As of this day can't get odder, new school board member Debra Goldman has been told she can't dress up as Mrs. Claus for tomorrow's Raleigh Christmas Parade.
John Odom, executive director of the the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association, gave the bad news to Goldman today. He told her that it's against their policy for any person other than the official Santa to wear the red Santa suit at the parade.
Odom said it's confusing for children at the parade to see two people dressed in Santa suits. But Goldman questions how a child can't tell the difference between the bearded Santa and the wig-wearing Mrs. Claus.
Odom said the decision had nothing to do with Goldman being on the school board. He said they would have stopped her last year if they had known ahead of time she was coming as Mrs. Claus.
Odom was elected to the Raleigh City Council on Oct. 6, the same night that Goldman won her school board seat.
Goldman said she still plans to be at the parade, sans the red suit.
UPDATE
Click here for today's story. In case you don't already know, I added that Odom was recently elected to the Raleigh City Council.
Comments
maybe she can dress up as
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 12:59 — carson79maybe she can dress up as this at her church's Christmas function instead. I still don't get why they didn't let her do it but I would think he own church would be a good place to get involved with Christmas events since this one is really controlled by the Merchants Association it seems and I don't think she has involvement with it (could be wrong!).
Exactly, PlaybyPlay - thank
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 09:42 — jeannie84Exactly, PlaybyPlay - thank you!
Politically motivated? Really...
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 13:37 — PlaybyPlayTrying to link this to politics seems very naïve on your part. Please explain how Republican John Odom would have any reason to be upset at the election of a candidate backed by his party?
Good grief -
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 11:34 — louiselee44Good grief - anyone knows the "real" Santa doesn't wear walking shoes like Mrs. Goldman has on in the photo from last year. All the children have to do is check out the feet. No shiny black boots = no Santa. No confusion there :^)
Besides - small children will have an adult with them who can simply say, "Honey, That's MRS. Claus", and point out the jolly old elf. I'm sorry - discouraging people from wearing Santa hats? Really! Well, at least they haven't banned Santa ...yet.
It seems very odd for Odom
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 10:28 — woodstockIt seems very odd for Odom to make to make an issues out of this. The explanation seems pretty lame too. I wonder what the real deal is.
NO Way
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 08:35 — mommy59Sounds to me that Debra Goldman is being punished because John Odom doesn't like the fact that Debra Goldman won the election!
Last time I checked there ia Santa Claus and a Mrs.Claus.Give me a break!
Anti-Mrs. Claus clause?
Fri, 11/20/2009 - 23:32 — DrActualFactualSo the Greater Raleigh Merchants Assn. has a policy for prohibiting Mrs. Claus in a red-suit? I hope they referenced the subsection for that decision. I know a lot of Mrs.' that spend money and it doesn't have to get spent in Raleigh--I hope red is your favorite color Mr. Odom. You have definately made the naughty list (you should expect some coal sometime around Christmas).
I think they should let Clay
Fri, 11/20/2009 - 22:52 — CaryCurmudgeonI think they should let Clay Aiken dress up as Santa!
???John Odom???...I have
Fri, 11/20/2009 - 22:40 — dryeraseuser???John Odom???...I have NEVER heard of such a stupid reason?? That the kids will be confused....It will confuse them, and they will not have the ability to tell the difference between a MAN and a WOMAN?!?!
My first thought to this when I saw the heading...was why can't she??
I don't know if it because of her election to the WCPSS board....BUT with such a stupid ignorant narrowminded power driven comment from John Odom provided....IT gives me NO doubt...it is all due to the election.
I love how folks make children this day and time so dumb and stupid and have the complete lack of any common sense to be able to distinguish between a MAN and a WOMAN.
This is just too funny!!!