As if there isn't enough Bah Humbug out there

Keeping his hat on
School bus driver ordered to remove Santa lid after a complaint, but he later wins approval

BY JENNIFER BARRIOS
Newsday Staff Writer

December 19, 2006

A Commack School District bus driver says he nearly lost his job because he refused to take off his Santa Claus cap while driving his route.

With his long white beard and generous midriff, 65-year-old Kenneth Mott bears more than a passing resemblance to St. Nick. The Bayport resident says he has been wearing his furry red-and-white hat every December since he started working for the Baumann and Sons bus company, which transports students in the Commack School District, five years ago.

But after Mott completed his morning route on Thursday, shuttling kids to Rolling Hills Primary School and Commack Middle School, he said his supervisors at Baumann and Sons called and demanded that he take off his Santa hat.

Mott said he was told that a parent of a child complained to the district about Mott's headgear, saying that the child doesn't believe in Santa Claus and was bothered by the hat.

"I said, 'What, are you kidding me?,'" Mott recalled. "I thought it was a big joke."

He resolved to keep his hat on that afternoon.

"Nobody is going to tell me what I can do and can't do," said Mott, who added that he doesn't pretend to be Santa Claus while driving, nor does he play Christmas carols or decorate his bus. "This is America. I'm not hurting anybody."

Benedict Pressimone, who also drives a bus for Baumann, bought his own Santa hat to wear on his route after he heard the story.

"This is ridiculous," said Pressimone, of Holbrook. "We have to make a stand."

But Mott said that after he told parents that Friday might be his last day on the job because of the hat, supervisors suddenly had a change of heart and told him he could wear the hat after all.

Representatives of Baumann and Sons did not return calls for comment yesterday.

Commack School District Superintendent James Feltman said he told the district's transportation supervisor that the hat could stay since it was not a religious object, was not distracting to the driver, and didn't interfere with the driver's duties.

Feltman said he received one call from a parent, in support of Mott and his hat.

Michele Morley, a member of the Rolling Hills PTA, said Mott "always" has worn his hat on his route. "The kids point him out: 'Look, there's Santa,'" she said.

Feltman called the dispute a misunderstanding of the district's policies, which allow everything from menorah ties to Christmas sweaters to Halloween costumes.

"On Halloween, do we tell teachers and staff and drivers not to wear Halloween outfits?" Feltman asked. "During holidays, do we tell teachers they can't wear sweaters that have Christmas trees?

"I think it comes mostly under the category of misunderstanding," he said.

Even though the dispute apparently is over, Mott said the issue has soured his holiday season.

"They sure took a lot of the joy out of my Christmas," he said.
Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.

Re: As if there isn't enough Bah Humbug out there

but i must add:

Message edited 12/19/2006 10:16:32 AM.

Re: As if there isn't enough Bah Humbug out there

unbelievable...
their child doesn't believe in Santa and the driver needs to take the hat off...PC people drive me nuts...like a thorn on your side

eta: spelling

Message edited 12/19/2006 10:17:30 AM.

Re: As if there isn't enough Bah Humbug out there

oh my freakin God are you kidding me!?!?!?

Re: As if there isn't enough Bah Humbug out there

Re: As if there isn't enough Bah Humbug out there

Posted by Beaver2be

unbelievable...
their child doesn't believe in Santa and the driver needs to take the hat off...PC people drive me nuts...like a thorn on your side

eta: spelling

Re: As if there isn't enough Bah Humbug out there

what has the world turned into when you can't even wear a santa hat?

Re: As if there isn't enough Bah Humbug out there

thats totally absurd.

Re: As if there isn't enough Bah Humbug out there

That's ridiculous. I'm Jewish and I think that's absurd! Let the man wear his Santa cap!

Re: As if there isn't enough Bah Humbug out there

I'm just annoyed because this kids sounds like a brat.

Re: As if there isn't enough Bah Humbug out there

Re: As if there isn't enough Bah Humbug out there

I read this article in Newsday today - I'm glad the driver stood up and refused to remove the hat! Good for him!