Christmas sign sparks controversy at Wash. firehouse

OAKVILLE, Wash. — Residents packed a commissioners meeting Monday night to try and take down a Christmas message in front of a fire station.

The reader board message in front of the Oakville (Wash.) Fire Department says, “Unto us a Savior is born. Merry Christmas,” KING5 reported. The decision to put up the message was made by five officers at the station. The sign and tree are on public property, but they were paid for with private donations.

Firefighters with the department said the fire chief got a call from a commissioner that they needed to take the message down or include all religions on the board after receiving a complaint. As a result, the words came down and the chief turned the Christmas lights off.

“Merry Christmas would have been okay if you had put something else with it,” Commissioner Edwards said. “I suggested he change it to ‘Happy Holidays or ‘Season’s Greetings.’”

There were so many residents at the meeting that it had to be moved from their meeting room into the truck bays. Legal issues were part of the debate that lasted more than an hour.

“I want to say Merry Christmas to everybody. Let’s go turn the Christmas lights back on and put the words back on the sign,” one community member said.

Commissioners voted 2-1 to have the message return on the board and the tree illuminated.