f American Atheists State Director Gil Lawrence Amancio has his way, a Winter Solstice greeting sign may soon be joining an enormous Santa Clause, Jewish menorah and a Christian Nativity scene in front of the town hall of Somerset, Mass.

   Two years ago, Amancio, with the backing of the American Civil Liberties Union, filed suit to challenge a creche which had been erected on public property every Christmas for nearly six decades. He argued that the display was a violation of the separation of church and state, and endorsed sectarian religion. Once his legal action was filed in U.S. District Court, though, local officials responded by trying to "secularize" the religious display with the addition of an enormous plastic Santa Claus -- nicknamed "Santazilla" -- from the local Fire Department headquarters.

   Last August, with legal bills rising, the ACLU compromised on the case in exchange for receiving $35,000 in fees. A settlement with the Town of Somerset provided that the group would no longer pursue its court case, and that the nativity display would be liberally mixed with secular, holiday symbols -- including plastic reindeer, lights, a tree, Baby Jesus & Co., and, of course, the looming presence of Santazilla. Amancio was not pleased ... but when you have lemons, well, make lemonade!

   Local religious leaders weren't happy either. Last week, representatives of several denominations in the area announced that they had contacted Somerset officials in October, asking that the enormous Santa and other holiday kitsch be moved, or that the nativity display be relocated to the front of a local church. Town officials remained firm, though, realizing that the WWF-style Santa and other items were necessary to take away from the "centrality" of the nativity. Without Santa and his enormous presence, by itself a Christian creche would likely be branded unconstitutional.

   When city officials did not answer immediately, the group decided to go public with their complaint. A minister with the local Congregational Christian Church lamented that it was "a sign of sad times" when government did not promptly respond to complaints by clerics. A letter from the religious group also raised the possibility that "witches, Devil Worshippers and representatives of many other religious beliefs" might take advantage of the situation, and demand that their displays be accommodated along with the Christian nativity creche and a Jewish menorah in front of the Town Hall.

   Others criticized the "secularized" display as tasteless. Local Selectman Eleanor Gagnon told reporters that she wanted Santa sent packing back to the Fire Station. "To display something without reverence serves no purpose," she told a local paper.

   Lacking tens of thousands of dollars to proceed with a legal challenge, Mr. Amancio has now contacted officials demanding that he be included in the holiday festivities. In a letter sent today to town officials and local religious leaders, Amancio informs all, "I would like to participate with a display acknowledging the holiday celebrated by Atheists called the Winter Solstice, which occurs on December 22. The Winter Solstice is the very real first day of Winter which all Americans can acknowledge..."

   Amancio proposes that he erect a sign on 4' x 8' plywood which would read, "Happy Winter Solstice From American Atheists."

   "It will be ready to be erected on December 14 and will remain on Town Office property with the other expressions of the winter season until the entire display is removed."

   "The sign will be prominently displayed and lighted in the same place and manner as the Creche, menorah and other secular items currently located and being displayed on the front lawn of the Town Offices at Wood Street and Rt. 138," adds Amancio.

   He adds: "I trust that you will have no problem with this because the Supreme Court has ruled that it is unconstitutional to prefer religious speech over non-religious speech. Disallowing a sign for Atheists would be doing just that..."

   Amancio goes on to warn that any preference on behalf of religious speech "would clearly represent an 'establishment' of religion which the courts will not uphold." He closes by cheerfully informing town officials that he will "submit a bill to the town for the purchase of lighting fixtures, light bulks and miscellaneous hardware needed for the erection of my display..."

   In the meantime, the Somerset Nativity Display, along with the towering Santazilla is now up.

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