http://www.nbc5.com/politics/2720955/de ... ppid=65194
Suburban Firefighters Ordered To Un-Deck The Halls
Village Officials Received Calls Protesting Decorations
UPDATED: 10:56 AM CST December 23, 2003
CHICAGO -- Firefighters in Glenview have been told to take down their indoor Christmas decorations because some residents complained that they were offensive.
The decorations include lights, a Christmas tree and a Santa Claus. They are inside the firefighters' main living area, but can be seen from the street.
Glenview Village President Larry Carlson said he was disappointed that the firefighters had to take down the decorations. Carlson noted, however, that the village has a policy of not decorating any public buildings.
"Under the Supreme Court, the policy is basically all or nothing. You either let everybody come in or you have none, and it's been a long-standing village policy that we go under none."
A Glenview spokeswoman says the village has received calls from residents who were not happy seeing what they perceived to be Christmas or Christian decorations on a firehouse.
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.
NBC5's Jennifer Mitchell reported that no one she spoke with was offended by the decorations. The responses were, in fact, quite the opposite.
"I think it's ridiculous," said one woman. "I just told you this is nonsense. It's just absolutely crazy."
Copyright 2003 by NBC5.com The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
I agree with the anonymous woman. It's just plain silly. The complainers whined that they were offended, but they clearly don't give a darn about offending the fire fighters or the people who ENJOYED seeing the display.
Big babies!! :roll:
BTW, according to the poll on the NBC5 website, 96% of the site's visitors think fire houses should be allowed to have Christmas displays, while only a measely 4% say "no."