An unauthorized billboard with a "Merry Christmas" message has led to the discipline of nearly one-third of the Lancaster Fire Department and exposed a long-simmering feud.
Seventeen firefighters were reprimanded from Lancaster fire's Crew 3, and a retired fire captain was banned from city firehouses, after they posed for a billboard picture on a fire truck on city time during the holiday season. Crew 3 is one of three day-long shifts for the Lancaster Fire Department.
Firefighters paid for the billboard out of their own pockets when they decided instead of exchanging gifts last year they would show crew pride with a "Merry Christmas" message to the city of Lancaster.
That holiday message was either well intended, or it wasn't. It depends on who you ask.
The billboard was put up Nov. 30 on Memorial Drive across from the Plaza shopping center. It was only up for a few days when Lancaster Law Director and City Prosecutor Randall Ullom saw the sign, its religious message and determined it was in violation of city rules and policies. The billboard was removed Dec.15.