Maybe we should change Christmas to another day as well

Shelley Gosselin

Letter to the Editor:
I feel our council has a lot of other issues they should be addressing other than changing Halloween Day.
Public notice should have been given and we all should have had a reasonable time to respond, surrounding areas should have also been taken into consideration.
October 31 is a day all across Canada and North America when children go our to collect goodies. Does our council think they have the right to change it? Your article stated it had been changed for Religious reasons in the past and so the kids could go to all the downtown businesses. Religious beliefs should not be used as a basis for making public decisions. These Beliefs, in any way shape or form are not allowed in our public school system or our judicial system. Our Legal system is being over-run by human rights issues on this matter. Is the religious reason because it is Sunday? Does changing it to any other day in the week make it right?
As for the children visiting downtown businesses I feel that should have been left up to business owners and chamber members. There are a lot of different ways to solve this. They could have a party and give out treat bags or get together make up bags and designate people to give them out on the corner by the hospital.
Finding a quick fix - two weeks before is not the answer.
As a working parent when my children were little I like having Halloween on Sunday, I felt it was ideal, I could be at home to get my kids dressed and ready to go out. My husband was home to hand out treats.
Should working parents have to take time off work? Should they have to hire someone too accompany their children, get them dressed and someone to hand out goodies? Think about it.
I experienced Halloween and changing the day the first time. I still had kids from Baudette and other areas come to my door on Halloween Day. What do you tell them?
Maybe we should change Christmas and other holidays to days that are convenient to a few choice people.
Better yet leave Halloween Alone.