Based on television news reports, it appears that Leesburg resident Mary Czarnecki disassembled the crucified Santa display on the courthouse lawn under the watchful eye of an LCSO deputy, who did nothing to stop her or cite her for trespass or vandalism. It now appears that any persons wishing to take it upon themselves to remove any of the other displays—including the manger scene—will encounter no resistance from law enforcement.

Maybe it’s time for Constitutionally-minded citizens to resolve this embarrassing situation since the county government either doesn’t have the guts nor the wits to do it.
Just as embarrassing as our county government’s inability to protect our constitutional guarantee of church and state separation is the lack of interest local religious leaders have demonstrated in safe-guarding it. Why hasn’t Rev. Ohmer of St. James Episcopal Church contacted Scott York, urging him to prevent the government from showing preference for one religion over another? Why hasn’t Pastor Parsons at Leesburg Presbyterian written an op-ed asking Loudoun County to honor the Constitution’s Establishment Clause? Why hasn’t Beth Chaverim President Mark Raffman urged his congregants to write their supervisors, asking them to keep government out of their religious lives? Why hasn’t Pastor Jim Wishmyer of Leesburg United Methodist appeared before the Board of Supervisors asking them to let churches and temples and synagogues and mosques and stakes and other private properties take care of religious displays and messages, not the government?

Because if these religious leaders and their colleagues and followers truly believe in protecting their rights to worship and practice their beliefs as they please, they should be very concerned that government is trespassing on their turf. We really must ask why they remain silent?

I find it more than ironic that more attention is being given to a sycamore tree than to the Tree of Liberty.

Erv Addison

Lansdowne