AMSTERDAM - Amsterdam municipal transport company (GVB) bus-drivers and tram personnel cannot celebrate Christmas any more. GVB is axing the event to please Muslims, newspaper de Telegraaf suggested yesterday.

Personnel association VTN has been told by GVB management that “the multicultural representation of the colleagues at the Christmas party is too one-sided.” Supposedly, GVB meant to say that only white GVB staffs have been attending the annual event organised by management in the past years. It has therefore halted its financial contribution to the Christmas party.

“We have a limited budget and want to organise something that is intended for everyone,” said GVB spokeswoman Brit Wijkniet. “Perhaps a New Year drinks party.”

It’s tradition over tax dollars for Augusta Commissioners.

The proposal to use an artificial Christmas tree at the Augusta Common was cut down by city leaders, even though the fake tree would save money for the next few years.

Some tax payers say tradition can change, if, in the end, it saves Augusta money.

John Herring, Augusta, GA: “I don’t think an artificial tree would be bad…anything to save any money. In today’s economy we got to do something, I mean, prices are going up and you can’t expect the taxpayer to burden the whole cost. It’s Christmas, well Christmas or not, every dollar counts.”