HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - December 7, 2005 Public CommentsContinued December 7, 2005
F. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIQ QN NQN-AGENDA ITEMS
• Ken Owen, Director of Christian Community Concerns, read a letter (filed) related to the
separation of church and stake and the use of "Happy Holidays" in lieu of "Merry Christmas".
He stated that Christian Community Concerns is launching a Keep Christ in Christmas
Campaign for the month of December. He provided information from the Alliance Defense
Fund and an audio tape of a presentation by Pastor Dale Edwards of Century Assembly
Church entitled, 'Why Christmas".
Council Member Hansen thanked Mr. Owen for bringing this matter forward. He commented that
the Country was founded on religious freedom and he voiced concern about people and groups
attempting to force their opinions on others, and in so doing, not allowing individuals to express
their own religious beliefs.
Mayor Beckman agreed with Mr. Hansen's statement.
G. COMMENTS BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS
• None.
H. COMMENTS BY THE CITY MANAGER ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS
City Manager King reviewed the following Council accomplishments that took place during
2005:
➢ Hired new City Manager;
➢ Initiated quarterly review of city utilities;
➢ Adopted ordinance ending age discrimination in the Citys workforce;
➢ Extended a labor agreement with Mid -Managers at no additional cost;
➢ Responded effectively to national media attention regarding terrorism;
➢ Raised awareness of Lodi Lake water quality issues;
➢ Supported non-profit and community events, e.g. Salvation Army, Community Partnership
for Families, Rotary 4th of July, etc.;
➢ Participated in regional governance issues through the San Joaquin Council of
Governments;
➢ Reopened the skate park;
➢ Settled the Lehman Brothers lawsuit and saved the City $24 million;
➢ Provided stable funding to remediate groundwater contamination;
➢ Stabilized the General Fund budget with no further reductions in the General Fund
amount;
➢ Updated and modernized the City's purchasing ordinance;
➢ Initiated the Lodi Budget Finance Committee;
➢ First in the County to complete tertiary treatment improvement for wastewater;
➢ Completed Kettleman Lane project;
➢ Accelerated Lower Sacramento Road project which saved $500,000;
➢ Ensured continued Greyhound bus service in Lodi;
➢ Allocated $725,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for seven community
projects and reallocated $300,000 in HOME funds for the housing assistance program;
➢ Addressed the greenbelt separator issue through the Greenbelt Task Force and 2x2x2
Committee;
➢ Adopted federally required Americans with Disability Act Transition Plan;
➢ Approved concept of downtown wine tasting rooms; and
➢ Appointed a Delta College Task Force to work toward a satellite campus in Lodi.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
4
December 2005
Kristian
P A , /I i k, -Q,
[ ;� _--) --- D s -
Community
,oncerns
Dear Lodi City Council Members & Staff:
The Christmas story is still the greatest story ever told. To think that the creator of the
universe would send heavens' best to redeem mankind is the wonder of wonders.
Another story that's almost as amazing as the birth of Jesus is mankind's rejection of the
Christmas story. There seems to be an all out attack to rid our country of any mention or
public display of Christ in the Christmas story these days. Christmas has historically
been the most celebrated holiday in America. However, the myth of the so called
"Separation of Church & State" has led to so many misconceptions and controvers that
many school administrators and public officials are removing
throughout the land.
Out of concern to not offend shoppers of different beliefs & backgrounds, merchants are
replacing the greeting "Merry Christmas" for happy holidays or Seasons greetings.
According to the "Alliance Defense Fund" this was never the intent of our Founding
Fathers. They state that the "U. S. Supreme Court has never ruled that the Constitution
requires Government officials to censor Christmas cards or displays, eliminate all
references to Christmas, or silence those who celebrate Christ's birth."
SCC M LAUNCM fI A KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN FOR
THE L4QNTIJ OF D CE R
The A.C.L.U. and other like minded organizations have been having a field day in
bringing law suits against Christmas displays throughout the nation for the last several
P.O. Box 367 9 Lodi, California • 95241 9 PhoneJFax (209) 368-0990
years, but that's beginning to change now because the Alliance Defense Fund is showing
up at court with their own lawsuits and winning.
MCE ULaNLE
Several years ago five major national ministries came together to form the ADF
organization specifically to combat the lies and distortions of the ACLU and other
organizations who's goal it is to completely secularize America, and remove Christianity
from all public displays from government buildings, and grounds.
They are FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, CORAL RIDGE 1VI IMTRIEL POINT OF
It is headed by Alan Sears who was the chief prosecuting attorney under Edwin Meese
and the pornography commission several years ago. CCC works with and supports all of
these ministries either in finances or other ways.
It is our desire to give you factual, reliable, information in order to equip you to know the
truth about what you as a Civic Leader can and cannot do in the area of Separation of
Church & State issues.
Ken Owen, Director