The following is a draft of a proposal on an idea of a concept. Readers are urged to clip, copy, sign and send it along to their local town representatives. Remember, the more of these they receive, the more likely something will be done about this most heinous problem.
Dear Representatives:
My name is (your name here), and I live at (your address here). I would like to bring to your attention a serious problem that is not only plaguing our little corner of the universe, but most other places as well. In fact, the problem is so out of hand that we are in danger of it’s becoming an epidemic. You must take serious action now before it is too late and there will be no turning back.
Let me start by saying that I am not a killjoy in any way. I like having fun as much as the next person and in a festive spirit, I’ve been known to make rather merry. Let me also start out by making it clear that I believe in the rights of all private property owners and that there ought to be limits to the powers of local government.
That being said, however, I sincerely demand that you, (insert local form of government here: township committee, town council), draft, pass and strictly enforce an ordinance that forces homeowners and renters to take down their icicle lights within a reasonable time after the winter holidays.
There was a time when people ridiculed those who left their holiday lights up past the Super Bowl. That behavior was once reserved for those who also thought that a broken down car made an excellent lawn ornament. Alas, no more.
Today, unfortunately, it seems that leaving the lights up year round is in vogue. I challenge you to drive through a neighborhood without passing a home sporting the glistening tentacles dangling from rooftops. Even those developments with “executive homes” – you know, those slash-and-build neighborhoods that was a orchard just last week – have a few families who must think that icicle lights are permanent lighting fixtures just because they come with nifty plastic clips.
Perhaps these perpetrators believe that no one can really see the lights dripping from their rain gutters. Perhaps they think that they are attractive and add to the aesthetics of the block. Perhaps they feel that if everyone left their holiday lights up, it will become the norm. Whatever these people may believe, I must strongly state that they are wrong, wrong, wrong.
Not only are they a safety hazard because they are not designed permanent outdoor use, but these lights are just plain ugly. They make your house look like an Appalachian smile. By keeping them up, residents are showing a lack of respect for themselves or their neighbors but also for (insert name of town, borough, city, berg or township) itself.
It is time for our (insert town type here: town, borough, city, berg or township) to stand up and take swift and decisive action. It is time for all (insert name of town, borough, city, berg or township) residents to tell their fellow community members that these lights are an eyesore, that at night, during the holidays, they are a delightful adornment, but now, during daylight saving hours, they look not unlike an albino millipede racing across a roof.
Even though there are most likely ordinances already in the books dealing with temporary and permanent outdoor electrical wiring and lighting that can and ought to be used to control this ever-growing problem, a specific ordinance may help many people to realize that the appearance of their homes are as much of a reflection on me as it is on them.
Thank your for your quick attention to this problem.
Sincerely,
(Insert name here)
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