Nativity Scene at Triangle Park Approved, E-bike Discussions Forthcoming at City Council Meeting

By Christopher Miller

LOCK HAVEN – Father Orr, Member and Past Officer of the Clinton County Ministerium was present at Monday evenings city council meeting to speak to council about the request to install the Nativity Scene at Triangle Park from November 22 through January 10, 2026 during the Christmas holiday season.

Orr prepared the following statement for city council:

I wanted to clarify my position. The Nativity Scene displays started with Saint Francis of Assisi. It is a message of dignity for every person, a respect for all, to have love for the less fortunate, and forgiveness for those who have us. This is embedded in our civilization and established for our country. People need to hear and take heart of this message. Christmas is the greatest of public celebrations. The bells ring for the Salvation Army contributions to alleviate the suffering. Local Christian churches ask for donations to raise a portion each winter to help meet the needs of desperate members of the community who struggle to heat their homes. The City Council should be intent to do all in their power to encourage the awareness of the birth of Jesus and his teachings out of concern for the people of our community. Love and compassion are more fulfilling than hatred and revenge. To behold the child in the manger and to meditate on his birth touches Christians and non-Christians alike. Please let this gentle refrain of this silent night swell from the very center of our community.

Councilwoman Heather Alexander opined that the timeframe seemed “a little long,” and asked if Father Orr was willing to look at a shorter time frame.

“I agree that 50 days is a little long,” councilwoman Barb Masorti added. “I understand Advent but don’t believe any event is planned there currently aside from the possible tree lighting.”

“Advent begins November 30.”

Councilman Steve Stevenson saw the concerns with the length of time for this “or any project at the park.”

“It is for the season though and does run for a month,” he added.

A suggestion was made by Masorti to allow the Nativity to be set up from the beginning of Advent and to take it down between Christmas and New Years.

“Are you willing to negotiate a shorter term,” Alexander asked Father Orr.

Father Orr mentioned that the length of time is to allow Orthodox Christians to be able to celebrate Christmas, which does not begin until early-January.

“I don’t have the attitude that you must do what I would like you to do,” Orr added.

“I do like to show respect for Orthodox Christians, and it is my personal thought that maybe we could start the Nativity Scene halfway through Advent and then keep it throughout the Christmas celebration,” he said. “We should be respectful of Orthodox Christians as well.”

Councilman Jeff Brinker suggested that the Nativity should be allowed in Triangle Park from December 6 – January 10.

The motion passed, with Mayor Joel Long being the lone dissenting vote.

A request was made by Haven Cupboard, the Commonwealth University-Lock Haven student food bank, to solicit monetary donations at the intersection of Bellefonte Avenue and Commerce Streets on October 18.

Wilson said that this was the first organization “to ever ask permission of the City Council to solicit donations at this location,” implying that organizations in the past usually plan this, such as the Boot Drop donations that the fire companies participate in at the corner, on their own accord without the council’s knowledge.

“I have concerns about these donation drives taking place here. I’ve seen youth leaning over the curb with their donation signs in the past. I don’t want to not give an opportunity to raise money for organizations, but there is a lot of traffic there with the fire hall and I think this is a huge liability,” councilwoman Heather Alexander said.

Councilwoman Barb Masorti added that it is a “hectic intersection” but she is impressed to see someone asking council for permission.

The motion to allow Haven Cupboard to solicit donations at the intersection was ultimately approved, with review by the Police Chief to gather his opinion on the matter.

Councilwoman Heather Alexander brought up “the e-bike issue” during Monday evenings city council meeting.

“People are approaching me, saying that they have to register their vehicles and follow stop sign and traffic light laws, but it seems some e-bike users think they are exempt from the laws,” Alexander said.

“We cannot police everything, but these are valid concerns, especially complaints about them being on the streets and sidewalks.”

City Manager Greg Wilson spoke up, saying that this conversation is slated to be on the next City Council Agenda for their October 6 meeting.

“Bikes and scooters that are under electric propulsion, and the state has a law in place that says any bicycle needs to follow the same laws as vehicles but there seems to be a disconnect. To qualify as a bicycle it must be able to travel at less than 30 miles per hour. If they are faster, then they are not a bicycle,” Wilson said.

“It has to be properly sold as a motor vehicle if you can pedal it and it has an electric motor meaning it can travel faster than 35 miles per hour. It seems to exceed the 30 mile per hour threshold with the combination of motor and pedaling.”

Wilson added that the Chief of Police will discuss e-bikes prior to the next meeting and they will meet with the solicitor to draft guidelines on a local level for the use of e-bikes.

“It is different because the state already made a rule, but in some places we still have some challenges with it, like on sidewalks,” Wilson said.

An e-bike discussion is slated to take place at the Monday, October 6 meeting of city council.