“Deck the Halls: A Germantown Resident’s Festive Dispute Takes Center Stage in Court”
**Germantown Resident’s Halloween Skeletons Land Her in Court Over Christmas Decorations**
In an unusual case, a Germantown resident, Alexis Luttrell, is facing a court battle over her Halloween decorations, which she never removed after the holiday. Luttrell incorporated skeleton decorations into her Christmas display, not knowing she was violating city code.
According to Ordinance 11-33, holiday and seasonal decorations shall not be installed or placed more than 45 days before the scheduled holiday date and shall be removed within a reasonable time (not to exceed 30 days) on the holiday for which said decorations are scheduled after date. Luttrell received a notice in December stating that the decoration violated city code, specifically the rule against leaving seasonal decorations out for too long.
Luttrell, who has a law degree, believes that her skeletons can be considered Christmas decorations, citing the expression “Christmas decoration” as a gray area. She also defended her right to express herself creatively, stating that she has decorations for Pride Month and other holidays. Luttrell believes that the city should take more time to address clear violations of city ordinances and that many citizens feel the same way.
The city, on the other hand, stated that Luttrell was allowed to rectify the situation before being summoned to court. Any fines will be considered as part of the court proceedings, and residents will still have the opportunity to resolve the issue before court and will only be responsible for court costs.
Luttrell is scheduled to appear in court on February 13. She plans to fight the subpoena and has received offers of legal help and donations to her legal fund from various attorneys and individuals on a Germantown Facebook group page.
**FAQ**
Q: What was the issue with Luttrell’s Halloween skeletons?
A: The issue was that Luttrell left the skeletons up after Halloween, violating the city’s ordinance on seasonal decorations.
Q: Is the city’s ordinance unclear?
A: Luttrell believes that the city’s ordinance is unclear and that her skeletons can be considered Christmas decorations.
Q: What does the city say about the situation?
A: The city says that Luttrell was allowed to rectify the situation before being summoned to court and that any fines will be considered as part of the court proceedings.
Q: How is Luttrell planning to proceed?
A: Luttrell plans to fight the subpoena and appear in court on February 13.
Q: Has Luttrell received support from the community?
A: Yes, Luttrell has received offers of legal help and donations to her legal fund from various attorneys and individuals on a Germantown Facebook group page.
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**Conclusion**
The dispute between Luttrell and the city highlights the importance of clear and concise ordinances. Luttrell’s case may serve as a reminder for cities to take the time to review and revise their laws to ensure that they are not open to interpretation. As the case proceeds, it will be interesting to see how the court rules on the matter and whether Luttrell’s right to express herself creatively will be upheld.
