear. His vote really intrigues me.
Posted by: Elizabeth | December 2, 2009 11:18 AM
Congratulations. And we Christians should fight for the Menorah's (and crescents and whatever). It's a "when they came for the..." moment.
You should dress up and have a living nativity, complete with an ox (the ass will probably already be on the property, having voted "no") :)
Posted by: Tony | December 2, 2009 4:26 PM
