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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According to N.J.com, Mayor Hokanson, whom Storey praised as a promising leader for Roselle Park, remarked only that, “Everybody’s entitled to his beliefs”.
On Tuesday The Band Perry For Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was a top story.
The name of the event was previously changed from “Christmas” to “Annual” in the mid-1990’s following a court case surrounding a Jersey City holiday display that contained multiple religious symbols on municipal grounds.
The Christmas tree lighting is scheduled to take place on Friday evening, December 11 at the gazebo if weather is permitting.
Storey said she regretted having to resign but called the issue a matter of principle. She said she will be working with the new diversity committee to determine what the tree should be called next year. Storey then submitted her letter of resignation the very next morning.
‘I find it hard to accept that to them, a “Christmas” tree is a secular tree, ‘ Storey said.
Storey was given the opportunity to head a new committee on diversity that will be created – and she has no plans to attend the actual tree lighting event. The leading causes of Christmas tree fires are: electrical distribution or lighting equipment; decorative lights too close to the trees; wiring or related equipment; cords or plugs and finally, candles near trees.
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The second highest-ranking council member and the town’s only woman to serve as an elected official, Storey explained her decision in a statement. Say that you are invited to the town’s Ramadan Party, where most of the attendees are going to be celebrating Islam. Councilwoman Storey will not be in attendance.
