Downtown Orange will be getting new Nativity scenes the year after one was removed because of atheists.
Tuesday, Orange County Commissioners Court voted to buy a $560 Nativity scene to replace one that was 20 to 30 years old. The new one will be 4-feet-2-inches tall and made of colored plastic. It will include baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary, along with the three wise men, shepherds, sheep, a donkey and a camel.
The display will be on the front lawn of the courthouse. Last year the county left the old plastic Nativity standing even after the city of Orange moved its Nativity.
Also on Tuesday, the Orange City Council voted to spend a total of about $8,629 for a life-size Nativity and manger. The tallest figure is a 6-foot-9-inch angel and one of the wise men is 6-feet tall. Public Works Director Jim Wolf said the total weight is about 1,000 pounds. The Nativity will take up about 200 square feet on the city hall front lawn.
Last year, city officials moved the smaller Nativity scene to a private park adjacent to city hall after the Orange County Atheists asked to display a greetings banner near the Christian symbol. Rather than put up the banner, the city removed the Nativity.
During summer workshop sessions, the city council agreed to budget $20,000 for holiday decorations after City Manager Dr. Shawn Oubre said court rulings have shown public entities may legally display the Nativity if it is part of a general holiday decoration.
The city is paying the $20,000 for the Nativity, a 9-foot Jewish menorah, a 10-foot toy soldier, 6-foot-2-inch snowman, four Victorian carolers and a Santa with sleigh.
District 2 Councilor Dr. Wayne Guidry was the only council member voting against the purchase order. He held up a Bible and said a true display of Christian heritage would be to spend the money on things Jesus would approve. He specifically mentioned that the local CASA does not have enough adult volunteers to represent abused and neglected children in the court system.
Guidry also questioned whether the displays and figures would fit at the First Financial Bank building on 16th Street. Wolf said the decorations should fit at the site. The city council in January voted to buy the 16th Street building and move city hall. Voting in favor of buying the decorations were District 1 Councilor Pat Pullen, District 3 Councilor Essie Bellfield and At-Large Councilor Larry Spears. District 4 Councilor Annette Pernell and At-Large Councilor Bill Mello were absent from the meeting.
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