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Thursday, November 05, 2015

Homeowner Assn. Says Remove Christmas Display

Jeremy Morris, of Hayden, Idaho, loves to go all out for Christmas.

Think Clark Griswald on steroids.

His annual Christmas display includes tens of thousands of lights, a Living Nativity, a 22-voice choir and a camel named Dolly.

Folks travel from all over town to experience the larger-than-life Christmas display – and spectators say it is indeed something to behold.

But the West Hayden Estates First Addition Homeowners Association does not share Jeremy’s yuletide cheer.

Last year, he purchased a home in their neighborhood – with hopes of making his annual holiday event bigger and better.

The HOA objected to the lavish display and put Jeremy on their naughty list.

They were especially upset about the religious nature of Jeremy’s display – as noted in a certified letter he said he received from the homeowner’s association board.

“I am somewhat hesitant in bringing up the fact that some of our residents are non-Christians or of another faith and I don’t even want to think of the problems that could bring up,” the letter read.

More here

5 comments:

Steve said...

“I am somewhat hesitant in bringing up the fact that some of our residents are non-Christians or of another faith and I don’t even want to think of the problems that could bring up,” the letter read.

Why? I am Christian, and can respect Hanukkah and Quanzaa. Why is there a problem here? We're Americans and have a Constitution!

Don't like it? Iran wants you!

Anonymous said...

It is NOT a government facility, he should tell them to pack sand and that they are not going to squash his freedom of speech nor to pratice his faith as They see fit! I hate HOA's and how they think they have sll this power over your life and property!

Anonymous said...

It's not necessarily the "religious" aspect, it's the obnoxiously over-the-top spectacle of amplified sound and blazing lights, attracting visitors that create traffic and congestion.

I'm an atheist, and I have no problem with any tasteful religious display. "Kwanzaa" on the other hand, is not "religious" but rather a deliberate subcultural imposition, invented a few decades ago. I have no respect for that nonsense.

Anonymous said...

Eh, they moved into a neighborhood with covenants, if they're in violation they have no leg to stand on (assuming other displays are treated the same way). Having said that, based on the letter if seems to me the Board are the ones who object and are making assumptions about what the neighbors might think.

Anonymous said...

7:41 I think it's reasonable to presume the neighbors may find tens of thousands of bright lights, a 22 voice choir, a "living nativity" including a camel named Dolly, and more, to be a bit of a nuisance.

It's fine when the circus comes to town, but nobody wants it to set up in the yard next door.