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A very sad day in Berkley, indeed, when Jesus is not welcome. The mayor is quoted below saying "we want Santa,"...etc...The mayor has wanted the nativity gone from the very beginning. And she claims to be a devout christian. It is a travesty that the ACLU has fooled "christians" in our community, including all the clergy. It was disgraceful the way the pastors got up there and promoted giving it to the churches. Apparently they want to keep their Jesus in the churches. What kind of preachers want to keep Jesus only on church property? I am so upset by their actions, but this was just one battle in the war. Would appreciate any ideas from any discerning christians out there. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! Mom4Jesus, Berkley, MI
Creche voted off Berkley property
Council says Nativity scene will be displayed outside a church instead of in front of City Hall.
Jennifer Chambers / The Detroit News
BERKLEY -- The baby Jesus is evicted from City Hall.
In a move scorned by many angry residents who packed the Berkley City Hall on Monday night, the City Council voted 6-1 to give its 20-year-old creche to the Berkley Clergy Association to display outside a church on 12 Mile.
Before a packed meeting hall, residents and religious leaders hotly debated the two choices the council was considering. The council rejected keeping the creche on city property and adding numerous secular items to make the holiday display less vulnerable to legal challenges.
Resident Georgia Halloran, who organized opposition to moving the Nativity scene off city property, said the display is already within legal bounds as defined by the U.S. Supreme Court but she doesn't oppose adding secular items, whatever they may be.
"We believe it should stay right where it is. Moving it on church property is nothing but capitulation to the ACLU," Halloran said.
The creche, numerous figures made of colorful plastics, has graced City Hall property for the past 20 years with little controversy until last December, when the ACLU accused the city of violating the Constitution with the religious display.
This year a city ad hoc committee studied the issue and in September narrowed its options to three: move the creche to a nearby business property, establish a free-speech zone where religious groups can display their symbols or allow a coalition of religious leaders to decide where to place the scene.
On Oct. 16 more than 50 residents and observers clamored inside City Hall during a council meeting, some demanding the creche stay put, others encouraging the city to consider moving the display off city property or adding secular items.
More than six legal firms have offered the city free representation if it were to fight the ACLU.
Mayor Marilyn Stephan said the ad hoc committee came up with as many as six options but last week narrowed its list to two.
"We could put it up and do nothing else and we would be in court for sure," Stephan said.
City attorney Dale Schneider advised the committee that balancing the Nativity scene with secular items would put the city in compliance with the law.
He said secular items could include reindeer or some gift boxes.
Because the city is so cash strapped it has to solicit funds for its annual holiday parade and to pay workers to hang holiday decorations, Stephan was unsure how these new items would be paid for.
She also expressed concerns about the small amount of space outside City Hall where residents gather for the annual tree lighting and arrival of Santa, which is Dec. 2.
"It's a risk to the safety of the creche. We want Santa to come and do the Christmas tree lighting and for the safety of all who want to come, you can't have all that stuff around," she said.
Many council members said the financial risk of a lawsuit, cluttering up the front of City Hall and the lack of space on the front lawn prompted them to vote to move the display.
You can reach Jennifer Chambers at (248) 647-7402 or jchambers@detnews.com.
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