Santa not allowed in Parade in Kensington, Maryland because TWO families complained (my title)

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[americanusa]

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 country 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."

[americanusa]

please please email them at: www.tok.org. on the left hand side is a list of the mayor, city council members, etc. email them and tell them how disgusting they are. Talk about being Policitically Correct only TWO families complained and that was enought to cancel Santa.

[tallhappy]

Dress up like Santa Claus and be in the parade.

Make them arrest you. Hundreds of Santas, hundreds of arrests?

[heavy12773]

my office is in kensington, md. what an embarrassment.

[c-five]

Lump of coal!

[EggsAckley]

If you're from Kensington, can you provide the name of a local newspaper?

[heavy12773]

i'm not sure there is a paper in kensington. i'm from silver spring - a few miles away. try the montgomery gazette that is our county paper

[paul51]

There must be an awful lot of wienies in this town. What will it take to make them stand up?

[EggsAckley]

Thanks.

[TADSLOS]

"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."

Santa may only smoke in his own home as long as no residual smoke is detected by his neighbors, otherwise he may be fined, and yes, Montgomery County Maryland, you are a national embarrassment.

[paul51]

Because two families in our town felt that they would be uncomfortable with Santa Claus being a part of our event

Heaven forbid anyone feel 'uncomfortable'. The people in this town must be pathetic to stand for this.

[DoughtyOne]

"We have become a national embarrassment."

Oh please, console yourselves.  Believe me, you're way beyond that!

[heavy12773]

fyi - montgomery county was the place where sobriety checkpoints were first instituted. this was in the early 80's. i should have moved away then.

[Ward Smythe]

"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.

Anybody got the goods on why they don't want Santa at a Christmas Tree lighting. Are they Conservative Christians, Jehovah's Witness (nope, wouldn't be there anyway), Muslims (not likely).... I could go on. Just who ARE these people?

Anybody know?

[americanusa]

what is the reaction to this in kensington? are people up in arms or just shaking there head and doing nothing about it?? Any boycotts planned?? Please email these idiots at www.tok.org. phone nunmber is 301-949-2424

[heavy12773]

there is a mormon temple in kensington. giant thing you cant miss from the beltway

[Paul Atreides]

Who's running that state, Barney Fife?!

[Elihu Burritt]

I have a right to tell you to keep your smoke out of my house. I assure you I will. What this town needs to consider is why it allows homes to be built that didn't prevent the problem from arising in the first place.

As for Santa, I would show up in a Santa Suit.

[Ward Smythe]

there is a mormon temple in kensington.

Been there, seen their Christmas lights. But do Mormons have a problem with Santa?

[heavy12773]

i dont know the reaction. unfortunately, i am leaving town this afternoon for several days. based on my take on the community, i would venture to guess there are a lot of unhappy people here.