Town official quits over ‘Christmas’ tree lighting ceremony

She later submitted her letter of resignation to the municipal clerk’s office.

ROSELLE PARK, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey city council’s decision to add the word “Christmas” to the name of its tree-lighting ceremony prompted one council member to step down because it “turned it from a non-religious event to a religious one”. After Roselle Park changed the name of its “The Tree Lighting” to ‘The Christmas Tree Lighting, ‘ Councilwoman At-Large Charlene Storey quit, saying the move endorsed one religion over others. Storey, who said she was unaware the vote had been on the agenda, chose to take a stand after her fellow legislators voted 4-2 in favor of the change.

Information from: NJ Advance Media.

The new name of the event will remain in place, as approved by the council, the mayor and the councilwoman said.

“It’s just the experience of getting out in the country and being out on the farm enjoying the sights and sounds and the smells of the fragrance of the trees and all its just all about Christmas”, says Kent Hutchinson.

Storey and Hokanson said a misunderstanding between them before this week’s council meeting led to each feeling blindsided at the session. “I don’t mean to offend anybody in any way, shape or form, but it is a Christmas tree”, says Mayor Hokanson, “It’s not a holiday tree, it’s not a pear tree – it’s a Christmas tree, and this is the season”.

“She is a very good councilwoman who is very good at what she does for the borough”, Hokanson said.

The vote brings back the original name of the tree lighting ceremony, which was removed during the 1990s after a vote to change the name to “Annual Holiday Tree Lighting” won out.

On Thursday night, Roselle Park Mayor Carl Hokanson held a vote on flipping the event back to Christmas. Last month, Starbucks put out a plain, red cup for the holiday season, and discontinued the usual seasonal artwork on its cups, which in previous years included a reindeer and tree ornaments.

Storey could not be reached for comment at the writing of this article.