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Massachusetts FD Ordered to Remove Merry Christmas Sign

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - An annual "Merry Christmas" sign on a North Andover fire station has been ordered removed.

Town officials told firefighters last week to take down the homemade sign after they said people complained.

Fire Chief William Martineau said Monday that the sign was made by firefighters about 50 years ago and never had been an issue before.

The order comes a week after selectmen voted to allow a menorah display on the town common for only one day instead of all eight days of Hanukkah. They said a new town common policy only allows displays to stay up for one day, no matter what they are.

Town Manager Mark Rees said the town's public buildings should not be displaying things specific to a particular religion.

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Information from: Eagle Tribune, http://www.eagletribune.com

Related
Bah! Humbug!: Town outlaws Merry Christmas sign

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Permalink Reply by Dennis L Dobbs on December 1, 2009 at 6:25pm

Here is how we went round about solution to a similar situation. Put the sign in someones truck. Possiably even park it across the street off city property.
A mainger scene was ordered off city property here in our city, it became a fire fighters personall property, each day it was someone elses.

Strange how a religious holiday brings out the best in the administration.
Merry Christmas to all

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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on December 1, 2009 at 6:34pm

And may the G.S.M.'s noodley appendage bless you as well...Ra men.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin OBrien on December 1, 2009 at 6:34pm

go to another country and stop trying to tell everyone else what is your opinion of what is right.

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Permalink Reply by Larry on December 1, 2009 at 6:37pm

~~<18>How about just celebrating FESTIVOUS....<18>~~

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on December 1, 2009 at 6:39pm

It always amazes me how damn dogmatic people get over something as silly as whether or not you can put up a sign that says merry christmas. A firehouse is municipal property, if the local government says no, then no it is. Why do people have to be such whiners about this stuff.
I gotta agree with this. It's a sign. Who cares?

Has PC gone too far? Probably, but that's the rules. Not much we can about it. Move on. Enjoy the holidays...

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Permalink Reply by Chris Sodd on December 1, 2009 at 6:42pm

Talk about a bunch of BULLSHIT !!!! If it was me, I think I would leave it up and tell them if they want a fire department it stays. We in this country bend over backwards to accomodate the minority to be "politicaly correct" . It needs to stop.

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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on December 1, 2009 at 6:44pm

I forgot about festivus...for the rest of us. Classic. And shouldn't offend anyone....ya'd think.

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on December 1, 2009 at 6:44pm

Talk about a bunch of BULLSHIT !!!! If it was me, I think I would leave it up and tell them if they want a fire department it stays

Of course on the flip side they can say the sign's gone or you are.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on December 1, 2009 at 6:46pm

Geez, I thought it was freedom of religion, not freedom FROM religion.
Isn't there something about free speech? You're offended? Get the hell out of MY COUNTRY!!!