Christmas Message Restored at Oakville Fire District After Hundreds Rally in Support

Up to 350 people celebrated the return of a Christian-themed Christmas message on a fire district office reader board in Oakville this week.

The sign board at Grays Harbor Fire District No. 1 sparked controversy after an anonymous complaint said the message reading “Unto Us a Savior is Born, Merry Christmas,” was inappropriate and a violation of the separation of church and state.

The complaint was received by Commissioner Dave Edwards. It stated there could be legal repercussions due to the message. Later, Fire Chief Kevin Witt promptly removed the sign and unplugged the holiday lights that adorned a nearby tree.

A post on Facebook detailing the situation garnered 50,000 views and more than 390 comments in support of the sign and the message, said the fire district’s Public Information Officer Shawn Burdett.

Between 300 and 350 people attended the fire district commissioners’ regular meeting on Monday night to voice their support for the sign, Burdett said.

With Oakville’s population at approximately 700 people, he said the support was overwhelming.

“With a town of that size, that speaks very loudly,” he said.

Residents carrying signs displaying the message filled the meeting room, as did several police officers and someone dressed as Santa Claus.

“There was definitely some very passionate people, but I think that was needed and it was wonderful,” Burdett said. “At the end of the meeting, it was decided that it had to be put to a motion to have the sign restored.”

The motion passed 2-1, with commissioners Larry Hamilton and Larry Curffman in support. Edwards opposed the measure.

Against the advice of the city’s legal counsel, firefighter Bill Rodicker restored the original message he had placed on the sign days earlier at the conclusion of the meeting.

“We plugged in the Christmas tree and turned on all the lights to the fire trucks, and all of a sudden, all 350 people were singing Christmas carols as we put it back up,” Burdett said. “It was a sight I probably will never see again in my life, and it was the best feeling I ever had for that.”

The news of the sign’s removal flooded the fire district with phone calls and media requests from as far as Sweden, Australia and Scotland.

Witt said the station had to increase staffing and had two people in charge of answering phone calls and returning emails.

“It’s unbelievable,” Witt said. “We have been absolutely overwhelmed with media requests.”

It's the first time the sign, which is owned by the firefighter association, displayed a Christian-based message, Burdett said, but with the overall outcome of the situation, he said it will likely become a tradition.

“I guarantee we’ll put the same sign up next year; not to rub it in people’s faces, or to prove a point, but because we feel this is right,” he said, adding that 95 percent of the fire department is Christian. “This is what we want to do as a fire department and with all the support, I do believe to a certain extent majority rules.”

With the fire department already supporting the sign, they have taken their commitment to another level, answering each phone call first with “Merry Christmas.”

If legal issues ever do arise, Burdett said four large law firms have reached out to the department and are willing to take the case pro bono to defend the decision.

Burdett hopes the sign will help spur change in other areas dealing with similar issues.

“I’m just glad that I’m a part of it and if we can help change maybe some other town in the United States or in Australia or whoever called us, then all the media attention that it has gotten, all the sleep I’ve lost is worth it,” he said. “It was worth it regardless, but I hope it can start to change maybe people’s minds to think this is a great time of the year where we need to be thankful and happy.”