Michael Rielly
09-05-2006, 08:34 PM
Christmas decorator plugs into new cause
OWNER OF FAMED GRINCH SEEKS CITY COUNCIL SEAT
EXCERPT:
By Dan Reed
Mercury News
Sat, Aug. 26, 2006
Alan Aerts fought the law and the law won. Now he wants to be one of those who makes the law.
Aerts, who lives in that little sanctuary of the well-to-do known as Monte Sereno, put the burg on the map nationally in recent years with his stupendous flashing, animated Christmas display.
It drew 100,000 to 120,000 revelers annually to his cul-de-sac, national media attention -- and the ire of some of his neighbors. They didn't like the bumper-to-bumper traffic clogging their court nightly from Thanksgiving to New Year's.
Two years ago, the Monte Sereno City Council, on a 3-2 vote, pulled the plug, forcing restrictions on future displays and requiring a permit.
Aerts responded by not putting on his Christmas extravaganza. Instead, he posted only one decoration -- a custom-made, 10-foot-tall, animated green Grinch, which sang ``You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.''
Now, Aerts has decided he'd rather join City Hall than fight it. He's running for city council.
<snip>
SOURCE: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/15368306.htm
OWNER OF FAMED GRINCH SEEKS CITY COUNCIL SEAT
EXCERPT:
By Dan Reed
Mercury News
Sat, Aug. 26, 2006
Alan Aerts fought the law and the law won. Now he wants to be one of those who makes the law.
Aerts, who lives in that little sanctuary of the well-to-do known as Monte Sereno, put the burg on the map nationally in recent years with his stupendous flashing, animated Christmas display.
It drew 100,000 to 120,000 revelers annually to his cul-de-sac, national media attention -- and the ire of some of his neighbors. They didn't like the bumper-to-bumper traffic clogging their court nightly from Thanksgiving to New Year's.
Two years ago, the Monte Sereno City Council, on a 3-2 vote, pulled the plug, forcing restrictions on future displays and requiring a permit.
Aerts responded by not putting on his Christmas extravaganza. Instead, he posted only one decoration -- a custom-made, 10-foot-tall, animated green Grinch, which sang ``You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.''
Now, Aerts has decided he'd rather join City Hall than fight it. He's running for city council.
<snip>
SOURCE: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/15368306.htm