Councilwoman Resigns After Town Renames 'Holiday Tree' 'Christmas Tree'

danjoseph | December 8, 2015
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A New Jersey councilwoman announced her resignation after the city council voted to rename the town's "Holiday Tree" a "Christmas Tree."

Citing "separation of church and state" and an increasingly diverse community, Roselle Park, New Jersey councilwoman Charlene Storey submitted her resignation, writing, “I cannot in good conscience continue to be part of a council that is exclusionary or to work with a mayor who is such.” 

The move to rename the tree was initially proposed by the borough's Democratic Mayor, Carl Hokanson who decided that it was time for a change.

"People are offended that we use the word 'Christmas.' Well, I feel offended when you tell me 'holiday,' said the mayor in an interview with a local television station.

Knowing that she was on the losing side of the issue, Storey rescinded her resignation, last Saturday and agreed to chair a new "diversity committee."
Councilwoman Storey says she will not attend the Christmas tree lighting ceremony later this week.

Hat TIp: Stephen Crowder

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