Every council meeting has a time allocation for public comments, on both agenda and non-agenda items, known as Courtesy of the Floor. Recently, residents have used it to raise opinions about religion and that the Christmas City should show an official preference.

At the end of the Nov. 16 meeting, Councilwoman Hillary Kwiatek decided to address the issue. “I’m Jewish. I live in the Christmas City and I love it here. It’s a very special place. It’s always been a bit of a joke between my husband and I that I’m a Jew in the Christmas City. However, especially with the rise of anti-Semitism that has been happening, which I think we can all recognize, to be constantly lectured to about Jesus Christ at a city council meeting in the United States of America, where we have in the Constitution a very clear line about separating Church and State, and not establishing a state religion, which includes not establishing a city religion.

“I just want to remind folks that this is a beautiful, diverse city with people of many faiths, no faith, and people who choose to live their lives a different way. So I would just like for folks to be a little more sensitive to that.”

Another religious-based public comment Dec. 6 instigated a discussion on the importance of respect and embracing the teachings of the different faiths.

Mayor William Reynolds said, “In terms of the courtesy of the floor, what was said is a reflection of what some beliefs are that some people have, and I think that people in the administration, city council and the vast majority of the people in our city are working to create a city where everyone feels welcomed, inclusive and valued, no matter what their religion is.”

Reynolds added, “We will remain vigilant in working to create a city where there is no place for hate or the beliefs where it is the feeling of some that certain religions victims make themselves feel superior to others.”

The next City Council meeting, which included the final vote on 2023 budget, was scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 20.