PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee says the tree lighting ceremony will take place at the State House again this year because "this should be a happy time of year and I want to make sure that I can do everything possible to keep it a happy time of year.''
Just returned from an economic-development trip to France, Chafee blamed Monday's announcement that there would be no tree-lighting ceremony on "miscommunication.''
"Last year the tree lighting ceremony turned into a big controversial event. That's just not what I want,'' he said.
In an impromptu interview, Chafee said he is still more comfortable calling the 17 ½-foot fir in the State House rotunda a "holiday tree'' because "it is a public building...paid for by people with different religions.''