Controversial Christmas Sign Restored in Front of Wash. Fire Station
After fire commissioners heard from a bunch of upset people, a Christmas message in front of the Oakville Fire Department's station that read "Unto Us a Savior is Born/Merry Christmas" was restored and the Christmas tree was turned back on.
The station is part of Grays Harbor Fire District #1 and residents packed the commissioners meeting Monday night to object to a decision they had made to have the sign removed from the property and the tree turned off, according to news radio station KXRO.
According to the radio station, the commissioners had received a complaint about the religious message on the town-owned property and asked the message be removed and the tree unplugged fearing legal backlash.
Firefighters posted their plight on social media over the weekend and had received support from around the world, and strong local support.
Overnight, the department's Facebook web page documented the commissioners' reversal with a message that simply stated: "AMAZING is all I can say. The sign is up and the tree is on!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS"
Reports indicate that the sign belongs to the firefighters, but the land upon which it is erected belongs to the town. Firefighters said no public funds were used on the sign, but the commissioners were concerned about the fact the land upon which it stood belonged to taxpayers.
After receiving comments from more than 20 people from the more than 100 who attended the meeting, the commissioners voted to have the message return and the tree illuminated, according to the radio station.
Immediately after the meeting, firefighters and residents went to the front of the station and watched as the letters were placed back on the sign.
AMAZING is all I can say. The sign is up and the tree is on!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS