July 12, 2010 5:46 PM
Loudoun War on Christmas begins 7/20 at Board of Supervisors
Dear Friends:
Many of you will remember December 2009 when
the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors decided - just weeks before - to ban
traditional holiday displays at the Leesburg Courthouse. (While the Town of
Leesburg continued to welcome
holiday observances, the Courthouse grounds belong to
Loudoun
County.) These displays
included a Christmas Tree (placed by the Rotary Club for 50 years), a Nativity
Scene (placed by Leesburg attorney Debbie Welch and her husband Dennis for 20
years) and a Menorah (placed by Leesburg Town Councilman Ken Reid for many
years).
Since these displays
had been put there at private expense by private citizens, this was clearly not
in violation of federal law.
The BOS - at the behest of a committee
with no public accountability and with no public discussion - decided to sweep
Christmas under the rug. What they didn't count on was the swift
and determined response by the community - led by several citizens including the
aforementioned Ken Reid, who later dubbed himself "The Jew Who Saved
Christmas."
Because yes indeed -
despite the arbitrary censorship, and despite some bureaucratic stonewalling and
foot-dragging, the BOS ended up
granting a stay of execution to the humble Nativity Scene, so that throughout
the 2009 holidays children (and children of children) who'd lovingly touched and
"talked" to the chipped and well-loved figures could once again enjoy this
family tradition.
But lest you think
the battle was won: As of July 2010, the Loudoun Board of Supervisors has once
again targeted Christmas in Leesburg. This time, they're starting early -
perhaps hoping for a slowed-down hot and humid citizenry - and obviously trying
to avoid the national spotlight they drew last year.
Let's all do our part
to make sure they get the attention they deserve:Loudoun
County first in the nation to declare
War on Christmas 2010!
On
July 20, the Board
will consider adopting the policy which we successfully fought off last year.
You can read the behind-the-scenes maneuvering at Eugene Delgaudio's site. How you
can help:
1) Sign the petition below - which you will find here , and forward to all Loudoun
County residents in your circle of
influence - via blogs, email, Facebook.
2) Email the Loudoun County Board of
Supervisors
3) Attend the
Loudoun Board of Supervisors public input session Tuesday, July 20, at 6:00 pm One Harrison
Street, SE Leesburg. Wear red! You can sign up for
public input or call in advance to be put on the list.
4) Contact all media
outlets: Loudoun
County first in the nation to declare
War on Christmas 2010!
Petition
to Continue Freedom of Religious Expression in Loudoun County, specifically the traditional Christmas Tree, Nativity
Scene and Menorah on the Leesburg Courthouse lawn
As a Loudoun
County residents who support freedom of religious expression, we urge the Board
of Supervisors to stop interfering with traditional observances in our
communities - even when they happen to be on county property.
Specifically, we
request that the Board continue allowing the display by private citizens of our
traditional Christmas Tree, Menorah and Nativity Scene on the Leesburg
Courthouse Lawn.
We urge the BOS
not to follow the example of our federal government in disregarding the will of
the people and our constitutional rights, but to maintain our respect for our
elected officials through upholding those rights.
Merry Christmas
and Happy Hanukkah!
Posted in Christmas, Loudoun County, Virginia | Permalink
Comments
Is there a website somewhere by someone who can give the rationale for doing this? I just don't understand why that board is so gung ho to get rid of those displays? Why is this issue so persistently occurring?
Posted by: cath young | July 13, 2010 4:28 PM
Post a comment
