(Image source: WRC-TV)

BY EVAN BUSH

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

Loudon County, Virginia residents are saying “here we go again” with first amendment bickering... after a skeleton Santa on crucifix showed up at the county courthouse. WJLA has the story.

“Today, someone put up a skeleton dressed in a Santa Claus suits hanging on a cross just outside the courthouse in Leesburg.”

The display caused a bit of outcry in the community -- and WUSA reports -- one woman went so far as to take things into her own hands.

“Many found the display offensive. One woman was so incensed yesterday, she went right over to skeleton santa and took it down.
Reporter: “What are you doing?”
Woman: “I'm taking this down.”
Reporter: “Why?”
Woman: “It is offensive. I just did what i needed to do and i tried to not destroy any property and laid it there where whoever owned it could retrieve it.”

According to the Leesburg Today, those who wish to put up displays must file an application. Here’s what the applicant said he intended, according to the Loudon Times-Mirror...

“On [the displays owner]’s application he wrote the description of his display as ‘art work of Santa on a cross to depict society’s materialistic obsessions and addictions and how it is killing the peace, love, joy and kindness that is supposed to be prevalent during the holiday season.’”

The courthouse has a history of controversial displays. The Huffington Post reports last year’s displays included several atheist works, a couple nativity scenes... and you guess it, a Star-Wars Jediist display. So why is the courthouse such a magnet for dispute? WRC has more.

“Christmas displays on the courthouse lawn were banned back in 2009 after the controversy of this nativity scene. That was overturned by the board of supervisors. Displays are now allowed on a first come, first served basis.”

This year, an application has been submitted for a Flying Spaghetti Monster and a Tree of Knowledge.

But Skeleton Santa won’t be sticking around. After much outrage Monday during a meeting about the displays,  Leesburg Today writes:

“...the people who put up the the display quietly took the display down, along with another exhibit they planned in the form of a letter from Jesus.”