The New Jersey councilwoman who abruptly resigned over the city’s decision to add the word “Christmas” to their annual tree lighting ceremony, said upon rescinding her resignation this weekend that “I’m not against Christmas trees”.
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Friday’s event will continue to be called a “Christmas tree lighting”.
Storey said the Thursday night vote came as a complete surprise: Mayor Carl Hokanson mentioned the proposed change in passing a few days earlier, but the resolution was not on the meeting’s agenda. After Roselle Park changed the name of its “The Tree Lighting” to ‘The Christmas Tree Lighting, ‘ Councilwoman At-Large Charlene Storey quit, saying the move endorsed one religion over others.
Storey said she regretted having to resign but called the issue a matter of principle.
Her resignation will take effect on January 7. “I think next year will be much more inclusive”, she says.
Thursday’s vote overturned a 1990s vote in which the city changed the event’s name from Annual Christmas Tree Lighting to Annual Holiday Tree Lighting.
The ceremony will be called a Christmas tree lighting on December 11th, and this point forward, but Councilwoman Storey says this needs to be a topic of conversation, a discussion she will have with the committee moving forward. And I like Christmas trees and the happy spirit that usually pervades this season’. Here is the recap: (Radio.com) The Band Perry will be in NY this Wednesday (Dec. 2) to attend the 83rd annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and perform on the 18th annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center telecast.
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He told NJ.com everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, but also noted that each town can use whatever title it wants to use for the ceremony.
