DRBA Rethinks Decision of No Decorations at Terminals

NORTH CAPE MAY — What happened to the Christmas decorations at the ferry terminals here and in Lewes, Del.?
That was the question sent to the Herald in an email and the topic of conversation on WGMD NewsRadio in Rehoboth, Del.
A listener identified as “Helen” noticed “beautiful holiday decorations,” in the food court area of the Lewes ferry terminal. She said she sailed to North Cape May where she saw no decorations.
According to her e-mail, upon returning to Lewes on the ferry, “Helen” noticed all the holiday decorations had been removed. She said she asked ferry employees what had taken place and they replied, “No comment.”
“Helen” asked who stole Christmas and “Who was the Grinch in Lewes?”
Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) spokesman Jim Salmon told the Herald the “authority was currently reviewing its stored assortment of holiday decorations and will be displaying them in the coming days for the enjoyment of our customers, employees and the traveling public.”
“We were concerned with the perception of costs associated with public holiday displays, especially given our focus on tightening the belt here throughout the years,” he said.
Salmon said an initial decision was made to forgo the decorations this year and that has been reevaluated given the public’s desire to have decorations.
Decorations were removed from the Lewes terminal after employees were notified of the DRBA’s decision not to decorate for the holidays.
Salmon said the decision had nothing to do with complaints of religious symbols as decorations since all have secular messages such as “Season’s Greetings,” and “Happy Holidays.”
He said the decorations were put up in the Lewes terminal without authorization from DRBA. Salmon said no new decorations were purchased.
The same decision also impacted DRBA operations at the Delaware Memorial Bridge and airports operated by the authority, said Salmon.