CORRECTION: Nativity Scene In Baraboo Causes Stir
Decorations On Sauk County Courthouse Grounds
Updated: 5:34 pm CST December 14, 2007
BARABOO, Wis. -- Some Baraboo residents are objecting to a nativity scene in front of the Sauk County Courthouse.
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TALKBACK: What Do You Think?The controversy started when one Baraboo resident lodged a complaint with the Sauk County Board, arguing that the decoration violated the separation of church and state.While the resident said he never intended for his comments to spark a public debate, they have done just that.The nativity scene sits on the grounds of the Sauk County Courthouse in downtown Baraboo, and the location is why some said the religious decoration shouldn't be there.Todd Wickus, president of the business district responsible for the decorations, said he was surprised by the complaint."My toy store has been here for 13 years. Throughout the 13 years, the only time I ever heard of anyone talking about the nativity scene was the one time it wasn't up on time," said Wickus, who owns the toy store Just Imagine and is president of Downtown Baraboo Inc.Downtown Baraboo Inc. has other Christmas-themed touches on the streets, but Wickus said the group is open to change."If the county wants us to remove (the nativity scene), not a problem. It's the county's decision," Wickus said.Tom Tate, a Reedsburg resident who was passing by the nativity scene, said that he generally agreed with that idea of moving the installation."I'm definitely a believer in the separation of church and state, so I think this applies to that," said Tate.So far, the Sauk County Board has decided to keep the nativity scene right where it is.But, Dan Barker, co-president of the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, said the county board needs to reconsider."The county should not be using its resources or property, or allowing its property to be used, to promote one religious viewpoint," Barker said.Barker said the issue is an important one and that it's worth fighting."This is not a waste of time because it helps to educate the public about the importance of the First Amendment keeping church and state separate. So in a sense we can thank these renegade counties for bringing this issue to our attention," Barker said.Wickus said that his group might rethink its decorating strategy next year."We've been doing what we've been doing because we've always done it. And maybe it's time to look at that again and see if it works for everybody involved," Wickus said.Sauk County Supervisor Al Dippel, who serves on the committee that voted unanimously to keep the nativity scene where it is, said he would be open to adding decorations from other religions to the courthouse display.
VIDEO: Watch The Report | TALKBACK: What Do You Think?The controversy started when one Baraboo resident lodged a complaint with the Sauk County Board, arguing that the decoration violated the separation of church and state.While the resident said he never intended for his comments to spark a public debate, they have done just that.The nativity scene sits on the grounds of the Sauk County Courthouse in downtown Baraboo, and the location is why some said the religious decoration shouldn't be there.Todd Wickus, president of the business district responsible for the decorations, said he was surprised by the complaint."My toy store has been here for 13 years. Throughout the 13 years, the only time I ever heard of anyone talking about the nativity scene was the one time it wasn't up on time," said Wickus, who owns the toy store Just Imagine and is president of Downtown Baraboo Inc.Downtown Baraboo Inc. has other Christmas-themed touches on the streets, but Wickus said the group is open to change."If the county wants us to remove (the nativity scene), not a problem. It's the county's decision," Wickus said.Tom Tate, a Reedsburg resident who was passing by the nativity scene, said that he generally agreed with that idea of moving the installation."I'm definitely a believer in the separation of church and state, so I think this applies to that," said Tate.So far, the Sauk County Board has decided to keep the nativity scene right where it is.But, Dan Barker, co-president of the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, said the county board needs to reconsider."The county should not be using its resources or property, or allowing its property to be used, to promote one religious viewpoint," Barker said.Barker said the issue is an important one and that it's worth fighting."This is not a waste of time because it helps to educate the public about the importance of the First Amendment keeping church and state separate. So in a sense we can thank these renegade counties for bringing this issue to our attention," Barker said.Wickus said that his group might rethink its decorating strategy next year."We've been doing what we've been doing because we've always done it. And maybe it's time to look at that again and see if it works for everybody involved," Wickus said.Sauk County Supervisor Al Dippel, who serves on the committee that voted unanimously to keep the nativity scene where it is, said he would be open to adding decorations from other religions to the courthouse display.Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
