Despite concerns from the City Attorney about Establishment Clause problems, the Board of Aldermen of Branson, Missouri on Tuesday met and discussed a resolution declaring the city's support for the "Ozark Mountain Christmas". The Springfield (MO) News-Leader and Branson Daily News report on the push for tourism that is at the heart of the resolution. The resolution also urges local businesses to keep the word and spirit of "Christmas" in Christmas and to foster the history and heritage of the traditional American Christmas in Branson. Finally it encourages businesses and residents to display Christmas decorations in order to help visitors experience an old-fashioned Christmas. Alderman Stephen Marshall who proposed the resolution said that some businesses were not displaying Christmas lights. He said the resolution is not a religious statement, but is an attempt to promote an event for which Branson is known. City Attorney Paul Link will review the language of the resolution further before it is presented for final passage next Monday.
UPDATE: On Monday, Branson's Board of Aldermen unanimously approved an amended version of the resolution. The Springfield (MO) News-Leader reports that, as passed, the resolution expresses the board's "support of the celebration of Ozark Mountain Christmas," but omits sections that urged local businesses and residents to display Christmas decorations and "keep the word and spirit of 'Christmas' in Christmas."
