A street banner the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce has erected along El Camino Real to promote San Clemente is being removed from public property after a local resident questioned whether its image of a Christian cross is compatible with separation of church and state.The banner depicts the tower at San Clemente Presbyterian, but does not name the church nor does it promote attendance at that church or any other. The tower is a landmark in town and completely appropriate on a banner promoting the city.The banner depicts a tower at San Clemente Presbyterian Church. The banner says "San Clemente, Love It."
It's one of about 80 banners the Chamber of Commerce displays on light poles along San Clemente's main highway from Avenida Pico south to Cristianitos Road. Other banners depict beach scenes, a skateboarder and various San Clemente themes.
George Scarborough, San Clemente's city manager, asked the Chamber of Commerce this week to swap the banner depicting the cross for a different theme after consulting with the city attorney and concluding "there is a potential legal issue."
Lynn Wood, chief executive of the chamber, said the banner would be removed as soon as possible, though she is saddened by it.
"With what just happened at Fort Hood and the war in Afghanistan and Iraq," she said, "I think it's sad that we can be focused on a banner and not looking at the big picture of what's going on in this world."
Susan Pierce, a local resident, sent an e-mail to San Clemente Mayor Lori Donchak on Oct. 29 saying she had noticed the banner and that "it seems to be inappropriate on public property."
"Can public funds be expended for church and religious symbol display?" she asked. "Can public property be used to display a religious symbol or structure?"
Pierce could not be reached for further comment.
Political correctness and the fear of lawsuits are causing us to be a nation of wimps.
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3 comments:
Yeah, but don't let's us be asking questions about Army major's tha kill soldiers because his Book told him to.
They need to change the name of the town if Christianity offends them. The town name is Spanish for Saint Clement.
The idiot that protested this ought to be put in stocks in the center of town so everyone can see who the jerk is. Why doesn't the town just have a vote and the majority will win, then follow the result of the vote. The heck with the simple minded people who are ruining our nation!
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