Wednesday, October 13, 2010

13 October 2010: Grinch

The Grinch - partially me, in this case (it seems) - has stolen Christmas and ruined it for all of Kokomo's children.

Thus reports the Kokomo Perspective today that despite County Commissioner Dave Trine approaching the maker of the red-eyed T-Rex and the Loch Ness Monster, the maker refused to allow Trine to put up the same lights display as last year at the courthouse here in Kokomo. From that report:

"It wasn’t the kids complaining. Residents mocked the displays on film and posted them online They flamed Internet message boards with criticism. They called the commissioners and gave them an earful. The discord over the displays even made national news."

Mocked? I thought I was very supportive, even to the point of explaining everything to the viewer to avoid confusion.

From later in the report:

"The problem the county now faces if it wants to put lights on the lawn is finding something that the community won’t reject while also adhering to the law and avoiding unnecessary expense. As Trine explained last year, a religious display on public property could put the county in a legal battle. And there is no line-item in the budget for Christmas lights of the Santa Claus or Frosty the Snowman variety."

Despite the fact there is no legal basis for disputing any display on County property (next county along is Miami county and they do it every year: such legal restrictions on separation of church and state apply ONLY to Federal property), the reasoning appears to be: (1) we're not allowed to do religious stuff and (2) snowmen are expensive.

I leave a pause for you to add your own thoughts.

*Pause*

Commissioner Dave Trine is seeking re-election this November.

3 comments:

Rob said...

" And there is no line-item in the budget for Christmas lights of the Santa Claus or Frosty the Snowman variety."

Because of course, a flashing Trogdor is FAR more recognisable than Santa as a symbol of the Holiday.

"a religious display on public property could put the county in a legal battle"

So how about making Churches stop meeting in parks, community centres etc in case someone sues...

What ridiculous comments!

Rob said...

On a lighter note though, well done for playing up to the Hollywood stereotype of the English being the bad guy.

In years to come you can tell Hannah stories of how big bad English Daddy ruined Christmas.

I bagsie the movie rights.

DuncMcRae said...

News just in: Alan Rickman will be playing the lead role with a fake Plymouth accent.

Also just in: when asked for a comment on this story the Kokomo City Engineer stated "did you spot the thinly-veiled reference to you in that story?"

I think I did.