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Pocono News Section
Holiday Displays Return to Courthouse Lawn
Holiday Displays Return to Courthouse Lawn - Monday, December 21, 2009 at 12:06PM EST
Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Monday, Dec 21, 2009 @ 12:06pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- Some wise men, a couple reindeer, and Santa hitched a ride in the back of the Luzerne County grounds crew truck. Their destination? The same place they left Thursday morning -- the courthouse lawn.
"Ever since I was little, I remember seeing it out here," said Phil Mercadante of Wilkes-Barre. "When you take the manger scene away, you're taking Christ out of Christmas."
Many people driving by the courthouse Monday morning honked their horns in approval and shouted out, saying they were glad the religious displays were back.
"It's wonderful," said Nancy Hughes of Ashley. "I don't think it should have ever been taken down."
The county took down the displays after the American Civil Liberties Union threatened an injunction for having only religious displays on government property. ACLU attorney Mary Catherine Roper says the group doesn't plan to sue after compromising with the county.
"The county could put up a truly winter display, a celebration of the community and season that includes lots of different elements that we'd celebrate with all of the citizens of Wilkes-Barre," said Roper.
A law firm agreed to represent the county for free if a lawsuit was filed. Then, those attorneys chipped in some money to buy secular decorations as well. The manger and menorah have been here for decades. It's day one for the Clauses and their winter friends.
"It's tradition. That's how I look at it," said Frank Hughes of Ashley.
"It's just that the display is back up," said Nancy Hughes. "That's the most important thing." | | |
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