PATASKALA, Ohio — Susan Conley has been hosting live nativity scenes in Pataskala around the holiday season for years.

Usually, the nativity takes place on private property, but this year, Conley wanted to include it in the winter farmers market, which is set to take place at Veterans Green, a city-owned park in Pataskala.

When she submitted the permit application for the farmers market, the city denied the request to include a nativity scene.

Mayor Mike Compton explained city leaders had concerns over religious expression on public property.

“This was brand new and we just said, 'Hey you know what staying with our normal policy, not mixing religion on city property, your permit is approved but you cannot do the nativity you will have to find another location',” Compton said.

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