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CALVIN R. PECK, JR.
(Articles are in reverse chronological order)
Tab 9
Star-News (Wilmington, NC)
May 23, 2003
Island of Lights nativity display draws criticism
Author: Todd Volkstorf
Religion and public policy may be about to butt heads in Carolina Beach. Someone recently
called Town Manager Calvin Peck to complain about a nativity scene displayed at Christmas on
public property with other holiday displays by the Island of Lights.
The complainant apparently asked that the scene not be included in future displays. The exact
wording of the complaint, the name of the complainant and when the person called are not
known. Mr. Peck was away on business Thursday and could not be reached for comment.
Town spokeswoman Valita Quattlebaum said Mr. Peck said the caller was anonymous.
A nonprofit organization, the Island of Lights hosts various Pleasure Island activities every year,
including a Christmas parade and holiday flotilla. Carolina Beach gave the Island of Lights
$2,500, according to the town's 2002-2003 budget.
The nativity scene - donated to the organization by Leila Mae Hunter Bost before her death in
2001 - sat near the front of Carolina Beach Lake during the most recent holiday season. Mrs.
Bost was a member of the Island of Lights since 1992.
The nativity scene joined the lighted seashells, candy canes, snowmen, snowflakes and other
cheery displays around both Carolina and Kure beaches.
"The (Carolina Beach) Town Council has to resolve whether they are going to allow religious
displays at the Island of Lights festival," the town's attorney, Al Clyburn, said.
Mayor Ray Rothrock could not be reached by phone Thursday evening.
In the five years Mr. Clyburn has worked for the town, it's the first time he's dealt with such an
issue, he said.
If they decide to discuss the complaint, council members may face what has typically been a
prickly issue. The New Hanover County school board recently took up a similar controversial
issue when members had to decide whether to display the Ten Commandments as a "historical
document." The board ultimately decided against the move.
"The U.S. Supreme Court has held that religious symbols may be displayed at a town- or
government-sponsored function as long as it is a part of a larger display that includes
nonreligious symbols," Mr. Clyburn said. "However, a town or municipal government may not
extend such an invitation to one religious group to the exclusion of other religious groups," he
said.
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