The Roselle Park councilwoman who resigned Thursday after the council voted to change the name of the borough’s “Tree Lighting” to a “Christmas Tree Lighting” is now rescinding her resignation. Her resignation takes impact January 7. Storey, who grew up Catholic but now refers to herself as a non-believer, thinks that placing religion on the tree-lighting ceremony is not in the best interest of the city. “Changing the name – and I emphasize “changing” – clearly disrespects them all and hijacks the tree lighting for one religion”, Storey wrote.
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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.
“There’s not too many tree farms in Iowa where you get to go cut your own Christmas trees, so that’s a benefit here”, Heintz said.
He said he’s received dozens of calls and emails, majority in support of the renaming of the event.
“It’s not a street, it’s not a building, it’s a Christmas tree”, Hokanson said.
“Just like the Easter Bunny is the Easter Bunny and not the Holiday Bunny”, he said.
In her statement, she wrote that her decision was not a matter of political correctness but rather “a fundamental issue of freedom of religion – one of the basic freedoms that tens of thousands of Americans, including my uncle, died to defend over the years”. Storey then submitted her letter of resignation the very next morning.
Kathy Kogut, executive director of the Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association, said sales are increasing lately as people are becoming more environmentally conscious and seeking a natural tree. Now, in his first year as mayor and master of ceremonies of the event, he wanted to change it back.
He said his sales have been boosted this year after one of his white pines was named both the State Champion and the Reserve Champion in the Christmas tree competition at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass.
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Storey could not be reached for comment at the writing of this article.
