Councilwoman won’t quit over borough’s ‘Christmas’ tree after all

There is controversy in New Jersey over the word “Christmas” – city councilwoman Charlene Storey resigned just minutes after a vote that changed the town’s tree lighting to a “Christmas” tree lighting.

When reached today, Storey said she regretted having to resign, but said the change “cuts non-Christians out of the loop and favors one religion”. He says the outcome was Storey rescinding her resignation and the creation of a committee on diversity that she will lead.

The following statement was released by both Mayor Carl Hokanson and Councilwoman-At-Large Charlene Storey.

Across the country, fire departments responded to an average of 210 home structure fires per year that began with Christmas trees in 2009-2013, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

“I believe there is symbolism here in this tree of what they city can become and what Ms. Barry can do now that she is in office”, Brown said.

You are reading news and information on LongIsland.com, Long Island’s Most Popular Website, Since 1996. Storey still opposes the change.

“Donald Brown planted this tree one Christmas a long time ago for Tammie and her brother, Donald Brown Jr”.

The annual Christmas tree lighting happened in the downtown Chico plaza Friday night.

“Everybody’s entitled to his beliefs”, said Hokanson, who praised Storey for her work on the council.

“In light of recent news, some communities are choosing not to light their community Christmas trees”, said Chico Vice-Mayor, Sean Morgan. The mayor said fourth-ward Councilman M. Gino Elmarassy also voted against the name change.

Storey’s resignation from the six-member council is effective January 7, when the government re-organizes.