We can't leave for the holidays without a good old-fashioned "War on Christmas" story. So...
T'was the week before Christmas, and a couple of city council members in Green Bay, Wisconsin, put a large nativity scene on the roof of the City Hall entryway. You can imagine that this move was met with considerable controversy.
To mitigate the public outcry, Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt announced that the roof would be open to symbols of any faith.
The first to take him up on it? A Wiccan church, which installed a couple of pagan symbols next the manger. (In a somewhat ironic twist that underscores the actual origins of a lot of the symbols we associate with Christmas, the Wiccans' contributions were an evergreen wreath and a shiny, gold star.)
The controversy grew louder. Someone removed and vandalized the Wiccan wreath, and a Green Bay resident began campaigning for a Festivus pole (which, I'm sorry, is brilliant).
At that point, the mayor announced a moratorium on any new holiday decorations. Which was fine, except that it left the nativity and the original considerable controversy, including a threatened lawsuit and public outcry.
And that's where we are now.
Personally, I kinda liked the mayor's idea about welcoming all holiday symbols. Baby Jesus, pagan wreath, Festivus pole, Star of David, Kwanzaa candles, Rudolph, Frosty, a Starbucks gift card -- throw 'em all up there.
Although City Hall might need a bigger roof...
Zach Patton -- Executive Editor. Zach has written about a range of topics, including social policy issues and urban planning and design. Originally from Tennessee, he joined GOVERNING as a staff writer in 2004. He received the 2011 Jesse H. Neal Award for Outstanding Journalism
E-mail: zpatton@governing.com 
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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