Senoia's Christmas

Committee wanted to see angel decorations flying over the city this year.

But city officials

learned Monday night about the trouble with angels.

City Attorney

Drew Whalen told the City Council that angels have been the subject of

lawsuits around the state because they're interpreted as religious symbols.

Whalen suggested

the city head more in the direction of snowflakes or Santa Claus figures

to make sure it stays out of court during the holiday season.

Senoia Mayor

Joan Trammell said it was a shame that city officials had to worry about

such things, since the angels were the prettiest of the large-scale decorations.

Christmas Committee

member Nancy Roy said the committee's plans were to place angels from

Ga. Highway 16 to the railroad tracks at the beginning of Main Street

to tie in with the decorations downtown.

Roy also said

the committee wanted just over $6,600 from the city to buy the decorations

along with a sound system for the annual program that heralds the holiday

season in Senoia.

But Councilman

Robert Hannah suggested the committee rent a sound system, since it would

be used only once or twice a year.

Trammell said

she would study the committee's request for funds this year, but no money

is currently in the budget.

During next

month's budget discussions, the mayor said the focus will be on upgrading

the Police Department's equipment, since many of the radios are out of

date.