Saturday, December 27, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
One Man's Tree...
So our HOA president claims the huge pine tree with the hundreds of colorful lights adorning the entrance to our community is not a "Christmas Tree," but rather a "Holiday Tree," representing all faiths and religions. Wow.
Perhaps those little cut-outs next to it are not really a "Nativity Scene," but a "Festive Barn with Baby," intended to instill Jews, Muslims and Sikhs with the spirit of the season.
And tomorrow, when they implant those huge, perendicular wooden beams with the figure of a man nailed to them, please don't confuse it with a crucfix; it's actually a "Jolly Lower Case t with Dangling Man," inviting all of us to enjoy the wonders of Winter.
Perhaps those little cut-outs next to it are not really a "Nativity Scene," but a "Festive Barn with Baby," intended to instill Jews, Muslims and Sikhs with the spirit of the season.
And tomorrow, when they implant those huge, perendicular wooden beams with the figure of a man nailed to them, please don't confuse it with a crucfix; it's actually a "Jolly Lower Case t with Dangling Man," inviting all of us to enjoy the wonders of Winter.
West side menorah goes up while tempers cool down
By Brian Charles
Signal Staff Writer
bcharles@the-signal.com
661-259-1234 x517
Posted: Dec. 11, 2008 10:11 p.m.
Updated: Dec. 12, 2008 4:59 a.m.
Harris Birken wanted to help his community heal and move on.
"I just wanted to get it done and put it behind us," Birken said as he assembled a menorah on the corner of Stevenson Ranch Parkway and Holmes Place on Thursday. Birken hoped erecting the menorah would quell a controversy that flared up Wednesday.
Stevenson Ranch Homeowners Association president Greg Waugh declined to place a menorah on the same strip of land where a holiday tree was lit Dec. 7. Waugh asked for volunteers from the community to place the menorah and no one stepped forward, he said.
He didn't want to place the menorah there himself because he is not Jewish and did not want the association endorsing one religion, Waugh said.
The decision enraged some association members and prompted letters from Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami protesting the association's decision.
Birken contacted Waugh Wednesday morning and volunteered to put up the menorah.
Birken, Blazer and Dave Bossert do not accuse Waugh of being anti-Semitic.
"I don't think (Waugh's) anti-Semetic," Birken said. "I don't think he hates Jews. He made a poor
decision."
Bossert, who publishes a Web site featuring association news and opinions, was dealing with the fallout of the story Wednesday.
"I have no idea why he wouldn't put (the menorah) up," Bossert said. "He would never give me a straight answer why."
Bossert said he was concerned about the menorah issue because the same thing happened at the association about 10 years ago.
"I am in an interfaith marriage," Bossert said Thursday. "My wife and children are Jewish, but I am not Jewish. I never made any threat to (Waugh) except to tell him there would be an outcry from the community."
Birken was on the corner Thursday looking for the perfect patch to place the menorah.
"How about right next to the nativity?" he asked.
Waugh is glad the controversy is behind him.
"I hope this helps ease the tension. I look forward to next year and having a wonderful event," Waugh said.
http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/6869/
Signal Staff Writer
bcharles@the-signal.com
661-259-1234 x517
Posted: Dec. 11, 2008 10:11 p.m.
Updated: Dec. 12, 2008 4:59 a.m.
Harris Birken wanted to help his community heal and move on.
"I just wanted to get it done and put it behind us," Birken said as he assembled a menorah on the corner of Stevenson Ranch Parkway and Holmes Place on Thursday. Birken hoped erecting the menorah would quell a controversy that flared up Wednesday.
Stevenson Ranch Homeowners Association president Greg Waugh declined to place a menorah on the same strip of land where a holiday tree was lit Dec. 7. Waugh asked for volunteers from the community to place the menorah and no one stepped forward, he said.
He didn't want to place the menorah there himself because he is not Jewish and did not want the association endorsing one religion, Waugh said.
The decision enraged some association members and prompted letters from Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami protesting the association's decision.
Birken contacted Waugh Wednesday morning and volunteered to put up the menorah.
Birken, Blazer and Dave Bossert do not accuse Waugh of being anti-Semitic.
"I don't think (Waugh's) anti-Semetic," Birken said. "I don't think he hates Jews. He made a poor
decision."
Bossert, who publishes a Web site featuring association news and opinions, was dealing with the fallout of the story Wednesday.
"I have no idea why he wouldn't put (the menorah) up," Bossert said. "He would never give me a straight answer why."
Bossert said he was concerned about the menorah issue because the same thing happened at the association about 10 years ago.
"I am in an interfaith marriage," Bossert said Thursday. "My wife and children are Jewish, but I am not Jewish. I never made any threat to (Waugh) except to tell him there would be an outcry from the community."
Birken was on the corner Thursday looking for the perfect patch to place the menorah.
"How about right next to the nativity?" he asked.
Waugh is glad the controversy is behind him.
"I hope this helps ease the tension. I look forward to next year and having a wonderful event," Waugh said.
http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/6869/
We'll Return Missing Menorah Once We Figure Out Where It Is
Posted by Matt Coker in A Clockwork Orange
December 11, 2008 12:13 PM
Permalink | Comments (2)
The Orange County Register reports that thieves have stolen a 6-foot-tall menorah from Orange's famous traffic circle, and city officials surmise it was lifted for its recycling value.
Not quite, Columbo.
Through this Police-Issue Timepiece's extraordinary powers of sleuthing, we have concluded peeved Santa Clarita Valleyites made off with the Hanukkah symbol.
See, The Signal community weekly newspaper reports that some locals of the Jewish persuasion (who knew?) are upset the Stevenson Ranch Homeowners Association's holiday display does not include an outdoor menorah. Obviously, the HOA informed the Jewish people to put up -- a menorah -- or shut up, but they were clueless as to where one would find a menorah in a place like Stevenson Ranch. It's not like there's a Nate'n Al on Old Road and Steinbeck. So these symbol snatchers shlepped into our fair county, snagged our 6-foot-high golden wonder and high-tailed it back to the Santa Clarita Valley before anyone was the wiser.
Anyone except us, that is. It's all right there in smeared black and white ink. You're welcome for solving the case, Orange County people of the Jewish persuasion!
We'd go retrieve the outdoor menorah ourselves if we could just figure out where the hell the Santa Clarita Valley is.
--OC Weekly
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/a-clockwork-orange/well-return-missing-menorah-on/
December 11, 2008 12:13 PM
Permalink | Comments (2)
The Orange County Register reports that thieves have stolen a 6-foot-tall menorah from Orange's famous traffic circle, and city officials surmise it was lifted for its recycling value.
Not quite, Columbo.
Through this Police-Issue Timepiece's extraordinary powers of sleuthing, we have concluded peeved Santa Clarita Valleyites made off with the Hanukkah symbol.
See, The Signal community weekly newspaper reports that some locals of the Jewish persuasion (who knew?) are upset the Stevenson Ranch Homeowners Association's holiday display does not include an outdoor menorah. Obviously, the HOA informed the Jewish people to put up -- a menorah -- or shut up, but they were clueless as to where one would find a menorah in a place like Stevenson Ranch. It's not like there's a Nate'n Al on Old Road and Steinbeck. So these symbol snatchers shlepped into our fair county, snagged our 6-foot-high golden wonder and high-tailed it back to the Santa Clarita Valley before anyone was the wiser.
Anyone except us, that is. It's all right there in smeared black and white ink. You're welcome for solving the case, Orange County people of the Jewish persuasion!
We'd go retrieve the outdoor menorah ourselves if we could just figure out where the hell the Santa Clarita Valley is.
--OC Weekly
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/a-clockwork-orange/well-return-missing-menorah-on/
Thursday, December 11, 2008
KCBS News Video
Interviews with Stevenson Ranch residents including Dawn Walker
http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=86053@kcbs.dayport.com
http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=86053@kcbs.dayport.com
Not a kosher scene on the west side
By Brian Charles
Signal Staff Writer
bcharles@the-signal.com
661-259-1234 x517
Posted: Dec. 10, 2008 9:38 p.m.
Updated: Dec. 11, 2008 4:59 a.m.
Holiday lights illuminated a debate over the meaning of Christmas and religious tolerance in Stevenson Ranch on Wednesday.
Stevenson Ranch Homeowners Association officials decorated and lit their holiday tree Dec. 7 with a ceremony that included a visit from Santa Claus.
"We make sure the ceremony isn't religious and the tree celebrates all faiths during the holiday," said Greg Waugh, association board president.
However, a menorah was not displayed and some Jewish residents were upset, said Waugh.
"The holiday celebration had Santa Claus, which is a symbol of Christmas. Without the menorah it begs the question, ‘Where is the Jewish community's representation at the event?'" said Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami.
The Dec. 7 tree lighting came days after a confrontation at the Dec. 3 West Ranch town council meeting, Waugh said.
He made a presentation before the town council and was asked by association members and town council president Dave Bossert whether Waugh was putting up a menorah.
"I said, ‘No, Dave, I am not putting up a menorah,' but anyone who wants to is welcome to do so," Waugh said.
He claims Bossert verbally threatened him and said there would be a problem if Waugh didn't put up the menorah. Waugh asked three Jewish families in the association if any of them were interested in putting up the menorah and all of them declined.
"I don't feel it's my place to put up the menorah because I am not Jewish and it's not the HOA's place to put up religious decorations," Waugh said.
The menorah is stored in a community locker owned by the homeowners association. The menorah is owned by Temple Beth Ami, Waugh said. In years past the menorah was put up by neighborhood volunteers, he said.
One of the volunteers was Bossert, who refused to volunteer to put up the menorah this year, Waugh said.
"That's a bunch of baloney. (Waugh) is trying to pin this on me," said Bossert, an association member.
"This is a community menorah. He is going to have to take responsibility for this."
Bossert, who is Jewish, said he was out of town the weekend of Dec. 6 and 7.
"What are we paying dues for?" Debbie Haas asked.
She said it's Waugh's duty to put up the menorah and is concerned he didn't feel comfortable doing so.
Bossert's Web site comments on the matter were distributed in an e-mail from Temple Beth Ami on Wednesday.
As the religious storm continued Wednesday a pre-approved nativity scene was erected on the site.
"This is not the best timing, but I don't think people are trying to stick it to us," Blazer said.
Waugh issued a statement late Wednesday afternoon that the HOA found a volunteer to display the menorah, he said. The menorah, which features nine candle-holders and has been a symbol of Judiasm for almost 3,000 years, should be in place today.
The damage will not be undone, Blazer said.
"How many Jews need to be here to acknowledge the Jewish community?" Blazer asked.
Waugh doesn't see the issue as resolved, either.
"It's a political mess that Mr. Bossert started," he said. "It's not resolved because he launched a miscommunication and propaganda campaign against me."
http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/6830/
Signal Staff Writer
bcharles@the-signal.com
661-259-1234 x517
Posted: Dec. 10, 2008 9:38 p.m.
Updated: Dec. 11, 2008 4:59 a.m.
Holiday lights illuminated a debate over the meaning of Christmas and religious tolerance in Stevenson Ranch on Wednesday.
Stevenson Ranch Homeowners Association officials decorated and lit their holiday tree Dec. 7 with a ceremony that included a visit from Santa Claus.
"We make sure the ceremony isn't religious and the tree celebrates all faiths during the holiday," said Greg Waugh, association board president.
However, a menorah was not displayed and some Jewish residents were upset, said Waugh.
"The holiday celebration had Santa Claus, which is a symbol of Christmas. Without the menorah it begs the question, ‘Where is the Jewish community's representation at the event?'" said Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami.
The Dec. 7 tree lighting came days after a confrontation at the Dec. 3 West Ranch town council meeting, Waugh said.
He made a presentation before the town council and was asked by association members and town council president Dave Bossert whether Waugh was putting up a menorah.
"I said, ‘No, Dave, I am not putting up a menorah,' but anyone who wants to is welcome to do so," Waugh said.
He claims Bossert verbally threatened him and said there would be a problem if Waugh didn't put up the menorah. Waugh asked three Jewish families in the association if any of them were interested in putting up the menorah and all of them declined.
"I don't feel it's my place to put up the menorah because I am not Jewish and it's not the HOA's place to put up religious decorations," Waugh said.
The menorah is stored in a community locker owned by the homeowners association. The menorah is owned by Temple Beth Ami, Waugh said. In years past the menorah was put up by neighborhood volunteers, he said.
One of the volunteers was Bossert, who refused to volunteer to put up the menorah this year, Waugh said.
"That's a bunch of baloney. (Waugh) is trying to pin this on me," said Bossert, an association member.
"This is a community menorah. He is going to have to take responsibility for this."
Bossert, who is Jewish, said he was out of town the weekend of Dec. 6 and 7.
"What are we paying dues for?" Debbie Haas asked.
She said it's Waugh's duty to put up the menorah and is concerned he didn't feel comfortable doing so.
Bossert's Web site comments on the matter were distributed in an e-mail from Temple Beth Ami on Wednesday.
As the religious storm continued Wednesday a pre-approved nativity scene was erected on the site.
"This is not the best timing, but I don't think people are trying to stick it to us," Blazer said.
Waugh issued a statement late Wednesday afternoon that the HOA found a volunteer to display the menorah, he said. The menorah, which features nine candle-holders and has been a symbol of Judiasm for almost 3,000 years, should be in place today.
The damage will not be undone, Blazer said.
"How many Jews need to be here to acknowledge the Jewish community?" Blazer asked.
Waugh doesn't see the issue as resolved, either.
"It's a political mess that Mr. Bossert started," he said. "It's not resolved because he launched a miscommunication and propaganda campaign against me."
http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/6830/
Missing Menorah Causes Major Flap
Written by Carol Rock
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Menorah tradition changes with secular holiday tree lighting.
Members of the Jewish community are upset about the lack of a menorah at the Holiday Tree Lighting Sunday night in Stevenson Ranch. The homeowners association, which puts on the event, chose a secular approach this year, angering some Jewish residents and prompting an internet storm of alleged discrimination by event organizers.
Greg Waugh, the president of the Stevenson Ranch HOA, would like to make it clear that the tree lit Sunday night was most definitely not a Christmas tree.
“It’s a holiday tree. The majority of the people in our community say it’s a holiday tree that represents everyone in the community. The board’s position is that it doesn’t represent one denomination or another. We light that tree in the holiday spirit.”
The event in question was secular, sans any religious presentations from church leaders. Sheriff’s deputies and fire fighters were there, along with Santa Claus, because, as Waugh pointed out “every kid wants to see Santa, whether they’re Christian or Jewish or whatever.”
Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami sees the situation differently, sending a copy of a neighborhood blog entry written by a former holiday event organizer to every congregant’s e-mail Wednesday morning, which the HOA deemed “overreacting.”
“I’m disappointed that they actually felt that we overreacted,” Blazer said. “He doesn’t understand how upset the community is that the menorah wasn’t included in the holiday decoration. It’s been part of the event every year. The reality is clear; he didn’t want to put it up. He can deal with the consequences.”
Blazer said he received a call Wednesday morning from Waugh, asking him to call off his congregants.
“His ignorance and arrogance was appalling,” Blazer said. “I thought he was calling to say they made a mistake and fix the situation, but that wasn’t the case. If you make a mistake, you take responsibility for it and fix it, you don’t make lame excuses for it.”
The seven-foot-high menorah was initially paid for by Temple Beth Ami, which also covered repairs when it was vandalized in 2006. Blazer said that traditionally, a different Stevenson Ranch family would light a candle each night during Hanukkah.
“The board is happy to have anyone put up a religious symbol, we just want them to clear it with us so we only have one symbol for each denomination,” Waugh said. “There’s a lady who bought a nativity set, she’s been working on this for months. We told her she could put it up but she just had to wait until after the tree lighting.”
Waugh said that a majority of the problems stem from a transfer of event organizers. One former board member oversaw the event for nearly a decade and stepped back two years ago. When the former organizer asked Waugh if the menorah was going to be put up, Waugh told him he could put it up after the event, just like the other resident.
“It’s not like we didn’t ask,” Waugh said. “Jewish people helped us plan and run the event, and all of them I talked with said they thought menorahs were more personal and appropriate in their homes.”
Liability is also a primary concern for homeowners’ associations and Stevenson Ranch is no exception.
“The HOA is supportive of every religion that wants to put something up. If the HOA was to put up the menorah, there would be liability. If it was vandalized, as it has been in the past, the homeowners association would be responsible for repairing it,” Waugh said.
“We’re getting complaints from Christian residents who are upset that we’re not calling it a Christmas tree, that we’re being too politically correct,” he continued. “We knew no matter what we did, the HOA was going to be in trouble.”
Blazer said people are still angry.
“The Jewish community is up in arms, I have congregants who have talked about taking the HOA to court. The issue is that it (the menorah) was not up for the holiday celebration. The damage is already done.”
Rabbi Ira Rosenfeld of Congregation Beth Shalom chose a more peaceful approach to the situation.
“I don’t like to look for the worst in a situation,” he said. “I try not to rush to judgment. I agree that they should have included the menorah in the celebration, but this can have the effect of opening up communication and we can discuss the issue. It sounds like it was a mistake, but now everyone can talk about it.”
Waugh said that by the end of the week, both a nativity scene and the menorah in question will be on display for the entire community to enjoy.
http://www.hometownstation.com/local-news/menorah-stevenson-clarita-2008-12-10-16-12.html
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Menorah tradition changes with secular holiday tree lighting.
Members of the Jewish community are upset about the lack of a menorah at the Holiday Tree Lighting Sunday night in Stevenson Ranch. The homeowners association, which puts on the event, chose a secular approach this year, angering some Jewish residents and prompting an internet storm of alleged discrimination by event organizers.
Greg Waugh, the president of the Stevenson Ranch HOA, would like to make it clear that the tree lit Sunday night was most definitely not a Christmas tree.
“It’s a holiday tree. The majority of the people in our community say it’s a holiday tree that represents everyone in the community. The board’s position is that it doesn’t represent one denomination or another. We light that tree in the holiday spirit.”
The event in question was secular, sans any religious presentations from church leaders. Sheriff’s deputies and fire fighters were there, along with Santa Claus, because, as Waugh pointed out “every kid wants to see Santa, whether they’re Christian or Jewish or whatever.”
Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami sees the situation differently, sending a copy of a neighborhood blog entry written by a former holiday event organizer to every congregant’s e-mail Wednesday morning, which the HOA deemed “overreacting.”
“I’m disappointed that they actually felt that we overreacted,” Blazer said. “He doesn’t understand how upset the community is that the menorah wasn’t included in the holiday decoration. It’s been part of the event every year. The reality is clear; he didn’t want to put it up. He can deal with the consequences.”
Blazer said he received a call Wednesday morning from Waugh, asking him to call off his congregants.
“His ignorance and arrogance was appalling,” Blazer said. “I thought he was calling to say they made a mistake and fix the situation, but that wasn’t the case. If you make a mistake, you take responsibility for it and fix it, you don’t make lame excuses for it.”
The seven-foot-high menorah was initially paid for by Temple Beth Ami, which also covered repairs when it was vandalized in 2006. Blazer said that traditionally, a different Stevenson Ranch family would light a candle each night during Hanukkah.
“The board is happy to have anyone put up a religious symbol, we just want them to clear it with us so we only have one symbol for each denomination,” Waugh said. “There’s a lady who bought a nativity set, she’s been working on this for months. We told her she could put it up but she just had to wait until after the tree lighting.”
Waugh said that a majority of the problems stem from a transfer of event organizers. One former board member oversaw the event for nearly a decade and stepped back two years ago. When the former organizer asked Waugh if the menorah was going to be put up, Waugh told him he could put it up after the event, just like the other resident.
“It’s not like we didn’t ask,” Waugh said. “Jewish people helped us plan and run the event, and all of them I talked with said they thought menorahs were more personal and appropriate in their homes.”
Liability is also a primary concern for homeowners’ associations and Stevenson Ranch is no exception.
“The HOA is supportive of every religion that wants to put something up. If the HOA was to put up the menorah, there would be liability. If it was vandalized, as it has been in the past, the homeowners association would be responsible for repairing it,” Waugh said.
“We’re getting complaints from Christian residents who are upset that we’re not calling it a Christmas tree, that we’re being too politically correct,” he continued. “We knew no matter what we did, the HOA was going to be in trouble.”
Blazer said people are still angry.
“The Jewish community is up in arms, I have congregants who have talked about taking the HOA to court. The issue is that it (the menorah) was not up for the holiday celebration. The damage is already done.”
Rabbi Ira Rosenfeld of Congregation Beth Shalom chose a more peaceful approach to the situation.
“I don’t like to look for the worst in a situation,” he said. “I try not to rush to judgment. I agree that they should have included the menorah in the celebration, but this can have the effect of opening up communication and we can discuss the issue. It sounds like it was a mistake, but now everyone can talk about it.”
Waugh said that by the end of the week, both a nativity scene and the menorah in question will be on display for the entire community to enjoy.
http://www.hometownstation.com/local-news/menorah-stevenson-clarita-2008-12-10-16-12.html
Stevenson Ranch Menorah to be installed today after uproar
From Rockefeller Center in New York to Washington D.C. to the Valencia Town Center Mall, Menorah’s have been a part of December holiday celebrations regularly. After a major blunder on the part of this year’s community Holiday celebration organizer the Stevenson Ranch community Menorah will be erected at mid-day to today, Thursday December 11, 2008.
As was reported in The Beacon first, the Stevenson Ranch Community Association sponsored a holiday celebration on Sunday, December 7, but did not include the Menorah which had been a community tradition for many years. The event organizer, HOA President Greg Waugh, refused to include the Menorah as part of the celebration claiming that there would only be a “holiday” tree.
Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami sent out an email blast with a link to the Monday Beacon story to his congregation and other interested parties which helped to mobilize the community. As a result, several residents offered to help and a member of the Temple Beth Ami congregation has volunteered to install the Menorah.
In the wake of the storm of controversy this week, HOA President Greg Waugh has been trying to do damage control via emails and press interviews. Several HOA board members have complained that those mails are not properly being vetted with the full board.
Rather than a straight apology for the holiday celebration slight Mr. Waugh has offered up several explanations of his rational for excluding the Menorah from the event he organized. In an email sent out yesterday, Waugh says; “……the tree with lights is not a “Christmas Tree”…….The tree is simply a “holiday tree” that represents all faiths within our community.”
Several residents have commented that that explanation is just “backpedaling” on the part of Greg Waugh. One resident said; “I am sorry, but 99.9% of Jews, with the exception of course of inter-faith marriages, do not put up a “holiday tree”. Therefore, for you to make that statement is not very accurate.”
Stevenson Ranch resident BJ Kaufman who was interviewed on KCBS, Channel 2 News yesterday and commented on a Beacon posting said; “That this is a ‘holiday tree’ is bunk. The tree is and always has been a symbol of Christmas. Don’t short change the importance of the meaning of the holiday. She went on to say; “That there were no volunteers to put up the Menorah seems odd as there has never been a shortage in years past.”
With the Menorah now going up today some residents are now wondering if there will be a public apology issued by the full Stevenson Ranch Community Association Board of directors.
As was reported in The Beacon first, the Stevenson Ranch Community Association sponsored a holiday celebration on Sunday, December 7, but did not include the Menorah which had been a community tradition for many years. The event organizer, HOA President Greg Waugh, refused to include the Menorah as part of the celebration claiming that there would only be a “holiday” tree.
Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami sent out an email blast with a link to the Monday Beacon story to his congregation and other interested parties which helped to mobilize the community. As a result, several residents offered to help and a member of the Temple Beth Ami congregation has volunteered to install the Menorah.
In the wake of the storm of controversy this week, HOA President Greg Waugh has been trying to do damage control via emails and press interviews. Several HOA board members have complained that those mails are not properly being vetted with the full board.
Rather than a straight apology for the holiday celebration slight Mr. Waugh has offered up several explanations of his rational for excluding the Menorah from the event he organized. In an email sent out yesterday, Waugh says; “……the tree with lights is not a “Christmas Tree”…….The tree is simply a “holiday tree” that represents all faiths within our community.”
Several residents have commented that that explanation is just “backpedaling” on the part of Greg Waugh. One resident said; “I am sorry, but 99.9% of Jews, with the exception of course of inter-faith marriages, do not put up a “holiday tree”. Therefore, for you to make that statement is not very accurate.”
Stevenson Ranch resident BJ Kaufman who was interviewed on KCBS, Channel 2 News yesterday and commented on a Beacon posting said; “That this is a ‘holiday tree’ is bunk. The tree is and always has been a symbol of Christmas. Don’t short change the importance of the meaning of the holiday. She went on to say; “That there were no volunteers to put up the Menorah seems odd as there has never been a shortage in years past.”
With the Menorah now going up today some residents are now wondering if there will be a public apology issued by the full Stevenson Ranch Community Association Board of directors.
http://westranchbeacon.com/blog/?p=7637
-- West Ranch Beacon
Response from HOA President Greg Waugh
Dear friend or fellow homeowner,
This e-mail is in response to the blog post and forwarding of that post by Temple Beth Ami this morning. I hope that you will take the time to read my thoughts and then weigh them against the information provided previously. Throughout the course of the day I have been interviewed by a number of news sources and would encourage you to listen/read those reports as well. But I felt it was important that I respond directly.
Rabbi Marc, I would ask for your consideration in forwarding this e-mail out to your congregation. I have instructed Euclid Management Company to make a return call to all of those who have left voice mails. The intent is for Euclid to retrieve an e-mail or fax address that can be used to forward this response.
Allow me to clarify a few points first, line by line, and then provide some supporting details.
(1) I am one member of a Board of five that makes decisions with regards to our HOA. While I am the president, I am but one vote and cannot overrule or overturn Board decisions without a majority agreement.
(2) From the HOA’s perspective, the tree with lights is not a “Christmas Tree” nor is our intent to represent one faith with that tree. The tree is simply a “holiday tree” that represents all faiths within our community.
(3) Any religious denomination that would like to have a symbol of their faith for display in conjunction with our HOA holiday tree is welcome to do so. No one has ever been turned down nor denied equal access to erect a symbol. Please keep in mind that these individual symbols are erected by a homeowner within The Ranch who has voluntarily come to the Board and asked to emplace the symbol. The Board works with that homeowner to make sure the symbol fits certain guidelines (the size, the amount of flair, etc.). But as long as the symbol is within reason, the Board will approve that homeowner’s ability to erect the symbol at their own risk. The HOA provides electrical access. This ability to erect a symbol is treated on a first-come-first-served basis so that we do not have more than one symbol per religious faith.
(4) This year the Board (me included) asked a number of homeowners if they would be interested in erecting the Menorah that is traditionally out with the holiday tree. Until today, everyone asked has said “no.” Dave Bossert, who has put the Menorah up for the past nine or ten years, also said that he would not put up the Menorah.
(5) Our Tree Lighting Ceremony put on this Sunday was planned, organized, and run by people of all faiths.
(6) The Ceremony was intentionally and specifically planned so that it was as non-denominational as possible. There were no speeches from any religious leaders nor any prayers offered. While the Girl Scouts handed out candy canes, they also handed out gelt which is traditionally Jewish.
(7) This year the Board decided that the religious symbols, as erected by homeowners, would not be put up until after the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony was done.
Please keep in mind that your HOA Board is a multi-denominational group of people. In addition, no matter what decisions or direction we were to take with respect to our ceremony, this is a “no-win” situation. What the Board nor I counted on was having a misleading blog posted and then for that blog to be publicized in the manner that it was.
What is the fall-out from all of this? Quite simply the fall-out is that community events like this will cease to occur in the Ranch because no one will be willing to take the risk of being slandered from unfair reactions.
Our HOA hosted a non-denominational festival that many, many of our children thoroughly enjoyed and talked about for days following. Our HOA has been openly receptive to any homeowner who would like to place a religious symbol of their faith ~ no one has ever been turned down that I am aware of.
Feel free to forward this e-mail to any fellow homeowners.
Warm regards,
Greg
HOA President
This e-mail is in response to the blog post and forwarding of that post by Temple Beth Ami this morning. I hope that you will take the time to read my thoughts and then weigh them against the information provided previously. Throughout the course of the day I have been interviewed by a number of news sources and would encourage you to listen/read those reports as well. But I felt it was important that I respond directly.
Rabbi Marc, I would ask for your consideration in forwarding this e-mail out to your congregation. I have instructed Euclid Management Company to make a return call to all of those who have left voice mails. The intent is for Euclid to retrieve an e-mail or fax address that can be used to forward this response.
Allow me to clarify a few points first, line by line, and then provide some supporting details.
(1) I am one member of a Board of five that makes decisions with regards to our HOA. While I am the president, I am but one vote and cannot overrule or overturn Board decisions without a majority agreement.
(2) From the HOA’s perspective, the tree with lights is not a “Christmas Tree” nor is our intent to represent one faith with that tree. The tree is simply a “holiday tree” that represents all faiths within our community.
(3) Any religious denomination that would like to have a symbol of their faith for display in conjunction with our HOA holiday tree is welcome to do so. No one has ever been turned down nor denied equal access to erect a symbol. Please keep in mind that these individual symbols are erected by a homeowner within The Ranch who has voluntarily come to the Board and asked to emplace the symbol. The Board works with that homeowner to make sure the symbol fits certain guidelines (the size, the amount of flair, etc.). But as long as the symbol is within reason, the Board will approve that homeowner’s ability to erect the symbol at their own risk. The HOA provides electrical access. This ability to erect a symbol is treated on a first-come-first-served basis so that we do not have more than one symbol per religious faith.
(4) This year the Board (me included) asked a number of homeowners if they would be interested in erecting the Menorah that is traditionally out with the holiday tree. Until today, everyone asked has said “no.” Dave Bossert, who has put the Menorah up for the past nine or ten years, also said that he would not put up the Menorah.
(5) Our Tree Lighting Ceremony put on this Sunday was planned, organized, and run by people of all faiths.
(6) The Ceremony was intentionally and specifically planned so that it was as non-denominational as possible. There were no speeches from any religious leaders nor any prayers offered. While the Girl Scouts handed out candy canes, they also handed out gelt which is traditionally Jewish.
(7) This year the Board decided that the religious symbols, as erected by homeowners, would not be put up until after the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony was done.
Please keep in mind that your HOA Board is a multi-denominational group of people. In addition, no matter what decisions or direction we were to take with respect to our ceremony, this is a “no-win” situation. What the Board nor I counted on was having a misleading blog posted and then for that blog to be publicized in the manner that it was.
What is the fall-out from all of this? Quite simply the fall-out is that community events like this will cease to occur in the Ranch because no one will be willing to take the risk of being slandered from unfair reactions.
Our HOA hosted a non-denominational festival that many, many of our children thoroughly enjoyed and talked about for days following. Our HOA has been openly receptive to any homeowner who would like to place a religious symbol of their faith ~ no one has ever been turned down that I am aware of.
Feel free to forward this e-mail to any fellow homeowners.
Warm regards,
Greg
HOA President
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Commentary: The Community HOA Members deserves inclusion, tolerance and respect
This past weekend the Stevenson Ranch Community Association (HOA) held a revival of the holiday event that had been done years ago. In fact, the community has not had a holiday celebration event since at least December of 2000. The event stopped back then because of a lack of volunteers in the community.
The last seven or eight years there were a few community volunteers that made sure that the lights went up on the large evergreen tree across from the waterfall on Stevenson Ranch Parkway and that the Menorah was in stalled nearby. So it is actually great to see new volunteers take on this endeavor and resurrect what had been a bit of a tradition in the community. The organizer for this year’s event was the HOA President Greg Waugh.
What was troubling though about this year’s event was that there was a blatant refusal to install the Menorah. In the past the Menorah was always part of the community holiday celebration. The Menorah along with the Christmas lights on the large tree represented essentially the two major religions in the Stevenson Ranch community.
What I have a hard time understanding is why? It is hard to understand why Mr. Waugh so arrogantly refused to include the Menorah in the event. After all Hanukkah, the festival of lights is celebrated by quite a number of Jewish families in the community. There is already a community Menorah and it would just need to be setup and plugged in.
So what was the underlying motivation to so adamantly refuse to allow the Menorah to part of a community holiday celebration? Was it just an outsized ego kicking in, misguided authority, that he could say no just because he thought he could or is there something more going on below the surface.
I personally ask if the Menorah was being put up and the response was a flat out “no”. It was not a very nice “no” at that either. When I pressed the issue and said that the Menorah had been a part of the communities decorations for more than a decade that argument feel on deaf ears. All Greg Waugh said was, “Well, times are changing!
What does that mean “times are changing”? Is there some kind of new edict that a segment of the community does not count anymore or that the HOA will no longer recognize and include some of its members?
Let’s get real for a moment. Many years ago, back in the 1990’s, some HOA members got together to discuss what the policy would be for the community holiday decorations. It was a mix of local religious leaders and residents with a mix of religious backgrounds.
Those residents had a very thoughtful discussion on what should be included in the community holiday decorations and celebrations. The large tree strung with lights was no doubt a traditional symbol of Christmas and the Menorah the traditional symbol of Hanukkah. Since those are the holidays observed by a large portion of the community it seemed to make sense. And if there were other holidays that a resident celebrated and wanted recognition than those would be discussed as they came up.
It just so happens that one year a resident wanted a decoration placed for the Muslim celebration of Ramadan. Not a problem, we just asked that resident to volunteer in being a part of identifying the proper decoration and helping to install it.
That is an example of tolerance and inclusion in the community and something that our HOA should not only be striving for but also openly welcoming. There is no reason to indignantly dig in ones heels just “because” and refuse the inclusion of all community members. Especially when it comes to including members of the community in an event that is essentially being paid for with those same member’s funds.
Excluding anyone in the HOA community from participating in an HOA funded event is not only wrong it is discrimination. That is not what the Stevenson Ranch community is about nor should it be tolerated from anyone. We need leadership at the HOA that is inclusive, tolerate and respectful of its members.
If you are as outraged as I am about the exclusion of the Menorah from the Stevenson Ranch holiday celebration than please voice your opinion. Take a moment and call Euclid Management, the Stevenson Ranch HOA management company, at 661-294-5270 and make your voice heard. As a community we deserve better!!
Dave Bossert
Commentary
Dave Bossert is a community volunteer who serves on a number of boards and councils. His commentaries represent his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon.
http://westranchbeacon.com/blog/?p=7599
-- West Ranch Beacon
The last seven or eight years there were a few community volunteers that made sure that the lights went up on the large evergreen tree across from the waterfall on Stevenson Ranch Parkway and that the Menorah was in stalled nearby. So it is actually great to see new volunteers take on this endeavor and resurrect what had been a bit of a tradition in the community. The organizer for this year’s event was the HOA President Greg Waugh.
What was troubling though about this year’s event was that there was a blatant refusal to install the Menorah. In the past the Menorah was always part of the community holiday celebration. The Menorah along with the Christmas lights on the large tree represented essentially the two major religions in the Stevenson Ranch community.
What I have a hard time understanding is why? It is hard to understand why Mr. Waugh so arrogantly refused to include the Menorah in the event. After all Hanukkah, the festival of lights is celebrated by quite a number of Jewish families in the community. There is already a community Menorah and it would just need to be setup and plugged in.
So what was the underlying motivation to so adamantly refuse to allow the Menorah to part of a community holiday celebration? Was it just an outsized ego kicking in, misguided authority, that he could say no just because he thought he could or is there something more going on below the surface.
I personally ask if the Menorah was being put up and the response was a flat out “no”. It was not a very nice “no” at that either. When I pressed the issue and said that the Menorah had been a part of the communities decorations for more than a decade that argument feel on deaf ears. All Greg Waugh said was, “Well, times are changing!
What does that mean “times are changing”? Is there some kind of new edict that a segment of the community does not count anymore or that the HOA will no longer recognize and include some of its members?
Let’s get real for a moment. Many years ago, back in the 1990’s, some HOA members got together to discuss what the policy would be for the community holiday decorations. It was a mix of local religious leaders and residents with a mix of religious backgrounds.
Those residents had a very thoughtful discussion on what should be included in the community holiday decorations and celebrations. The large tree strung with lights was no doubt a traditional symbol of Christmas and the Menorah the traditional symbol of Hanukkah. Since those are the holidays observed by a large portion of the community it seemed to make sense. And if there were other holidays that a resident celebrated and wanted recognition than those would be discussed as they came up.
It just so happens that one year a resident wanted a decoration placed for the Muslim celebration of Ramadan. Not a problem, we just asked that resident to volunteer in being a part of identifying the proper decoration and helping to install it.
That is an example of tolerance and inclusion in the community and something that our HOA should not only be striving for but also openly welcoming. There is no reason to indignantly dig in ones heels just “because” and refuse the inclusion of all community members. Especially when it comes to including members of the community in an event that is essentially being paid for with those same member’s funds.
Excluding anyone in the HOA community from participating in an HOA funded event is not only wrong it is discrimination. That is not what the Stevenson Ranch community is about nor should it be tolerated from anyone. We need leadership at the HOA that is inclusive, tolerate and respectful of its members.
If you are as outraged as I am about the exclusion of the Menorah from the Stevenson Ranch holiday celebration than please voice your opinion. Take a moment and call Euclid Management, the Stevenson Ranch HOA management company, at 661-294-5270 and make your voice heard. As a community we deserve better!!
Dave Bossert
Commentary
Dave Bossert is a community volunteer who serves on a number of boards and councils. His commentaries represent his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon.
http://westranchbeacon.com/blog/?p=7599
-- West Ranch Beacon
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