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GoogleBut the Yuletide lighting of the park will go as scheduled today, the mayor said.
"We've had quite a bit of damage in the park," Jones told the Greene County Daily World.
Saturday morning, the mayor got a call about the damage done Friday night when vandals took down some of the Christmas lights, broke some of the bulbs and cut some wires.
In recent days, volunteers from the Linton Christian Church and other community organizations have been working hard to decorate the city park for the coming holiday season. Offenders from the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carlisle also pitched in last week and helped to string some of the lights and hang the decorations.
"I'm just absolutely appalled at this. I think it is nothing but absolute meanness," Jones said on Tuesday afternoon after taking a look at the actual damage.
To show his disgust for what happened in an effort to tarnish the work of many volunteers, Jones is digging into his own pocket and offering a $200 cash reward for information that leads to the apprehension and prosecution of the individual or individuals who are responsible for this damage.
"It's everybody's park. It's kind of a neutral place. It's a non-political area. It's something that is done for the entire community and I just don't understand why somebody would do that," Jones said. "They took the lights out of the holders and actually tore some strings of lights in two. I was so angry when I saw that."
The mayor said he just doesn't understand.
"I tell you I am very frustrated over this," Jones stressed. "I really would really, really like to do something about this. ... I just don't understand things like this. It is really a crime against everybody. It is just senseless."
The mayor said in dollar value, the damage wasn't really significant, but the perception that the park was violated unnecessarily has him miffed.
"It's not the dollar value that matters. It is really the loss to the city. It's the emotional damage. The dollar amount is probably trivial to the emotional damage done to a community event that now is tarnished. It is not about money," the mayor said. "Things like just have to stop."
Jones said he views the holiday decorations in the park as a place of solace during troubled and turmoil times.
"I just don't understand things like this. I am having a hard time dealing with this one," he said.
Jones said those responsible will be held accountable for their actions, if they are caught. If they are juveniles, he favors their parents taking responsibility. If they are adults, he wants them prosecuted to the extent the law will allow.
Repairs for most of the lights were expected to be made sometime today and the park will be aglow by nightfall, the mayor promised.
"We're are going to turn the lights on (today) and start the holiday season. Some of the lights aren't going to come on because they aren't going to be fixed," he concluded. "The official lighting will be (today)."
The mayor said the recent damage has made him have second-guessing about possibly installing security cameras at the park in the near future.
"It's a shame you have to do that. They ought to have more respect than that. I can tell you we are re-evaluating putting surveillance cameras in the park as we speak."
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This is always sad. We lived in Mobile Manor and use to decorate in the 90's, every year someone was always stealing, cutting lights, and etc. We did it for the children and older folks enjoyment. The kids, and/or adults needs punished that did this stuff. Suggestion: Make them also help taking it down (supervised) and putting it up next year.
There is a sign on a light post at the front of the park that says under video survalence, check the cameras.
I am saddened by such acts. Here it is holiday season and we always get reminded of how poorly some people are raised. No respect at all for others. Wouldn't love to face them and here their reason for doing this kind of vandalism? I am sure it would have nothing to do with politics, budgeting, or anything remotely sensible. No, you said it right, you just "can't understand!" I do cameras, as you know who I am, and it's a darn shame you would even have to consider spending thousands of dollars to stop such meaningless acts but as you know, thast's what it cost. If you do install night vision covert PTZ cams, they won't even know they are there and they will catch the activity. Then you can put the crooks on about 300 hours of community service REGARDLESS OF AGE! Good luck and happy holidays anyway! BO
I say put the cameras up.... I bet you would catch more than just vandals.....
this is the work of the devil and unless this community comes together and fights these senseless acts, they will continue. The people who committed these crimes must be caught and punished and publicly shamed. It is sad to think that they have not been raised to have respect for property that does not belong to them.
Good call to have the lighting as planned. We cannot let the work of the devil disrupt our Christmas celebration. This is a celebration of the birth of the Christ Child who brought love and hope to a dark and hopeless world. Let us celebrate His birth and show the devil that his evil ways will not succeed.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!
This statement "It's everybody's park. It's kind of a neutral place. It's a non-political area" raises a question. If it's neutral, then why are there Christian themes being displayed? If you allow this, then be prepared for ANY group wanting access to the park for their diplays.
I wondered about that, Minerfan. If the park is a public place, one would think nativity scenes would be out.
But happy holidays, all.
I know of a Wiccan coven that would like to put up a Yuletide display. Would that be okay? It would be very nice to see a variety of faiths (and even non-faiths as evidenced with the Atheist bus movement) represented in our park.
It's Merry Christmas !! Not Happy Holidays.... where did the true meaning of Christmas go ?
Wow...very sad.
I thought it was nice that the park was decorated. I hate that these people destroyed it and ruined it for us all! I am all for the park board to put up camera's. It could help with lost children (kidnappings) or other things such as drugs!!
The reason there is a nativity in the park is because Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. Simple. If you don't like it, don't celebrate. Your Wiccans can create their own holiday. See how popular that would be.
It's really very simple, anything detouring one away from the Bible is most definitely the work of the devil. Put all the religious denominations aside and focus on the bible for it does not lie.
I'm with virginiagrace on this one ...
"Good call to have the lighting as planned. We cannot let the work of the devil disrupt our Christmas celebration. This is a celebration of the birth of the Christ Child who brought love and hope to a dark and hopeless world. Let us celebrate His birth and show the devil that his evil ways will not succeed"
AAAAAAAAAAH!!!! ENOUGH with the political correctness you guys!!! People are getting FED UP with it!!!
As for the lights, it's just so senseless. Just an absolute lack of manners, decency and respect.
It is sad that the hard work of others to bring a little cheer to the community has been attacked.
The people who did this should be identified and be made to apolgize in public.
SarahM.--- When was christmas a day to celebrate witches??? They have a day of celebration. It's called halloween. I think you might have missed all the little kids(and adults,too) who ran around on Oct. 30 & 31. Since Christmas is the day we christians have set aside to celebrate the birth of our lord and savior, I don't see where wiccans would want to participate in this particular holiday.
But, nonetheless, here we are again sharing a HOLY HOLIDAY to worship the son of our God, the one whom we are not to have ANY OTHER GODS BEFORE! Just something to think about as we put up santa up, next to Jesus.
Lol. Your religious bigotry aside, either all faiths have the right to be represented in the park or none do. :)
There are actually several holy pagan holidays. One of them is on winter solstice and, believe it or not, many ofyour Christmas traditions stem from it.
Again, its either a public park or not. If only xtian symbols are allowed, well, I hope Linton is prepared for a lawsuit.
Some people feel quite secure in their home and they think that their neighborhood is just as secure as it can be.
In fact, just about everyone feels that way until something bad actually happens.
Bad things happen to good people, in good neighborhoods, even with security systems installed. To capture them and prosecute them requires identifying them. To ignore it or accept it would just not be responsible.
I agree with the idea of a surveillance system to help capture them or anyone else committing crimes.
I think the word "public" as in "public park" means the entire public, citizenry, populace, etc. is allowed to visit the park. I am pretty sure, unless Mr. Schneider got the quote wrong in the story, that the Mayor probably in fact did say public park, not Christian park. Everyone get your panties unbunched and focus on the story: vandalism was committed in the Linton city park.
please sarah m it is quite obvious you are not a christian but if you would read your Bible you may understand what Christmas is all about. Please don't let Satan continue to take you straight to hell. Jesus Loves You too!
Sarah M.
Hard to beleive that my faith in the ever-living & ever-present God gives you the right to call me a bigot!?! We are talking about CHRISTMAS aren't we. As CHRISTIANS, WE ARE COMMANDED BY OUR GOD NOT TO HAVE OTHER GODS or false idols BEFORE OUR GOD!!.The celebration of the birth of our lord and savoir does not include witches, other gods or idols of worship. This is not a debatable thing. If you are a christian. I am not a bigot, nor am I closed-minded. There are other religions, other religious holidays. They should all have their own special day on the calender. The truth of the matter is we should move the "true christmas" celebration to June or July to properly coincide with the birth of Jesus, and let all the other religions have dec.
I don't care about your god or religion at all. I care about public places supported by tax dollars following the laws regarding religious symbols.
I will pray for sarah m.
Like it or not, if any of the decorations are religious in nature,sarah m is legally correct. I'm not from Linton, so I don't know what is there.
From a civil standpoint she is correct but anyone who shuns the truth of Christ is very sadly wrong.
It is insane how quickly a simple conversation can turn into the words lawsuit! The wicin is right...however this story was about the senseless vandalisim of the city park. Not religion.
The park is used for alot of things it was just used to celebrate Halloween was it not? That most certainly is not a christian holiday.
Pound the pulpit someplace else. Throwing around reading your Bible and quotes on here just make you look bull headed and close minded.
I am a christian but, others have a right to believe how they want and should be allowed to voice their views if they choose to do so.
Kudos to the Mayor for offering up a reward. Shame on those of you who have turned it into more than that.
Have you asked to use the park for any purpose and been turned down? If so then you may have a beef until you ask and are not allowed why even throw the words lawsuit around?
OH, yeah we live in the SUE.S.A don't we??? I almost forgot!
"I am a christian but, others have a right to believe how they want and should be allowed to voice their views if they choose to do so"
And you also state "Pound the pulpit someplace else"
I don't believe anyone has contested anyones right to believe or voice their views within this thread except for you with the statement you just made above. Also I will never be shamed or ashamed for defending God in whatever the context or subject matter at anytime or place.
I do hope that the culprit(s) are discovered and also applaud the Mayor.
I'm out of here. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Come on people enough already... This story is about the park and the jerks that vandalized it.... When they are caught make them help take down the lights and to help next year by putting the lights out at the park... They are just dumb kids with nothing better to do
I will never understand why a person would get joy from damaging property. Shame on who ever is responsible!!
I'm asking MAY05-How do you know that "they are just dumb kids with nothing better to do"???Did you see the persons who committed the vandalism??? If so, you need to tell the police or the sheriff or face obstruction of justice charges yourself. Not all vandalism is the work of kids.
In the words of Charlie Brown..... good grief.
I have two words for ya, Sarah: Federal Holiday.
Let me repeat, Christmas is a FEDERAL HOLIDAY. Is there a federal holiday dedicated to athiests? No. Is there one dedicated to witches? No.
Christmas, however, is nationally recognized. And what exactly is Christmas?? The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. So, therefore, a nativity at the park is PERFECTLY acceptable. Like it or not, JESUS is what Christmas is all about!!!
Actually it's against the law to place a religious symbol on government property and not allow symbols of other religions. Again, I hope linton has a rainy day fund to pay if someone decides to sue. :). Like it or not, religious freedoms and expressions work for all or none.
Sarah M., there are plenty of trees, flowers, and birds out in the park for you to dance around and worship. While you're at it, please water them, put some bird seed out, and a litle MircleGro might not hurt either.
I guess we can talk of different religions, pagan displays, damage to the park. But if I post something about putting up video cameras instead of only signs, my post gets deleted (as it has from this story between last night and now).
Why are some of you so concerned about the type of decorations at the park? The people that should be the most concerned are the ones that participated and volunteered in the decorating. For goodness sake, look at your posts -- is this really what you want to be talking about? Sue, sue, sue then argue, argue, argue. Why is this the first thing that comes to mind? This is a wonderful and fun season. Is it necessary to look for fault in things that really don't matter to you, but may be significant to others (referring to the decorations)? Christmas decorations are beautiful and enjoyable by all even if you choose not to celebrate the holiday.
It is bad enough that someone tried to mess up the park lighting, but this blog is even more sad.
I rarely post on here, so everyone have a happy Thanksgiving.
What ev errrr.
As many have already written in their posts that this story is about vandalism not about what decorations were put up. Makes me wonder why a person would go to so many lengths with repeated posts on how unfair it is that only Christmas decorations are put up which in my opinion is so silly in the first place and I agree with the many other posts on that what other decorations would one put up since the celebration is about Christ and His birth not about some wiccan or witch or whomever else this poster can complain about why their birth isn't as celebrated. Makes me laugh at the idiocy of it all, we celebrate Christ birth at this time of year regardless of whether it is the precise date or not so that is the decorations that are put up even though they are not the only decorations put up this time of year. I don't think Santa is mentioned in the Bible as having anything to do with our Saviors birth but those decorations are put up as well and the kids love looking at them. All the talk about lawsuits is ridiculous, let's put up the cameras and catch the vandals, who cares why they did it, let them get their just dos for their stupid acts of destruction that they committed.
Jesus is the Reason for the Season!
Veritas Aequitas, gccitizen, PinkMarie, I thought all your posts were right on and very good, thank God for you!
And this one post in particular imo deserves the post of the week award by Raven, thanks for the good humor and wisdom, she said:
Sarah M., there are plenty of trees, flowers, and birds out in the park for you to dance around and worship. While you're at it, please water them, put some bird seed out, and a little MircleGro might not hurt either.
-- Posted by The Raven on Wed, thanks Raven, good post, kudos.
You are certainly free to worship the birth of Jesus--at church or on private property. Not in a park maintained by tax dollars. Or you can, but you also have to allow other holiday symbols. I know small town xtians aren't terribly cultured but there are several religions that celebrate this holiday season. Not just you (I know that's a difficult concept).
Sarah, you have a lot of nerve to call someone else a bigot! You sound very bigoted yourself against Christians. I am a small town "Xtian" as you put it and I'm quite cultured, thank you very much! Yes, I think we're all aware that other religions are celebrating as well, but 90% of Americans celebrate Christmas. Also, are you aware that the White House is owned by the government and maintained by tax dollars and they put up a nativity there each year?
What "most" people do is irrelevant when it comes to the law (although even I, an atheist, love Christmas...Santa, trees, turkey, I love it all). My concern is that all religions areallowed equal space. They would at the White House--what about in Linton?
I think the real point here is: Property destruction! Too many people today lack RESPECT FOR OTHERS!!! The park is beautiful and many are enjoying the lights. Hopefully they will be left alone so they can be ENJOYED!!!
Virginiagrace are you serious no I didn't see anything but I have lived in this town long enough to know that usually it's dumb kids with nothing better to do ... But you are right maybe it was a smart adult.... Come on don't be stupid!!!!
This couldn't have really happened. I thought when the city's administration closed the park at night, crime was going to come to a halt.
I'm pretty sure God didn't intend us to celebrate his birth by pagan symbols/traditions. The x-mas tree, lights, colors red and green, mistletoe, and even Saint Nicholas himself....all pagan.
All the self-proclaimed Christians need to get off the high-horse. If you're allowed to put up your Pagan decorations to celebrate the birth of Christ then we should let other religions put up their decorations.