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DinoDoc
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AECCP loves Democracy
Sep 1999
time: 23:32
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quote:
Complaints snuff holiday decorations in firehouse
Firefighters in Glenview have been told to take down their indoor Christmas decorations after some residents complained that they were offended.
The decorations -- which included lights, a Christmas tree and a Santa Claus -- were inside Glenview's Station No. 7, at 3507 Glenview Rd., in the firefighters' main living area. Although the decorations were all inside, they were visible from the street if someone driving down Glenview Road peered into the windows.
"We need to serve all our residents and customers, and we had been receiving calls from citizens who were not happy seeing what they perceived to be Christmas or Christian decorations on a particular firehouse," said Janet Spector Bishop, a spokeswoman for the village.
"We felt the fairest thing to do was to make sure that our public buildings remain neutral."
Last week, the village manager sent an interdepartmental memo reminding department heads that they need to remove decorations on the exterior or interior of village-owned buildings, including firehouses.
The firefighters had decorated the outside of the station earlier in the season, but a resident complained to village officials that the decorations violated the separation of church and state doctrine. They were told they could leave the decorations up inside, but the village attorney said that would still be a violation of village policy.
"We don't want to be seen as favoring one religious group over another," Bishop said.
Because they don't want to upset anyone, Glenview's Village Hall is devoid of any holiday decorations. The lampposts along Glenview's downtown streets, however, are all wrapped in garland, with a "Seasons Greetings" sign and red ribbon on each.
Firefighters at the station were reluctant to talk about the issue. The firehouse is along Glenview Road on the western edge of the north suburb, near a neighborhood that is full of homes with Christmas lights and Santa statues. The only decoration on the outside of the station is a yellow ribbon tied around a large tree.
Village officials said it was more than just the fire station that caused the village to send out the reminder about holiday displays.
Along with the fire station at 3507 Glenview, village officials used the policy to turn down a member of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect who requested that the group be permitted to display a giant menorah on public property. |
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-xmas22.html
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24-12-2003 07:56
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