HomeMy Public PortalAbout12/19/2005 specialCity of Greencastle
City Hall
One North Locust Street, P.O. Box 607
Greencastle, Indiana 46135
765.653.9211
t lenn@ueencastle com
Teresa P. Glenn
Clerk Treasurer
Greencastle Common Council Minutes
Special Session
December 19, 2005 5:30 P.M. Greencastle City Hall
I. Call to Order; Roll Call
A. Mayor Michael called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. Upon roll call all
councilors were present.
2006 Holiday Schedule Discussion
A. Mayor Michael outlined goals for this evening's discussion.
1. Council to reconsider renaming of Good Friday to Spring Holiday and
Christmas to Winter Holiday.
2. Each Council member an opportunity to make a statement explaining
their position on this issue.
1
Restoration of peace and understanding in our community by respecting
®
each other this evening.
4.
Mayor Michael's commented that she believes there has been a
misunderstanding about the intent of this council. We did not intend to
take religion out of holidays. The past six days have been difficult for our
council and she is asking this council for an amendment to have the
2006 Holiday Schedule restored as originally presented on December
13, 2005. Mayor Michael also stated that she hoped this one dark
moment would not take away from the many successes this council has
experienced.
B. Mayor Michael explained the procedures for this evening.
1.
Each Council member will be allowed to make a statement.
2.
Public comments regarding tonight's discussion only. It is very clear to
all by the presence here this evening and the many emails received how
the public feels about the decision made on December 13, 2005. We
need to focus on tonight's comments. Comments from the audience will
be limited to two minutes and not be repetitive. Each person wishing to
speak must come to the podium.
C. Statements from Mayor and Council
1.
Mayor Michael
a. Biggest regret is not having more discussion at the December 13,
2005 meeting.
2.
Councilor Tom Roach
®
a. Councilor Tom Roach read his prepared statement. His sole
purpose in requesting discussion on the matter of the 2006
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t Holiday Schedule was to show more religious tolerance to City of
Greencastle employees. The discussion on December 13 was 9
minutes and 20 seconds in length and during that time there were
no objections stated from anyone present. The vote was 4 yeas 0
nays. The objections were stated to the press after the meeting
was adjourned. Councilor Roach stated he felt this could have
been a positive action for our community. He apologized to his
family that this has caused threatening situations for them.
Councilor Roach emphasized he was not apologizing for his
actions.
3. Councilor Robert Sedlack
a. Councilor Sedlack began his statement by stating his
disappointment with the inaccurate and inflammatory headline in
the Banner Graphic following the December 13 meeting. He
stated there was no debate, no clash of opinions. Regrets there
was not more discussion at that time. Councilor Sedlack stated he
would like to see council deal with these two holidays separately;
retaining Christmas as Christmas due to the historically secular
term, however, he stated Good Friday is primarily a Christian term
and wishes to omit this date, replacing it with a floating holiday for
employees.
4. Councilor Russ Evans
• a. Councilor Evans read a brief statement. He stated regarding
changing the names of these holidays he was sorry about this
error and has been physically ill since this decision.
5. Councilor John Lanie
a. Councilor Lanie stated his apologies for acting so quickly
regarding this issue. Lanie shared how sorry he was and the
intention was to show tolerance and acceptance for all religious
affiliations of our city employees.
6. Councilor Mark Hammer
a. Councilor Hammer began his statement by commenting that he
was sorry he was out of town and did not attend the December
13, 2005 meeting. He stated that had he been here he would
have initiated discussion. Hammer continued that he felt this was
"political correctness run amok ". Freedom of religion is not
freedom from religion. With this change we have specifically
excluded Christians.
7. Mayor Michael asked Attorney Laurie Hardwick to comment on her
investigation of case law. Attorney Hardwick stated case law for
clarification. There are numerous cases regarding Christmas that have
been upheld by the Supreme Court. Separation of church and state is
understood, however, no institute exists within a vacuum.
D. Mayor Michael opened the meeting up for consideration of original holiday list
• as presented listing Friday, April 14 as Good Friday and December 24 as
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® Christmas Eve, December 25 as Christmas Day as well as the names of those
days as need for 7 day operations.
1. Councilor Russ Evans moved to amend decision to change 2006 Holiday
Schedule back to original 2006 Holiday Schedule as presented on
December 13, 2005, John Lanie seconded.
2. Councilor Sedlack made a substitute motion to consider these holidays
separately; omitting Good Friday and inserting a floating holiday and put
Christmas back as originally presented, second by Tom Roach.
3. Discussion
a. Discussion on substitute motion only. Russ Evans asked why
take Good Friday away. Bob Sedlack stated quintessentially this
has been a Christian Holiday not been made a secular holiday as
Christmas has. Councilor Evans stated he feels Good Friday is
as important to retain as Christmas. Councilor Lanie agreed.
Councilor Hammer commented that most government entities are
closed on Good Friday and it is presumed all government entities
would be also. We are not forcing Christianity on employees. He
suggested we study this further. Election Days would be more
appropriate for floating holidays. At this time Mayor Michael
opened the floor for comments, reminding everyone of the two
minute rule and to keep comments to what has been discussed
this evening.
b. Fourteen individuals spoke. Listed are those who spoke.
® i. Melvin Gaston
ii. George Murphey
iii. Faith Lenihan
iv. Jim Harris
v. Beth Newton Watson
vi. Kelsey Kauffman
vii. Claude Thompson
viii. Mike Houston
ix. Ted Jellan
x. Hiram Barger
A. Seth Amos
xii. Sam Gamble
xiii.Tom Ford
xiv.Mary Beams
c. Mayor Michael commented prior to vote asking for peace for this
community. Mayor Michael further stated that comments to the
Banner Graphic were never meant to cause Councilor Roach or
his family any problems. We need to be peacemakers when we
leave here this evening.
4. Mayor Michael called for the vote on motion by Councilor Sedlack,
second by Councilor Roach, 1 yea; Bob Sedlack, 4 nays, all others,
motion did not carry.
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