Associated Press
SEATTLE — Perhaps its heart or its shoes are no longer too small, but King County says it never meant to ban "Merry Christmas" at all.
County Executive Ron Sims’ office says a Nov. 9 memo urging county employees to use "religion-neutral" holiday greetings was merely intended to encourage sensitivity.
"If someone says, ‘Merry Christmas,’ that’s terrific. If someone says, ‘Happy Hannukah,’ that’s fine too," said Sims’ chief of staff, Tim Ceis. "Everybody’s free to express their sentiment in an appropriate manner."
The November memo from Sims urged employees to avoid mentioning religion during the season and to use greetings such as "Happy Holidays" or "Holiday Greetings."
The directive angered some local residents and county workers.
Sims said his intent "was to ask all of you to remember to be culturally sensitive and respectful of everyone here at work, and to realize that each of us may celebrate holidays differently."
Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.