Mr. Kaiman: Just so you know-that big, green bush that you lit in town on Friday night is not a holiday tree, it is not a Hanukkah tree, it is not a Kwanza tree, it is not anything else but a Christmas tree! Its roots date back to the 7th century when a Christian monk used the triangular shape of the tree to teach the peoples of Germany the Holy Trinity. The tree has evolved over the centuries to incorporate many different customs, but as far as I know all of them are Christian and having to do with Christmas. None of my friends of other faiths have any problem calling it a Christmas tree because that is what it is. And while I am humbled and proud that different denominations can share in this wonderful celebration, it does not change the fact that it is a Christian celebration. We should never demean any holy day by making it so generic that we lose sight of what it truly is. Your actions have shown that you are ignorant. If we let you make Christmas so generic that everyone can celebrate it, then no one will be able to.

You owe an apology, first and foremost, to Father Nick, to all the religious leaders in attendance, and to the people of this town.

Lisa A. Chieco