drudgereport.com
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX WED NOV 28 2001 11:14:49 ET XXXXX
FIRST NO SMOKE, NOW NO SANTA: MARYLAND TOWN TELLS JOLLY 'OLE NICK TO STAY HOME
A Maryland town in the very same county that tried banning cigarette smoking in homes, has now told Santa Claus to stay away from a public Christmas tree lighting!
The Montgomery County community of Kensington has banned the jolly old man from its annual tree lighting ceremony this Sunday. "Because two families in our town felt that they would be uncomfortable with Santa Claus being a part of our event," Mayor Lynn Raufaste said.
The Town Council banned Santa after the complaints.
In years past, Santa would arrive on a fire truck and light the tree with the mayor. But on Sunday, the mayor will do the honors herself.
"This is a part of the American life, and I just think it's a shame that we can't have one in our town this year," Raufaste said.
Montgomery County lawmakers recently passed legislation that would have regulated smoking in the privacy of people's homes.
The county reversed course this week after a rash of worldwide attention and a public opinion backlash.
"At least now Santa can stay at home and smoke, if nothing else, since he is now banned from the tree lighting," mocked one Montgomery County lawmaker on Wednesday. "We have become a national embarrassment."
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Aren't you from Maryland? Is this your doing? We have our own fools brigade out here with the "Ebonics" crowd, Kansas has their "removing evolution from teaching curriculum". Sometimes I feel like I got off at the wrong cosmic stop.
KB |
