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Lock Haven council votes 4–3 to allow donated nativity in Triangle Park after heated public debate
Summary
After extended public comment and competing visions for downtown holiday displays, council approved a temporary sharing arrangement to allow a donated nativity in Triangle Park this year while Downtown Lock Haven pursues a separate gingerbread‑themed attraction.
Lock Haven — A split city council vote Thursday resolved a months‑long dispute over the placement of a donated nativity set in downtown Lock Haven. After more than an hour of public comment and a sometimes heated exchange between residents and council members, the council voted 4–3 to allow the nativity to be displayed this year in a shared arrangement with the downtown organizers.
Melissa Dally, manager of Downtown Lock Haven, told the council that "Downtown Lock Haven is not responsible for permitting the Clinton County Ministerium to display or not to display the nativity." Dally said the nativity is not Downtown Lock Haven property, that the organization had not submitted a use request for it, and that she had suggested alternate locations — including St. Paul’s Church — and ways to present a live nativity to attract visitors.
Representatives of the Clinton County Ministerium defended the display as a community purchase. Pastor Joyce Buckner, secretary of the ministerium, said the set was funded by community donations and estimated its value "at the least coming close to $10,000." Reverend Gary Shumway said 14 churches and individual donors contributed and that the group had expected the nativity to be displayed in a prominent downtown location so it could be seen as "a source of hope." Several residents urged that religious iconography be visible in the main downtown park.
Other residents and downtown advocates countered that the downtown group’s gingerbread‑village concept is a secular, tourism‑focused attraction meant to draw shoppers and represent the broader community. Ryan Shields, a resident, suggested moving gingerbread display elements to alternate locations so both attractions could be accommodated.
Council members said they wrestled with competing concerns, including accusations of online harassment aimed at the downtown manager and whether first‑come/first‑served use rules should govern public‑space displays. Council member Alexander said his vote would be no, citing messages and harassment; Council member Grama likewise said she "refuse[d] to bow down to intimidation." Council members Brinker and Stevenson and another member announced they would vote to share the park, and the mayor announced support in the spirit of cooperation. The motion passed 4–3.
The action was procedural: it authorizes a one‑year, shared arrangement for the nativity display while asking downtown organizers and the ministerium to coordinate placement and permissions. Council did not adopt a permanent policy change governing themed displays; staff and downtown organizers were directed to continue working together on placement and insurance details.
The council moved on to other agenda items after the vote; staff said any longer‑term changes to public‑space permitting would be addressed in future meetings.
