CLAREMONT, Va. -- For more than a decade, a hay ride with Christmas carolers, along with a tree lighting, were holiday staples in the small town of Claremont.
But it could soon be a memory of Christmas past, as a new town council consider other alternatives.
"A couple of ideas that come up are a hay ride, and Christmas tree lighting in the circle, like they've had in the past, and a few other ideas -- and I picked the Christmas tree lighting in the circle," says Donna Skinner, one of the new town council members.
As an elected official, she is the sole committee member for Parks and Recreation. She has decided to see what others in the town of population 360 would like to see this Christmas season, and while the traditional hay ride and Christmas caroling was on the list, so was moving the tree lighting ceremony to the town circle.
Skinner said she plans to tell town council of her decision during Wednesday nights scheduled meeting, and it doesn't include a town-sponsored hay ride and Christmas Caroling.
"We have to deal with liability and our insurance when it comes to people riding in an open vehicle," she says outside of town hall.
But Skinner's decision has brought out a new spirit in the town, with some saying they will voice their disappointment during Wednesday nights meeting.
"Very disappointed in it, my grandson, he's disappointed in it, a lot of people are," says long-time resident Terry Schlager.
Mayor Louise Hansch says she didn't know of Skinner's decision, expecting to hear it on Wednesday night.
"Until you told me, I wasn't aware that our council member wasn't planning that, the last I heard, we were having caroling and I very much support caroling," she says.
"It just disappoints me greatly that not more is being done to preserve the traditional events here in Claremont," said resident George Edwards.
So should town residents expect a Silent Night?
"There are a lot of council members, like me, who are for that [caroling]," the mayor said. "So I anticipate we'll have caroling as usual."
CBS 6 will keep you posted when the decision is announced.
Darlene
You could all sing Christmas carols while standing around the tree. Everyone will be there for the tree lighting anyway.
reeltime
Cmy list of towns I roll though and spend $$$, nor consider retirement. Nice move libs.
reeltime
Claremont is not on my list of towns I roll though and spend $$$, nor consider retirement. Nice move libs.
Tina Taylor
let the carolers make their feeling known. protest no caroling by caroling outside of the hall during the Wed. night meeting♫♫♫
Liz
Carolers, sing your hearts out!!!
oldvanner
I have a better idea , cancel Clermont
Joe Coleman
Your headlines are DEVIEVING the town DOES NOT want to cancel just one Counsel member
Robbie
Yes sir you are correct! The liberal loving WTVR is trying to start a controversy with the headline. Half truth reporting and liberal views is all todays media is about.
Claremont resident
I have lived in Claremont for years. We have never had a caroling hayride. People, including myself, walk around and sing. This ‘caroling hayride’ idea was brought up and cancelled by one Council member before even being presented to the Town Council. It makes you wonder.
Tammy
Dear town of Claremont, you might want to reconsider letting Donna Skinner serve on your town council. She is unfit and unstable to serve. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about, have the hay ride and caroling as usual.
Tammy
Doesn’t she owe the town money? Use that for your liability insurance.
collins
They can bark all they want but Christmas is Christmas. Nothing is going to change that hoping everyone has an awesome and safe Christmas.
http://www.zazzle.com/holidays4you*
wiseman
Oop the hillybilly must didn’t get their moonshine last xam. No moonshine no singing. That NOT fair.