Evergreen Bans Menorah

Good post mummy!

mummydog wrote: Ahhh, talk about kicking the hornet's nest....

Scott was formerly Deputy Director of Denver Parks and Rec, though has lived here in Evergreen for several years with his family (so, IMHO, he should understand the demographic and the fact that there is a sizeable Jewish population up here, as well as many "live and let live" folks who probably voted for Obama and are not disturbed by a menorah). He has also been parks director for Louisville or Lafayette, can't remember which, and worked for the National Park Service for many years. I've known him for awhile and he is a thoughtful fellow.

All that said, I do think this is a really bad mis-step. Viking's "let's get divorced before something happens" analogy is spot on, I love it! I can appreciate wanting to build a cooperative relationship with Denver, but at this point Denver has no $$$ to maintain its facilities up here, and probably needs EPRD more than they need Denver. I also doubt Denver has any resources to go out and see if anyone is placing menorah or other religious symbols on leased facilities. This could have been handled entirely differently, without a purely bureaucratic response.

I will be interested to see what happens at the EPRD board meeting tonight. If he has alienated a huge segment of the community, then he will have a lot of rebuilding to do, and what will have been the point?

Does anyone have contact info for his office to voice out opinion?

mummydog wrote: Ahhh, talk about kicking the hornet's nest....

Scott was formerly Deputy Director of Denver Parks and Rec, though has lived here in Evergreen for several years with his family (so, IMHO, he should understand the demographic and the fact that there is a sizeable Jewish population up here, as well as many "live and let live" folks who probably voted for Obama and are not disturbed by a menorah). He has also been parks director for Louisville or Lafayette, can't remember which, and worked for the National Park Service for many years. I've known him for awhile and he is a thoughtful fellow.

All that said, I do think this is a really bad mis-step. Viking's "let's get divorced before something happens" analogy is spot on, I love it! I can appreciate wanting to build a cooperative relationship with Denver, but at this point Denver has no $$$ to maintain its facilities up here, and probably needs EPRD more than they need Denver. I also doubt Denver has any resources to go out and see if anyone is placing menorah or other religious symbols on leased facilities. This could have been handled entirely differently, without a purely bureaucratic response.

I will be interested to see what happens at the EPRD board meeting tonight. If he has alienated a huge segment of the community, then he will have a lot of rebuilding to do, and what will have been the point?

And how often do they hold elections for that office?

Here you go:

http://www.evergreenrecreation.com/contact.php?id=9

And this is an appointed position, not elected. The BOD selects and approves candidates for appointment. The BOD is in fact elected and the website will indicate the terms.

In another development, Congregation Beth Evergreen has decided to support the District's position. I sense that the leaders feel that this could get real nasty and are trying to defuse the situation.

We will see what happens. I smell a kerfuffle brewing.

EPRD Board just reversed this decision, menorah will be allowed. Policy will be reviewed for the next year to be inclusive to all faiths.

:thumbsup:

mummydog wrote: EPRD Board just reversed this decision, menorah will be allowed. Policy will be reviewed for the next year to be inclusive to all faiths.

:woo hoo: :thumbsup: :woo hoo: :thumbsup:

I am glad this got settled for this year. Chanukah starts on the 21st.

For all the folks that were voicing their opinion on this topic, even if you are not Jewish, I hope that you can back up your convictions and maybe make it to one of the lighting ceremonies next week. Bring your skates and afterwards take a spin around the rink or a quick stroll through downtown Evergreen.

One thing that I don't believe was brought up during this mess, (Maybe I am playing devil's advocate on this comment): There is a synagogue in Evergreen for the Temple Beth Evergreen Congregation. This is one of only 2 in Jefferson County!! There appears to be ample room on that property to set up a menorah and enough parking for those who would attend. I know that Lake house is a beautiful setting to hold a ceremony. But instead of going through all this to to set up a display on public property, why not display it at the synagogue where more of the congregation is bound to see it. There are also other groups that use the synagogue building too. The synagogue is off the roadway a bit, so maybe security and visibility to the general public will be an issue on this idea.

For you armchair Jews, try decorating 8 christmas trees with lights. For every new night of Chanukah, plug in new tree. On Christmas eve you will have 5 trees lit and by the 28th all 8 will be lit.

We don't have enough lights so we wrap 8 deck posts in lights and light a new one each night. Of course we also have other lights outside and inside and a nicely decorated Christmas tree from Beaver Ranch Open Space in the living room.