The American Civil Liberties Union has challenged Berkley to take down, or secularize its nativity scene that has been displayed on the front lawn of City Hall for the last 65 years.

Some local residents say it's a tradition; they want to keep it; and they believe giving in to the ACLU's demands is to buckle in the face of a potential lawsuit.

These residents argue that by adding secular Christmas ornaments, the city would be in compliance with Supreme Court rulings, and can keep its nativity scene on government property.

Other residents agree with the ACLU.

They believe the city should not display a religious symbol. These residents mostly prefer the option of giving the crèche to the Berkley Clergy Association, which would take turns displaying it.

The Berkley City Council will make a decision about how to handle the issue at an upcoming meeting.

Surrounding cities have dealt with this issue in a variety of ways.

Clawson secularizes the crèche by surrounding it with a Santa Claus, a Christmas tree, presents and candles, along with a menorah.

Even so, Clawson was also under the watchful eye of the ACLU at one time.

In the late 1980s, Clawson was sued by the ACLU, asking that its nativity scene be taken down.

City Attorney Jon Kingsepp said Clawson's scene was always secular and the city won against the ACLU. He said this challenge came after the Supreme Court rulings that a city could display a crèche along with other secular items representing the season.

"We won because it was secular," he said. "We didn't have to change the scene."

Royal Oak has just avoided the whole issue.

Holiday decorations are kept to a minimum, the Downtown Development Authority hangs lights up around downtown.

Mayor Jim Ellison said to his knowledge, Royal Oak has never displayed a nativity scene.

"We just never have," he said.

Ferndale has run the gamut of options and has settled on leaving it the hands of a church.

Mayor Bob Porter said about four or five years ago the city decided to display its nativity scene at St. James Catholic Church, a church located just off Woodward on Pearson Street.

"It's seen by more people," he said.

But, he added, "There are people who are unhappy that it's not at City Hall."

At one time, Porter said, Ferndale added secular items to its nativity, but finally made the decision to give it away.

"We felt we should get the city out of the Christmas business," he said.

Huntington Woods has a policy against all religious symbols displayed on city property.

City Manager Alex Allie, who has worked for the city for 16 years, inherited the policy. It says there should be no religious displays on public property and the city cannot pay for any holiday decorations.

"I always interpreted it to mean nothing (surrounding) Christmas or Hanukkah (should be displayed)," he said.

Allie said typically the only decorations in Huntington Woods are donated wreaths, white lights, and signs that say "Happy Holidays."