CRANSTON -- For varying reasons, a majority of City Council
members don't like the holiday display unfolding on the front lawn of
City Hall that includes decorations ranging from a Nativity scene to a
parade of pink flamingos.
Many said yesterday that they agree with the American Civil Liberties
Union which is opposing the display on the grounds that it is
unconstitutional because it violates the principle of separation of
church and state.
The ACLU said Wednesday that it will file a lawsuit in federal court
against the city because of the display which is being erected -- one
decoration at a time -- by residents at the invitation of Republican
Mayor Stephen P. Laffey.
"Of course it's unconstitutional," said Democratic Councilman John
Lanni. "He [Laffey] knows it, his lawyers know it and the average
citizen knows it.
"This has been tested in just about every state in the country. And all
this is," Lanni said, "is a publicity stunt for the Laffey ego. This is
just so that people will know who he is when he runs for higher office."
Councilwoman Paula McFarland said that Laffey has done more than just
mix church and state. "He's mixed church and commercial symbols,"
McFarland said, alluding to the pink flamingos wearing little red hats
placed between a large menorah and a near-life-size Nativity scene.
"He's making a mockery of religion," she said. "Next, we'll have the
church of Santa Claus and the church of snowmen represented on the lawn.
And there's even the possibility of the church of Laffey."
Laffey, who was not available for comment yesterday, has defended the
display and his policy which gives his office the authority to decide
what decorations are "appropriate" and can be erected.
Laffey said earlier in the week that he did not think that the eclectic
display -- which now includes three Santas, an angel, and an inflatable
snowman plus the menorah, the Nativity scene and the flamingos -- is
covered by a 1984 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed the City of
Pawtucket to keep a creche in a park next to City Hall.
That decision found, in part, that the Nativity scene was just a small
part of a much larger holiday diorama that included Santa's reindeer,
candy canes and a wishing well.
Cranston City Councilwoman Cynthia Fogarty, a lawyer, said yesterday
that she agrees with the ACLU and she is concerned that the city might
have to spend taxpayers' money in court to defend the display. She is
also worried about the city opening itself up to the liability of having
to pay the ACLU's legal fees and other costs, if it loses.
Laffey, who yesterday was scheduled to preside over a menorah-lighting
ceremony in the front lobby of City Hall, has said that he has had ample
offers from local lawyers who are willing to represent the city free of
charge.
He approved the flamingos on Wednesday after resident Scott Bonelli
surreptitiously set them up Tuesday night along with a large sign that
brings greetings from "The Church of the Pink Flamingo."
Yesterday, Democratic Councilman Kirk McDonough decried the entire
display as no more than an insulting jumble of secular and religious
objects.
"I am particularly offended by the novelty of pink flamingos separating
the Nativity scene and the menorah," he said. "The lack of respect for
the two religions is an affront to all and should be rectified
immediately."
Republican Councilmen Allan Fung and Marc Ferolito both backed Laffey,
saying that they thought the display was legal and not offensive. "We're
creating kind of a diverse atmosphere," Fung said.
Citywide Councilman Randall Jackvony, also a Republican and the minority
leader, disagreed. He said that while he does not concur with the ACLU's
position, he does feel that it is inappropriate to have a display that
combines a Nativity scene with a snowman and multiple Santas.
"In my personal opinion, we should take all the items off the lawn
tomorrow," he said. "It's essentially making a mockery of religions when
you have them next to the Church of the Pink Flamingo."
"I'm a practicing Catholic. . . and while I think God has a sense of
humor, I think that there's only so far you can take it."
Councilwoman Ellen O'Hara said she agrees with the ACLU and is upset
that the display is making Cranston the brunt of many jokes.
"I was sort of hopeful that we had begun to turn the corner in Cranston
and get ourselves off the front page," she said referring to months of
headlines about the city's fiscal woes. "But I get up this morning to
find out that we are the laughing stock of the state once more."
DIGITAL EXTRA: Cast your vote on the relationship between holiday
decorations and government agencies, at:
http://www.projo.com/news/poll.htm
