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CV NEWS FEED // A deputy city administrator from Wauwatosa, a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, instructed city workers not to use red and green decorations as they are “solely associated” with Christmas, and instead to opt for “more neutral and inclusive” decorations.
Melissa Cantarero Weiss, who is not an elected official, sent the email with the directions, and she was later supported by Mayor Dennis McBride, according to Wisconsin Right Now.
“Currently, Christmas decorations are prevalent throughout public counters at City Hall and perhaps other buildings as well,” Weiss wrote. “While we understand the significance of this holiday for many, it is important to recognize that not all Wauwatosa employees, residents, or business owners celebrate Christmas.”
Instead of using religious decorations or the colors red and green, Weiss continued, city departments could opt for a “winter wonderland” theme including “snow people,” greenery with lights, and displays of green, purple, and blue, inspired by the Aurora Borealis.
After receiving significant backlash, McBride sent an email out to the city’s Common Council. He wrote that although he was not the one to impose the policy, his “understanding is that our administrators are trying to minimize the discomfort that some people feel when they come to a government building for governmental, non-religious functions.”
He then quoted Mathew 22:21, where Our Lord tells his disciples, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and render unto God what is God’s.”
“Our job as city government is to provide municipal services. There is no Republican way to plow snow, nor a Democratic way to pick up the garbage,” McBride wrote. “Likewise, there is no Christian way to mow the grass and no Jewish or Muslim way to pave our roads.”
He then exhorted people to work for peace and wished them a joyous Christmas season.
Alderman Andrew Meindl, who is running for mayor in the upcoming local election, questioned the decision online. He wrote that the city government should focus on other priorities and issues such as city services, police and fire staffing, affordable housing, safety, infrastructure, climate adaptation, budgeting, and innovation.
